“LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!” Part ONE. WHAT goes on BEHIND the SCENES? Will we see MORE than just this SMILING FACADE?

THE ASIAN CINEMA

In our line of work as PRODUCERS , we often come across all kinds of ACTORS

the BIG stars, the ASPIRING stars and the forgettable SMALL TIME nobodies.

Funnily enough, the top-of-line actors would have their feet planted on the ground.

As we all know, good wine needs no bush,

So the A-LISTERS are mostly down-to-earth and jolly nice …..

The LESSER actors?

Not even half the rung up the ladder, they are already preening like peacocks in anticipation of the super stardom they hope will come their way soon.

The well behaved ones have our blessings when they finally make it,

We laugh at the pretentious “icy cool” dudes and divas who are trying hard to be “different”

because when they fall flat on their faces

they deserve their just desserts.

Pride comes before a fall, right?

A VERY ESTABLISHED FILM DIRECTOR once lamented to me that most ASIAN ACTORS ARE A PRETENTIOUS LOT.

Going by traits developed from their “tools of the trade”, they are deemed to be.

After all, ACTORS are ACTORS.

Who can really blame them?

They are not as “innocent” as they seem.

They can be first-class manipulators with the survival instinct of a coyote, if they choose.

They are in the business of acting  and we have to respect occupational hazards.

Their latent personas are “groomed” from environmental factors, just like each and everyone of us.

ACTOR S can be all sugar whenever they are competing for a role.

Aside that, their demeanor can switch gear like a crafty chameleon.

This is how the industry “shape” them, when they are vying for a prime role  pitching against scores of other contenders.

This industry is far too competitive and tinsel town is often flooded with fellow hypocrites, green eyed monsters and back-stabbers.

Vile gossip abounds, no less.

WELCOME TO ENTERTAINMENT POLITICS .

Never rely on an actor to recommend  you to another actor or to  his manager, should you be casting for your film projects.

He will nod his head in acquiescence

but  there’s a 90% chance that he will deliberately ignore this favor once your head is turned.

Why should he help  you?

It is an unwritten rule, and after all, he is unmistakably an actor in his own right  - and to assist a fellow competitor to move ahead of him is really unthinkable.

In ASIAN tinsel town, you’ll be smart if you help yourself first before you help others.

Experience teacheth fools.

You have to be selfish in order to thrive in this dog-eat-dog arena of plastic people.

If  you have a mentor or a sugar daddy who’s more than willing to help you, well and good. Stick to him or her.

Connections is about everything YOU NEED to get ahead, to secure you that endorsement deal or role.

But if you do not have a valid back up?

Fending for yourself in this complex entertainment industry is hardly easy.

In fact, far from it.

Right?

AN ACTOR’S LOT IS NEVER SIMPLE, much as you like to think so.

He has to be at the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time.

He must have a MENTOR or MANAGER for prestige and representation if he plans to move ahead.

It does not look good on the actor if he has to sell himself personally as artiste.

He must ALWAYS put on his best front to the PAPARAZZI and garner good MEDIA RELATIONS as press interviews and fashion spreads can put him one rung above the others in terms of publicity.

He must cultivate the RIGHT CONNECTIONS and CONNECTIVITY to rise above the occasion.

The CASTING COUCH SYNDROME?

Maybe, who knows? There are always sleazy people around everywhere,  but this exists more in the FILM than the TELEVISION industry, going by industry reports. Skip this one.

When the film director shouts “ACTION!” the ACTOR flashes his mega-watt smile instantaneously.

THIS IS FOR “REEL”,

When the film director wraps up the scene with “CUT!” , he continues his bewitching smile for his fans and paparazzi, even when he feels like shit with a thousand tons on his shoulders.

THIS IS FOR “REAL”,

After all, acting is a profession and this guy is eking out a living.

THE ASIAN CELLULOID WORLD only recognizes YOUTH and EYE CANDIES.

As long as you possess the dashing looks, you can be positioned as the next  PRETTY BOY/GIRL or HUNK/SEXPOT.

Once you pass 35 , you are a withered flower – considered middle aged, way over  your prime and deemed too old or to put it rudely, passe.

Then you are relegated to secondary roles such as the uncle or auntie, much to your disdain.

You squirm with disbelief because you think you are STILL the gorgeous  SUPERSTAR , but hey, this is ASIA and not HOLLYWOOD.

Everybody grows OLD and LOOKS wane.

Time and tide wait for no man, and no amount of hitting the gym regularly, nor faithfully applying tons of herbal facials or ointments daily, will your skin still retain that youthful glow or elasticity. Oh come on!

GRAVITY PULLS  and REALITY BITES.

You cannot place a guarantee on fans’ adulation, and they’d readily switch camp whenever another new star shines in the horizon. We all love virgins, don’t we?

The following scenario best sums up an ACTOR ’s lot:

“THE  **CROWD goes wild,**

The **FANS all cheer,**

As the  **SHOW is done,**

And the  **WORLD is focused**

On  **YOU alone,**

***NOBOD* Y else,**

***YOU* alone are the soul of life,**

***YOU* alone are the BEST ,**

***YOU* have everything they want,**

*Until the LIGHT goes DIM.”*

*This is the price every ACTOR has to pay for FAME.*

A trite SAD, but very TRUE.

CHECK THIS OUT, MATE.

So you want to be in the acting profession?

TAKE A CUE …..

MYTH? TRUTH?

You decide …..

TO ALL ASPIRING ACTORS WHO ARE “NOT THERE” YET, GOOD LUCK!