Since the change in management in April for ATV, there has been unending news on their attempt to recruit TVB’s artists. It would appear that, all of a sudden, all top artists from TVB are targeted.
Everyone wants to make more money, but the problem is the consistent weak performance by ATV. Who would dare to go against TVB’s wishes? If artists are not careful, they may not even have a chance to go back to TVB.
Therefore, someone has devised an ingenious plan: for many artists who sign with TVB on a per series basis enjoy great flexibility and freedom when they shoot series in the Mainland. Thus, in China, a production company named Shanghai New Vision (?) massively recruit these per-series artists for their production, and then sell the productions to ATV. Through the exchange, ATV suddenly finds itself aided by the popular top-rate artists. At the same time, artists also are exempted from explaining their actions to TVB. It is no doubt a plan for mutual convenience.
And TVB’s top-rated actress, Jessica Hsuan, is the first to take advantage of this mutual convenience.
Enjoying Benefits from Both Sides
Every year, TVB will have their popular artists shoot the official calendar. This year, Jessica is also on the list. Rumour has it that to retain Jessica, TVB consistently makes generous offers. Being courted from both sides, Jessica’s plan is definitely clever.
In shooting “Healing Souls,” Jessica claims to be shooting a China series. In all actuality, she must have known the production company’s relationship with ATV. “Healing Souls” mirrors TVB’s “Healing Hands.” On top, with Jessica, Francis Wu, and Liu Siu Ming as the main cast, the series is definitely for the HK market.
June this year, at the Shanghai TV Festival, New Vision has announced Jessica & Francis’ “Healing Souls” and the new series by Michael Tao and Deric Wan will be broadcasted by ATV. Originally, there shouldn’t be a problem for the producers to sell the series to ATV. But considering that ATV and New Vision are both owned by a former TVB executive, when artists shoot series for New Vision, they are, in fact, shooting for ATV.
During the TV Festival this June, Michael and Jessica both assisted in the promotions for New Vision. At that time, there was already indication of ATV’s recruitment campaign – since in their group picture is the trusted assistant of TC (Ho Ding Gwen).
On the “tricky” list, the most popular actress is Jessica, and the most popular actor is Michael. Michael’s series with Deric Wan is much like TVB’s classic “Looking Back in Anger.” Deric Wan is also acting the antagonist in this series. It’s hard to believe the new series is not a copy of the classic.
Grey Area
In fact, ATV has closed their own production department. They also only have a limited number of actors. In all actuality, the local television market is monopolized by TVB. ATV has no way of recruiting popular actors. Even though earlier in the years when ATV made generous offers for Lynda Shum and “Ho Sou Shun”, it did not help. The former TVB executives who recently joined ATV’s management of course understand this working, and thus devise the grey area of artists working up North to recruit TVB artists.
It’s being said that Jessica has been working with ATV in this mode for a while now. She is already planning another series after “Healing Souls” filming has ended. As for the other actress rumour to jump ship, Ada Choi, according to insiders, “They are spreading rumours that Ada will join ATV with 8million, it’s actually just New Vision wanting to sign Ada for 4 series. Honestly, she is still a top-rate actress at TVB, why would she move over to ATV? But it is a definite possibility that she will be working with New Vision.”
Actually, since 2003, Ada’s Mainland series far exceeds her series in HK. If she would like to expand the market in Mainland, New Vision will definitely be of help.
Tsang Sing Ming: It’s about Self-Discipline
Reporters have asked Tsang Sing Ming, TVB’s Assistant Director in External Affairs, about artists cheating and shoot series for ATV. He points out that, “Artists working with TVB need to notify TVB in the event of working with an external company. They have always been very disciplined. If the program is bought by a Hong Kong channel other than TVB, they should know to avoid any promotions.
During the TV Festival in Shanghai, Jessica has gone over to promote for “Healing Souls,” which in essence, is aiding ATV. Not everyone know of self-disciplined.
October 8th Announcement
ATV will announce this Friday their list of new series and artists. In reviewing the list of artists joining ATV, there is no confusion as to why ATV needs to put out such cheats.
Spurce: Sudden # 634
English Translation: 琦琦 - Jessica's Bravenet Forum
Credits: Lovememories @
AsianFanatics