David Chiu

I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to regroup things in my head. I came to LA at the end of 1996 to seriously pursue acting. Although I’ve had some small success, it is now 2005 and I still don’t even officially have my SAG card. I’ve been eligible to join the union for 3 years now but have never paid my dues in the hopes that I would land my next “big” role and be forced to join the union. Now I’m no longer 23 (as my commercial agent has reminded me) and I’m getting older. I start to wonder how much longer will it take for me to get my acting career started. I start to wonder what moves I can make to get things going. I have representation (I’ve been with my theatrical and commercial agencies for many years now). But should I look into getting a good manager? A manager with the right connections could definitely get me auditions I normally wouldn’t get. I also recently finished a two-year intensive acting program. I finally have real acting skills. But do I need to take more classes? (if time and money weren’t an issue, I would). Maybe I need to change my hair. Maybe I need better headshots.

The other thing is that I’m just kinda tired of the whole “pick me! pick me!” Hollywood rat race. I’m tired of doing a million submissions to projects in the hopes of getting some one-dimensional Asian character to play on TV or in a movie.

I’m a smart guy. I’m multi-talented. I should be able to make this happen.

Maybe I need to take a chance and quit my day job?

But the responsible part of me says, “No!” So I look into other possibilities. Like becoming a independent filmmaker so I can write my own stories, my own characters and play whatever role I want.

I’m tired of being rejected for roles that aren’t even that great.

I want to break out and show that I have so much more to offer.

So here I go. This year I’m going to be more focused. More motivated. I’m going to mold myself into a leading man. That’s what my acting studio saw me as and I can do it if I just focus in and trust in my own talent and abilities. I’m willing to get up and fall flat on my face just to prove that I can and will get up and try again. I’m ready to bust through the obstacles in my path. I’m tired of waiting for people to give me an opportunity. It’s time for me to create my own.

Goals:
- Get ripped
- Write, produce, direct, shoot, act and edit a short movie
- Get back on stage and do stand-up

rinse, and repeat.