Hengdian Film and Television City is transforming its studio space into an interactive tourist destination, allowing visitors to star in their own short dramas for a fee. This pivot responds to a sharp decline in professional production activity, largely driven by the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content. AI-produced dramas now dominate the market, accounting for over 95% of new releases in the first quarter of the year due to their cost-efficiency and speed. While these digital productions offer polished, idealized aesthetics, they raise concerns regarding the homogenization of beauty standards and the potential displacement of human actors. As the industry evolves, some celebrities are beginning to license their digital likenesses for AI projects, signaling a shift in how human identity and performance are integrated into the increasingly automated landscape of entertainment.
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