David Chiu

So I guess I’m not going to Italy for that modeling job, nor am I going to be on a herpes commercial. Callbacks for both of those jobs have already happened. Oh well.

Big congratulations to Brad - one of my second year classmates, who happens to be playing Jesse in Frickin A’s new video “Jesse’s Girl” which just premiered on VH1.

Right now what I need are new headshots. I looked at the current ones being used at both my commercial and theatrical agency and I really don’t like them anymore. I need a new picture which shows me with my shorter hair. I really think that will get me more auditions.

In the meantime, I’ve been doing a lot of writing. I have a couple of short film ideas I’m developing plus I have a couple of monologues I want to put on tape. I really want to showcase my talent and I think these short films are the way to go (along with being in indie films). I’m trying realy hard to be focused and driven. I want to make this the last year I have to keep a day job. I realize this is very ambitious, but anything is possible if you work hard and put your mind to it.

I actually appreciated the Valtrex audition. It required some real acting. The idea of the commercial is real people revealing that they have herpes, but are living their lives by taking Valtrex. The audition was very basic - me sitting in a chair in front of the camera reading copy off of a cue-card, but delivering the copy as if I was telling a friend or loved-one. They were looking for convincing performances. As for my performance, both times I did it I felt it was natural but a little flat. So now I’m hoping that the fact I was the only Asian to audition (as far as I can tell) will get me in the door of a callback so I have the chance to redeem my mediocre performance.

I have an audition for Valtrex tomorrow. Genital herpes medicine. It’s a national commercial so it would mean a lot of money. Enough money to put up with the jokes and humiliation if I actually get it (the commercial, that is).

I left at 5am this moning to make sure I made it on time to be on set. Luckily traffic was light and I didn’t get lost on my way to the Ontario Airport. I was actually 30min early and was thinking that I would be the first actor on set. I was wrong. When I pulled into the parking lot designated for the crew, I saw a bunch of people standing outside. They were the “extras” for the day who would make up the “busy” airport. I went and stood in line asking to make sure everyone was working on the commercial. They were and everyone was waiting for the shuttle to take us over to the main location where we would be shooting.

When I arrived on location I checked in with one of the production people who showed me to my trailer. It was nothing fancy, just a big truck with a bunch of divided rooms for the principal actors. After getting situated I was told to visit wardrobe so they would know that I’m on set as well. When I walked over to the wardrobe truck and checked in they told me that they actually wanted to change my wardrobe to something more hip and stylish pther than just a suit and tie. So after a few change of clothes they decided on a new outfit that needed to be approved by the director and client. In the meantime I went back to my trailer to sign some paperwork and just wait. Eventually all the principal actors - including me, were dressed and sent to be on set. The rest of the day was spent walking back and forth the airport, stopping to watch a guy on his computer, then leaving. This was shot in several different angles with several different setups. By 4.30 we wrapped up and were sent home. It was funny because a few people ending up buying the wardrobe they were wearing for the day. We all were wearing very nice clothes. I would’ve bought my entire outfit if I had the cash (it was still expensive even with the discount).

All in all it was a great time and hope to do another national commercial soon!!!

BTW This commercial should be running in the beginning of April during the Golf Master’s Series - or so the rumor says…