Disney's Eric Schrier: "Supporting Creators to Take Risks"
"Korean and Japanese Creativity Is Top-Tier... We Bet on Dreams, Not Just Data"
Disney is positioning Asian original content as a key driver of its global growth. The company plans to consistently collaborate with local creators to produce content that reflects regional characteristics and to distribute this content worldwide.
Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios and Global Original TV Strategy, stated at the 'Disney+ Original Preview' talk session held at Hong Kong Disneyland on the 13th, "Local original content is at the core of Disney+'s strategy."
The Key Is Fostering a Creative Environment
Drawing on his 25 years of experience, Schrier led FX Entertainment to become a brand known for distinctive storytelling. He said, "My expertise lies in creating an environment where creators can do their best work," adding, "Since every creator is different, I often ask, 'What story is burning inside you?'"
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing regional differences. "I don't claim to know exactly what viewers in Korea, Japan, or Australia want," he said, "but I do understand the universal structure of stories and the language of visuals. My role is to create an environment and provide support so that regional leaders can do their best."
Carol Choi, Head of Original Content Strategy for Disney Asia-Pacific, said, "Disney is a company centered on storytelling," and added, "Great stories, high production quality, and compelling characters are elements that audiences around the world commonly seek." She continued, "When you add regional cultural nuances, the unique personalities of local creators can truly shine."
A Strategy That Combines Data and Intuition
Regarding how to balance global strategy with the needs of each country, Schrier replied, "It's a combination of data and science, along with emotion and intuition." He explained that while they closely analyze data on audience groups, viewing patterns, and market preferences, they also trust the instinctive judgment of regional executives and creators.
"Looking at history, most truly successful works have come from unexpected attempts. 'Star Wars' and 'The Bear' are examples. Who would have thought a story about a sandwich shop would become such a hit?"
He stressed the importance of creating an environment where creators can take risks. "We refer to data, but in the end, we are betting on people's dreams and artistry," he said.
Schrier also discussed content trends. "In the past, epic historical dramas were popular, but now, shorter dramas like 'The Bear,' which run about 30 minutes, are gaining attention. Because people spend more time on their phones, their attention spans have shortened."
Choi agreed with the approach of favoring short, dense episodes over 60- to 70-minute ones. "In Asia, digital consumption patterns are evolving rapidly," she said, "and ultra-short formats, such as vertical dramas under two minutes, are becoming popular."
She added, "We are exploring how these trends will be reflected in the overall Disney+ portfolio. We are experimenting across a wide range of genres, including mid-form, unscripted, music, and lifestyle entertainment."
High Praise for Korean and Japanese Creativity
Schrier expressed high regard for the creative standards in Asia. "The level demonstrated by creators in Korea and Japan is truly remarkable," he said, adding, "Korean content, in particular, excels at conveying universal emotions and humanity."
Regarding Japan, he said, "Not only animation, but also live-action drama is expected to expand," and noted, "Stories from this region are reaching the world and providing great inspiration to our global teams."
When asked about the driving force behind strong partnerships, he answered, "Trust." "There must be trust among platforms, executives, and creators in order to take risks," he said. "Today, Justin Marks, the producer of 'Shogun,' said, 'FX was truly an excellent partner,' and that is the true model of collaboration."
Choi stated, "The greatest strength we have secured in the Asia-Pacific region is the wide range of partnerships we have built over many years." Disney is co-producing long-form dramas with terrestrial broadcasters, collaborating on famous intellectual property-based content with the publisher Kodansha, and working with agencies such as HYBE and Starto on artist collaborations.
They are also developing new projects based on a variety of original IPs, including novels and games. The collaboration with director Hideo Kojima is a representative example. Choi expressed confidence, saying, "Thanks to our extensive collaborative structure, we will be able to create even larger and more meaningful projects in Asia going forward."
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