Studying first at the Shangxian Hall in Beijing, he later transferred to the Jiangnan Arsenal Ordnance Middle School in Shanghai.

He also produced dramas with the society, penning and performing Zheng Hong Lei (征鸿泪) in 1915 in response to the Japanese government's Twenty-One Demands.

[3] In this capacity, he emphasized its intent to promote equitable relationships between men and women within the context of the new Republic of China.

[6] Zhou was a supporter of the May Fourth Movement, and published books that repudiated pro-Japanese government figures such as Zhang Zongxiang [zh] and Cao Rulin.

[10] Zhou also participated in several productions, writing the screenplay for Made to Marry (诱婚) and creating intertitles for several of the company's silent films.

[12] Zhou also oversaw the development of animation at the studio, overseeing the hiring of Wang Yang as an apprentice to the Wan brothers.

[13] Through his friend Qian Xingcun, a fellow Anhui native, in the early 1930s Zhou hired Communist writers such as Xia Yan and Zheng Baiqi.

[17] The group toured Europe, visiting Berlin, Paris, London, Geneva, and Rome, where they exhibited such films as Spring Silkworms (1933), Twin Sisters (1934), and Lonely Orchid (1935).

He also hired several new actresses, including Bai Yang and Zhou Xuan, who found success through films such as Crossroads.