January 26, 2006

• Makin’ the Rounds

  
  

  A few years ago after doing a heavy press and appearance schedule for “The New Guy” and “BLT“, I just got burnt out going to all those red carpet events.  I mean, it’s fun for the first few times, getting free stuff, meeting actors of shows you watch, etc. but after a while, when the glamour and excitement goes away — it actually becomes sort of a grind. 

  
  

  Yes.  Boo-hoo, poor me.

  
  

  No really.  It’s just a different kind of “stress”.  Having to find something new to wear all the time, going to events & causes that you have no idea what the heck they are and making up nice things to say about the event (after all, you can’t say the only reason you’re there is to get some free publicity), fending off other actors/personalities/reality stars all vying for face time with the photogs, organizing limo/car service (which can get expensive after a while), doing a 3 hour interview for a magazine and then an 8 hour photo shoot for the one insert they’ll use in the article — in the end, it’s an important part of the marketing machine but still silly in the grand scheme. 

  
  

  Which is why my interest in events like The Academy Awards has started to wane over the years.  Because you’ve basically got this big, hyped up event that’s geared towards dubbing a “winner” on such a subjective thing as Acting — that in the end, it’s really all fluff.  It doesn’t really mean anything but a big, fancy party. 

  
  

  But last Friday I attended the 2006 Asian Excellence Awards and I have to admit, I had an awesome time. 

  
  

  Not doing all the red carpet stuff, mind you (I skipped it entirely and went through a side entrance) but just catching up with fellow actors that I haven’t seen since becoming a dad 10 months ago. 

  
  

  Like finally talking with Daniel Dae Kim since his meteoric rise with “Lost” (which btw, this Korean Actor gave me props on my “Without a Trace” gig ).  Touching base with former co-stars John Cho, Karin Anna Cheung, Bai Ling and Will Yun Lee. 

  
  

  Getting to spend some time with Angry Asian Man, Lynn Chen, Karl Yune (“Memoirs of a Geisha“), Rex Lee (“Entourage“) and Bobby Lee. 

  
  

  And finally being able to meet some long admired artists like, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Lou Diamond Phillips, BD Wong, Jason Scott Lee and Grace Park from “Battlestar Galactica“. 

  
  

  I just barely got to give a “hello head nod” to ladies: Kelly Hu, Lindsay Price, Lucy Liu, Michelle Krusiec, Maggie Q, Yunjin Kim, Parminder Nagra and Lisa Ling.

  
  

  In fact, the event was so crowded that I didn’t even get to see my really good friends there like Keiko Agena and my boy Roger Fan!  (His movie with Justin Lin, “Annapolis” opens this Friday, Jan 27th)

  
  

  I know, I know —  it just sounds like a bunch of shameless name dropping.  But seeing all those faces there, made me realize how far everyone has come.  

  
  

  Because all those Asian-American folks I mentioned above?   I remember the first time I met every single one of them over the past 9 years in this business and none of them were anywhere near the level of success they have currently attained.  I can even tell you the projects they were all cutting their teeth out on at the time.  

  
  

  Seeing everyone there in one night made me realize that it’s kinda like a little fraternity – being able to talk to people that really know what the other’s going through on a daily basis (other than significant others) ; creating a solidarity of sorts.  It was a cool sight to behold and I felt very proud to be a part of that collective.  Each of us being at that event on our own merits but all getting there through very different paths.   

  
  

  But even though it was a cool experience, at the same time, I’m done with a big event like that for awhile — I can’t hang like that anymore (Ron Jeremy was even there!)  You can see the televised event on AZN TV, Jan 29th. 

  
  

  Highlight not to miss: Ralph Macchio’s tribute to the late Pat Morita – oh yeah, and Bai Ling announcing the incorrect winner for the Outstanding Female TV Performance.    

  • 5:15 pm
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