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Seattle's diverse cultural make-up makes it a perfect setting for a new Chinese-language TV drama that will begin production in early 2014.
China-based film production and distribution company DMG Entertainment, which earlier partnered with Marvel Entertainment on Iron Man 3 in China, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Washington Filmworks.
The memorandum calls for the development, production, and shooting of the new Chinese-language TV drama that will follow the lives of Chinese students adjusting to life in the United States.
The show will be aired via state-owned CCTV, which has a network of 45 channels broadcasting different programs and is accessible to more than one billion viewers.
Dan Mintz, Chief Executive at DMG, said the Seattle area is a perfect setting for the TV drama because the place has a good mix of Chinese and Asian communities.
For his part, Washington Governor Jay Inslee said the agreement signed between DMG and Washington Filmworks will lay the foundation for the shared economic success of China and Seattle. Inslee assured DMG of full support during the production and shooting of the new TV drama.
Washington Filmworks Executive Director Amy Lillard said the new Chinese-language TV drama will further promote international business development opportunities and will greatly help promote the state of Washington as a tourist destination for Chinese travelers. At least 100 million Chinese tourists are expected to travel outside of China by next year, authorities report.
It will not be the first time that Seattle has been chosen for a Chinese production. Last February, Beijing Meets Seattle, a romantic Chinese movie shot in Seattle, became a hit in China, taking nearly USD 83 million in domestic box office.
The movie, featuring Tang Wei and Wu Xiubo, has attracted more Chinese tourists to Seattle, said the Washington State China Chamber of Commerce. Another Chinese film is also set to be shot in Seattle next year.
