I’m a mess right now. My mouth is very sore from the impromptu oral surgery I had done this afternoon. I went to the oral surgeon today to check my teeth because the left side of my jaw is a little swollen. I had my wisdom teeth removed about two months ago so I didn’t know why I might have swelling. I figured it was probably an infection where my wisdom tooth use to be. Well I was right. The doctor told me that I probably got food stuck back in there that caused an infection and now they had to clean it out. At first this didn’t sound too bad. I thought it might just mean a normal teeth cleaning. But 10min later I found myself across from a tray of needles, scalpel blades and suture string. Basically he had to go in and re-open my gum to clean out the infection then attach a tube to drain out the rest of it over the next few days. So now I have a freakin tube sewn into the side of my mouth. They said I would be a little sore, but they lied. After the anesthesia wore off I was in major pain and had to go home to take a vicaden that I had leftover from my wisdom teeth extraction. On top of all that, my hamstrings are really sore from the killer back workout I did the other day. I’m just a mess.
Sunday I’m back in scene study class and suppose to be doing a table read of the play “High Heels”. Sounds like a comedy. I’m not sure if I’ll be up to performing on Sunday.
For the last 2 days I’ve been sick with the flu. I was running a 102° fever for a few hours and my whole body ached. I was dissappointed ’cause it’s been a long, long time since I’ve been sick. My beautiful wife nursed me back to health within 24 hours by making me drink lots of fluids and taking vitamins and matcha green tea. I’m not back to 100% as of yet, but I’m thinking about hitting the gym tomorrow. I’m still trying to hit my goal of 180lbs/12% bodyfat.
A few days ago I realized that I haven’t paid my union dues for AFTRA or SAG. I also realized that it was going to cost me around $700 to pay both unions. Part of this is because I never paid the complete initiation fees for AFTRA. My General Hospital check didn’t quite cover all the AFTRA fees. It also doesn’t help that the unions charge late fees. What sucks is that I’m not even working enough as an actor to even keep up with the union dues. It’s sad I know, but it’s the reality of a lot of actors out here. I really don’t think the union should charge late fees to actors who don’t make over $20k a year in acting. I just don’t think it’s fair.
Last weekend I auditioned for a short film titled EXPENDABLE. The script was decent and it could have been a lot of fun. But I could tell that the director wasn’t really feeling my performance. Oh well.
I gotta be honest though. It’s tough not to “player hate” when you receive emails from other actors who announce all the upcoming shows they are going to be on. Personally I’m thinking “Damn. I didn’t even freakin audition for any of those damn shows! Was I even submitted???”. It’s frustrating.
But I am still in the process of shooting a short film with a good friend of mine. We filmed a short office scene in his office last weekend which was fun. I was a little dissappointed in my performance though when we watched the dailies because my performace was kinda flat. It’s a good wake-up call though.
So I’m trying to get back on track with my goals and also trying to get more organized. I downloaded a trial copy of My Life Organized and I really like it so far. It helps me organize all the myriad of tasks and projects I always have going on.
H and I were invited to the 2006 Wine Spectator Grand Tour event at the Venetian in Las Vegas this past weekend and we decided to use it as an excuse for a mini-vacation. This was actually my first trip to Vegas ever. I just never had all that much interest in the past and I didn’t realize how much fun Vegas could be!
H and I were lucky enough to spend two nights in a “Venetian Prima Suite“. This deluxe suite was bigger than the duplex two bedroom apartment we used to live in. You have to see the pictures. It’s ultra swank. The kinda suite that makes you feel like a Hollywood celebrity - and this isn’t even their biggest suite.
The first night we were there we attended the Wine Spectator wine dinner at Aquaknox. It was an incredible six-course gourmet seafood dinner accompanied by wines from Williams Selyem. The vintner from the winery would give a detailed explanation of each wine before each course and everyone would taste the wine before the food was served. Once the food arrived more wine would be served to match with the food. The food and the wine paired really well and by the 4th course everyone was feeling sufficiently buzzed. H and I actually made new friends with an older couple who were sitting at our table. It even turns out that they are related to a big time casting director in Hollywood. By the end of the dinner we had exchanged contact information and retired to the bar area where our new friends bought us a glass of fine cognac to enjoy - and to teach us the proper way of tasting cognac.
The next day H and I decided to walk down the strip towards the Stratosphere. Along the way we got hungry and decided to duck into the Frontier to take advantage of the $9.99 buffett and prime rib special. After sufficiently stuffing ourselves we headed further down the strip where we were harassed by several time-share salesmen. We actually decided to take one of them up on there offer and sit through a 60min presentation in return for free show tickets. After suffering through a hard sell presentation and re-iterating to several salespeople that we weren’t intersted, we finally were set free with tickets to the Follies Bergere at the Tropicana. We also received several VIP passes to clubs on the strip. Unfortunately we always ended up being too tired to check out any of the nightclubs.
Saturday evening we attended the actual wine tasting event. What we didn’t realize was how many people would be in attendence. The line to the entrance of the ballroom seemed to go on forever. There had to be a few hundred people in attendance. The ballroom was enormous. There were rows after rows of booths housing wineries from all over. H and I actually headed straight for the gigantic buffett table for a light dinner. The buffett itself was amazing. The highest quality buffett food I have ever tasted. As H grabbed us food I headed to the nearest booth to get some wine. Since there were know seats or tables we just sat against the wall in the back of the ballroom and enjoyed the food and wine. After an hour we were done and we left to go see the show at the Tropicana.
The show itself was amusing. Personally I couldn’t get past the really cheesy and sloppy choreography. I found myself wishing we were at one of the Cirque Du Soleil shows instead. But it was what you would expect for a typical Vegas show.
After the show we had to stand in line for almost an hour just waiting for a taxi. H later informed me there was a hooker negotiating services with a “client” right in front of us but I was too oblivious to notice. It also turns out the Oscar de la Hoya fight was that night as well.
The final day we were there we ended up just walking around the Venetian gambling at some of the slot machines and window shopping at the huge shopping complex in the hotel that makes you feel like you’re in Venice. Once again we were confronted by a time-share sales person, but this time for a Marriott resort on the Vegas strip. The deal was that we could purchase a 3-night stay at the brand new Marriott in Vegas for $99 - but that when we returned we would have to suffer through another time-share presentation for which we would be rewarded with show tickets and dinner. So we decided to do it. We enjoyed our trip so much we definitely wanted to come back soon. Next time though I’m sure we’ll be a little disappointed with our accomodations after being spoiled with VIP treatment at the Venetian.
Baby boy, you will be missed. You were a loyal friend with an effervescent spirit which brightened our lives. It isn’t the same without you.
I’ve talked to so many people in the past week and have so many interviews setup and pending for this week that I feel like an “A-List” actor. I’ve interviewed with a couple small companies and have also interviewed with a few very large, well known companies. These companies range from web design firms to internet and media conglomerates. It just so happens that my skills and knowledge are in high demand right now. The future looks promising. But I’m still trying to figure out how I can gracefully segue from web developer to producer of original content for film, tv, internet and mobile devices and of course also be an “A-List” actor.
One way to accomplish this feat is to “just do it”. So that’s what I’m doing. This past weekend a friend and I started production on a short comedic movie entitled “The Crispy Creme Conspiracy”. We finished shooting scene 1 and have 3 more scene to go. It looks pretty good so far, but the most important part is the fact that we are just doing it. This is just the beginning of our filmmaking projects.
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.
I’ve manage to setup 5 very promising interviews within 72 hours of putting my resume out.
I just wish these were all AUDITIONS!!!! So far this year I’ve had one theatrical audition and several commercial auditions. No callbacks yet.
In other acting news, I’ve been told that a final cut of the indie film I was in last summer - “Mah Jong” will be completed at the end of this month. I’m also going to be shooting a short film next weekend with a good friend of mine. So I’m in the process of rewriting the script. He’s also going to try his hand in editing the piece as well. Two weeks ago I submitted my materials to a manager whom I was referred to. No response. And I’ve also been toying with the idea of doing stand-up again - just to get in front of an audience to perform. I’m also considering joining a theater group but I’m not sure which one.
I also need to get back in my scene study class…
Published on Thursday April 20, 2006 .
I try to avoid mentioning anything about my day job(s) on this site, but recent events have compelled me to say something.
HOW THE HELL DO PEOPLE DO IT???
How do people get up every day and go to some lame ass job that is totally pointless and devoid of passion and creativity? My motivation every day is that I’m collecting a nice paycheck which supports my Hollywood acting dreams. I live on the hope that one day I can go to my boss and say “I’m sorry but today is my last day. I’ve just been cast in a leading role in Francis Ford Coppola’s next film opposite Johnny Depp”. Without this dream, most of the jobs I’ve had over the years would have been COMPLETELY pointless. I’ve only been lucky in the fact that I’m really adept in picking up new technology skills without taking classes or even buying a book so I’m able to have a job that pays well. But I always end up resenting my job and my workplace. So in some ways I welcome recent events in which I was asked to resign. The office politics surrounding this event is worthy of a feature film. Everything has been - and still is very hush, hush. They are expecting me to disappear silently so that I can become a scapegoat for their failures. I feel a Jerry Maguire moment coming…
But a disruption in life can be good at times. It makes you re-evaluate goals, life, etc. It makes me think that working a “regular job” isn’t any more stable than being an actor. It makes me think that I really need to get my shit together and do what I REALLY LOVE doing which is acting and making movies. In the meantime I’ve started the process of looking for another day-job again. Although this time will be a little different. I am really going to look for a job that REALLY fits me and my goals.
Yes my goal is to become a well respected, well known, working actor.
But I could never settle for “just” being an actor. No. I have bigger dreams such as owning my own production studio and making my own movies and distributing my movies using internet convergence technologies. So I’ve decided the best bet is to get a tech/web development job at some film production studio or some other company which deals with entertainment and cutting-edge convergence technologies. That way I can still get a nice check but also hopefully learn skills which will advance my goals of becoming the next Mel Gibson (I mention him only because he’s an actor and a producer/director. Producer wise I’d rather be Robert Rodriguez who is totally hands-on, high-tech and independent from Hollywood).
ugh.
Why couldn’t I have been born to parents who own a production company or at least have a lot of high-power Hollywood connections.
Someone just needs to put me in a reality show.
Published on Saturday April 15, 2006 .
The authors of the book “Freakonomics” did a study on women who used online dating services and found that half of those women said they would date a man of a different race. But statistically they found that 97% of the replies of white women go to white men. So then they conducted a study on how much more money a man would have to make before he became popular to women of another race. What they found is that white women prefer white men, but respond equally to profiles from hispanic men if they make 77k+ more, black men if they make 154k+ and asian men if they made 247k more than their caucasian counterparts.
That’s sad. I’m sure stereotypes have something to do with it. Personally I feel like I won the lottery since I ended up marrying the hottest red-head in the office that every guy talked about!
Looking at this data, it’s also easy to see why Hollywood is still reluctant to feature strong asian leading men. Even though these statistics were taken from online dating services, I would say that this is the general attitude from the general public - that asian guys have to try harder in order to be respected in non-stereotypical roles. But I also find hope in this. I figure, if I was able to charm my way into the heart of my dream girl, why can’t I charm my way into the hearts of people in Hollywood and middle america?
I just need to keep working on self confidence. Here’s a good role-model: Bruce Lee.
24 hours after getting all four of my wisdom teeth removed I’m sporting a new look:
Recovery from the surgery has been the worst part. The procedure itself wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. After they sat me down in the dentist chair across from the needles, drills, pliers, scalpels, etc, they put an oxygen mask over my nose, a blood pressure cuff over my right bicep and jumper cables on both wrists (at least that’s what they looked like). The doctor then inserted the IV in my left arm (which turns out was the most painful of the whole procedure) and started the anesthetic. I don’t even remember closing my eyes but I remember him telling me to open my mouth so that he could place a rubber block between my teeth to keep my mouth open. After that I didn’t feel a thing. I do remember the doctor saying “we’re half way done” but that was it. The next thing I felt was the IV being taken out from my arm. After being escorted to the recovery room and waiting for a couple minutes my wife came back to the recovery room with meds in hand. After a couple more minutes the nurse gave us the recovery procedure and my wife drove me home. My lips and tongue were numb for the rest of the day and the first time I had to change my gauze was probably the most painful part of the whole ordeal. Now I’m on the path to recovery. I tried eating some bean soup last night but I can’t open my mouth that far without pain. So I’m left with protein shakes, fruit smoothies and yogurt. I’m taking Vicodin every so often but I’m recovering well. My lower jaw is pretty sensitive though. I feel like I’ve been in a boxing match with Mike Tyson but luckily there is no bruising. Luckily I have my beautiful wife to see me through my recovery.
Thanks to all of you who gave me recovery advice!