霸总们的“爹妈”不够用了，短剧市场中老年演员荒

Core Viewpoint - The short drama industry is facing a paradox where there is a high demand for middle-aged actors, yet the actual recruitment of ordinary individuals, particularly parents, is fraught with challenges and often leads to disappointment [3][10][21]. Group 1: Industry Demand and Recruitment Challenges - The short drama industry is experiencing a significant production boom, with 251 micro-dramas registered in Zhejiang and 2,656 in Zhengzhou in the first seven months of the year [10]. - Despite the apparent demand for middle-aged actors, the industry is not genuinely welcoming to them, as the production pace is extremely fast, making it difficult for older actors to keep up [16][17]. - Recruitment advertisements for middle-aged roles often attract individuals without acting experience, leading to a mismatch between supply and actual industry needs [3][12][23]. Group 2: Perception vs. Reality - The perception of high salaries, such as the advertised daily wage of 5,000 yuan, is misleading, as many ordinary actors do not earn such amounts, and the reality is that most roles pay significantly less [21][24]. - The industry has a structured hierarchy that makes it difficult for newcomers to break in, with many experienced actors already occupying available roles [21][23]. - The influx of recruitment ads is often linked to training programs that target aspiring actors, rather than a genuine shortage of talent [25][27]. Group 3: The Role of Training Programs - Many recruitment efforts are actually disguised marketing for acting schools, which charge high fees for courses that do not guarantee actual acting opportunities [27][28]. - The training programs often promise opportunities but deliver low-paying roles, reinforcing the idea that the industry is not as accessible as it seems [28]. - The industry's focus on visual appeal over actual age means that younger actors are often cast in roles meant for older characters, further complicating the recruitment landscape [20][23].