I’m still recovering from the last four days. On Thursday last week, the crew for the new DIY network show, “Restoration Realities” rolled into our house bringing cases of cameras, lights and tools. Our garage was transformed into a mini workshop and our kitchen became the craft-service/break area. People whirled about setting up lights and cameras while the hosts planned out the projects and constructed the pieces needed. We never knew how much work went into producing a show like this. Not only did they have to get the shots for the show, but off camera, they also had to do construction work. It was non-stop action that lasted till 11pm, where at that point Heather and I were left with “homework” to complete for the next day. Our job was to stain our newly constructed screen door. We stayed up till 1am completing the job and fell into bed knowing that at 7am it would all start again. The second day proved to be even more hectic with the pressure to finish both projects (weatherstripping the windows, the door and installing the new screen door) plus get all the rest of the shots done for the show. In the end, it all came together. Although we did not get the security door we wanted, we did end up with a beautiful screen door that fits the period of the house, plus weatherstripping. Everyone on the crew was really nice and we had some good times. We can’t wait to see the show!
Then on Saturday….
Luckily I had a 12pm call time for the independent movie “Mah Jong” ’cause I was dead tired. The day was pretty easy since I only had one scene with dialogue and the rest of the scenes just had me there.
Sunday, Heather and I went to the Farmer’s Market and ran some errands. I ended sleeping the rest of the afternoon.
Today I was back at my day job.
Wednsday I have an audition for an Asian sketch comedy group on the i-channel network. I still don’t know what channel the “I-Channel” is on, but this will now be my second audition for another project on this channel. This is the same channel that will be playing the USC film I did called “Jun and Xin”.
Tonight I watched “Open Water” on the recommendation of a couple people. The story was interesting and the acting was ok, but what was the most inspiring was the behind-the-scenes story. The film was made by a husband and wife team (Chris Kentis and Laura Lau) using pro-sumer DV cameras, inventive setups and no crew. The film was totally financed by them and shot on the weekends while Chris worked at his day job during the week. After a whirlwind at Sundance, their $130,000 film has grossed an estimate of $30mil after distribution by Lions Gate Films.
No lie. They snapped a series of polaroids featuring a head shot, a 3/4 shot, and my profile… then they told me to turn around and face the wall. In slight confusion I said, “you’re gonna photograph my ass?” “Yes I am” she replies as the flash from the camera lights up the wall in front of me.
I wasn’t all that surprised. This is an ad for jeans. It should be reasonable for them to want to see my ass. It’s just strange to think that that could be the determining factor of whether or not I book the job. In my head I picture a group of ad executives sitting around a table staring at my “ass shot” trying to make a final decision. I hear them saying things like, “We really like this guy but he really doesn’t have an ass.” or “I don’t think this guy’s ass could sell Levi’s jeans.” or “I’m not really feeling this guys ass.”
Well, other than the “ass shot”, I feel like I have pretty good chance in booking the job. The casting assistant told me that they were especially looking for software programmers and bloggers. They already had a ton of musicians and “researchers”.
So if things swing my way, my “ass” might be coming to store near you.
continued…
Heather took a couple photos of me tonight and I was planning to put them in this entry as an example of the photos taken of me today. But when I reviewed the photos, I changed my mind. Let’s just say, I need to lose the 10 lbs “the camera” puts on me. In fact, I could stand to lose 15lbs. If the casting director and ad execs are going to make a decision based on those polaroids, then forget it.
So I got the call for the Levi’s print campaign. Tomorrow I will have to convince them that I look good in jeans, a fitted t-shirt AND that I am a computer geek. My agent told me to bring my technical resume as well. That will be a first. I wonder if they will have a tech person there to ask me technical questions. I never imagined I would have to demonstrate my technical knowledge while being evaluated as a model.
(in a deep voice)
“Hi, my name is David Chiu and I’m a commercial print model with 14 years of experience (no lie) in software development, web development and computer technologies. My focus in college was artificial intelligence and I dropped out to start up my own multimedia development company. Over the years I’ve programmed in BASIC, PASCAL, Lisp, Prolog, C, C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, Java and Python, and have developed websites and web applications for Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, Nissan, Disney, Quiksilver, Visa and Computer Associates. I’m smart and sexy - don’t be hatin’ “.
Today was a crazy day. I spent all morning rushing to fix a bunch of code I had submitted to QA. I had people coming to my desk every couple of minutes telling me things are broken and that they need to be fixed. On top of that, I was suppose to do some phone consulting with a client that H and I have done freelance work with for over two years now. Then this afternoon we had a construction hauling service scheduled to come by the house and clean up the construction debris in our driveway. And to finish it off, I had a last minute audition for a Nokia print ad where I had to be upscale/casual. Somehow I managed to do it all. It’s crazy to think of all the roles I play in one day:
JSP Programmer
Freelance Consultant
Actor
Model
General Contractor
Instead I’d rather have the breakdown be:
Actor
Comedian
Model
Writer
Director
Filmmaker
V/O Talent
Business man
I’ve been super busy with a whole lot of things lately. Last week I did a photo shoot for a Met Life ad aimed at the asian market. The shoot was fun since it was held in a good chinese restaraunt in San Gabriel valley. We all had dim sum for breakfast! I continue to play around with my new camera and read up on independent filmmaking. I finally found out what a Kino Flo is and how lighting a scene for film can make the difference between amateur and professional. Yesterday I went out on an audition for a hosting spot on a show for the i-channel. Callbacks were the same day so I guess I didn’t get it. Pilot season is here and my agent is asking for pictures. And I find myself struggling not to be dis-illusioned with my acting “career”.
I shot this short scene using my new Sony PDX-10 using the 16:9 widescreen setting. I literally just turned the camera on, held it out-stretched in one hand and improved the scene. Then I brought it into Adobe Premiere Pro, did some minor color correction exported it and viola! Here it is.
I got a call today from my print agent asking me if I did software programming. That’s a wierd question to ask a model, but it turns out Levi’s is looking for models that are real software programmers for their upcoming ad campaign. It’s funny, because I always thought that most people represented in ads as “professionals” in other fields are just “actors”. But my agent told me that for legal reasons, if they say someone in their ad is a software programmer, then they really have to be one.
My agent then told me the job pays $10,000. I immediately emailed her my “real world” resume just so she can provide proof that I’m the real deal.
My brother passed me this link about the Chinese “Beastie-Boys” group called “Notorious MSG“. I watched the video for “Straight Out of Canton” and I LOVED it. Personally, I think they’re awesome and I hope their video gets on MTV.
Today my two years of training at the Joanne Baron/DW Brown studio paid off. In the scene we shot this morning I had to be drunk, speak in a foreign language and break down. Afterwards, I received one of the best comments an actor could receive, “you were very convincing and believable”.
Thank you.
On another note, I booked a small modeling gig for Met Life. Should be fun!
