September 2004 Archives

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.

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.

> 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.

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.

... 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?

"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.

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

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?

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.

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!

You know you live in LA when you hear ads for a marijuana defense lawyer, a gospel musical and a talent search - all in a row!

You know you're listening to a "Hip-Hop and R&B" station when an ad starts wih "man, I'm not getting any action because my girlfriend complains my bed squeaks and doesn't want my mom to hear" (an ad for a mattress company), followed by an ad that starts with "Have you ever been arrested and needed to be bailed out but don't have the money?" (an ad for bail bonds).

{ insert brilliant piece of prose here }

'cause right now I've got nothin.

sometimes it's just like that.

[ David gets up and exits throgh the door.

Fade to black. ]

It's hot and muggy in the house right now. I feel like I'm sitting in a sauna. We've got the windows open upstairs and fans blowing. It's actually cooler outside. It's actually been pretty hot the last couple of days. Eventually we'll install our deluxe air conditioner that we have sitting out in the garage. Right now there isn't any point since the backside of our house is being rebuilt. It's pretty stressful living in a construction zone. Especially when the construction is going over time and over budget. We've had to open more lines of credit to make sure we have enough money to finish the current construction. It's not like we can just stop. Rainy season is coming soon and we need to finish the outside of the house. No going back. Our life could be a reality TV show...

Speaking about money and TV shows, the expenses for my acting "career" keep rolling in. There's the dues for being in the Players Directory and EWP talent directory, potential classes, the audition technique book used by the studio, putting my "moving headshot" on LA Casting, etc, etc, etc. Plus I haven't been paid for that Asiana Visa photo shoot I did.

I also was notified through the ACTS mailing list that the ABC Talent Showcase is approaching. I've auditioned for the showcase twice over the years but never made the cut. Now that I have training I know that I have a better shot!

Today I received an email from my mom telling me, my brothers and sister that we forgot my dad's birthday. I feel horrible. Especially since all us kids have moved out of the house and this was probably my father's first birthday alone with just my mother. My mom said they went out to eat Chinese buffet (my dad's favorite restaraunt) and the waitresses sang Happy Birthday in Chinese to him. I really wish I could have been there. I miss my family. I only really get to see my whole family once a year during the holidays. It's either Thanksgiving or Christmas. It makes it harder now that I'm married because we have to split our time between Heather's family and my family. We both miss our families and it's nice to be home either at my parents house, or at the farm (Heather's family).

One of my hopes is that I could soon "make it" as an actor and be at a place where we could help take care of both our families. I also want to make my parents proud - to prove to them that I really can do this "acting" thing and be successful. As my parents know I have been chasing dreams all my life. Hopefully one day I will achieve them. I guess this is what my parents wanted for me because my father gave me the Chinese name of Chiu Da-Wei meaning "reaching for the top". (it's funny because when Heather and I talk about this she says she wishes they named me "GETTING to the top" or "ACHIEVING success" instead of just "reaching").

Tomorrow my sister will be in town visiting. I look forward to it. My sister and I don't get to spend a lot of time together. She's the youngest and I'm the oldest. I also tend to be over-protective since I always picture her as my "baby" sister. Well she ain't no baby anymore. She's graduated and out in the real world. I just hope that maybe I could instill some piece of wisdom or good advice. It's my Chinese side coing out. But who am I kidding. I myself need a lot of wisdom and good advice.

I can't believe I'm 31. Playtime is over.

Ok. I'm gonna shutup now.

Things to do:

- Read script
- Decide on what class I should take (audition technique, scene study, masters class, commecial workshop)
- Figure out if we can really afford it
- Write stand-up routine
- Perform at open mic nights again
- Write spoken word poetry
- Perform at a spoken word event
- Re-design website (again)
- Re-register for ACTS?
- Pay/register for the Players Directory
- Write storyline for movie w/ Jeff
- Learn/practice monologues
- Schedule time w/ personal trainer
- Get Moving Headshot up on LA Casting

Tonight we heard some people arguing loudly out in the street. When we looked out our window we saw two guys in their 20-30's arguing with an older man (who mentioned he was 45). The argument seemed to be about money and the two guys were ready to jump on the older guy. One of the younger guys was holding a metal pipe. The older man kept saying he wasn't going to fight them and then one of the younger guys took a swing. I immediately called 911 and told them to get a cop car down here quick. I was afraid the two guys were going to seriously hurt this man.

To my surprise, two minutes later I heard sirens and a cop car came rushing onto our block. Fortunately, the fight was broken up by a women and everyone had gone their seperate ways, but the cops stopped them for questioning. Another cop car arrived as well and they got out of their car and started to walk down the block looking for people to talk to. We didn't feel like speaking to the cops. Those two younger guys actually live down the street and we were afraid that if we ponted them out they would retaliate later. Their house is known for trouble anyway.

The cops questioned the two guys at the house for at least 30min and then started patroling our block shining their bright light around the houses. I think they were looking for the older man. It made us feel good that the cops patroled are area for the next hour. We're also glad they responded so quick. But I think they are trying to clean up our neighborhood. Cop cars and police helicopters are not foreign in our neighborhood. They always seem to be chasing somebody or looking for somebody.

Our neighborhood isn't all that bad really. For the most part it's quiet. But we do keep a padlock on our front gate. We've had too many "people" come to our front door asking for money. It's funny though to watch movies and see that when they show "South Central" or "the 'hood" it's basically places that look like our block.