BROTHERS & SISTERS

I just had a very surreal moment.  Let me start from the beginning.

A week after Avery booked her Natasha Bedingfield gig (see previous entry), I booked a movie called "RULE OF THREE" and a small appearance on the ABC show, "BROTHERS & SISTERS" playing the character 'Dan Silk - Celebrity Blogger' very much in the vein of Perez Hilton.   I shot the episode last Wednesday, Feb 14th.

Then today when looking up the show on IMDB, I noticed the next airing of the show on Sun, March 4 was titled, "The Other Walker" -- the episode I had just shot last week!  I thought to myself, "Naw, that can't be right - that's waaay too quick". 

So I hopped on ABC's "B&S" site and discovered the show's behind-the-scenes blog.  I was surprised to find an entry about my scene from the real Dan Silk, an assistant on the show (pictured right).  It was really trippy to read/hear a different perspective about the scene. 

I chuckled after reading the last line of this entry, "Anyway... I should go. I need to go take out a hit on the actor that's playing me."  (which I don't blame him, I'd want me to play me as well!)  -- and just at that moment, my agent called and said, "The folks at 'Brothers & Sisters' would like you to reprise your role as 'Dan Silk' for Episode 18". 

Is that spooky or what?!? 

In the one scene I'm in, I have a telephone conversation with Matthew Rhys' character. 

Usually if two actors are in the same room having a conversation, it's expected the off-camera actor will be there during the other thespian's close-ups to help his/her performance in helping to feed dialogue and maintaining an eyeline. 

But for phone conversations, a Script Supervisor or Assistant Director will usually be the one to read/say the other side of the conversation off-screen.  So basically I was fully prepared to be acting by 'myself' in the scene -- so to speak.  

That's why it was a really nice surprise to see Matthew there himself, feeding me his dialogue off-camera.  The guy had the earliest call time and was already wrapped but he stayed an additional 4 hours to do the scene with me.  Very cool of him.  Now that's what being a generous actor means.  I just wish they would've called me in to return the same courtesy when he shot his side of the phone conversation a few days prior. 

Fun Tidbit: During a pickup (shooting just a particular portion in a scene), I forgot to put the phone up to my ear because I had other props to handle -- something 'felt wrong' but I was like "Nope, I've got the beer in my hand, pad and pen are over there - I'm all good".  So when 'Action' was called, it looked as if I was talking via a bluetooth or channeling the conversation telepathically. 

Anyway, at least I can hold my head higher now that my 2 yr-old daughter isn't out-booking me for work.  So, keep an eye out for me in the upcoming weeks on "Brothers & Sisters" - Sunday, March 4 and April 8 at 10pm on ABC.

 WORKING GIRL

So the first gig of '07 goes to the littlest Shen in the household --  AVERY!

Avery got her feet wet last night in a Natasha Bedingfield video for a single called, "I Wanna Have Your Babies" coming out in April. 

Throughout the video, Natasha is seen checking out various good lookin' guys and fantasizes about having their kid -- and Avery is the product of Natasha fantasizing gettin' it on with her Asian Gym Trainer.  It sounds way worse than it actually is -- it's just one of those catchy pop tunes done in good fun. 

Avery did extremely well - she's always been a mellow baby but we didn't know how she'd react with 80 people around her barking orders and adjusting lights/cameras.  But she never freaked out once and was just interested in what everyone was doing.

All she had to do was sit in a stroller but during playback (when the song is played on set for Natasha to sing along to), Avery started boppin' her shoulders to the music!  And when the playback stopped, she kept saying, "More, more".  (She's photographed on the right in the wardrobe she'll be wearing in the video.)   

We were given 3 hours notice that her photo was chosen by the director and we were then off to the set (Her first gig was a straight offer!).  Having knowledge of a set helped immensely as I was able to make sure she was okay while still staying out of the way.  Ex: When the camera assistant yelled, "Camera Reload" - I knew it would be awhile before they could start shooting again and I immediately hopped into the shot to keep Avery company.  Since she was under 2 yrs old, they could only keep her on set for 4 1/2 hours -- so we were able to get out of there fairly quickly - while the other unfortunate toddlers that were over 2 yrs old could be kept on set for 6 1/2 hours. 

It's been over a year now trying to get her working to utilize all the downtime I have when not auditioning/working -- I figured, might as well make some easy dough for her college tuition by doing what I already know to help her, right?  

But the best part after creating a Coogan Account for her(in CA and NY, 15% of the child's money must be placed in a locked trust fund so parents can't pull a Gary Coleman and rob their kid blind), is that she'll receive a W2 this year.  Which means I can now open a ROTH IRA Account for her and have that sucker earn 63 years of tax-free, compounded interest!  Sigh... it's a shame she didn't get a gig when she was first born - so it could've been compounding for the full 65 years.  

Chuckle of the Night:  At one point, a guy in a moustache came up to Avery and said, "Hey little girl!  I've got some nice toys for you to play with."  I said to Kim, "He's probably the Prop Master."  To which Kim replied, "He'd BETTER be the Prop Master or he's just some creepy guy!"  

I can just picture that scenario unfolding a little something like this:

Guy: Hey little girl!  I've got some nice toys for you to play with!

Meanwhile, Papa Shen's still got some stuff goin' on - a few of my episodes on "THIEF" will be re-airing this Sunday on FX, Jan 28 at 9 & 10pm PST (or 12 &1am EST).  And the latest word on "HATCHET"'s premiere is Sept 7th, 2007 --  here's a recent interview I did about the film: UpComingHorrorMovies.com

2006  YEAR  END  ENTRY / JAMES KIM

A few quick updates and one thing I'd like to say before the year's out:

- The film about Bruce Lee I shot this summer with Justin Lin, "FINISHING THE GAME"was accepted into the Sundance Film Festival Midnight Screening Category (previous flicks in this category include, "The Blair Witch Project").  This one's got a lot of folks: Roger Fan, Sung Kang, Jason Tobin, Dustin Nguyen, James Franco, Brian Tee, Leonardo Nam and George Takei... just to name a few.  The screening dates/times will be: 

Most of the cast will be there for the screenings - if you've never been to Park City, it's a great time.  The tickets aren't as overly pricey as you may think, the hotels get more reasonable a  few miles out of town and the cast and crew are almost always there for Q&A about the film afterwards.  Don't like the ending or have a question about a storyline -- raise your hand and ask the director him/herself.  Tickets for "FTG"may be purchased though here.

-  I just received word that "HATCHET" will see a wide theatrical release in April 2007.  In the words of the director:

"You'll be happy to know that I actually saw the final press release for Hatchet's acquisition and theatrical release...it's all sealed up and done.  Yes, you've heard right- end of 1st Quarter, nationwide theatrical release.  (That means March/April in a theater near you.)  I noticed in this month's Fangoria magazine that they threw the term "limited" next to our release.  They also had our release listed as January.  Just so everyone knows - limited is when they only make like 12 prints, run it in a few cities for a few weeks, and then hit the DVD.  Our release is not limited.  The intention is for WIDE.  Whether or not they open it wide right away or ramp up to a wide (known as "platforming" for you non-industry savvy folks)  is their game-time decision...but our release is not supposed to be limited."  

- On "THE GENE GENERATION"'s end, the director sent me this production still along with a note reading, "Hang in there - almost done!"  (That's me in my white, Anakin Skywalker-esque tunic.  Hey, it's the future - everyone's going to be wearing 'em!)   

- And finally, as we all prepare to visit friends and familes for the holidays, please keep in mind Kati, Penelope and Sabine, the wife and children of James Kim. 

Phil Yu from angryasianman.com sums up the whole situation best for me:

"... there's something about a man going beyond his personal limits to for the sake of loved ones. Very few of us ever experience the chance to see what we're actually made of, what we're capable of, and how far we'd go in such a situation. His death is tragic, but we know he died a hero. "  

I don't know whether it's because we were so close in age or that I've got a hapa daughter or that he was a fellow Asian Male in the business or that his wife is caucasian -- probably all of the above but it's struck a chord with me nevertheless.  

It's irrefutable the man was absolutely freezing and probably thought about turning back towards his car a hundred thousand times -- but every time that urge was met with the three faces you see on the left and right side of this paragraph.  And that kept him forging ahead for help.     

The tribute video here shows the soul and personality behind the name and face we've all read/seen in the newspapers or internet the past few weeks.  So in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping in the coming days, please consider setting something aside for James' children: http://www.jamesandkati.com/ . 

I sincerely thank you for your readership and support the past few years -- and implore you to extend the generosity you've shown me towards the Kim Family.   Be safe and Happy Holidays to you and yours. 

NEW REEL

I've been busy the past few weeks updating my reel for the upcoming pilot season.  

However, this project is almost 6 months in the making because every time I was just about ready to put it together, another project I'd done would be near to airing and I'd have to wait to possibly include that footage as well.  

In fact, so much time elapsed that I was even able to get some of my scenes from "HATCHET", which has received distribution and should be in theaters, March 2007.  

But now it's all done and you can take a look at it here: NEW REEL (and until I delete it, you can compare it to the old one, here: Old Reel). 

The major difference, besides adding new footage, was excising the Kermit Intro I shot in college and replacing it with a photo slide show collage (I 'm pretty sure I was inspired by the "Slide" show I recently added in the left column).  Since it cost $80/hr. to hire the editors, that new 5 second intro shot wound up being an $80 FX shot because it took the editor an hour to figure out how to make the photos drop in and fly out like I wanted.  But the good thing is, I can use that segment for my future reels.  

Then I used Memorex's great DVD label maker to create some nifty looking labels to match the translucent blue DVD cases I purchased.

I slipped in a shruken resume in the back jacket of the case and kept the "photo" theme on the case's front jacket.  I first trimmed the top and sides of the photo's white border and my wife realized they began resembling polaroid photos.  So I decided to leave them untrimmed on the bottom and placed the photos in the DVD jacket crooked from the start -- but at first I didn't know why.  I just knew I wanted them like that. 

And then it hit me.... I fumbled through my DVD library until I found it.  Ah, of course.  I was channeling the jacket cover of "Memento".             

This latest version should tide me over until I receive footage from "THE GENE GENERATION", and then it'll be back to the drawing board slipping in those scenes.

Man, how things have changed in 10 years.

Here's how the pricing broke down to give actors about to do their reel an idea.   Editing/digitizing footage takes up the most time.  I had a lot of new footage plus the new intro, so that's where the bulk came from.  If you have access to an editing program you can do it yourself, but keep in mind the editors have done tons of reels and can offer a lot of great outside perspective.  It may seem like a lot, but it's part of your marketing tools -- you need to spend money to make money. 

 3 PLUGS

1.) My lil' appearance on "VERONICA MARS" will be airing this Tuesday, Oct 24 at 9pm on The CW Network.  I play 'Charleston Chu', a member of Pi Sig that has hired Veronica to clear the Fraternity from being accused of raping women on campus because we're innocent... or are we?  Tune in to find out.  (And to my wife's dismay, the episode also includes a heavy lip-locking session with my on-screen gal , Amy Rider.)

2.) A good friend of mine, Aaron Takahashi (we were part of hereandnow together and he's one of the academic decathletes in "BLT") has this hilarious commercial for Amp'd Mobile coming out, you can check it out here.  I cannot stop laughing at his split-second reaction during the "Hi" part. 

3.) And for all actors -- aspiring and established -- check out the blogging of Casting Director, Bonnie Gillespie.  She's got some really great stuff and is so very thorough.  Because she was once an actor and is now on the other end, she's got a really interesting perspective/voice.   Talk about being 'actor-friendly'! 

Her topics & answers range from: 'How Actors Behave in a Waiting Room' to 'What Casting Directors look for in an Actor' to even the realistic realization of 'When to Pack it in as an Actor'.  She's got a 2-year archived section on the left side of the site that I've spent the past 4 days scouring over.  Lots of stuff for newbies and the seasoned pro. 

One entry that particularly stood out linked to an entry done by Jenna Fischer from "The Office" -- she imparts a great philosophy and eye-opener for those thinking about getting into this business. 

Man, I may just have to shut down this site with all these established folks putting in their 2 cents on their own sites! 

THE SLANTED SCREEN

I was a part of an industry panel a few days ago after the screening of Jeff Adachi's "The Slanted Screen" -- which depicted an exhaustive history of the Asian Male onscreen.  It's pretty comprehensive and doesn't claim to touch upon any new territory but it's there to open more eyes to the situation.  There are interviews from Asian Actors, Writers, Producers on their own theories and solutions about being emasculated, always playing the Villian, etc. 

The film will be playing one week in Los Angeles at the Laemmle's Grande Fourplex Theatre, October 13-19.

And then the following is a question I recently received on my FAQQLY page -- and since my answer ties into the heart/theme of the "The Slanted Screen" I decided to post it here:   

Q:  ... I have a question about asians in the media in general: Why do we not see more diversified roles for Asians in mainstream media (Asian lawyers, teachers, gangsters, etc.)? It seems to me, with the exception of supporting roles, Asians in mainstream movies tend to play the “bad-guy” role, martial artist, butt-end of a joke, etc. If not stereotyped in this way, Asians in films/TV shows are often depicted as overly Asian (in terms of dress, food, accent, activities). When and how will we see Asian Americans eating Cheerios for breakfast and macaroni-and-cheese for lunch?

A:  Sigh.  Isn’t this just the age old question regarding any actors of color? And for Asians onscreen in particular, it’s usually being used for an Asian Function or perception (ie: ‘The Chinatown’ or ‘Triad’ episode of a show, a translator, martial artist, delivery guy, emasculated tech guy who's awkward around women, etc.)

From my observations in the past 10 years working as an actor, I believe the tides will begin to shift when a combination of these things occur (not in any particular order):

 - More Asian American writers and producers are involved in creating the projects.

- Non-Asian writers and producers become more comfortable in their risk-assesment mode by seeing Asian characters pulled off well (like Sandra Oh’s character on “Grey’s”, Keiko Agena's on "Gilmore Girls", Ivan Shaw's on "The Book of Daniel", Lucy Liu's in "Lucky Number Slevin") and hence resulting in them writing and suggesting open casting calls.

- When the talent pool of talented Asian-American actors increases and starts working in projects of different types, thus increasing the Asian-American presence to the producers/mass public (I’ve noticed as an actor that this has begun to happen dramatically on this end).

- When the more experienced Asian American actors pick up the "junk" out there (the borderline roles) and use their own sensibilites in trying to change the roles existing within the system -- because in the hands of a less empowered/less experienced actor, the stereotype would be worse (ex: Masi Oka's doing a great job with his character on NBC's "Heroes" - that character could've gone in a much worse direction in the hands of a lesser actor that didn't breathe depth into the role and what was written on the page or a newbie that would just shut up on set).  

- And finally… when the Asian-American community bands together to support projects (both vocally and monetarily) with Asian-American talent and realize the knee-jerk, micro-scrutinization and unrealistic expectations of any one project or actor being the one-stop cure all for the entire Asian-American race only succeeds in suppressing the very people they are trying to stand up for.

With a combination of those things happening simultaneously, I think the Asian-American will be realistically woven into the microcosm of the Hollywood System that much quicker.

 'The Box' - Part II

In the previous entry, I revealed that my little gig on "Veronica Mars" ended a long period of inactivity for me acting-wise.  And in an older entry, I mentioned that time not spent on the set/auditioning would be funneled towards making a cardboard playhouse for Avery.  The last time I showed 'The Box' (made from a Martha Stewart patio set box) it looked like this: A hatch, swinging doors on each end, drawbridge, tincan telephone system, "Silence of the Lambs"-esque mailbox and three geometric shaped windows on the other side.

Well, three months elapsed since that entry and the "VM" gig. 

Here's what it looks like now.

I always wanted to paint the box but knew that any paint, other than oil-based, would just weaken and warp the cardboard.  Then someone said, "How about contact paper?" 

Brilliant.  So I went to work.

I first added some metal rebar to key areas of  'The Box' to reinforce the structure as it was beginning to sag under the Hatch (you can see a diagonal hump of the rebar in the center of the box, under the Hatch).  Then beige contact paper.  Then white contact paper on the lower half cut and drawn to look like a picket fence.  I jazzed up the mailbox.  Above the mailbox I added in a Bay Window used from the plastic packaging of an action figure to bring in some light.  A literal door "bell" was added onto both doors at each end.  The mysterious numbers and Dharma Initiative logo from "Lost" were added onto the Hatch . 

Then I covered up the drawbridge's exterior with a drawing of some trees and foliage -- so that to the common passerby, it just looks  like some innocent, everyday vegetation.  But when the drawbridge is pulled down -- it reveals the true entryway into the BatCave.

I also pulled the circuitry from those greeting cards that play music when you open them up and taped it to the opening crack in the drawbridge.  So now whenever it's opened, it plays the Beach Boys' "Fun, Fun Fun."

Then on the other side of  'The Box' I wanted to add some googly eyes and draw a simple face around them.  And what other character doesn't have any eyelids?  Well, anyone of Jim Henson's creations.

So I drew an Elmo in the center.  But he looked so small and pathetic in the middle by himself.   I decided I needed a well known duo to share the 2 flaps of the rectangle window.  My wife suggested Bert and Ernie -- and it was done.  (In hindsight, I think I should've drawn those two bearded, purple monsters attached to each other - one with horns turned up and the other's turned down.)   

Anyway then I thought, "Man, I can't leave out the two guy synonymous with googly, bulging eyes -- so I had to add Cookie Monster and Beaker next to the triangle window (Bunson was easy since he has no eyes).  And finally, I drew Barkley on the bottom because Avery always barks whenever she sees him.

I added velcro backing to the eyes so that you can do stuff like: Pull off Elmo's big eyes and stick them each onto Bert and Ernie to make them look like a Cyclops.  

I also color-coated the backs of the velcro to each character's fur/skin so that Avery can someday learn which eyes belong to whom -- by matching up the colors.  But right now, she just likes to stick 'em in her mouth. 

But otherwise, she's gotten pretty acclimated to 'The Box' and utilizes mostly everything. 

She knows how to open the drawbridge, go into the side doors, open and close the hatch with the pullstrings, places toys on the bay window's ledge, sends stuff to us through the mailbox and can escape out the rear geometric windows... and then tries to eat the Muppets' eyes.  

Once I got the call that I booked "VM", worked ceased on "The Box'.   Good thing too because I was starting to draft plans for a cupola.

Work will continue to be suspended on it as I will next be off to speak at Wellesley College's ASU on Sept 22 -- stop by if you're in the area.  

 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

A few weeks ago I shot an episode of "Veronica Mars" that will air on Tues, Oct 24 at 9pm on the new CW Network (the merged WB and UPN). 

It's a small but fun role as the character of 'Charleston' and the show has a history of bringing back characters once established in the "Mars Universe".  But the job also breaks my slump of not booking anything in 60 some odd auditions ("Finishing the Game" didn't count as I didn't have to audition for it).   

It's this very reason why it's imperative for actors to have some form of money management in place. 

Usually for a conventional job, it's suggested that you have 3 months worth of living expenses in an emergency fund in case you lose your job/car breaks down/medical reasons, etc.  I usually like to have at least a year's worth for times just like this -- and believe me, the past 8 months were close to pushing it.  That's why actors initially get paid so much - because it's got to potentially last for awhile (on the flip-side, those who just keep working and working -- that cash snowball can become just obscene over time).  And the dry spells can come at any point - in the beginning of a career or even when you're prepared with your material and feel on top of your game 10 years in.  It's not a question of "if"it'll ever happen but when.

Speaking of which, today marks 10 years to the day that I had my very first audition ever.  It's when I personally considered to have begun acting professionally.  It was for an ABC show called "Relativity" with Kimberly Williams ("Father of the Bride").  I still remember not knowing where to sign in and clueless to the whole etiquette of what to do, etc.  I wound up getting a callback but the job wound up going to Ernest Liu (the Asian Kid from "From Dusk till Dawn").

Pictured here is the entry I wrote in the audition journal I kept.   I logged in the casting director's name, Lindsay Chag (so I could remember if  I ever read for her again) , what clothes I wore (so I could wear the same thing for the callback) and notes on what I thought I could improve on for the next time, if there was a next time (ie: 'more energy', 'pretend like you're part of the cast', 'more expression') -- the notes would get better and more focused as I  took more classes and learned the terminology over the years. 

And although I will always remember September 10, 1996 as the day my professional career began -- it will unfortunately always be followed by the somber remembrance of the events of Sept 11, 2001.   

New Pics and FAQQLY

I want to plug the work of a few guys that have recently helped me out with their respective talents and hopefully toss some more business their way.

At first I agreed to a photo session with photographer Dennis Kwan just to bolster his portfolio with more recognizable faces (his words, not mine).  But I wound up with some great shots and ended up using them to update my entire main site.  You can see the whole series of them in the "PHOTOS" section. 

In fact, the current profile photo I'm using is from the shoot -- which a reader commented in the previous entry that I am wearing 'too much makeup'.   Which is puzzling since I wasn't wearing any -- guys usually don't in photos.  On Film and TV?  Yes.  In photos, no -- Hmm, I don't really know why that is.   Anyway, I'm guessing maybe he's talking about the darker tan on my forehead?  Sorry to burst your bubble Kevin72 -- but that smooth, summer sun kissed, cocoa skin is all me, baby.    

So check out Dennis' work and let him know I sent you if you shoot with him.  Fun Tidbit:  He will be one of the tallest Asian guys you'll ever meet at 6' 7".  We looked like The Jolly Green Giant and Sprout as we shot throughout the streets of Santa Monica together.

Then my former webmaster, Dave Liu, has recently come up with a social networking site called FAQQLY.  Basically, the idea is that you'll discover more about a said person through a series of FAQ's.  He claims he was inspired after completing my comprehensive FAQ section on the main site (Hey, I just don't like answering the same stuff over and over again!).  And now I've added it as an extention to my site's FAQ section.  

So I've got one.   Keiko Agena's (Gilmore Girls) got one.  Lynn Chen's (Saving Face) got one.  Hammer's ('Can't Touch This' and almost the minister who married me) got one.  The site also has other networking aspects as a safer alternative to MySpace (ie: less slutty).  So join up and start asking away -- everybody's doing it! 

Good Skin/Bad Skin and My MySpace

Yesterday I went to a screening of this great film I auditioned for over a year ago called, "Shanghai Kiss". 

It's one of those roles that make you sick to the stomach and jealous as heck for having lost out on.  But Ken Leung ("X3" -the porcupine looking mutant, "Rush Hour" - the main villain, "Keeping the Faith" - the hilarious karaoke salesman) who booked the role, does such an amazing job with part that all jealousy is replaced with admiration.  Once the film gets distribution, you all have to check it out.  Even those who aren't actors will be pained empathizing losing out on such an awesome role.  But Ken does it justice and then some -- the guy's got such great acting chops.  

Kelly Hu also stars in it and the girl hasn't aged at all (she was the first Asian American to be crowned Miss Teen USA in 1985).  In meeting her for the first time yesterday, I found myself amazed by her flawless skin.  

And the only comparison I could draw from was when I worked with Scott Wolf on "Party of Five" back in 1998 -- and noticed his uncanny, flawless complexion.  Seeing Kelly immediately made me think, "Oooh, she's got 'Scott Wolf' skin!" -- but that's neither here nor there. 

On the other side of the dermatological scale, I made a disturbing discovery during my trip to Toronto last week.  I entered the local Mac's (a Canadian 7-11) to satiate my Ringolo fix and saw this as a slushy drink: Bloody Zit.

The drink is sour cherry and has got white bits of "chunks" suspended in the middle of the icy beverage-- simulating white zit heads floating around.

Yum. 

The guy at the counter said it's been selling like gangbusters and that Mac's has done millions of dollars in sales.  Did that make me want to try it out?  Hell No (spoken in a Will Smith intonation from "I, Robot" when he sees a slew of robots about to jump on his car) .  Check out this trailer advertising the drink -- enjoy that dry heave.  Crazy Canuk Kids. 

On an unrelated note:  All I've been hearing these days is "Are you on MySpace?"  "You need a MySpace" -- so I've finally succumbed after seeing folks like Dane Cook build their fan base exponentially like rabbits mating.  I still like Xanga's format better as a journal and... it's a lot less slutty.  But I suppose MySpace is here to stay  -- so please "Add" me (I just learned what that meant a few weeks ago): www.myspace.com/parryshen