March 30, 2005

• BUSY BEE

  
  

  Things just got a little crazy in my life but in a good way — so here’s a mish-mash of random stuff that’s been goin’ on:

  
  

  - I shot an Alltel Wireless commercial last Friday.  As I was running my lines in my trailer, I wondered why it felt so weird doing so… and that’s when it hit me: In the 9 commercials I’ve done over the years, this is my first one with dialogue!  I’m not just a pretty face anymore!  

  
  

  It’s a fun ad:  I’m a Sales Rep barreling through the great calling features to a customer in a store.   Meanwhile, random “yelps” of joy erupt from surrounding customers after being told different great features from other reps.  I continue, oblivious to it all, until when I get to a certain feature… MY customer also involuntarily ”yelps” in joy.  He covers his embarrassment as I give him an understanding smile. 

  
  

  It was a bit nerve-wracking because the Alltel Clients kept changing the lines of the features to be “yelped” at.  If there’s any lesson I can impart it’s: Don’t get locked into the dialogue.  Be ready for changes. 

  
  

  Several phrases like these were casually tossed out: “For the first sentence, do the first half of the original dialogue and then tack on the 2nd new sentence after it.  And then for the 2nd sentence, do the alternate line.“  And you have to step up and not freak out (which btw, would be very understandable).  But you’ve gotta keep your cool and adjust quickly or they’ll simply find someone else who can.  Luckily I’d gone through similar situations on the set of sitcoms I’ve been on, where the writers constantly threw in line changes during the live audience taping.  In times like those, I try to keep in mind that I’m among friends and am just goofin’ around with no pressure. 

  
  

  I think Alltel is only available in the South and Mid-West, so let me know if anyone sees it!

  
  

  - I’ll be in the South doing a speaking/workshop gig for Texas A&M’s Asian Heritage Week next Tuesday, April 5th – courtesy of the MSC L.T. Jordan Institute and the ladies of Rho Delta Chi, 7-9:30pm.

  
  

  - Then the following week, I’ll head to the upper left corner of the mainland, to speak on Saturday, April 16th at Washington State University’s Asian American Pacific Islander Awareness Month, 2:15-4pm.

  
  

  - I just agreed to shoot a short film, “Passages“ by Ted Chung, from UCLA’s Directing Grad program.  It’s a great, subtle, sweet little piece that fits perfectly into my schedule before “Hatchet” begins shooting.  And that will premiere at the VC Film Fest, May 3 2005.

  
  

  - Then this Thursday is what I like to personally call, “Make FOX Regret It Day“.  I hope people tune into the final episodes of “Tru Calling” in ROVES this Thursday.  Make ‘em have egg on their face for canceling my show!  This Thursday, March 31st at 9pm for the first of my 3 episodes on ”Tru Calling”!  Grrrr…

  
  

  - And then finally… just as my wife and I were getting the baby checked out on a routine visit yesterday, our doctor noticed the baby’s amniotic fluid was low.  With the baby still 5 weeks away from being due, we asked him what this meant.  To which he turned to us and said, “Well, it looks like you’re going to be parents in about – 3 hours.”

  
  

  Uh — say what? 

  
  

  3 hours later… Emergency C-Section… and out came a 5 lb 3 oz baby, 17 1/4 inches long.

  
  

  Even though she was born 5 weeks early, everything seems to be checking out okay with wife and baby. 

  
  

  So please welcome the arrival of : Avery Anne Shen. 

  
  

  We think she’s tiny, cute and perfect.  Guess she was anxious to see her Daddy on ”Tru”.

  • 2:11 am
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