Trendy IP programs have to meet audiences' demands

A still of a movie adapted from a popular online novel. [Photo/IC]

Maopian, a leading domestic intellectual property program agency, recently announced plans to adopt several online literature pieces in films, games and animations, and build an amusement park based on a novel about stealing relics from ancient graves. Will IP programs help make the film industry more creative, or are they just speculative concepts? Comments:

The IP program trend is good because it uses intellect. But the domestic film market is being too speculative about the concept, as is evident from the fact that many online writers have already received orders, even advance payments, for their novels. This is a risky affair because online writers have not yet passed any actual market test and films based on their novels could possibly fail. As a result, the rate of success for IP programs could be rather low. Film producers still need to be cautious.

21st Century Business Herald, June 4

As revolutionary products, IP-based programs can help change the film industry. Of course, problems might emerge in the process, but we should not resist IP programs because of just that. In the 1990s when digital devices were introduced, some filmmakers opposed them. But time proved how ridiculous their opposition was.

Li Shaohong, president of China Film Directors' Guild, June 4

New concepts will continue to emerge - from micro blog marketing to IP - as normal market trends that might not last very long, and IP programs don't seem to make any special contribution to the marketing of films. The domestic film industry is still going through a rough growth process and needs concepts like IP for faster and smoother growth.

Tian Gang, a film company manager in charge of IP businesses, June 3

If filmmakers mean to make good films from IPs, they need to find good IP materials that meet audiences' demands and tastes. Chinese directors have made too many films that serve financers', not audiences', needs. IP will hopefully reverse this absurd trend.

Li Xiao, a playwright, June 4