Good Stories are Essential and China\'s Legends can Have Global Appeal, Experts Tell Forum

　　The producers and writers of popular productions, including "Game of Thrones" and "Prison Break," talked about a range of hot topics including Chinese "super heroes" during a forum at the ongoing 2016 Shanghai International Film and TV Festival yesterday.

　　They also discussed storytelling in the modern age, co-production, and intellectual property (IP) rights during the Hollywood Creative Panel: Screenwriting for a Global Audience.

　　In the hot seats at the forum were: Vince Gerardis, co-executive producer of "Game of Thrones"; Zack Estrin, producer of "Prison Break"; and David U. Lee, a veteran co-producer of films between China and the United States.

　　The speakers agreed that stories and moods connecting people were still top priority for screenwriting to successfully touch global audiences across different regions and cultures.

　　But writers and producers can adjust the plot lines for commercial breaks, special scenes and required regulatory approval, said Estrin.

　　The deep thoughts of characters, whether bright or dark and whether conveying fantasy or love, can touch the hearts of global audiences by really establishing a connection with them, said Gerardis.

　　Good stories have created lots of opportunities for co-production, involving the United States, Europe and China, said Lee.

　　Speakers also talked about the "super hero" characters in China stories, those who maybe use chopsticks, master martial arts and live in the Forbidden City or the Chinese mountains.

　　Gerardis said China has a long history and lots of legends, like "Journey to the West," which can be re-written for modern global audiences, similar to the new ways used to tell Shakespeare\'s stories.

　　Speakers addressed the trend of today\'s IP strategies to cover games, books, TV and film products, like the success of "Game of Thrones."

　　Even with the same IP, creative by-products have different storytelling structures and rhythms. And they can interact and innovate in marketing and promotion, speakers said.

　　When asked about the question of censorship, the speakers expressed their own concepts. You have to obey the local rules, they agreed, just like entering a no-smoking restaurant.