Middle Earth - China’s cultural industry podcast - 节目列表

Send us a text Meet Justin Sweeting, Hong Kong’s ultimate party organizer. Over the last decade, he has elevated Hong Kong’s music scene as a co-founder of the Clockenflap music and arts festival. Clockenflap has come a long way from its humble beginnings back in 2008 to become the city’s biggest festival, with over 30,000 participants per day during peak hours. Justin explains how Hong Kong, his hometown, became a hub for music and examines the rise of Asia as a market in the music industry. The interview was conducted by Philipp Grefer for the 2020 WISE festival, a media partner with Middle Earth. Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and usually hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendation - The Korean music festival Zandari Festa. With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.

Send us Fan MailChina’s card and board games market size was valued at $580 million in 2018, and is projected to reach $1.6 billion by 2025. On this episode we dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China’s market, how to protect your intellectual property, and recent trends in the industry. FeaturingMinlu Chen : Co-Founder & CMO of Gstone GamesHao Zhang :Founder of Labyrinth CultureIred Zhu : marketing director at Asmodee ChinaMiddle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendations- The Chinese game Film Centenary 电影百年- The Chinese game Garbage Classification 分了吧!- The localized game Dobble China 嗒宝中国版Quiz's answers- It is the game Liubo 六博 whose rules are forgotten that was found in a Chinese tomb.- Bang! is the Italian game that got copied by the popular Legends of the Three Kingdoms 三国杀- It was the character Fang Siqi, coming from a popular novel, that was put into an erotic card game even though it is based on a true story and tells the story of a student being harassed by her teacher. With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

Send us a text China’s card and board games market size was valued at $580 million in 2018, and is projected to reach $1.6 billion by 2025. On this episode we dive into the strengths and weaknesses of China’s market, how to protect your intellectual property, and recent trends in the industry. Featuring Minlu Chen : Co-Founder & CMO of Gstone Games Hao Zhang :Founder of Labyrinth Culture Ired Zhu : marketing director at Asmodee China Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendations - The Chinese game Film Centenary 电影百年 - The Chinese game Garbage Classification 分了吧! - The localized game Dobble China 嗒宝中国版 Quiz's answers - It is the game Liubo 六博 whose rules are forgotten that was found in a Chinese tomb. - Bang! is the Italian game that got copied by the popular Legends of the Three Kingdoms 三国杀 - It was the character Fang Siqi, coming from a popular novel, that was put into an erotic card game even though it is based on a true story and tells the story of a student being harassed by her teacher. With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.

Send us Fan MailLeading the world in the LED market, it was only natural for China to join the fun of light art  (also known as luminism) that is growing around the world. Art curator and co-founder of Kaleidoscale Marcom, Drue Chiam shares her experience on how this market has developed over the years she was in China, talent procurement, how to protect your IP and, of course, how COVID-19 impacted an art form that usually happens outdoor with huge crowds.Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendation- The Festival of Lights in Lyon (France)With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

Send us a text Leading the world in the LED market, it was only natural for China to join the fun of light art (also known as luminism) that is growing around the world. Art curator and co-founder of Kaleidoscale Marcom, Drue Chiam shares her experience on how this market has developed over the years she was in China, talent procurement, how to protect your IP and, of course, how COVID-19 impacted an art form that usually happens outdoor with huge crowds. Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendation - The Festival of Lights in Lyon (France) With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.

Send us Fan Mail“If Mulan doesn’t work in China, we have a problem,” said Alan Horn, the co-chairman of Walt Disney Studios, to the Hollywood Reporter. Unfortunately, the film had a lot of issues: inaccurate storytelling, cultural appropriation, and political scandals, not to mention a poor showing at the box office. What were the hurdles the movie faced and how Mulan could be a lesson for film studios hoping to tell Chinese stories for international audiences?FeaturingHank Liu : Film EditorElaine Yau : Journalist at the South China Morning Post journalistMiddle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendations- The Chinese animation film Ne Zha 哪吒 (2019).- The U.S. animation film Coco (2017).Answers to the quiz- Mulan fought in the Northern Wei army.- At least 12 feature films were made out of Mulan’s story. - Wēn Míngnà 溫明娜, who voiced Mulan in 1998, is the actor doing a cameo in the 2020 remake.With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

Send us a text “If Mulan doesn’t work in China, we have a problem,” said Alan Horn, the co-chairman of Walt Disney Studios, to the Hollywood Reporter. Unfortunately, the film had a lot of issues: inaccurate storytelling, cultural appropriation, and political scandals, not to mention a poor showing at the box office. What were the hurdles the movie faced and how Mulan could be a lesson for film studios hoping to tell Chinese stories for international audiences? Featuring Hank Liu : Film Editor Elaine Yau : Journalist at the South China Morning Post journalist Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendations - The Chinese animation film Ne Zha 哪吒 (2019). - The U.S. animation film Coco (2017). Answers to the quiz - Mulan fought in the Northern Wei army. - At least 12 feature films were made out of Mulan’s story. - Wēn Míngnà 溫明娜, who voiced Mulan in 1998, is the actor doing a cameo in the 2020 remake. With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.

Send us Fan MailChina’s entertainment industry has undergone staggering changes over the past two decades. The content, the ways it's delivered, and even the stars themselves are taking shape in a manner that is unique to China and reflects a new type of user — one who has come of age in the digital era. Provincial governments partner with stars to sell goods as arbitrary as farm equipment. Kim Kardashian has collaborated with famous live streamers to sell perfume. The show dives on how the budding Chinese entertainment industry is being shaped by technology and the internet; how Chinese dramas, songs, and TV are received around the world; the power of Chinese fandom; and more. Featuring Kevin Feng : Talent Agent & Producer Allison Jiang : Cultural Writer at RADII Marian Mationg : Writer at DramaPanda Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! SponsorsWin a free month of OVID.tv, which distributes exclusive Chinese films, by sharing your favorite Middle Earth episode on social media. Send Aladin a screenshot on Twitter for a chance to win! Recommendations- Mark Chao (Zhào Yòutíng 趙又廷), a Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model.- Jackson Wang (Wáng Jiā’ěr 王嘉尔), a Hong Kong rapper, singer, and dancer.- Huáng Bó 黄渤, a Chinese actor and singer.  Answers to the quiz- Ruǎn Língyù 阮玲玉 is a Chinese star who killed herself in 1936.-Saving Mr. Wu (2015) is the Chinese film based on the Chinese actor Wú Ruòfǔ’s 吴若甫 real abduction in 2004.-Jackie Chan’s son was arrested for drug use while having an out-of-wedlock daughter.- A 2018 scandal involving actress Fàn Bīngbīng’s 范冰冰 “fake” contracts from a film project were worth $1.6 million.With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

Send us a text China’s entertainment industry has undergone staggering changes over the past two decades. The content, the ways it's delivered, and even the stars themselves are taking shape in a manner that is unique to China and reflects a new type of user — one who has come of age in the digital era. Provincial governments partner with stars to sell goods as arbitrary as farm equipment. Kim Kardashian has collaborated with famous live streamers to sell perfume. The show dives on how the budding Chinese entertainment industry is being shaped by technology and the internet; how Chinese dramas, songs, and TV are received around the world; the power of Chinese fandom; and more. Featuring Kevin Feng : Talent Agent & Producer Allison Jiang : Cultural Writer at RADII Marian Mationg : Writer at DramaPanda Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Sponsors Win a free month of OVID.tv, which distributes exclusive Chinese films, by sharing your favorite Middle Earth episode on social media. Send Aladin a screenshot on Twitter for a chance to win! Recommendations - Mark Chao (Zhào Yòutíng 趙又廷), a Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model. - Jackson Wang (Wáng Jiā’ěr 王嘉尔), a Hong Kong rapper, singer, and dancer. - Huáng Bó 黄渤, a Chinese actor and singer. Answers to the quiz - Ruǎn Língyù 阮玲玉 is a Chinese star who killed herself in 1936. -Saving Mr. Wu (2015) is the Chinese film based on the Chinese actor Wú Ruòfǔ’s 吴若甫 real abduction in 2004. -Jackie Chan’s son was arrested for drug use while having an out-of-wedlock daughter. - A 2018 scandal involving actress Fàn Bīngbīng’s 范冰冰 “fake” contracts from a film project were worth $1.6 million. With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.

Send us Fan MailHollywood's studios are increasingly wary of provoking China’s government by making films that contain “sensitive” content. Some films have even self-censored portions of their own films intended for the global market, in fear of retribution. On today’s show the conversation dives into the origins of how and when Beijing’s cultural policy began to impact Hollywood decision making in film production. The trio also provide concrete examples of how the studios negotiated a share of the growing Chinese film market and what actions the industry needs to take on that issue.FeaturingChris Fenton : Author of "Feeding the Dragon: Inside the Trillion Dollar Dilemma Facing Hollywood, the NBA, & American Business"James Tager : Deputy Director at PEN America & main author of "Made in Hollywood, Censored by Beijing"Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Sponsors- Win a free month of OVID.tv, which distributes exclusive Chinese films, by sharing your favorite Middle Earth episode on social media. Send Aladin a screenshot on Twitter for a chance to win! - If you are in Berlin, Chengdu, or Shanghai and like music or tech, you should check the WISE festival lineup. The event runs from August 28 through September 4. Recommendations- The U.S.-China-Germany film Point Break (2015)- The U.S.-China film The Meg (2018)Answers to the quiz- Too much cleavage was the reason the TV series The Empress of China had to be reshot. -The Ancient One, a Marvel comic character, got a gender and birthplace change in order to avoid provoking any backlash.- Abominable (2019), a U.S.-China co-production, was censored by Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines due to its depiction of the nine-dash line.With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

Send us Fan MailFounded in 2003, Mahua FunAge (开心麻花) is a cultural company that focuses on comedy content, including plays, musicals, children’s shows, improv, online TV series, and films. As of 2020, it has produced six successful feature films and 40 plays with the support of 400 staff members. Leer Cheng, vice president of the company, joins the show to discuss its recipe for success and how the entertainment industry in China has grappled with COVID-19. Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendation- Almost a Comedy (半个喜剧, 2019).With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves  for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support. 

Send us a text Founded in 2003, Mahua FunAge (开心麻花) is a cultural company that focuses on comedy content, including plays, musicals, children’s shows, improv, online TV series, and films. As of 2020, it has produced six successful feature films and 40 plays with the support of 400 staff members. Leer Cheng, vice president of the company, joins the show to discuss its recipe for success and how the entertainment industry in China has grappled with COVID-19. Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch! Recommendation - Almost a Comedy (半个喜剧, 2019). With thanks to Brenden Gonsalves for graphic design & Sean Calvo for music support.