bad blogger, bad!

Man, I've neglected my bloggin' lately.  Many reasons, but really most of it is just due to being busy - but all in a good way.  It's been one hell of a fun summer here in NYC and as it draws to a close, I have so so much to look forward to this Fall.  I can't wait!

First, next week, I'm shooting a short called Yes, Yesterday that is an homage to the films of Hou Hsiao Hsien and Wong Kar Wai - 2 geniuses in the cinema game.  I've been prepping for this role like nothing I've ever done, even if it is a short.  I play an immigrant from mainland China who bumps into an old friend on the streets of Chinatown New York.  It's a story about unrequited love, lost, longing, and all things Asian and angsty that Hou and Wong put in their films.  I love it!

Playing my opposite is the ultra talented and uber beautiful (and tall) Xin Li, a model/actress best known for her role in last year's Paris, Je T'aime - one of my favorite films.  Before I knew she was in the film, I was excited about it, but add her in - and the fact that the gifted Eun-ah Lee is shooting it (we've worked once together) - and my excitement level is off the charts! 

I've been researching this role like mad, primarily because, although I'm Chinese, I'm more American in many ways than I am Chinese.  This role calls for a Chinese immigrant so it will be the ultimate challenge to pull this off to be convincing Chinese national.  I've been hanging out in Chinatown here observing people, watching tons of Chinese films, and last week, did the ultimate and did a shift at a friend's Chinese restaurant as a bus boy - what my character is supposed to be in the film.  I guess that's called method acting, baby!  I inhabited being a nameless, faceless bus boy and I've got to say, it was as interesting an experience as there ever has been in my life.  It's a totally different game when you're a server and people who come in to eat expect certain things of you, treat you a certain way, and never really make eye contact.  I'll never eat in a Chinese restaurant the same!  I just wanted to get the feel of being in that environment, get use to the smells, sounds, sites, and way employees interacted in such a setting.  Totally helpful - hopefully it will come into good use for my character.  After all, I didn't get paid and didn't take home any of the tip after my shift!  I best get something out of it...

I've haven't cut my hair at all (and man it needs cutting) and been trying to shed weight (something my concerned friends are actually saying I should stop doing) - all in an effort to look more like an immigrant.  The big challenge is whether my Chinese will be convincing enough....I've done many projects in Chinese before, but in many ways, this will be the ultimate test.

And it's falls in line nicely too as after this, I'm off to Asia for an extended trip!  (I'm slowly turning more Chinese perhaps?)  I'll be going through Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and maybe Taipei to test the waters out there to see whether I've got what it takes to work out there...I'm prepared for anything and nothing all at once.  Meeting with whomever I can while trying to understand the Asian market a lot more.  How good is my Chinese going to have to be?  How will I be perceived?  How does the system work?  I have no idea what to expect.  Wish me luck!

Oh, one of the films I've studied recently, I'm embarrassed to say, I have never seen till now: Hou's Three Times.  The first segment set in 1966 is quite honestly maybe the most honest piece of filmmaking I've ever seen.  And I'm kind of a big fan of Shu Qi now.     I know, I know.  I'm slow...

Other parts of the biz going well too...just booked a 'wildspot' commercial for a glasses company (if anyone knows how a 'wildspot' works exactly, please tell me)...friends are telling me of the Chase ad in this week's BusinessWeek, and then not too long ago, I got back from LA where I viewed a cut of Quentin's film we're on...I think of all the things that have been happening recently, I'm MOST happy about that.  I can't wait to be able to talk about it more...FRACKENTASTIC WORK "PEOPLE"!!