@twister02 I agree that producers & production have the largest responsibility for decisions regarding script and casting. And each producer’s bias is very obvious. But the channel themselves also decides which actor each producer can have for each project, based on who they would like to push. Just look at the newbies that Ch3 pushed in Mor Luang, Phrom Likhit, and upcoming Duangjai Tewaprom. Those are definitely the channel’s choices.
Having actors on contract with them helps the channel control budget costs for each project. They also have a chance at developing stars loyal to them that they can leverage on for promotion. Contracted artists are cheaper than freelancers — especially those with name recognition. Ch3 can afford having Pope & Bella working on same drama because they’re contracted to the channel. Outside the channel I’m sure having them both on the same project would lead to such high costs that only a major studio like GDH can afford.
Though at the moment, I’m wondering why on earth Ch3 need so many actors on contract. They have already reduced airtime for their dramas. Of the existing timeslots, they still choose to air reruns instead of dramas that they already have in stock. They’re losing their mid-level actors cos they’re not getting enough opportunities.
I don’t watch much of other channels, so I can’t quite comment. But Ch3 seems to be in this weird cycle. The producers only make dramas that they want to make, even though they’ve made similar dramas before. But those aren’t what audiences today tend to like. The producers also tend to use actors that they prefer, regardless if they’re right for the character. The actors tend to stay loyal to producers because the scripts across the channel don’t vary much anyway. So they might as well choose productions where they know they’ll be well-treated and get to do lead roles, because in lead roles they get the most opportunity to shine.
