David Chiu

This is one of those few times I wish I had a Chinese accent. More specifically, a Mandarin Chinese accent. There is a movie currently being cast called “Dark Matter” which features 6 native-born, mandarin speaking, physics grad students. According to the breakdowns, these roles will require strong theatrical training with very naturalistic performances. These lucky actors will be acting along-side Meryl Streep who has the lead role.

This is the kind of movie I would love to be involved with. Now if they could only write in the character of the brash American-Born Chinese/Filipino who is also a brilliant grad student but loves hip-hop and dancing - and is confident, funny, and sexy - and teaches the “Asian import” grad students his American ways while they teach him about his roots and culture and values of honor and respect…

I need to start learning Chinese/Filipino accents….

Engrish

Today, as I was preparing for my scene Tom approached me out in the hallway and wanted to talk to me about the piece. He said he initially forgot that the scene contained the line “…cock-eyed Chinaman…”. During a teachers meeting at the studio it was discussed whether I could just leave that line out of my performance. Well, it turns out the studios’ position is to never cut any lines out of a scene. So my choice is to either keep the line in or do a different scene altogether. Tom said he definitely did not want me to feel uncomfortable so if I chose not to do the scene that was completely fine. I would be assigned a new one. In the event that I do perform the scene, I could say the line with the intention that that was what they called me while I was in jail.

After some thought, I decided that I would go ahead and perform the scene keeping that line in. My thought was to illuminate the racist attitudes of the time instead of trying to hide or deny it. Anyway, I love the beauty of the scene. It’s very touching.

The table-reading in class went very, very well. Tom actually let us get through the entire scene without stopping us (which is rare for an initial table-reading). What that means is that my partner and I showed good understanding of the scene, the characters, the relationship, the circumstances and the emotions. He said we had a very good start and he had just a few adjustments as we continue development of our performances.

My partner and I were very pleased. I feel that this scene is going to do a lot of good in terms of my growth as an actor and sensitivity of emotions. I’m starting to feel that I am finally starting to “get” the process and how to apply it. It’s all very exciting.

+Plus I get twice the coaching on it since I have two partners!

Last night I did a table reading in class of the scene I have been assigned from the play “One Sunday Afternoon”. This scene is definitely going to take a lot of work. It’s a beautifully sensitive touching scene about a man who has changed since his time in jail in which his wife (which he didn’t really care for that much - he covets after another woman he wish he had married) has kept in touch with him by sending letters. In the scene he has just been released from jail and meets his wife in the park. There’s lots of awkward moments, silences and pure emotion (tears of love and joy) as he tries to connect with his wife hoping she loves him and will take him back after his two years in jail.

I actually have been assigned two different partners for this scene so I will be getting twice the coaching than usual. That will definitely help.

One thing that bothered me as I was reading through the scene, is that my character has this line “…or cock-eyed chinaman…”. I was offended at first and was determined to leave out that line. During my table reading Mary (our other acting coach) said she had discussed this issue with Tom. Tom told her that he thought I was full Japanese and that that line shouldn’t be a problem for me.

Well he was mistaken. Even if I was full Japanese I still wouldn’t say that line. There’s no purpose for that line being there. This character doesn’t need to be a bigot for the scene to work. ALTHOUGH, since I am half Chinese, that line could act as a self-deprecating remark. But ultimately I’m not that comfortable with it so I’m leaving it out.

It’s also funny because my acting partner asked Mary “what’s the deal with putting all the Asians together?” (my other partner is filipino like me!) Mary quickly changed the subject. Actually it doesn’t bother me ’cause I don’t really feel it was a deliberate choice. At least I hope not, but it does reflect the attitude mainstream Hollywood currently has with Asian actors. An asian guy can’t have a romantic scene with anyone other than an asian female character. Although, it’s ok for an asian female character to be romantically involved with other ethnicities. It is a little suspiscious because my last partner was Asian as well. Actually, thinking about it, all my partners this year were Asian except for my first partner. Hmmmm….

I’m just gonna let it go