David Chiu

I thought I was late today because when I reported to the stage manager he said that I was the last one to report in. Then when I went down to my dressing room (which I guess is usually Ingo Rademacher’s room as labeled on the door) my partner wasn’t there (Daniel Ichikawa who was playing another Hawaiian cop). So I quickly headed over to wardrobe where I was greeted by a friendly wardrobe lady who showed me my cop uniform and rain gear for my later scene. She then handed me the unfirom and I headed back to the dressing room to change. After I had suited up in the cop uniform I headed over to makeup where I was greeted not greeted by two makeup ladies who were more engrossed with Oprah than wanting to deal with me. One of them motioned me into a chair and quickly and silently slapped foundation and powder on my face. I then asked about my hair and she pointed to the other girl who told me to sit in her chair as she proceeded to slick my hair back with gel then lock it down with half a bottle of hair-spray. I half heartedly said thanks and headed back to my dressing room.

A minute later Daniel Ichikawa walks into the room fully dressed in uniform just like me. We start talking about acting and about how we’re represented by the same agency and about how we’re not getting much acting work etc, etc. Daniel was a nice guy. Very down to earth. We even started talking about nerves and stage fright. It was cool to find a fellow actor who doesn’t have the need to drop names and try to front like they are somebody.

An hour goes by and I remember that the TV’s in the dressing rooms are connected to the stage cameras. So I switch on the TV and we start watching the rehearsals and taping of the show. They were in the middle of taping a scene with Robert LaSardo who is playing Manny Ruiz on the show. Manny Ruiz is actually the character I’m trying to protect Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) from in Hawaii. Robert LaSardo really fit the part. He really looks like a thug.

Another hour goes by and they’ve shot two more scenes. The assistant director’s voice booms over the intercom in the dressing rooms - “Moving on to scene 25″. Our scenes start at item 27. The time is getting close. Daniel and I start talking about nerves and Daniel mentions how he sometimes takes the drug Ativan to help with nerves. I mention how I’ve had a drink or two to improve my acting in my two year acting program. He reaches in his bag and takes out a drug bottle. “My doctor said that he has CEO’s and business people who order flasks of this stuff to help with meeting and presentations. Would you like to try one?” he asks. A red light briefly blinks in my head as I debate the consequences of taking strange drugs from a stranger. “Sure” I reply as I pop the pill in my mouth. I’m a healthy guy. My doctor has prescribed similar drugs for me in the past for nerves and stage fright.

Another hour passes and finally we hear the assistant director announce, “Scene 27 please report to the stage”. This time Daniel offers some non-prescription gum and mint. I gladly accept since my wife is always telling me that I have bad breath.

We head up to the stage and I’m feeling slightly calmer than usual. It must be the drug. We open the stage doors and walk across the huge soundstage heading towards the group of people congregated around the brightly lit sectioned area. We pass several diverse environments setup on the stage. A park, a bedroom, a hospital, a apartment, an office and I’m feeling like the police. I’m dressed in full police uniform with a partner in full uniform walking next to me. I’m confident. I’ve studied my script for hours. I’m gonna impress them with my acting ability. Then I spot Kelly Monaco and Steve Burton and the nerves start to kick in.

The assistant director is now explaining blocking for the scene. Manny Ruiz(Robert LaSardo), Sam McCall(Kelly Monaco), Jason Morgan(Steve Burton) and Thug #1 are all in the Hawaiian bungalow with guns drawn and on cue, me and my partner are gonna bust in, guns drawn, bringing the heat. One rehearsal goes by then we are handed guns by the prop master. This time they are taping with their 4 cameras and two crane mics.

“Ok. Moving on to scene 28″ the AD yells. That was it. One rehearsal and one take. Welcome to daytime soap operas.

Now this is one of the scenes where I interact with Sam and Jason. The set is being prepped, the cameras repositioned and I’m starting to feel the heat - literally. There I am standing on stage under the lights and I’m fanning myself with my script. I’m trying to hold the sweat back. I’m trying to beat the hyperhidrosis. “Concentrate on your objective in the scene and relax” I tell myself. It’s not helping. The AD is now blocking the scene and calling a rehearsal. The rehearsal finishes and the AD walks up to me and says “Give me more energy in this take”. I’m slightly sweating but I notice Steve Burton is too. That calms my nerves a bit and I get through the taping though I feel my 2 years of training went out the door. “Dinner break! We’re back at 8.30pm!” Yells the AD.

All of us head back downstairs to the conference room where they had ordered Chinese food. We load up our plates and all the actors head to their own dressing rooms. I follow suit.

8.30pm rolls around and I’m now headed back to the stage. Nerves have kicked in again and now I’m standing on stage sweating. I’m fanning myself with my script once again and the AD executes a rehearsal. The rehearsal ends and Kelly Monaco looks at me and says to the crew, “Is the cop suppose to have sweat dripping off his face?” Then she asks me, “Did makeup get to you?” “No.” I reply as I try to laugh it off. The makeup lady is now patting my face down with a tissue and brushing more powder on me. I try to relax through my embarassment.

“Moving on” the AD yells after the taping stops. I think I made it through the take without sweating but I can tell that my acting really sucks at this point. Well I have two more scenes to do so I can try to redeem myself.

Kelly shoots a scene by herself and now it’s on to my voiceover with Kelly on the phone. No sweat. Literally, because I’m not on camera. One more scene and this is the one where it’s raining and I have to wear a police hat and rain coat. Now I’m relaxed. The nerves are gone. The rain from the sprinklers is falling on me and I’m knocking on a prop door.

“Maui police! Open the door please! Jason Morgan or Sam McCall? …”

My episodes air 10/17/05-10/19/05. Tune in to see how bad my acting sucks.