David Chiu

On Sunday my acting coach told my partner and I that we were done with our scene. That’s not to say that we performed the scene perfectly, but more of that we demonstrated that we understood the scene and the characters and were able to present a believable interpretation of the scene. I know for myself, I would still need a lot of work to add in a believable Bronx accent (I left out the accent on Sunday’s performance) and I would also like to add the little nuances that would make my character slightly creepy and introduce doubt to the audience (only makes sense since the play is called Doubt). But ultimately my coach was happy because he could see me become more grounded and connected in each moment. I wasn’t trying to “act”. He said that right now their goal with me is to really ground me as an actor and help me exude more confidence as a leading man.

Last Sunday I appeared on the show Restoration Realities with my wife. It’s a show about restoring old houses and in the show the two hosts walk us through a couple of projects. That was fun and we got a new screen door too.

I think the turning point for me was the moment I realized that I didn’t have to “act”. I just had to be comfortable being me.

I had been waiting for at least an hour sitting in front of the elevator outside of the casting office. I was surrounded by other asian guys who were similar to me. Tall and skinny with deep voices. They all seemed to know each other and every time the elevator opened another asian guy would enter the mix heartily welcomed by the group. I felt like the outsider. Their names sounded familiar, but I didn’t really know anyone. They all talked about other auditions they had had or what projects they were working on. It was hard for me not to be a little envious, but I just sat silently barely studying my script. One by one they were called into the casting office and I just sat outside reviewing my actions line-by-line and going over the script breakdown I had done earlier. I noticed a couple of guys strutting around in leather coats trying to act “hard”. That’s probably the same approach that I would have used in the past, but now I know better. Instead I reminded myself that I just need to rely on my training. I just need to engage the casting director and take my time.

So that’s what I did. I was surprisingly relaxed in the casting office and I took my time and created moments. I listened and responded and reacted. All very natural. I didn’t try to “act” anything. In the end it worked! The casting director said “very nice work”. I’m confident that I left a very good impression. That’s the best you can hope for really. That the casting director sees your talent and keeps you in mind for future projects.

That was the best audition ever.

Another apropos project title for my life at this moment.

I just received notice of a last minute theatrical audition for TONIGHT. It’s a recurring guest spot on the show – which I think is a new action/drama pilot. This is the kind of opportunity I’ve been waiting for. No pressure of course. There’s 5 pages of sides for the audition and this is just a pre-read with the casting director. This is where the training kicks in. I need to break down the sides, make some choices and plan out my actions. At the very least I need to show the casting director what I have to offer as an actor – even if it might not be right for the part. This is a pretty big casting agency so if I can impress them they will remember me for future projects.

I feel pretty good momentum with my acting this week. On Sunday, since my scene partner was not in class, I performed Vin Diesel’s monologue from Boiler Room. I received a very positive critique from my acting coach who was impressed that I was able to memorize that amount of text within two days. One of his few criticisms was that, as a person, I have an essence of culture and refine-ness and no matter how tough or how harsh I act, even though I’m able to pull it off, you can still see that essence of culture and refine-ness. He said that after working with me for a year, he sees me more as an Asian Pierce Brosnan than some street-tough guy I’m always trying to portray. Personally I never would have thought that. But after telling H, she agreed. I guess I’ve been really fighting against my “true self” trying to be something I’m not as a result of my insecurities. In the past I found strength in trying to be “hard”, cold and indifferent. Now I’m finding out that I will find true strength in letting go of and just being myself.

I just find it so ironic that for months I’ve been working on a play called “Doubt” and now that I have been working on my own personal feelings of doubt I now have an audition for a show called “Daybreak”.

After my chat yesterday with my theatrical agent, she sent me a listing of all the projects I’ve been submitted for this year:

That’s 12 submissions with no auditions. That means that my picture isn’t working for me or that my “type” is not what these people are looking for. So I have changed my pictures to my newer photos. Hopefully that will help.

Out of frustration with the stagnant state of my acting career (and my failed eBay publicity stunt) I decided to meet with my theatrical agent for a little career counseling. I’ve been with the Ann Waugh Agency for almost 9 years now. Things started off pretty good with me booking a role on General Hospital and consistant auditions for film and TV roles. Over the years things have started to slow down and now my theatrical auditions are very few and far between. What I found out today was both encouraging and discouraging. Shelley told me that I am now the only one of my “type” that she represents. This is good because that means I will be the only person submitted by the agency for roles that match my exact type. But what is discouraging is that I’ve been submitted for around 16 projects since the beginning of this year but have not been called in for any auditions. Something is not working. So Shelley and I came up with the following action plan:

• Post new photos on Actors Access, which is the online service the agency uses to do electronic submissions to projects.
• Update resume on Actors Access
• Send out postcards to casting directors
• Get listed again on the EWP ACTS directory
• Send a postcard/note to Gwen Hillier, one of the casting directors for General Hospital who has hired me twice in the past
• Consider joining a well known theater group such as East West Players
• Get listed in the directories for film schools such as the AFI and USC.

Ultimately it would be awesome to work with an up-and-coming USC film student who has vision and talent. Just imagine having the opportunity of working with the next Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino. This would be my first choice over some small role on a national TV show or major film.

The other option is of course to create my own opportunities – be the next Matt Damon or Vin Diesel who wrote and produced their own film which became the vehicle into Hollywood. Or use my web development skills and convergence knowledge to create some new media project that gains a lot of attention.

So that’s the plan – to do it all. A full brute-force attack on the Hollywood system.

Today I discovered that I was worth $46 on eBay. Not exactly the outcome I was hoping for. No publicity or leads either. Pretty sad. Especially after hearing that the 4 average joes in Australia who were auctioning a weekend to sit around and drink beer with them went for around $16k.

What I was hoping for was a shortcut into the Hollywood system while benefitting a good cause.

What I gained from the experience was an introduction to PR, press releases and guerilla marketing.

Well, they say that the most successful people are the ones who fail try the most. So this is just another “experience” point for me on my journey to the top.

On a positive note I did some ADR work on the indie film “Mah Jong” which was shot last summer. The footage looks great and my performance wasn’t half bad either! I can’t wait till it’s complete!

So it’s back to the traditional struggle of getting into Hollywood. Submissions, agents, managers, indie films, classes, etc, etc.

That is, until I hatch another crazy idea.

No new bids today. The auction is now halfway done. I’m trying to stay hopeful that eventually the right connections will be made and I will receive a legitimate bid. But whatever. This was just a crazy idea I had to try.

Today I had a print go-see for an Intel ad. I legitimately forgot my headshot so the casting studio had to call my agent – who in turn called me to say “WHY DID YOU FORGET YOUR HEADSHOT!!!” My agency faxed over my headshot which looked like crap. Honestly I don’t care for these print auditions. They don’t pay all that much (well that’s not completely true), but it’s not something I particularly care for.

My weekend is jammed pack full of acting stuff: an ADR session for the indie film Mah Jong, the last day of principal shooting for the comedy pilot “Jake Off” and scene study class.

Today ended with 500 page views and one new bid of $43. That’s +265 page views from yesterday. The guerrilla marketing campaign seems to be working but I’ve noticed there is hardly any conversion from eBay to my website. So I’ve decided to add a couple links to some of my audio and video clips. I’ve also received no comments or questions from my auction or website – though I’ve received emails from other actors and a few producers/directors I know who think my idea is innovative and original.

I know that what I’m proposing is a little crazy and unconventional for the normal Holywood production process. The only way that this kind of campaign would be gauranteed to work is under the wing of a well connected PR company such as PMK/HBH. But heck, if some no-talent hack reality-tv “star” can get a role in a movie or guest-star on a TV show, why couldn’t I? PLUS, I’m giving away the proceeds to charity!!! Then again, there are all the technical details that would need to be worked out such as how do SAG, AFTRA and my agents fit in. But my mantra is: