Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 348, Section 346: The Film Studio is Booming
The May Day holiday in 2001 was the second year that the country implemented the "Golden Week" holiday system.

Since the first trial of the seven-day holiday last year triggered a consumption boom, the whole society is even more excited about the second May Day Golden Week this year.

Starting in late April, major travel agencies, transportation departments, and tourist attractions have been on high alert, preparing to welcome this wave of anticipated travel peaks.

In Shenyang, Liaoning Province, a surge of enthusiasm ignited by the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" is quietly gathering and is about to erupt violently at the "Northeast Film and Television Cultural Tourism Base" (often referred to as "Crossing the Guandong Film and Television City") located in the Qipanshan area.

Since its premiere on April 1st on CCTV-1, "Crossing the Guandong" has enjoyed soaring ratings, quickly taking the top spot in its time slot nationwide and continuing to rise.

Its dramatic plot, vivid and three-dimensional characters, profound and tragic historical texture, and rich regional flavor have sparked a wave of viewing and discussion across all age groups in society.

In particular, the "crossing the Guandong" spirit shown in the drama—the tenacity and courage to leave one's hometown and fight against nature, land, and people in order to survive and have hope—deeply shocked and inspired countless viewers.

This resonance was particularly strong in Liaoning Province, where the story mainly takes place, and even throughout Northeast China.

Many families have similar memories of migrating to Northeast China or family legends. The popularity of the TV series has greatly stimulated the local people's emotional need to explore history and experience the lives of their ancestors.

At the same time, Shengying Media and Shenyang authorities worked closely together to launch a large-scale publicity campaign.

Newspapers carried full-page advertisements proclaiming, "During the May Day Golden Week, experience 'Crossing the Guandong' firsthand and step into the world of Zhu Kaishan!" Television stations played promotional videos for the film and television city on a loop, showing restored streets of Yuanbao Town, majestic mountains and forests, and the mysterious Jingou River. Radio broadcasts featured hosts describing the unique experiential projects that would soon be open in the film and television city in an enticing voice.

Wang Sheng knew that traditional "sightseeing and photo-taking" style film and television tourism was outdated.

He combined his knowledge of later landmarks such as Disney, Universal Studios, and successful domestic cultural tourism projects (such as Hengdian and Xiangshan) to create a unique "immersive experience" system for the Chuang Guandong Film and Television City.

Its core concept is to make tourists no longer bystanders, but participants in the story of "crossing the Guandong".

……

On the morning of May Day, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

The number of vehicles on the road leading to Qipanshan Mountain began to increase significantly.

As the sun rose higher, a long line of cars had already formed several kilometers away from the film studio, including private cars and tour buses with license plates from Jilin, Heilongjiang, and even Hebei, Shandong, and Tianjin.

Traffic police had to temporarily deploy additional officers to manage traffic.

The entrance plaza of the film and television city was bustling with people and colorful flags were waving.

The huge banner with stills from the TV series "Crossing the Guandong" and the wooden archway that reads "Welcome to Yuanbao Town" instantly draw people into the scene of the show.

A long, winding queue formed in front of the ticket windows, and the electronic display screen kept updating the message: "Crowd control is in place today; we recommend visiting during off-peak hours."

Wang Sheng stood in the observation room on the top floor of the film and television city management center, looking down at the surging crowd below through the huge one-way glass window.

Han Sanping, Mayor Xu of Shenyang, and several officials from the cultural and tourism departments were also present, all with barely suppressed excitement and a hint of nervousness about dealing with the large influx of visitors.

"Mr. Wang, it seems your 'immersive' idea has really hit the nail on the head!"

Use job titles in public.

Looking down at the throngs of people huddled together below, Han Sanping sighed, "I was worried this place was too remote and no one would come. Now, I'm afraid it'll be packed with people!"

Mayor Xu beamed with delight: "President Wang, this is incredible! It's only the first day, and judging by this momentum, the total number of visitors during the Golden Week holiday will likely exceed our most optimistic estimates! This will have a tremendous impact on tourism in Shenyang and even Liaoning Province!"

Wang Sheng smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over several core experience areas, where his designed "play methods" were concentrated:

"Zhu Family Courtyard" Living Experience Area:

This was the filming location for Zhu Kaishan's family's courtyard in Yuanbao Town in the drama.

Visitors can experience authentic rural life in Northeast China here.

"Wen Ta Niang" Stove-cooked Meal: Visitors can use a traditional earthen stove to cook flatbread and stew sauerkraut in a large iron pot, and taste the special dishes that appeared in the drama, such as "pork stew with vermicelli" and "chicken stew with mushrooms" (ingredients are extra, but set meals are available).

"Wen's Mother" (played by a staff member), dressed in coarse cloth, will stand by and give instructions, telling the story of "back then".

Traditional martial arts activities include chopping wood and carrying water: a wood-chopping block and firewood are set up in the corner of the courtyard, and a miniature safety axe is provided for children to try out; a wooden bucket is placed next to the well, where young people can try their skills and experience carrying water.

"Chuanjie" Learns Bookkeeping: In a side room set up in the style of the Xia family's shop, children can learn to write traditional Chinese characters with a brush to keep accounts and learn about past business knowledge from the "bookkeeper".

At this time, a long queue had formed outside the Zhu family compound, and the compound itself was bustling with activity.

The children excitedly tried chopping wood, their movements clumsy but their enthusiasm undiminished; several families sharing a stove worked together, starting the fire, washing vegetables, and cooking, busy and happy, with wisps of smoke rising and laughter filling the air.

The air was filled with the aroma of food and the scent of freshly burned firewood. ...

"Jingou River" Gold Panning Experience Area:

This is one of Wang Sheng's key projects.

Using a natural stream within the film and television city, the landscape was transformed to simulate the Jingou River scene, which is full of danger and opportunity in the drama.

Safe Gold Panning: The park provides specially made wooden pans and safe "gold sand" (actually a mixture of fine copper powder and dyed sand). In the designated safe shallow water area, visitors can roll up their trousers and wade into the cool water to experience the fun of "gold panning".

The staff will explain the techniques and history of gold panning.

"Golden Headmaster" patrols the stage: Staff members dressed as "Golden Headmaster" from the play, holding a leather whip (prop), patrolling fiercely and scolding the "lazy" "Golden Husbands" (tourists), increasing the drama and immersion.

Many tourists smiled and cooperated, while others were startled by the sudden reprimand, then burst into laughter.

"Gold Nuggets" Exchange: The "gold nuggets" you find can be collected and exchanged for small souvenirs at designated "gold shops," such as miniature gold ingot chocolates and small gold pendant ornaments, which greatly stimulates the enthusiasm of tourists, especially children.

The gold panning area was bustling with activity. Men, women, and children were all bent over, intently shaking their pans. Whenever someone found a slightly larger "gold nugget," it would elicit a small cheer and a crowd of onlookers.

……

Role-playing in the "Yuanbao Town" neighborhood:
On the streets of Yuanbao Town, there are not only various shops selling specialties from Northeast China, handicrafts, and merchandise related to the game "Crossing the Northeast", but also a large number of NPCs (non-player characters).

Fixed characters include peddlers selling goods on the street, martial arts performers, fortune tellers, and patrolling yamen runners. They all wear clothing from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China period, speak in a Northeastern accent, and interact with tourists.

Scenario trigger: Small dramas will be staged on the streets at regular intervals. For example, "Bandits Robbery" (of course, they are driven away by the heroic "Zhu Kaishan" or "Chuanwu"), "Street Dispute Mediation", "Shopkeeper Xia Buys Mountain Goods", etc.

Visitors can even take on simple tasks, such as "helping Manager Xia deliver a letter to the Zhu family" or "buying a specific item from the peddler," and receive a small reward upon completion.

Photo opportunity and interaction: Visitors can take photos with actors who resemble the characters in the play, such as "Zhu Kaishan", "Wen's mother", "Zhu Chuanwu", and "Tan Xian'er". These "characters" will interact with visitors in the style of their characters in the play.

The streets were bustling with tourists strolling through various shops, occasionally stopping to watch as unexpected little scenes unfolded.

Children chased after the peddler, young couples took photos mimicking moves by "Zhu Chuanwu," and the elderly gathered around "Manager Xia's" shop, commenting on the old items and reminiscing about the past.

……

"Forest and Snowfield" Hiking and "Mountain Climbing" Simulation:
The film and television city has developed a safe hiking route based on the natural forests of Qipanshan Mountain, named "Exploring the Forest and Snowfield".

Scene recreation: Hunter's cabins, watchtowers, and simulated animal tracks (props) are set up along the way to create the atmosphere of the mountains and forests of Northeast China.

"Ginseng Hunting" Experience: An interactive project called "Finding Old Ginseng" is set up in a designated area. Staff will explain the rules and legends of "ginseng hunting" (digging for ginseng), and then participants will search for hidden "ginseng models" (plastic or wooden) in a designated area. Those who find them can receive a "Ginseng King" certificate or a special souvenir.

Although there was no snow during the May Day holiday, the lush greenery of the mountains and the simulated harsh environment still allowed hikers to experience the hardship and mystery of the "Crossing the Guandong" journey.

……

Inside the observation room, Hou Jia (the monkey), who was accompanying Wang Sheng in charge of the specific implementation, pointed to the various areas below and explained to the leaders: "What we are doing is not just restoring the scene, but building a 'living' Yuanbao Town."

When tourists come in, they should have something to see, something to hear, something to play with, something to eat, something to experience, and something to feel.

This is how you leave a lasting impression, generate positive word-of-mouth, and encourage repeat business and recommendations.

Mayor Xu nodded repeatedly: "Profound! Absolutely profound! Mr. Wang, your approach has given us a vivid lesson in local tourism development!"

As they were talking, a report came through the walkie-talkie from the on-site management staff: "Reporting to General Manager Hou, leaders, the 'Zhu Family Courtyard' kitchen area is fully booked, and we recommend stopping the on-site queuing; the 'Gold Panning Area' is crowded, and we have started implementing staggered entry control; the street performance area has too many audience members, and we have added an extra performance..."

The overwhelming popularity even attracted the attention of provincial and national media outlets.

Several reporters carrying cameras were weaving through the crowd, interviewing excited tourists.

A middle-aged tourist from Jilin Province excitedly said into the microphone, "After watching 'Crossing the Guandong,' I knew I had to come and see it! I didn't expect it to be so well-made! Look at my child, he doesn't want to leave after panning for gold! This is much more interesting than just watching TV!"

An elderly man from Tianjin, accompanied by his family, remarked with emotion, "My ancestors migrated to Northeast China. Coming here feels like stepping back into the stories told by our elders. The food is delicious, and the work is tiring, but it's fulfilling!"

Even more unexpectedly, Huang Xiaoming, who plays Zhu Chuanwen, and Huo Siyan, who plays Tan Xian'er, made a surprise appearance at the film and television city on May 3rd, arranged by Wang Sheng, for a brief "fan meeting" and interaction, which pushed the atmosphere to a climax and caused screams and onlookers. The relevant images and reports quickly appeared on the local news that night and the entertainment section of the next day.

Throughout the May Day Golden Week, the Chuang Guandong Film and Television City was completely packed.

For seven consecutive days, the daily passenger flow far exceeded expectations, and hotels and guesthouses in the surrounding area were fully booked. Related industries such as catering, transportation, and retail made a fortune.

(End of this chapter)