Wang Liping: We Should Encourage Artistically High-quality Productions

The famous screenwriter Wang Liping is founder of the "mother and daughter in-law drama" genre. She was nominated twice for the Magnolia Screenplay Award and won the prize four years ago. Wang Liping has special feelings for STVF and this year she has a new identity — Jury member of Magnolia Film & TV. She talks about her own experiences, of seeking hot topics in less popular ones, and vice versa.

Daily News: From Best Screenplay winner to the Magnolia Award Jury. How do you feel about the identity shift?

Wang Liping:My life and work are both in Shanghai and I\'ve always had a special feeling for STVF. In 2007, I was nominated for the Magnolia Award for Best Screenplay, and four years ago I won for A Beautiful Daughters-in-law Era. Over the past few years, I have had a lot of feelings, including gratitude. Now as a Jury member, I will drop all the distractions and vote fairly.

Daily News: As SARFT now strongly fosters realistic subjects in TV, this year\'s Magnolia Award nominations have a larger number than in the past. Do you think there has been progress? And how?

Wang Liping: Indeed, and in future the TV market will surely be dominated by realistic subjects. But I do not want to make comparisons to former years. In my opinion, the films that reflect real life, that resonate with the audience and have a unique perspective, are all good works.

Daily News: As a professional screenplay writer, what is your perspective and criteria for evaluating productions?

Wang Liping: First I look at the works themselves, how they reflect the true, the good, and the beautiful, whether they reflect humanity. Also, I assess whether the subjects are conceptually new, and if they are difficult to write or not. Then it is the influence, the audience\'s reaction, that counts.

Daily News:  Which do you prefer, a worth-seeing quality or an artistic quality?

Wang Liping:I choose the latter. There are many roughly-made TV series in the market but few good ones in terms of production and performance. We should encourage artistically high-quality works even though the audience response doesn\'t reach expectations.

Daily News: There are many "family theme" productions which have shocking plots but a good audience rating. It seems that the more shocking it is, the more popular it becomes. Do you think about what fosters this phenomenon? And how should we lead audiences to appreciate the elegant ones?

Wang Liping:I always have a tolerant attitude toward those "shocking" productions but I also have some doubts. The production of TV series is uneven and no matter how shocking the play is, it also has its own audience. It meets the needs of that audience. TV series just like a kind of fast food, after all, so it is important to be able to see where the scale bottoms out. I also take a more tolerant attitude towards those screenwriters as they must go through a growth process. You cannot ask every young screenwriter to write something profound and meaningful because they are "green" and also are not allowed to write what they want. They have no choice but to do what the film company says. Therefore, we should let nature take its course. When young screenwriters become experienced, they will be able to write with their own feelings.

Daily News: Many of this year\'s Best Actor and Best Actress nominees have appeared in your TV series. For example, Hai Qing was nominated for Best Actress for A Beautiful Daughter-In-Law Era some years ago. Will you favor her this year? And who is your favorite among the Best Actor nominees?

Wang Liping:The winners of Best Actor and Best Actress awards are controversial every year. However for my part, I don\'t care who is nominated. What I am really concerned about is whether or not I can remember the character\'s name in the production. An excellent actor must forget about himself while acting. If the viewers can clearly remember your name in the show, and then remember your real name, you have done a successful job. Anyway, I will be fair and impartial in my judgments.

Daily News:  How do you constantly find new perspectives and new themes from ordinary daily life?

Wang Liping: I always like seeking hot topics in less popular ones, and vice versa. Also, my major in college was journalism so I am an acute observer who has interviewed ordinary people over the years. And as TV viewers become younger, I am also considering how to make family ethics dramas popular with them.