David Chiu

In the Matrix, as Neo comes to terms with the truth of what is “real” and embraces his power he’s able to challenge and defeat the seemingly impossbile. I’m starting to see this reflected in my life. For most of my life I’ve lived fragmented identities: the small town introverted conservative Asian guy / the wanna-be R&B|hip-hop playa with the flashy style / the technology whiz|computer hacker / the actor|comedian|dancer|singer|spoken-word entertainer. As I’ve started to integrate the different aspects of my personality and life I’ve found confidence and power. I just needed to believe in myself and have confidence that all of my experience and background has enormous value. This has become even more evident in my current job search. At one of my first interviews I was informed by the manager that all candidates are run through Google. Of course, they found this blog and read many entries about me and my acting career. Now at this point, in the past this would have sent me into a panic attack triggering me to sweat profusely since I had been “busted”. But now that I have decided to just live truthfully I took it in stride and told them what my true goals are: to become a well known, respected actor who is also a filmmaker with a state-of-the-art production studio which creates original content across all mediums - film, TV, braodband, mobile, etc. I told this manager that I am at a place in my “career” that I will no longer just take any job. I will only take a job that serves my future goals and that truly interests me. A job that integrates all my skills and interests. Luckily the market for my set of skills is really good and I’ve had many, many phone interviews and face-to-face interviews every day at different companies. A lot of these companies are actually places that I feel I would really fit in: production studios, TV networks, new technology start-ups dealing with convergence, etc.

Another benefit of all this interviewing is that it has made me even more outgoing and comfortable with talking with people. I feel it’s even boosted my charisma. Case in point - I met with a technical recruiter a few days ago and 10 minutes into the interview he stopped and said “Don’t take this in a wierd way, but have you ever considered acting?” I just laughed assuming that maybe he saw this website. I asked “Why do you say that?” And he replied “You just have a really strong presence and charisma”.

That’s what I’m talking about. Now If only people in Hollywood could recognize this as well.

What’s inspiring is reading about Josh Holloway (from the show LOST) who is 36 and at the time of being cast in LOST, was in the process of becoming a real estate agent. He said that at that time he couldn’t even “buy himself” a role. But he pursued other forms of income never giving up on his acting dreams and then all of a sudden he ends up on one of the top rated shows on TV. He also talks about living truthfully. Ultimately, that’s what acting is about. Living truthfully in front of the camera. But it is something we should be doing every moment of our life.