2011-06-08

Liu Liu: I Write the Story Because I Want to Portray the Real World

 

Liu Liu has become a popular screenwriter for her successful adaptations of novels into TV series, such as Wang Gui & Anna, Double Sides Tape and Dwelling Narrowness. She is also regarded as an authority on modern marriage and other social rituals. When invited to be a jury panel member at the 17th Shanghai TV Festival, she retorted that she was not nominated in any categories.

Daily News: You\'re an author, so do you have special standards by which you judge a TV drama?
Liu Liu: I think there is only one standard, which is to decide whether it\'s good or not. If a TV drama interests you enough to follow the story, that\'s a wonderful one.

Daily News: Dramas on realistic themes are the most difficult to produce. Your TV dramas can always catch our attention,so what do you think is the key element?
Liu Liu: I never think about that. I write the story because I want to portray the real world and leave something for the next generation. I always ask myself "what are you most interested in" and I find many social phenomena subjects relevant to our daily lives.

Daily News: You were nominated as Best Screenwriter last year and you\'re one of the jury panel. What do you feel about this?
Liu Liu: Nothing different. But I felt lost when I was invited to be a judge. Though I had no new work last year, I still wanted to be involved in the STVF.

Daily News: Your recent work focuses on the hot topic of the 3S (single, seventies, stuck) lady. As an expert on marriage and love, do you have something to tell the 3S lady? Also, will "Miss Su\'s Marriage" be remade as a TV series?
Liu Liu: I want to tell them (3S ladies) to hurry up. About the TV series, I will finish the current contract and then think about my next steps.

Daily News: Could you share what you might next focus on?
Liu Liu: The integrity of people in the commercial world is a hot spot. We should pay close attention to the influence of lack of credit, how to rebuild credit, and in what commercial model. A win-win strategy should be encouraged.

Daily News: You haven\'t avoided talking about money in your previous interviews. Now as an A-list screenwriter, are you satisfied with the payments? And how do you balance the role of screenwriter and author?
Liu Liu: About payment, I\'m satisfied with what I earn through my own efforts and am proud of them. About being a screenwriter and author, I don\'t think it matters because I just write what I like. Then someone buys my copyright. But I don\'t like my work revised by others, so I do it myself.

Daily News: Domestic screenwriters advocate guarding their legal rights because of low payments and failure to protect intellectual property rights. What\'s the real situation and is it necessary to establish an association to protect their rights?
Liu Liu: Actually, I know little about current conditions as I am not familiar with entertainment or authors\' groups. What I know are the mothers\' groups, travelers and friends, etc. I\'ll protect my own rights, but I don\'t care much about the payment.