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Want To Be A Movie Star?

There seems to be a perception among the general populace that being an actor or even a movie star isn’t that difficult. I bring this up because it feels like every day, at least a dozen Asian Pacific Americans seem to appear out of the woodwork, determined and convinced that they will be the next Tom Cruises and Julia Roberts’. Usually these folks were pursuing a different career path (doctor, businessperson, lawyer, etc.) before deciding to give it all up to follow their dream — acting.

So for any of you reading this and contemplating a career change because you’re thinking, “If Adam Sandler can make it, then how hard can it be?” — read on for some humble words of advice.

DON’T DO IT: It’s a tough business. As an APA actor you will have to struggle. Just making enough money to earn a living above the poverty line will be difficult. You’ll be begging for a one-line job on some inane TV show playing some stereotypical character you would otherwise ridicule. If there is any other job or career you even have a remote interest in, do that. Choose acting only if it’s the last option; if you would rather die than do anything else. And even then, think long and hard before you make the leap.

TRAIN AND LEARN DISCIPLINE: Usually when someone approaches me and says they’re thinking of becoming an actor, they ask one of two questions: 1. How do I get an agent? 2. How do I make a lot of money doing this? The answer to those two questions is irrelevant. If you want to act, the first and only thing you should be worrying about is: How do I become a good actor? And the answer is to train, learn your craft and be disciplined. In other words, put in the hard work. Take classes, do student films, get involved in theatre, study the great actors and great films, read, learn as much about the world as possible — all these things will help make you a better actor. Remember there are thousands of others out there who are fully committed to their crafts and careers. Become one of them.

DON’T DO WHAT OTHER ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN “STARS” HAVE DONE: There are very few examples of APA actors who have made it to “stardom” and most of those who were able to make it have not been able to sustain their star status for more than a few years. Why? My theory is that these actors have relied too much on Hollywood to take care of them. They expect Hollywood to keep offering them roles, but at some point those offers will dry up and Hollywood will move onto the next hot thing.

This is an area where I think we can really learn from the African American filmmaking community. There are major African American stars who have managed to sustain long-term careers (Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Wesley Snipes, etc...). Most of these stars got to where they are because they supported African American filmmakers (and vice versa). A good example of this is Samuel L. Jackson. He got his big break in films working for Spike Lee (leading up to his breakthrough performance in Lee’s “Jungle Fever”). He parlayed that into a Hollywood career but once he gained clout, he used it to support up-and-coming black filmmakers (i.e. Kasi Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou, which Jackson appeared in and co-produced). This relationship based on mutual support is less evident with APAs. If you’re lucky enough to cross the threshold of stardom, build relationships and develop those who will support you for the long haul, because Hollywood doesn’t care about you.

HAVE WHAT IT TAKES: Finally, keep in mind what writer-director Robert Towne (Chinatown, Mission Impossible) said: “What was once said of the British aristocracy — that they did nothing and did it very well — is a definition that can be applied to movie actors. For gifted movie actors affect us most, I believe, not by talking, fighting, f--king, killing, cursing or cross-dressing. They do it by being photographed ... a fine actor on screen conveys a staggering amount of information before he ever opens his mouth.”

What Towne is referring to is that “movie star quality” — that thing you either have or don’t. Very few possess this quality. If you happen to be one of the lucky few, go after your dream with everything you’ve got. Despite all the negatives I described, we need APA movie stars, because in Hollywood being a star means you have the power to make a difference. If we want to see some real changes in the way APAs are perceived and presented on both the big and small screens, we need our own movie stars who are willing to make that difference.

Philip W. Chung is a writer for film, TV and theatre and co-founder of Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, an APA theatre company. He is the writer/director of the forthcoming APA horror film Children in the Mirror, www.childreninthemirror.com.