Published on Thursday September 30, 2004 .
These past couple of days I’ve been playing the role of the ubergeek taking care of very unglamorous mundane tasks (python programming, running maintanance and backup programs on our home office computers, installing new hardware and software, diagnosing system problems, etc, etc, etc). I’ve also been running on 3-5 hours of sleep a night. This is my trade-off from being the typical actor and working as a waiter or bartender somewhere. The advantage is much better pay. The dis-advantage is that work never seems to end. That is why I have decided to stop doing freelance (after I finish my current projects). I think it’s too easy to get comfortable/stuck on relying on the computer stuff to pay my bills instead of really striving to make my money as an actor/performer/entertainer. That’s the reality of it.
It’s time to leave the comfort zone. You can’t learn to fly if you don’t step off the branch.
Published on Monday September 27, 2004 .
77 - the number of people standing in front of me at the Laugh Factory for the NBC Comedy Showcase audition. The auditions officially started at 10am. I was told there were already 40 people in line around 7.30am. I stood in line for about an hour just chatting to some of the other comics, then decided to bail. You figure there’s 77 comics, each gets 2-3min and that puts my audition time around 2.30pm. Even if I didn’t have a day-job I don’t think I would’ve waited that long just to be seen by some NBC execs.
Published on Friday September 24, 2004 .
> Thank you ____ ! I enjoyed whoring with you.
>
>
> [ d a v i d c h i u ]
> http://davidchiu.net
Obviously I meant “working with you”, but that’s what I get when I just type and hit “Send”.
Lesson: proof read your message BEFORE you hit send.
Published on Thursday September 23, 2004 .
I just returned from my ABC showcase audition.
It was nice that I was scheduled as the first audition this morning. It means that the casting people are fresh and I’m in-and-out quick. This morning I read for the role of Dr Derek - a young handsome doctor who just slept with his intern the night before. This is actually a different script than I was originally given. The first script was more serious and dramatic. The role I read for this morning was fun and flirty. Overall I think I did good. It could have been better if I was more relaxed. But I feel that I showed some good moments, personality and confidence. I also think it helped that I wore a lab coat. Even the receptionist commented how I looked like a real doctor.
[Side comment: I really need to take some audition technique classes.]
On another note, I have my artistic evaluation at the studio next Sat. Basically I will go in and meet with my acting coaches who will give me their critique on the work I have done at the studio this last year, what I need to improve, etc, etc. I’m looking forward to it.
Published on Tuesday September 21, 2004 .
… to come in and audition for the annual talent showcase they produce every year. This will be my 3rd(?) time auditioning for the showcase. Auditions are held at the swanky ABC/Disney offices in Burbank. The audition is for getting a spot in the showcase. If you are selected (I never have been), then you are paired up with another actor and given a scene to perform at the “showcase” in front of ABC/Disney execs and casting people. This gives ABC/Disney the chance to see “new” talent and “fresh” faces to be cast in their TV and film projects.
So I’ve done a first read-through of the scene assigned to me. It’s basically a monologue of a doctor who is recalling a traumatic incident that happened to one of his first patients during surgery and how he dealt with it. Good piece. I’m going to try to get private coaching tomorrow to make sure I really shine at the audition. It is kinda last minute though so I’m not sure any of the coaches will be available. My audition is Thurs morning…
Also…
I will be auditioning for the annual NBC comedy showcase which is being held at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. This will be the second time for me auditioning for this showcase. This one is also different. The auditions resemble American Idol auditions (but they’re not taped, nor do you get critiqued). Each comedian gets 5min on stage in front of NBC execs. If you’re “funny enough” then you are picked to perform your set at the Laugh Factory in front of execs and an audience. The “showcase” then becomes similar to Last Comic Standing. The “winner” of the showcase is granted meetings and interviews with different execs at NBC.
BTW, both of these showcases are presented as part of the “diversity” programs that the TV networks have to incorporate more diverse people in their shows. Interesting huh?
Published on Sunday September 19, 2004 .
“An actor is trying forever to get a part; an actor is forever getting rejected, never knowing why, simply not wanted. An actor’s life is not to be envied. It consists mosty of losing out, of being turmed down. Unendurable, such a life, for most of us. I will never know how actors manage to persist.”
- “Audition“, Michael Shurtleff
Heather and I talked today about life and happiness. More specifically, what happens if I never “make it” as an actor? She is worried that I am so caught up in chasing my dreams that I am not living in the moment. I am not enjoying life and every moment. I am cheating myself and her of joy and happiness all for what? I need to learn how to be happy now, how to enjoy life and what we have and each other.
How I got so lucky to have such a beautiful, intelligent, caring wife I have no idea.
What does all this mean? I’m not sure yet, all I know is that I need to make changes in my attitude and in my life so that I can actually LIVE life and enjoy every moment.
Published on Friday September 17, 2004 .
Projects for this weekend:
- setup NAS hub and backup all home office computers
- rewire DirecTV cables to multiplexer in basement and run cables to bedroom and den
- setup and test telephone service on Vonage
- write two pages of new material for class on Sunday
- start reading Audition Technique book
- figure out what to do with our laundry
- clean the house
- go to a nutrition store to get more Lean Mass Matrix and Lean System 7
- get to the gym twice for cardio and weight training
- finish up two freelance programming projects
- go grocery shopping
Published on Wednesday September 15, 2004 .
As I was walking from my car to the house last night I was witness to full blown pimp/ho fight happening down at the corner. How do I know? ‘Cause I heard the words “I’m the pimp, you’re the ho.” and “why you stealing money from me” and “I could kill you, so you better give me my money”.
Who needs reality TV?
Published on Monday September 13, 2004 .
People in LA love their SUV’s and it’s always ridiculous to see huge shiny SUV’s with spinner 22″ rims driving around trying to park in the all to common “compact” parking spaces. Well, ridiculousness is going one step further with this CONSUMER model 7-ton truck. I won’t be surprised to see some celebrity rock star driving this monster on the freeways in LA. I also won’t be surprised when Navistar comes out with the SUV version complete with 24″ chrome spinner wheels marketed for the hip-hop superstars. This vehicle costs $93k which isn’t all that expensive considering all the Bentleys, Mercedes SLK, Ferraris and other exotic luxury cars that exist on LA’s freeways.
Published on Saturday September 11, 2004 .
I just realized moon cake festival is in two weeks on September 23. It’s time to buy some moon cake! FeeiAng suggests the Kee Wah bakery. I checked out their very well designed website and the moon cakes look really tasty! The packaging is also very well designed. I will definitely be ordering some moon cake from them! I think I might try the assorted pack which contains four different kinds of moon cakes: lotus seed, red bean paste, date paste and mixed nuts and ham.
BTW, they have an online store and will ship the moon cakes anywhere. So buy some now!