Cinespot : Charlie's corner

Charlie's corner

"The world is a stage and everyone in it actors." "The world is a stage and everyone in it actors." Shakespeare once said. I am quoting Shakespeare because I am living that quote. Deep in the heart of New Hampshire lies an actor pretending to be a Regional Manager. Remember that restaurant job I told you about way back in December? Well, I am at that job but under a different title. They originally offered the position of General Manager, but I turned it down. They came back with a better financial offer and I couldn't really refuse. The main reason being that I didn't have to commit for a year. They only ask for four months. Four months I can do. That's less than a hockey season, almost as long as a NBA season. Speaking of that-kudos to YAO MING. That guy has been in the states for little under three months and he's leading the All-star voting for centers in the Western Conference. He's finally given another dimension to the Asian face. Anyways, so it's like 5 degrees here and snow is everywhere. If you like the cold and want to go somewhere secluded, New Hampshire is the place. The only way I can really describe it is to lock yourself in your freezer for five hours and that's New Hampshire. You're probably wondering how this can relate to acting and film? Daniel Day-Lewis, the fine actor from Age of Innocence, My left foot, and Gangs of New York does extensive research and changes his body and mind to the character that he will be portraying. I am doing extensive research and character study about the restaurant business. In the four months that I will be here - I am a Regional Manager. I've never been a Regional Manager and never want to be, but everyone here thinks I am. Acting. Yes, you play the part and they will believe. So when I get a part that requires me to act like a Regional Manager, I can say, done that, been there. 2nd place in Las Vegas Project Greenlight and Pioneer held a contest a recently for ten film schools. Produce, film and edit a ten-minute short film in 48 hours and the top three schools will be invited to Las Vegas and the winners will be announced there. Some of the competing schools were NYU, UCLA, USC, Florida State and my own Academy of Art. Lo and behold we came in second behind Florida State in the contest. Some of the judges mentioned that we should've came in first but we hold be sore losers and gripe about that. The morale of that story is don't judge film schools by their reputation. The most prestigious ones like NYU, UCLA and USC didn't even make the top ten of the contest. The reward of something like that is two-fold. You didn't win but you can still make some important people. My roommate and I co-wrote a script last year called Above Paradise. He was one of three writers on the team that took second place in the Project Greenlight contest. At the contest, the brother of a development producer saw the short film and loved the writing. So he approached my roommate and wanted to get his brother, a producer at MGM, and my roommate together to meet. Next week, Jon, the roommate, will mail the DVD of the short and the script to the MGM producer and set up a meeting. Great news but don't get too excited. Producers are always taking meetings with writers and directors. Nothing happens until principle photography begins. Which means until they get the actors in front of the camera and begin shooting. Until next time... Written by Charlie Cheng