As I am still writing this column - you can safely assume that I chose California over
the restaurant job. Speaking of jobs. I still don't have one. It's not the effort,
the reality is that no one's hiring right now. The kids are in school, the holidays
are a few weeks away and no one is spending money.
The bank account is shrinking and the stress level is mounting. If you feel generous
and want to help a starving actor/writer/director/unemployed, please do. The diet of
soup with bread and water is getting really old.
In the last column, I mentioned something about adding up the votes and letting you know.
The overwhelming responses is taking the money and go back to the real world. That's great.
Career updates
I did get an internship at a very important management/production company in Beverly Hills.
They manage actors, writers, and directors; the company also produces film and T.V. sitcoms.
The big step towards Year One goal is coming this week. 48 headshots/resumes are going
out this week; most of them are to agents, but handfuls are managers.
Also send out my second screenplay, Above Paradise, to a Canadian director/producer. All
in all, if you count all the scripts that have been going out (about 20) and the current
sales count (0), it's not looking good.
I submitted myself a week ago for a casting call that needed a late twenties Asian male
for a 35mm feature. I am Asian and in my late twenties. Didn't even get a chance to
audition. I probably looked too Chinese. If you think about it too much - you're go
insane.
I want to be in pictures
If you ever make it to Los Angeles yourself, realize this. Los Angeles the city is very
small. Los Angeles the county is the size of Holland, the country. Huge I tell you.
Also, the traffic is horrendous and everyone works in the movie business or wants to be.
I was on the Warner Brother's lot the other day and reality hits me. It could've been the
fact that George Clooney almost ran me over with his motorcycle or the fact that Ross from
Friends was eating in the same restaurant as I was.
Movies are big business, a billion dollar business. No matter how talented or beautiful
you are, if you can't make them money; they don't need you. There are hundreds, thousands
of people waiting for their chance. Everyone wants a piece of the pie.
An agent told me later on, "This business will kick you in the balls and spit in your eyes".
She was a mother of two.
After I swallow and adjust my crouch, the feeling of hopelessness creeps over my body.
You wonder why you ever wanted to be in pictures? This is one of the hardest businesses
to get into.
Then you think back to the time when your first play was produced and a sobbing woman comes
up to you and hugs you. "Thank you" she sneaked out in between the tears. "You tell a
wonderful story", she said. "I didn't mean to make you cry", I responded. "No, the story
reminded me of my dear brother. I understand now. Thank you, she said as she turns away".
Looking around the room, everyone is in tears. Some are laughing and others just sit there.
The power of story telling, that was the reason for the 3000-mile drive. That was the
reason for the four years of school. That was the reason you commit yourself to this,
to the business.
I have to keep reminding myself that as I walk away from where Ross, the guy from Friends,
sits. He makes around a million a week. I don't even have a job.
Written by Charlie Cheng
|
h t t p : / / w w w . c i n e s p o t . c o m /
