Chinese tea series help BBC Studios win funds

河北祖冲之中学 刘 艳

BBC Studios has wonits first fully-funded commissionin China—a six-partfactual seriesabouttea.The production divisionof the British public broadcaster is makingOne Cup,AThousand Storiesfor China Mobile’s digital content subsidiary Migu.

One Cup,A Thousand Storieswill tell the story of tea and its impact on China and other civilizations around the world.It will look at tea on a scale never attempted before,journeying across the beautiful and varied landscapes of China to explore its various teas,the people who have built a life around it and the culture it has created.It will reveal how tea has influenced Chinese lifestyles and rituals,including food and concepts of medicine and health and how tea sits at the heart of Chinese traditions,attitudes,friendships and family ties,bringing different generations together and even the nation.The series will also seek to tell the story of tea’s influence on other countries and China’s role in the global tea culture.

BBC Studioshaslongpartnered withChinese broadcasters on natural history series such asBlue Planet,Planet Earth and Dynasties,but this is the first fully financed series to emerge from the country.It has been led by the BBC Studios factual production team, which has increased its presence in China,working closely with Kelvin Yau,SVP and GM,Greater China,BBC Studios,to explore opportunities.The six-part series will be produced by BBC Studios in Scotland.

Lisa Opie,managing director for BBC Studios Productions said,“Iam delighted that we have secured our first production commission in China and will be making this fascinating and ambitious factual series for Migu.It’s incredibly exciting to share our storytelling andproduction craftwith new audiences and with content that has been specifically developed for this market.”

Bin Wang,CEO of Migu Video added, “BBC Studios Productions makes some of the best factual programs in the world and we are thrilled that they are producing this landmark series for us.It is a great opportunity to take advantage of their production skills and knowledge,covering a subject that is so important to us.”

Language Study

Useful expressions

1.the first fully-funded commission第一个全额资金的支持

2.the factual series纪实片

3.the production division制作部门

4.partner with与……合作

5.the production craft制作技巧

Critical Thinking

In your opinion,what content about Chinese tea will appear in BBC factual series?Why?