At a recent short film workshop in Hangzhou, one producer drew laughter, then concern, after bluntly summing up the state of the industry: “Last year, more than 5,000 CEOs were drugged, 3,000 heroines entered the wrong hotel room with perfect accuracy, 2,000 long-lost heiresses reunited with their families on stage, and the number of slaps in these films could circle the Earth several times over!”
Although the figures were clearly satirical, they resonated widely because they perfectly capture the overwhelming repetition that plagues today’s dramatic scene.
A formula factory: drug scenes and instant plot boosts
Within the “fast film factories” churning out micro-dramas, the infamous “drug scene” has become the universal tool for moving the story forward. Whether it’s mischievous side characters, obsessive CEOs, or last-minute plot twists packed into a 3-minute runtime, almost every conflict hinges on this cliché.
Netizens mockingly call it the “screenwriter’s KPI.”
Equally overused are the scenes of mistaken identities, sudden amnesia, evil poisoning attempts, and heroines taking their children to the marriage registration office – motifs recycled so frequently that viewers can often predict the entire plot from the first three seconds.
Cookie-cutter characters and unrealistic luxury
Even short-form dramas rely heavily on stereotypical character archetypes:
- The CEO who is “obscenely rich but romantically blind,”
- The heroine portrayed as a suffering Cinderella,
- The villain whose plan begins with drugging or kidnapping someone.
Despite showing extravagant lifestyles, the sets and props often appear cheap and hastily assembled, revealing a disconnect between the characters’ supposed wealth and production value.
Micro-dramas can offer quick, gripping entertainment, but their shiny surfaces can’t hide the empty narratives underneath.
Three second climax, one week production
Most short films, which are often only one to three minutes long, are structured around “3-second climaxes” designed to capture algorithmic recommendations. Production cycles have shortened dramatically, with many films written, shot and edited within seven days.
As this formula becomes an industry standard, creators are trapped in a vicious cycle:
the more they rely on clichés, the more the audience loses interest, forcing them to produce even more exaggerated clichés to remain visible.
A satirical warning for a stagnant market
The viral phrase – “5,000 CEOs poisoned in one year” – may be an exaggeration, but producers believe it highlights a real and worsening drought of creativity. When endless “slapping scenes” become a symbol of the genre, it suggests not innovation but exhaustion.
Industry experts say the only way forward is to invest in authentic storytelling: richer characters, new perspectives and socially meaningful narratives. Only then can short films evolve from “fast food entertainment” to sustainable and compelling content.
Source: 163.com
