Zhengzhou Rises as China's Short Drama Production Powerhouse

China's short drama market has transformed from niche entertainment to mainstream phenomenon, with Zhengzhou emerging as the industry's new epicenter. The Henan provincial capital now rivals traditional filming locations like Hengdian, hosting dozens of productions daily across its specialized facilities.

The Jumei Airport Vertical Film Base: Industry Game-Changer

The 20,000-square-meter Jumei Airport Vertical Film Base serves as Zhengzhou's production nerve center. Featuring ready-made sets ranging from residential interiors to courtroom scenes, the facility streamlines filming logistics for crews nationwide.

"This isn't just Henan's hub - it's becoming the national benchmark," notes industry analyst Li Wei. "Nearly 500 productions have filmed here since opening."

Cost Advantages Drive Production Migration

30-40% lower production costs compared to first-tier cities make Zhengzhou irresistible to budget-conscious studios. The city now hosts:

• Over 820 production companies
• Approximately 30,000 industry professionals
• Nearly half of China's total short drama output

The boom creates fierce competition for locations and talent. "We book sets months in advance," admits producer Zhang Ming. "The shortage affects everyone."

AI Revolutionizes Content Creation

AIGC (Artificial Intelligence Generated Content) technology transforms production workflows:

• Process steps reduced from 11 to just 3
• Monthly output exceeds 1,300 minutes
• Costs plummet while efficiency soars

The technological leap democratizes content creation. "AI tools let young creators compete with established studios," explains tech developer Chen Yue.

Animated Micro-Dramas: The Next Frontier

AI enables explosive growth in animated micro-short dramas, a nascent format showing commercial promise. Market analysts predict:

• Trillion-yuan market potential
• Expanded thematic possibilities
• New revenue streams for producers

"We're witnessing creative destruction," remarks media professor Wang Lin. "Traditional formats must adapt or fade."

Key Points:

1. Zhengzhou surpasses Hengdian as China's most cost-effective short drama production base
2. Specialized facilities like Jumei Airport Vertical Film Base streamline nationwide productions
3. AI slashes production steps from 11 to 3 while boosting output capacity
4. Animated micro-dramas emerge as potentially trillion-yuan market segment
5. Industry faces location and talent shortages amid unprecedented growth