On the evening of July 28, the Hengdian Actors Guild held a cultural event titled “Youthful Days: 20 Years of Hengdian Drifting.”

The “Hengdian drifters” are like migratory birds, migrating in pursuit of their dreams. No matter where they started their journey or how many stops they made along the way, Hengdian has become their ultimate destination. This small town, with a registered population of 94,000, has welcomed 136,000 people who have come here to fulfil their dreams.

From Beijing to Hengdian

For Hengdian, this was just an ordinary day in July, with scorching temperatures reaching nearly 40°C in the afternoon. Despite the heat, over 50 film crews were still bustling, shooting scenes with around 12,000 crew members.

At 8 PM, inside a hotel in the Hengdian town area, director Wang Xiaogang was discussing a scene with the crew members, focusing on the female lead.

Twenty years ago, Wang was known as the “first Hengdian drifter.” In 2001, like many others pursuing their dreams in the film industry, he headed to Beijing. However, just a year later, Hengdian’s reputation skyrocketed due to a policy of “free rental,” attracting numerous film crews. A call from his roommate, who had already moved from Beijing to Hengdian, convinced Wang to join the stream of people heading south.

“I was brought here by a film crew. At that time, the pay for being an extra in Hengdian was 60 RMB per day, not very high, but there were plenty of opportunities, and you could get work every few days,” he recalled.

In 2003, Hengdian Film and Television City established the Actors Guild, becoming a link between film crews and actors. When the question of whether to join arose, while other extras hesitated, Wang took the lead.

As it turned out, he made the right decision. After joining the guild, directors often approached him directly for auditions. As a guest actor, Wang could have up to 32 different jobs in a month, and his average daily income increased to 400 RMB.

Hengdian and the “Hengdian Drifters”: A Mutual Accomplishment

Born in 1997, Wang Qianqian quickly advanced in her career after joining the “Hengdian Drifters” public welfare class. Within six months of arriving in Hengdian, she transitioned from being an ordinary extra to becoming a guest actor, experiencing a substantial five to sixfold increase in her earnings.

In Hengdian, it’s not just actors who benefit from more opportunities; film crews also reap the rewards of a broader talent pool. Data shows that the Actors Guild has provided over 8 million extra actors to numerous film crews, creating more choices and opportunities for everyone involved.

Once in Hengdian, why seek Hollywood?

Over the last two decades, Hengdian Film and Television City has transformed from being the “largest” to the “strongest,” and the idea of “Hengdian drifters” has expanded to cover a broader and deeper range of roles beyond just extras. Hengdian and the “Hengdian drifters” hope to be heard and seen with a fresh outlook. (By Wang Lei)