REALITY MAVEN: Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, CEO of Multimedia JSC, has more than 10 years producing reality TV shows in Việt Nam. Photo courtesy of Multimedia JSC

Lê Thị Quỳnh Trang, CEO of Multimedia JSC, is one of the pioneers of bringing popular international reality TV shows to Việt Nam. She has produced many favourite shows such as Vietnam’s Next Top Model and the Face Vietnam. She shares with Phương Mai about how to enhance the creativity and quality of reality TV shows in the country.

Several reality TV shows in Việt Nam now have similar scripts and content, making audiences bored. As one of the first producers to bring popular international reality shows to Việt Nam, what are your thoughts on this issue?

Multimedia JSC has more than ten years of experience purchasing format rights to produce many popular international reality shows. As a result, we have a comprehensive understand of what makes a reality TV show attract audiences.

In order to produce a truly engaging reality TV show, producers must respect the development and feelings of contestants who are put into unscripted real-life contexts and situations. The producers then cut and edit these situations to make an exciting programme.

What reality TV shows have in common is that they must follow the show formats. However, what makes them different is up to the producers. This is creativity based on the original formats. For example, the catwalk challenge, we always set it up in different locations such as on top of a skyscraper, a ship’s deck, or a glass-bottom suspension bridge.

Therefore, I suppose that if some shows have similar scripts and content, the main reason is that the producers have not enough experience and vision to innovate and create engaging content and situations for the shows.

What do producers need to do to innovate and enhance creativity and quality for their shows to attract audiences back?

In my opinion, a reality TV show needs to ensure two important elements, which are professionalism and entertainment. In order to innovate and enhance the creativity and attractiveness of the shows, we need to deeply understand what problem, purpose and ultimate value the shows bring to audiences and contestants.

The programmes by Multimedia JSC are not just shows to entertain audiences, but we are always aware that the success of contestants is the clearest proof of the show’s prestige and success.

I myself have taken a large number of models from Vietnam’s Next Top Model to the world’s leading fashion weeks such as New York, Paris, Milan, Singapore and Seoul for learning and challenging. These trips have helped me to have experience and vision, learn the market requirements, and know what elements and skills a successful model needs, and then set up the right challenges.

The audiences can notice that challenges in shows such as The Face Vietnam and The Next Face Vietnam are trending, for example, live streaming sales training or video production that meets clients’ requirements.

Therefore, I think that content creation and regular professional updates are factors that help producers retain audiences.

How do producers plan to develop reality TV shows into a useful playground and platform for young Vietnamese talents to prove themselves and shine?

As I shared above, we believe that a successful reality TV show must prioritize expertise, and at the same time, provide opportunities for contestants to develop themselves when the show ends. Many models coming out of our shows have not only achieved success in the domestic market, but they have also confidentially shined in the international environment.

Together with the BeU Models Management Agency, we always try to create more playgrounds for young models to challenge themselves, such as the Vietnam International Fashion Week. We also create opportunities for them to interact and work with the world’s top model management agencies. The contestants’ success is our ultimate goal. It is the difference that helps programmes by Multimedia JSC always hold a place in the audience's heart.

I believe that there will be more new faces to get discovered from our upcoming shows who will continue to gain achievements in the industry. We are also looking forward to the audiences’ support for upcoming shows. – VNS