January 30, 2005

  • Confessions of a Big Loser


    Yeeooww!!  I’ve been informed that there seems to be a bit of heated discussion on my IMDB Message Board: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0791487/board/nest/15095668 (if link not working: www.imdb.com, type: Parry Shen, then scroll to bottom).  All the posts are too long to place here but you should read them for context, it’s good stuff (well, maybe not for me).  Here’s the first 2 that started it all off: 


    This guy gets work in a few movies and then thinks he is the master of acting. He runs his own website. He talks like he is so gifted and knows more than Lee Strasberg or any other scholars out there.  Dude relax, you’re just working like a zillion other actors out there. You are a closeted egotistical not very talented actor. – written by “hotspurcutio”



    See, Marie?  This is the reason why I’m not a fan of mesages boards–because it can go either way.  But at the same time, it’s kinda cool being that fly on the wall and hearing things people normally wouldn’t say to your face. 


    I agree, this kid sounds like he has a big ego. I know actors have to have some sort of ego, but there’s a difference between healthy ego and pretention. How come none of the other actors in BLT has a website? Only Parry Allen Shen. Who in my subjective opinion wasn’t even the best part of the movie.  Also just because you’re working doesn’t mean you are good. Look at Keanu Reeves.

    Shen’s website is all about him, its about bragging if you read between the lines. This kid is a celebrity wannabe, a star lover, he is NOT an artist. There’s a big difference.  Let me go see if Sean Penn or Paul Newman has a website about their daily projects and paychecks.  


    But Shen boy sucks. PLain and simple. Noone gives a *beep* about him. Wheres John Cho’s website? His website is all about “look at what project I’m working on, look at what star I took a picture with.” Look at me on the set!  Please, send that to your mom or grandmother.  Website or not, this Shen kid is a celebrity not an actor/artist. Big difference.  I’m not dissing him for getting work. Good for him, there’s ton of more talented actors out there without an agent. But come on Shen boy, relax dude, BLT wasn’t all that.

    BTW: C Thomas Howell can act circles around Shen.  And as for all these people defending Shen, its actually Shen defending himself. Hilarious!      -written by: “moeeutaw”


    I mean there’s definitely truth to these posts.  And to tell the honest truth, “hotspurcutio” and “moeeutaw” have hit the nail on the head.  Yes, I am a closeted egomaniac.  A part of me gravitated to this business because I was the quiet guy.  An introvert at the core.  Still am and always will be.  And this business provided me with a medium to have a captive audience.  And I’m sure that factor has definitely found it’s way onto my site and journal in some manner.  Most performers get into the business or standup comedy for that very reason– to replace/mend a socially lacking trait — otherwise, there’s really no need for all that attention.  It’s kind of like therapy.   That coupled alongside with my marketing background instincts to promote myself, makes for a potential receipe for a fresh batch of conceit nestled with a narcissistic chewy center.


    However, I’ve been telling stories since I was a kid and love what I do.  It’s a ”good” hard work, fun as hell and I count my blessings everyday I’m able to make a living at this and not be some slave to a lifeless job baiting my life away.  I’m out there doing it and trying to make it happen everyday (even if it is in tiny films and even if I do “suck”) and I don’t think that’s anything to be ashamed about. 


    The site is meant for so many people: (casting, press, fans, aspiring actors and yes… my relatives too.)  But overall, I consider this journal an experiment – literally seeing the journey of one actor.  So in that respect, I have to tell/show/”brag” about everything in order to tell the full story.  The good (photos with me on set with Jason Priestley) with the bad (“Tru Calling” getting canceled) to even the down-right embarassing (these posts on the IMDB) – no holds barred just as I promised in the left sidebar. 


    And moreover, I hope the daily entries might excite readers into doing whatever it is they really want to do in life — reminding them that they don’t always have to play it safe.  The ”If I can do it, so can they” psychology at work. 


    The journal’s goal for aspiring actors is so they can read weekly that there’s someone else grinding it out with them everyday with good and bad days.  Not just the glamorous end result of the “job” that you always hear about on “Extra” – but rather the actual journey it took (the technique, the auditions, the rejection, the booking, working on the set — wallowing and/or celebrating the highs and lows together, each step of the way). 


    Who knows where this is all headed?  It’ll be a great Cinderella/rags to riches story if my career skyrockets in the future but if not, it’s also a poignant and realistic story of yet another actor that tried his best but never “made it”.  Either way, nothing like this has ever been done before because it’s going to be publicly documented every step of the way.   


    Believe me, I wish Sean Penn and other actors better than me would share their insights–then I could shut up, stop writing mine and read theirs.  Don Cheadle’s (www.doncheadle220.com) Zach Braff’s (www2.foxsearchlight.com/gardenstate/blog/) sites are pretty decent but there’s still literally nothing out there for aspiring actors to learn the things they can’t from a classroom.  


    Thanks ”mvebf” and “shenmarketing” for recognizing and articulating some of that in your posts (although “shenmarketing”, you could’ve picked a better handle–because even I have to admit, it does looks like my own people wrote your post defending me!  You’re killin’ me here…).  But as “shenmarketing” said, I never claim to know it all, I’m just relaying what works for me.  Whenever I do an entry or teach a class, I always go into it thinking: “Is this something I would’ve wanted to know when I started out?”  And I can only use the limited number of projects I’ve done as examples, hence the multiple references to “BLT“.   


    I think my readers enjoy the clear, no BS format rare in these days of political double-speak and spin doctoring — so I’m going to continue doing it until more actors like Pacino, Streep and DeNiro have the time and cajones to give back educationally in the same manner.  But until then, you’re stuck with me. 


    So, my apologizes to anyone else who may have felt the same — the message isn’t meant to be condecending or in a bragging manner– so don’t hate too much because the intentions are good; just trying to make it easier for the next guy/gal.  But on the other hand, a good head deflating’s needed every now and then.   


    And to show I’ll try to work harder on it and am not just posting this in order to have readers rush to my aid and stroke my bruised ego with supporting comments, I’m suspending all comments and eprops for this entry… Damn, I’m awesome.