Years ago, out of the blue, I was contacted by a man named Bruce - who introduced himself as the owner of Eastwood Talent Agency. (The eventually went from Talent Representation to Talent Management)

At the time, I was freelancing with a bunch of agencies and managements. So I figured... "Why not?" Then I met with Bruce and gave him copies of my headshot & resumes.

Within the 5 years being 'attached' to Eastwood Talent. I've only been contacted 3 times.

The first time - I booked a featured role on Falling for Grace. (2005)

The second time - I booked a small role on Sushi Prince goes to NY. (2007)

The third time was last year (2008) - but instead of Bruce, I was contacted by a man named "Vincent." It was about a booking for a Japanese Tourism show.
It turned out, that Bruce had retired from the Showbiz, and went to focus on other career paths. Anyway, I went and met with the producers and the production assistant. Everything was great. We even talked about production schedule, things to prepare and material... Before I leave the office, the Producer said they will contact me to confirm the shoot time. I was convinced that I got the job. But for some reason, the production assistant never called. Vincent never return my call. So... I guess the production went with a different choice.

At the beginning of 2008, I have been focusing on working with my Manager - and pretty much cut-off all ties with other agencies/managements. Because compare her to many other people that I have worked with, she's the only one who consistantly sends me out, giving me suggestions, and always tried to arrange an audition slot that works with my day-job schedule.

Last week, I got a mass email from Vincent of the "New" Eastwood Talent - asking all the talents that the company had worked with, to re-submit our updated headshot and resume. I thought "Why Not?" - It doesn't hurt to freelance with Eastwood again - especially majority of their clients are over-sea companies. So that shouldn't have any impact on my booking with New York productions.
So, I emailed him my headshot & resume.

The next day, I got an email requesting that I drop off 6 hardcopies at his office.

Last night, after I got off work, I went to New Eastwood Talent Agency.

The new office was tiny. It was the size of a closet. I guess for a Talent agent, if it's a boutique size, all he/she needs is a computer, internet connection, phone, and a cabinet for files.

I walked in and greeted Vincent.

He scanned though my resume, looked up, and ask about what I do for a living.

I explained that I do have a 9 to 5 day job, but I have stored enough vacation and sick days that I can be as flexible as needed.

With his eyes on the words "SAG-Eligible" on my resume, he asked... "How many waviers do you have?"

I was like... "Why do you ask? You think I lied on my resume?"

I found it very offensive.

He said he just want to make sure - in his broken English.

V: So, what you want to do?

Wayne: Right now, my focus is Primetime Television. But I'm open to other opportunties. And of course, more Films.

V: Do you... Do you have monologue?

Wayne: Yes.

Then he points to an old picture on the wall. "That's Joe. I want you to go see him next week."

Wayne: "Why?"

V: "Do your monologue for him. Then he will let me about you."

Wayne: "What do you mean? Who is Joe? Is he a Casting Director? Is this an Audition?"

V: "He is my friend, and also a coach. He worked on Sopranos."

Wayne: "I'm not looking for a Monologue coach."

In my mind, I felt that he was trying to sell a class to me - or one of those scams.

V: "No. Because people talk. You know. If I submit you, and you are not right. People talk."

Wayne: "If you question my ability of auditioning, booking, and being professional onset. That I ensure you there will be no problem. I have been sent out and auditioned for legit TV, Film, and Commercials. I have been doing this for 6 years - and if I suck, I wouldn't have all these credits on my resume. I'm not new to this industry, and I hope you are aware of that."

I was about to ask him to return my headshots and walk out of the office.

V: "I know. But I just want to make sure."

Wayne: "Why don't YOU audition me right now?"

He paused a little.

V: "Joe will tell me about you."

Wayne: "Aren't you a Talent Agent? Isn't it your job to screen people that you are going to work with?"

V: "Go to Joe next week."

I was turned-off by the idea - and felt Vincent was being very unprofessional - and didn't know how to run a Talent Agency.

Vincent wrote down Joe's name and address on the back of his businesscard.

Wayne: "I can't. I have class."

V: "Go whenever you can."

Wayne: "............ okay."

V: "Just go to Joe, and tell him Vicent sent you."

Wayne: "............ okay."

V: "Do you... Are you on... On the Web. ActorAccess?"

Wayne: "............ Yeah."

V: "I'm still going to submit you on projects."

Wayne: "............. okay."

V: "Okay."

Wayne: "Good night."

In my mind, I just want to get out of there. It was a waste of my time.

I walked out of the office, and saw a young actress waiting at the Hallway, waiting to talk to Vincent.

I nodded at her... Then left the building.

After I got home, I did a search on both "Joe Paradise" and his "Address" - didn't find anything. I also looked up Sopranos on imdb, and found no match to the name.

I ended up not meeting this "Joe" person, nor working with New Eastwood Talent. I don't want to have anything to do with them.

**********
The reason that I post this entry, is to inform all the actors out there... Yes, it is important to be represented by a Talent Agent or Manager in order to get sent out for legit jobs. But that doesn't mean we should be desperate, and begging to get signed.
In this industry, we have to protect our own reputation by carefully selecting who we work with. A bad agent can do more harm than good.

Last Monday, in my Comedy class - we were asked to perform our comedy sides emailed by our instructor over the weekend.

I love the sides. It was cleverly written, very funny - I felt that I can take the character to many directions.
Because in the previous class, I was commented by how THICK my accent was... I spent extra effort on the lines. I video taped my performance with my camera, then played it back with my headsets on. I pay close attention to how I sound.
I made some adjustments, then record myself again....

But on Monday, again. She commented on my accent. Asked me to slow down, and enunciate the words.

I did. I really did.

I have been living in the U.S. for 20 years. I have told that I do have an accent... but no ever describe it as "Thick." - I felt like a slap on the face... And went into a total depression. This accent thing is going to haunt me for the rest of mylife.

So, after I did the sides for the second time, she suggested that I should 'go with the stereotype' - just to see how things turn out.

The Crazy Asian Man.

I turned on my super thick accent... Turn on my character engine... And went all out.
Everyone was laughing. They liked it. They loved it.
Jodi even suggested that sometimes, it is the stereotype character that gets us the job. Instead of resent it... We should embrace it, and utilize it when the time comes.

Little did they know... Doing this Stereotype character is my specaility. I mean, it's one of many tricks that I have in my bag. Having them commenting on my performacne - I didn't know if I should feel flattered or depressed over the fact that the only way I could entertain is to play a stereotype.

Of all the legit auditions that I have been sent out for, are characters who are either a Chinese Delivery Man, a Chinatown Chef, or someone who recently came to America.

For "Golden Seas," my character was asked to put on a thick broken English. (I did it, because it's effective with the subject matter of the film. You will know when you see it.)

For "White Knuckle," my character has a super thick Chinese Accent. (I did it, because the scrīpt wasn't insulting and stereotyping Asians. It's part of the character's charm)

For "Pink Slip," I was asked do 95% of my character's line in Mandarin Chinese. (I did it, because the character is working at the company for VISA. You know. VISA.)

For "Passengers of 7D," I protrait a foreign resident of the apartment. (A foreign resident, that make sense, because he wasn't a native New Yorker)

For "Sushi King Goes to New York," I was a Chinese-Japanese Chef, who doesn't really know how to make authentic Japanese food. I was asked to speak Japanese with Chinese accent. (Well, it's a Paid Job...)

For "Concerto," my character was a Host who speaks with thick accents. (The segement is suppose to be a Japanese TV Commercial... So yeah, Broken English would make sense)

The list go on and on and on...

Yes. Of all these projects that I have done - I did them because the content of the scrīpt did not insult or degrades the Asian culture. (And yes, I have rejected projects that I found offensive, or protraiting the Asian character in a negative way)

One of my goals this year, is to put together a nice Acting Reel. But I don't want to filled it up with a bunch footage of me, speaking everything but Standard English Accent.

(Uh... Yeah, I got other works of me speaking pretty good English, but I couldn't use them for my reel due to other reasons....)

I know Jodi was trying to be helpful - and part of her job was to help us finding what is our own "Brand" - If I don't improve my Standard English Accent, then I will always be stuck with this "Brand."

You must be thinking... Maybe I should invest some money Accent Reduction Courses?
Yes I have. And I'm still working with a private Acting/Dialogue Coach on a per-case basis. (Per-case: whenever I got a scrīpt, I will work with him on it).

But right now, I'm on the hunt for an affortable and effective Speech/Accent Reduction Class in New York that I can attend on weekly basis.

*sigh* So expensive.... So expensive...

OLTL = One Life To Live.

Unfortunately, it's one of the Daytime Soap that I'm not familiar with. (I used to watch GH. Well, I grew up in California... So go Figure.)

So I worked on the set of OLTL yetserday as a background artist. (An EXTRA) - When I got my call time, I was thrilled.

My call time was 1:00pm. That means I didn't have to get up 6 in the morning to get ready. I had plently of time to mail a package to my parents, drop off donations at Salvation Army, and get something to eat.

ANYWAY - back to the main story line here.

I went to the beautiful ABC Studio 17 - on the 66th Street. Its a building with stone walls... Looks like a Castle. As suggested by the casting hotline, I checked in with the front desk 10 minutes before 1pm... Was directed to the basement... Then there was this very nice Production Assistant David, sitting at the general resting area.

Wayne: "Hi. I'm a background for today's scene. Sorry, this is my first time at the Studio, so I don't know where to go."

David showed me where the wardrobe department, restroom, and waiting room are.
(Basically, the waiting room is the lobby of the floor, with soda machine, microwave, sink, and a TV)

I went into the wardrobe department and told the staff that I was to be the "Hospital Orderly" - she then took a picture of me in the hallway... Which was later made into my employee ID:



I tried on the scrub she gave me... Made some adjustment, then that was it. I walked back into the Lobby and was told they are taken their lunch break.

Now, if I was on a FILM or a TV Series set, I would be looking for the craft table... Or sniff really hard to see if I can detect any catering service in the area.

But smell nothing. I heard nothing. I saw back down, and observed the area... Pretty soon, this young guy came out from the dressing room wearing only a T-shirt and a pair of boxers. He sait down on the other side of the sofa... Looked as if he was thinking something. Then he jumped up back.

He asked David: "Do you have any takeout menu?"

Then I saw the wardrobe and makeup people came out wearing their coats... "Where do you girls want to eat?"

David looked into his drawer, and pulled out a stack of menus.

Another pretty looking girl came out of no where, tapped the young guy's shoulder, "Scott, want me get you something?"

Scott: "What are you gonna get?"

Girl: "Veggie Wrap. They have sandwitches too."

I gasped in my head.

There are no Craft Table. No Catering Truck. Its a "walk-away lunch." But instead of getting some $$$ for the lunch... It's coming out of our own pocket. To the employee at ABC, this is like a day job. They take lunch break like every other employees.

That's something new... I didn't expect that. Thank goodness I didn't ask David where the craft services is located. (In case you are wondering and didn't read my previous blog entry... Yes. This was my first time working as a background on Daytime Soap.)

David told me that I should go take lunch break as well - But being overly prepared, I already got enough food in my backpack...

Wayne: "Thank you David, but I'll just wait here... I brought food."

I sat on the sofa...

It was so quiet...

So I started to read my 'research paper' (for my next film project, my character is a member of a religious cult... So I printed out some articles about cult, and their life style).

About 1:45pm, a gentleman came down the stair and sat down on the sofa. He took out a magazine from his bag. He smiled at me, I smiled back.

Around 2:00pm, I heard the announcement "Thank you everyone. We're back."

People hurried down the stairs back some went back up...

Soon, the TV in the lobby area started to play something... The TV was showing the filming progress... The young guy who I saw earlier was in this scene, along with a pretty blond-hair actress. The actors (Scott and Crystal) were going through their blocking and lines. I heard a lot of sounds coming from the TV speaker... The Director was commenting on something... The light guy, the mic-guy, the assistant director... The blocking was a chaos... The camera would flip and change angles back and forth, zoom in and zoom out... out of focus, in focus... Out of frame, in the frame... (well, I've heard that they use 3 cameras to film Soap) The whole process took about 20 minutes... Then it was the real thing. Only this time, the camera would capture the perfect angle... Right on the spot. Whenever Stacy (played by Crystal) turned her body, the camera would focus on Skyer. After they are done with scene, the chaos came back... And the entire process would repeat itself for different blocking...

Wayne: "Wow... So Busy..."

The gentleman on the sofa said: "He's the new guy."

Wayne: "Skyler?"

Gentleman: "Whatever his name is."

Then I went to introduce myself...

"Steven" he said.

Wayne: "This is my first time on a Soap set."

Steven then told me that he has done so many of these stuff... (I guess he's a full time actor)

Wayne: "Today, I'm the Hospital Orderly."

Steven: "They had more people last time. 5 Nurses. I'm the Doctor, by the way."

It turned out, there were only two of us doing background. The Doctor and the Orderly.

Wayne: "Any idea when they will use us?"

Steven went up to David's desk, and checked on his production schedule.

"In about an Hour."

I nodded and went back to the TV.



Stacy and Skyler had their little scene together. (Rox also made a brief cameo) Then it was over.

Scott came down, still wearing his boxer and T-Shirt, and greets David "I'm Done!"

He went back into the dressing room.

On the TV, I could see the Camera are moving around... Stacy was still in the scene... But this time, joined by another actress.

Stacy: "Gigi, what are you doing here?"

Gigi: "I don't need you anymore!"

Then Steven said: "She also played a b*tch on another soap."

Wayne: "She's doing two soaps at the same time?"

Steven: "No. She joined the show 2 years ago. Before this, she was on Days of our Lives."

Scott came back up wearing casual clothes... "Bye David. I'll see you tomorrow at 8!"

The scene went on for about 40 minutes... I was totally enjoying it. Watch them doing the blocking... Everything was so fast... The actors must have all the lines memorized... or something...

Around 4:10pm... The speaker announced "Doctor and Orderly on set please."

Steven grabbed his lab coat, and I followed him up the stairs. (I was tyring to play cool... letting him walk first... The truth is, I have no clue where the studio is)

We walked through a small double door... Then as if I walked into a giant Cubical office space. Each giant Cubical is a set. I see a Ktichen... Skyler's Room... A beautiful Victorian style living room... Then the Llanview Hospital Lobby. It was a very tiny set... Smaller than the usual Starbucks Coffee Shop.

Gigi was on set with a taller Actor.

He was sitting on a coach, while she was standing 6 ft. from him.

There were three huge camera on wheels... A bunch of microphones here and there... Crews running around...

The Assistant Director came to Steven and I. "Hey Steven, good to see you again. And you are....." He looked down on his clip board. "Wayne. Hi Wayne. Follow me."

He gave us brief instructions, while talking on a wire-less head-set, and writing down stuff on the clip board. (He sure can multi-task)

Then a woman came out from a booth, also wearing a blinking head-set.

"She's the director." Said Steven.

"She directed the episode where I was killed."

Wayne: "But you came back alive?"

Steven: "I was a butler for that episode."

Wayne: "When was that?"

Steven: "Last year."

(So yes. For Soap, they do recycle actors!!!

While the director was talking to the two actors... The cameras are running about the set.

Steven and I had to move and skip over electric chords and dodging the cameras...

About 10 minutes, the director went back to the booth. The A.D. came over and gave Steven direction... And me direction on when to enter the scene, and where I should exit.

The Spearker announced: "Okay. Let's start."

The set got quiet... The camera-on-wheels settled...

It was a dramatic scene between Rex and Gigi.

They exchanged a few words... (Steven walked passes the hallway) And all of the sudden, Gigi started to cry. Her hands were shaking... lips trembling... She turned her body as if she was trying to run away from Rex. Then Rex reached out and grabbed her, shook her shoulder... The intensity filled the air...

"Cut. Thank you." announced the speaker.

The Director came out again, spoke to Gigi. Then she gave Rex a different blocking.

Gigi got herself some tissues and blew her nose.

The makeup person came up and fixed her hair.

"Okay, everyone ready."

Rex sit back down on the sofa. This time, Gigi came up from behind... Leaned down and whisper something in Rex's ear. Rex jumped up... said something to her.
Then Gigi burst into tears... She held herself by the elbow... Then she started to back away from Rex. Rex, went up to her, grabbed Gigi by her shoulder and pulled her closer...

Rex: "Gigi!"

"Cut. Thank you."

This time, the A.D. went up to the Actors and gave them directiongs.

At the same time, the Camera-on-Wheels moved around.
The light guy adjusted the lights with a pole.

"Okay. everyone ready."

This time, Gigi's face was already flooded with tears... Rex hold her body up... He kisses her.

Gigi pushed Rex away... "I can't... I can't..."

Her fragile body moved away...

Rex: "I don't understand! We are Gigi and Rex! We are meant to be together!!"

"Cut. Thank you."

Gigi sat back down on the sofa, getting her hair and makeup fixed.

Rex tood at his spot, while the cameras focuses on him. He was making all these weird funny faces...

"Okay, Ready."

Gigi positioned her by the pole, while Rex was looking angry... sad... Depressed...

(then I walked in, and walked out. Steven walked in and walked out)

Gigi: "I'm sorry Rex..."

Rex remained silent.

Out of no where, Stacy came out from the Lobby Wall.

Stacy: "What Happened?" (As Steven walked by her)

Gigi: "..... What do you think?!"

Rex: "Stacy, why are you here?" (I walked passes the cabinet)

Stacy: "I've got a good news."

"Cut. Thank you."

Steven and I were released from the set. They were done with the extras.

After I returned my scrubs to the Wardrobe department, I saw "Rex" coming down from the stairs. He too, was done for the day.

In the back of my head... I envy him. I envy them. This is like a day job... They go on set, they get lunch break, then they get to go home when they are done. (The Soap contact is different than a Film contract. The actors are paid on a Salery level - like my day job. It doesn't matter how many days an Acotr is used on set, they all get their paycheck on a bi-weekly basis)

This is what I want to do.
I want to do what they do....
A day job that I will enjoy doing...

Anyway...

Pretty much, that was the Soap process. The production moved very vast... They probably spent 2 hours per scene. Each scene was probably 20 - 30 pages of dialogues.
the shot was very fast.

Other than how fast the shoot was in compare to a Film set... I was very impressed with the actors.

I made fun of 'soap acting' before. Many times.

"Haha. that's so Soap! So Dramatic!!"

I am so ashamed of myself.

For given such a short and a super-fast environment, constantly having people moving around you... With three giant camera surrounding you... Knocking out a scene every 20 minutes to meet the schedule. Tears, No tears. Tears, No tears. Hitting the mark. Move away from the Mark. Stop here, move there. No, start crying. Stop. You already cried. Re-do the scene over...

Whenever the cameras are rolling, the actors were 'in the moment.'

The emotions were real.

The tears were real.

I know a lot of you guys would think that the Soap Actors move funny. Well, they weren't. They were hitting their marks and position themselves in a way so all three cameras can capture them - without blocking the other actor from another camera.

The soap shoot is definitly more technical and restricted than a film set.

*Sigh* Farah Fath was amazing. (And she's only 24!!!) Not only she's beautiful in person... She's a great actress.

I don't even think I can re-charge and re-live the moment that many times while having so much distraction around me. I couldn't even squeeze-out my tears on cue!!!
It's crazy to see Farah to went from once scene, and jumped right into the next scene with different emotional state. (The actors weren't given any 'preparation' time because the tight schedule.)

Taken from a quote from the Casting Director, Mark Teschner, "If you can do Daytime. You can do Anytime."

I'm so glad that I have the chance to be on a Soap Set - and especially for having to witness a dramatic scene... It opened up my eyes and my mind.

Today, I wrote a Postcard to the BG Casting Associate who hired me for the gig, thanking her for the amazing experience.

New York State Governor David A. Patterson is threatening to cut funding for the New York State Tax Credit Program. According to a 2007 study, the state and city combined have issued $690 million in tax credits and have collected $2.7 billion in taxes from movie and television productions. In 2007, this program helped create over 7,000 jobs directly and over 12,000 jobs indirectly. With an unemployment rate of over 7%, now is not the time to cut programs that create jobs and foster new businesses in our state. This program is proven to be highly successful and at a time when this industry needs all the help it can get.

Click here to sign the petition asking the Governor to fund the New York State's Television and Film Tax Credits and save our jobs!

I think most Actors out there, their first on-set experience are usually doing background works for either a television show, or a feature film.
Personally, I think this is an experience that ANYONE in the film/tv/reality show industry should have. Because you will get to see what a film set is like.... Who are involved... And the 'wait' time for each scene.
Plus it's a great opportunity to network and meet new friends.
(It's also a great way to make extra money... And earn your SAG Waivers!)

When you decided to send your headshot & resume to these casting agencies, don't forget to include your sizes, primary contact info, and your Union Status in the body of the email. Not unless you knew they are looking for a specific type, you usually put "General Background Submission" in your emails ubject.

Below are some Backgroud Casting office in New York Area. (Updated 2/9/09)

--- Grant Wilfley Casting ---

Kings
kings@gwcnyc.com

Law and Order: SVU
svu@gwcnyc.com

--- Comer & Gallucio Casting, Inc. ---

The Unusuals
candgcasting@gmail.com
with email subject “The Unusuals Background Submission”

Ugly Betty
candgcasting@gmail.com
with email subject “Ugly Betty Background Submission”

--- Sylvia Fay / Lee Genick Casting ---

Damages
contact@sylviafaycasting.com

--- Barbara McNamara Casting ---

Rescue Me
Submit your profile online or Email talent@barbmcasting.com with email subject “Rescue Me Background Submission”

30 Rock
Submit your profile online or Email talent@barbmcasting.com with email subject “30 Rock Background Submission”

Naked Brothers Band
Submit your profile online or Email talent@barbmcasting.com

--- Central Casting ---

Gossip Girl
gossipgirlbg@gmail.com

Cupid
cupidtv@gmail.com

In Treatment
backgroundsubmissions@gmail.com

Life on Mars
marstv@gmail.com

**********************
Upcoming Feature Films

Nancy Meyers Project - nancymeyers@gwcnyc.com
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice - apprentice@gwcnyc.com

************************
Update on Central Casting
************************

Hey, I was informed by the talented Jun Naito, regarding Central Casting. Here is what he wrote:

I was reading your blog and saw you made some new posts. I wanted to mention something regarding working with Central.

You instruct people to mail their hardcopy headshots to Central, but I believe they do everything electronically now. You can read about registration info here: http://centralcasting.org/NY/actors/faqs.htm

They ask you to come register in person (Union and Non-union have different days for registration). There's a number you can call (646-205-8244 ext: 1) to find out which days and what times you can do this. You can download, print out and fill out the I-9 and W-4 forms before you go. You'll also need to bring documents to prove you can legally work in the US (passport, etc). What's great is once they have this information on file you don't have to bring it with you to the set because it's stored in their database!

The most important thing to know is they will say you can pay $25 to give you the option of uploading your own photos. But you can decline and just get a digital photo of you taken on premises for free. Central Casting no longer has a mandatory signup fee, and it is totally free.



Thanks Jun!!