Julien Dore’s Cet Air-La on ukulele by Cindy Chu

Project Ice Crew

Like any endeavor, the more people you get involved, the higher the chance of success, just like the Robocop statue.  The city of Detroit didn’t want to be a part of it, so what happened?  A group of devoted citizens started their own fundraiser for it, and were able to raise the necessary $50,000 in funds so that they could see their dream become reality.

So, if you are behind the film incentives, and want to stand with me, join me in raising your voices so that our government knows what we want and what we need to help this state stay alive.  Write your reps, go to the rallies and the meetings, tell your neighbors, friends, family, anyone who will listen, to sign the petitions and make sure that those who represent us know where our interests lie.

In just a few days, my song of discontent has garnered over 600 individual views, through my own private YouTube page, as well as the YouTube page for rickswrong.  So I have in effect shared my point of view with over 600 individuals who will maybe go on to write a letter to their state rep.  Or at least are a little more aware of the situation.  **As I was walking through the crowd to retrieve my workbag from a friend, a complete stranger said to me, “Hey!  You’re the ukulele girl!” with a huge smile.  What a precious moment! ^_^**

So please, take a few minutes out of your day, and send that email, or make that call, or write that snail mail.

If we all stand together, they will HAVE to hear our voices.  They won’t have any other choice.  It’s time for us to fight for what we believe in.

Peace and love,

Cindy

Robocop statue: Haters gonna hate

Haters Gonna Hate! Rick Snyder: "Get off my lawn" (Michigan Film Incentives)

Boo!

Here’s my official statement regarding the new budget proposal (and this marks my first songwriting experience, so I hope you find it amusing, if not a little endearing??? But maybe that’s too much to ask.):

There is going to be a town hall meeting at Maxsar Studios Thursday night, if you can attend and show support for the incentives.

UPDATE THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2010  **The event has moved to this new location:

Laurel Manor

Here’s some more info from the Facebook event page:

As devoted members of Michigan’s film industry, Mitch Albom and Kenneth Droz Consulting invite you to

A MICHIGAN FILM INDUSTRY TOWN MEETING

An organizational and informational event to most effectively communicate to Michigan’s legislators, governor, and voting public why the film incentive program (among other issues), should be preserved.

WHEN: Thursday, February 24, 7:30pm
WHERE: Maxsar Studios
38099 Schoolcraft Rd. (east of I-275, on south side of I-96 freeway)
Livonia, MI 48150

Featured Speakers:
Mitch Albom, Free Press Columnist
Mike Binder, filmmaker and Michigan native
Andy Meisner, Oakland County Treasurer, and former State Rep.
Philippe Martinez, Maxsar Studios CEO
Emery King and Jim Burnstein, Chair and Vice-Chair, MFO Advisory Council
Ken Droz, Consultant and former MFO Communications Mgr.
Others to be announced.

Provided will be various evidence and informational points, legislators’ names and contact info, and strategic methods on conveying the most effective message possible, for legislative officials and districts statewide.

Hosted by Mitch Albom, Kenneth Droz Consulting and Maxsar Digital Studios

Open to the press and general public.

FILM UPDATES

So I just got back from Sundance recently, and I had the greatest time.  I met some incredible people and got to see the films I needed to see.  The sad part was that after all the marvelous luck we had getting in to Salvation Boulevard, I never got to see my scene, because it was a victim of the cutting room.  Fortunately, I ran into George Ratliff after the Q&A, and he was so extremely kind about it, and said that it would be on the DVD extras.  Yay, something to look forward to!  He’s a great director, and the film itself was very hilarious.  After having seen his last Sundance baby, Joshua, I had no idea what to expect.

I also saw Cedar Rapids, directed by Miguel Arteta, and starring Ed Helms, and boy oh boy was it a riot.  I really liked the relationships they showed in the film, they were very real, and the cast chemistry was great.  It was nice seeing Ed Helms in a new role, too, as a small-town Iowan who has never been to the big city.

The most controversial film at Sundance (no, not Red State) was The Woman.  I had the extremely fortunate experience of getting to see it twice.  I had to support my friend, Lauren Petre, of course.  She played Miss Hindle, a smaller role in the film, but she was great!  And she looked great on film. The Woman was definitely great horror.  I had nightmares after the first viewing and spent the entire night tossing and turning, thinking evil little boy actors would sneak into the house where I was staying and knife me!  Lucky McKee knows how to elicit some raw emotional responses, and on the night of their first screening, a girl fainted, and he being the great and wonderful man that he is, tried to get the theater to halt the screening, but they didn’t.  Then, an irate viewer got up and started spewing all sorts of horrible things ignorant thoughts about the film.  He obviously didn’t see the bigger picture, the ENTIRE POINT OF THE FILM…Some people.  Anyway, if you get the chance to see it, I highly recommend it.  Lucky said, “It’s designed to be viewed multiple times.” So I’d say get it on dvd, and watch it a couple times, within the week.  It’s one of those films that keeps you thinking and processing, and I hope you’re able to see beyond the gore and evil to see what Lucky is trying to show the audience.  Sometimes evil hides in plain sight.  Pollyanna McIntosh was stellar, actually the entire cast was.  Angela Bettis, Sean Bridgers, and oh the children, (I’ve got to say that again) oh the CHILDREN!  It should also be noted that the soundtrack is amazing, and I need it!  Sound design was also superb, and really added to the feel of the film.

Q&A at The Woman screening at Sundance

Cindy Chu in front of The Egyptian for Sundance 11, in her Snow Leopard Spirithood

Lauren Petre and Cindy Chu at Salvation Boulevard screening, Sundance 11

The Woman, what I told Lucky...

PRESS

While I was at Sundance, Robert del Valle of Real Detroit Weekly contacted me about their biweekly local stars’ Michigan Motion Picture column.  My friend (she’s so pretty!!!) Treasure Groh, also staff at RDW, had asked awhile ago if I’d like to be interviewed for it.  Of course, I said yes.  I’ve also got tons of people that I think they should interview in the future, too!  The link to the article is here.

OTHER STUFF

When I returned from Sundance, I was on this inspirational kick!  I had a drive to make some videos pure awesome Youtubeness!

So for your viewing pleasure:

A sneak peek of my Sundance adventures.  This wonderful woman who hosted us took us to this delicious sushi place called Yamato’s a few times.  Her “roundeyes” son works there as a sushi chef, and I gotta tell ya, he’s good!  So the fish in the aquarium clip was from there.  Those fish weren’t for eating, LOL.

And then we got hit by Snowpocalypse 2011 in the Midwest (although it really wasn’t that bad in Ann Arbor) so I had to make a cutesie little video for that, and used a song from Scott Pilgrim by Anamanaguchi “Another Winter” for the backing track

Aaaaaand I was in the mood to play my ukulele after being away from it for a week, and uploaded TWO songs in one night!  Then a third the next night! Talk about feeling inspired.  So the first one I’d been working on learning the strum pattern for awhile, and I was sick when I made these so I didn’t sing them as well as I would have liked.  The second one was the song that was in the trailers for Blue Valentine, the one Ryan Gosling’s character plays for Michelle Williams’ character while she tap dances.  The third one is a cover of a song by Soko (from Paris!) called “I Will Never Love You More” and it’s very funny.

Last Friday night, Fitz and the Tantrums played at the Magic Bag in Ferndale, and it was a sold out show (it was free, but filled up immediately upon doors opening).  Luckily, I had met the female vocalist, the very beautiful and talented Noelle Scaggs, back in LA a few years ago, so my friends and I were able to sneak in the back with her.  I shot a decent live video of their final encore song, their hit single, “Moneygrabber”.  (<—Did I get that punctuation right???)

And one last one, because I miss warm weather and am feeling nostalgic for warm sunny days.  I switched the audio on my skydiving video, and now it looks and sounds cool.

Alright, my lovely readers, that was my huge February update.  Remember to smile, spring is just around the corner.  Appreciate the little things in life.  Don’t forget to laugh, especially at yourself.  And always tell your family you love them.  They might not always be there.

Peace, blessings, joy,

~cindy

Gorgeous icicles outside my balcony

Sundance 2011

So it’s almost upon us!  I’m talking about the Sundance Film Festival, of course!  And I’m going.  :D  You may recall in an earlier post, that I played the part of Alisa in the film Salvation Boulevard.  Well, George Ratliff is premiering it at Sundance, so I felt it would be the perfect opportunity to attend for the first time.  My only qualms are that I decided so late in the game, and the ticketing procedures were unfamiliar to me, so I will have to see if I can get tickets once I’m there.

Here are some images from the film (they all link back to what site they’re from if you click on them):

Pierce Brosnan as Dan Day in Salvation Boulevard

Salvation Boulevard--Dan Day

Greg Kinnear as Carl VanderVeer in Salvation Boulevard

I’ll have a partner in crime for my SLC/PC trip: my actor friend Lauren Petre!  She’s also represented by my talent agency, Charlie’s Talent Agency, or CTA.  She also has a film in which she acted premiering at Sundance.  It’s a horror film directed by well-known director Lucky McKee, called The Woman.  We’ll be attending the Wednesday night showing together!  Here are a couple creepy images from the film:

Still from Lucky McKee's The Woman--from ShockTillYouDrop.com

Behind the scenes shot of Lucky McKee's The Woman--from soundonsight.org

In preparation for the festivities, I picked up a couple more sweaters and some good solid snow boots, so I’ll be ready to wait outside in the cold!

The North Face Nuptse Fur IV Boots

It had been awhile since my last haircut, too.  I had my stylist, Josh Thiele of Orbit Hair Salon in Ann Arbor, Michigan, give my mop a good cleaning up today.

Cindy Chu with her fresh coif

Looks like 2011 is off to an exciting start for me.  I can only hope that this year will be even more successful for me in my pursuit of acting.  As with all actors, learning new skills or just having other skills can be important sometimes.  Take Christina Hendricks, who has been learning how to play the accordion.  Well, while the writers of Mad Men were brainstorming ideas, they decided they wanted an episode in which she played a song at a dinner party.  They found out she played accordion, and so they wrote the scene for her.

This brings me to my point.  I have been earnestly practicing on my ukulele, and recorded another song the other night.  Right now, I’m working on learning yet another, and as soon as I feel I’m performing it at my best (difficult strum pattern!) I will post it, as well.  This one was “Sentimental Heart” by She & Him, and I definitely should have practiced it longer than 15 minutes before uploading any performance, but c’est la vie!   (Pretty sure I can perform it a bit better than in the video now… *shrugs*)

And in other skill areas, I finally got out my Nikon D70 to shoot my friends’ event.  The Ann Arbor hip hop duo made up of J Thrill, and D Train, aka Thrill$Train, had a show at Sava’s last weekend, and I was there with my camera to capture the magic.  They were pretty happy with the photos!  They’ve got a show in Detroit next month at The Old Miami.  Check out their website for more details or to download their album free!  These were a couple of my favorite images from the night:

D Train says J Thrill looks like "The Most Interesting Man in the World's Son" here

Thrill$Train in all their hot hot glory

D Train thrilling the crowd

Thrill$Train playing to a packed house at Sava's in Ann Arbor

As with other posts, I like to promote friends, and I went to a show recently at the Crofoot and discovered this AMAZING new band from Monroe, Michigan.  They are called Jack & The Bear and they play instruments like the banjo, violin, trumpet, accordion, etc.  Absolutely brilliant.  One of their friends uploaded some live video footage from the show which you can check out on their Facebook fanpage.  From what I heard, they are in the midst of recording their first album.  I wish them the best of luck, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see them blow up big time in the next couple of years.

Alright, I guess I’ll hopefully have a few more updates for you when I get to Salt Lake City/Park City, UTAH!  It’ll be my first visit to the state.  Huzzah!

~cindy

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 3,200 times in 2010. That’s about 8 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 12 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 21 posts. There were 11 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 9mb. That’s about a picture per month.

The busiest day of the year was February 15th with 295 views. The most popular post that day was Fall Update.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were cindy-chu.com, mitbbs.com, facebook.com, twitter.com, and en.wordpress.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for jordan trovillion, michael manasseri, cindy chu, kimberley kates, and marisa tomei.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Fall Update October 2009
2 comments

A-maize-ing March! April 2010
1 comment

About September 2008
1 comment

April 23, 2010 Update April 2010
2 comments

Michigan Movie Magazine! August 2010
3 comments

Wonderful news today!  My scene co-star, Dwight Sora, from Red Dawn sent me a message today with a link to an article about the release of Red Dawn in 2011.  It seemed late last year that this film could be in limbo forever, but apparently MGM has gained a $500 million dollar credit line to go towards making the next James Bond film and also continue with The Hobbit project.  This also means that they now have the money to market and release Red Dawn!  This was my first acting role in a major feature film, and its release in 2011 means that I will have at least 2 major theatrical releases this year, Red Dawn AND Salvation Boulevard.  Let’s up the ante for 2011, eh?  I’d like it to grow harmonically this year.  :D   Click the photo to link to the article!  (I had a very small role in the film and was not part of the central cast, just FYI.)

Red Dawn remake cast photo

I also had my first audition of the new year today.  My fingers are crossed for some more good news this month!

I always like to share any useful acting tidbits, and here’s a useful one if you’re a paid-up-to-date SAG member in SE Michigan.  You can go view any SAG-nominated films that are currently screening at the Phoenix or Emagine Theaters for FREE if you show your current SAG card.  It’s the gold one.

Here’s the list from my SAG email:

Thanks to the generosity of two of our local theatres, Phoenix Theatres and Emagine Entertainment, Screen Actors Guild members in Michigan can attend showings of SAGAward nominated films free of charge. A great member perk, this is a valuable opportunity for you, the member, to view the nominees before you cast your vote!

Here are the rules:

• You must present your SAG card (paid-thru April 30, 2011) and photo ID.
• The free ticket is for SAG members only, not accompanying friends or family.
• This offer is valid between December 27–January 25, 2011 for Phoenix Theatres and January 3–25, 2011 for Emagine Theatres.
• This offer is valid Monday thru Thursdays only; not valid on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

This offer is valid for the following films with nominations:

“127 Hours”

“Black Swan”

“Conviction”

“The Fighter”

“Get Low”

”Green Zone”

“Inception”

“The Kids are All Right”

“The King’s Speech”

“Rabbit Hole”

“Robin Hood”

“The Social Network”

“The Town”

“True Grit”

“Winter’s Bone”

Here are the participating locations:

Phoenix Theatre: The Mall of Monroe in Monroe

Phoenix Theatre: Laurel Park Place in Livonia

Emagine Theatre: Novi

Emagine Theatre: Canton

Emagine Theatre: Woodhaven

Cinema Hollywood: Birch Run

We thank both Emagine Entertainment and Phoenix Theatres for their continued support of Screen Actors Guild members.

Have fun, vote and return your ballot to arrive by January 28!

Don’t forget to watch the 17th Annual SAG Awards live on TBS and TNT at 8 p.m., Sunday, January 30, 2011.

And one last little tidbit for any fellow outrageous hat lovers!  I became the recent proud parent to a beautiful SpiritHood!

Image from the SpiritHoods.com site

Click on the image to get to their site and order your own, and join the tribe!  They have different animals, and some of them are Product Blue, which means they donate a portion to a conservancy group that helps that particular animal species.  I ordered the Snow Leopard, which is among the Product Blue offerings.  =^_^=

Meow--Cindy Chu

Paws--Cindy Chu

That’s it for now.  Hope to have more good news very soon!

Happy 2011!

~c

If you’ve seen my film Qing Lou Nu, then you’d know the name Bryan D. Hopkins.  Earlier this year he drove down to Louisiana to shoot a ton of coverage on the Gulf oil spill for a documentary he’s putting together.  Here’s a peep at the trailer he just released for Dirty Energy:

Dirty Energy featurette from Bryan D. Hopkins on Vimeo.

Dirty Energy featurette

A new buddy of mine that I met on the set of a GM commercial I was recently working on shared a short film he did with me, that I also feel needs to be passed on to more potential fans.  It’s hilarious, and it’s about Death.  Good work, Clark Birchmeier!

no harvest:the intern from clark birchmeier on Vimeo.

This short film is called “no harvest: the intern”. It is a dark-comedy about the Grim Reaper. It was produced by Rebel Cow Productions LLC, and was directed by Clark Birchmeier.

Another personal venture I haven’t mentioned yet is that I recently joined the band Origami Cat Plan, and we just played our first gig. Having had only 2 practices with the band, I didn’t perform my best, but I think it was still pretty impressive for the amount of time we had to prepare.

Cindy Chu as Princess Koneko of Origami Cat Plan

Origami Cat Plan at the Blind Pig 12/15/2010

Origami Cat Plan Groovin at their first show with Cindy Chu

In my thirst for learning, and owning musical instruments, I even obtained a baby jimbay or djembe yesterday, at the encouragement of my best friend Ris Tena, who is a master of the hip hop and fashion worlds.  I’ll be able to add it to my tambourine/vocals skills for Origami Cat Plan!

And in other news, had a few more auditions recently, but I don’t really like saying what any of them are because like I mentioned in my previous post, the majority of the time you don’t hear anything back afterwards.  So I usually do the auditions, and then forget about them and if I DO hear anything, then of course I jump for joy like I won the lottery.  I will say, though, that I am extremely excited about Fox picking up a live-action adaptation of Joe Hill’s Locke & Key!   My current fantasies are to play a part in a live-action version of a graphic novel, and to do some more animated voiceovers!

Cover of Joe Hill's Locke & Key

A page from Joe Hill's Locke & Key

If you’re curious about what I’ve been watching recently, wonder no more.  I just caught up on Dexter, amazing amazing show, and I have to give it to Julia Stiles for shocking me with her great portrayal of Lumen in Season 5.  I’ve also been re-watching Firefly, and am about halfway through.  I had seen bits and pieces of it before when I was younger, but never got to view the entire series.  Guess I was too busy with Buffy, The X-Files, and Charmed?  Joss Whedon is a genius, and I have a soft spot for Mal.

Captain "Mal" Malcolm Reynolds of Firefly

Julia Stiles as Lumen in Dexter S.5, with Dexter

For films, I can’t wait to see Black Swan and TRON LEGACY this weekend!  The Michigan Theater starts screening Black Swan today.

Natalie Portman as the Black Swan

Production Still from Tron Legacy with Olivia Wilde, Joseph Kosinski and Jeff Bridges

And if you enjoy graphic novels, one of my all-time favorite and most beloved books is now available as a graphic novel: The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

A page from the new graphic novel version of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Hopefully I’ll have some good news to share with you all when I post again!  And thanks to my awesome agent, Curt Howe of Charlie’s Talent Agency, aka CTA, who believes in me and keeps getting me auditions!  One of these days…(fingers crossed)

If I don’t update before Christmas, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday with loved ones, and remember to appreciate all the goodness in your life.

~cindy

My name is Cindy Chu, and I am a SAG actor.  I am proudly represented by Curt Howe of Charlie’s Talent Agency aka CTA.

Cindy Chu-Model/Jessica Y. Hernandez-MUA/Jimmy FivePhotography-Photog

Hello again!

Wow, it has been a minute.  Sorry I’ve been busy, and have neglected my poor site.

The summer ended up flying by, as did fall.  I started working on a couple films in late July.  This Must Be the Place (TMBTP), starring Sean Penn and Frances McDormand and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, ended up taking me from July through part of October.  I started as an Office PA on TMBTP, and was promoted to Production Secretary when they commenced principal photography in Michigan.  I also had the opportunity to work on LOL: Laughing Out Loud as a Producer’s Assistant for a few days, assisting the awesome Stacey Sher.  I got to tell Miley Cyrus about the Hannah Montana sour gummy vitamins my mom made me take that morning.  Demi Moore and Thomas Jane play Miley’s parents in the film, and Douglas Booth her love interest.  Ray Liotta stopped by our set one night to say hello to Demi.  For a minute, it seemed like I was in Hollywood of old, seeing all these movie stars at my workplace.  I always knew this was the industry for me, but it’s a bit surreal meeting some of these actors IRL.  Especially in Detroit.  Thank god for the film initiatives, which have allowed me to enjoy these jobs and opportunities I otherwise would not have had unless I had moved somewhere like Chicago, NYC, or LA.  A move is still in the plans but for now, I’m happy for the work here.

Sean Penn as Cheyenne in This Must Be the Place

L-R: Paolo Sorrentino, Sean Penn, & Frances McDormand

L-R: Thomas Jane, Demi Moore, & Miley Cyrus, stars of LOL: Laughing Out Loud

Douglas Booth plays Miley's love interest in LOL

Ray Liotta

I’m now PAing on a gig with Radical Media and GM.  After it wraps up, I’m helping a friend out in a music video, playing his ex in a relationship gone south.  You may remember his name, Roborobb.  He interviewed me for his artists blog awhile back.

I am so so so incredibly thankful for all the opportunities given to me this year, and I hope that 2011 will be even bigger and better, but for now, it seems like everything’s gonna be alright.

Even with how busy I’ve been, I’ve found some new interests/skills to pick up.  I recently purchased a beautiful Oscar Schmidt OU7T, a gorgeous tenor ukulele of spalted mango wood.

Cindy Chu with her Oscar Schmidt OU7T Ukulele

So I’ve been finding time to play it when I’m not completely exhausted, and have made a few simple recordings of me playing a couple different songs.  This is about a month in, but I thought it’d be good to force myself to record and have it documented so I can watch/hear myself and perhaps it’d help me improve more.  Here are the videos for your pleasure.  Not the best renditions, but I had fun doing them.  I hope you like them.

And something a little more fitting for the holiday season… Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah

And just to throw in some extra meat into this posting since it’s been so long, here are some photos of me from a MUA photoshoot. Jessica Y. Hernandez was the MUA, and Jimmy FivePhotography the photographer.

Cindy Chu-Model/Jessica Y. Hernandez-MUA/Jimmy FivePhotography-Photog

Cindy Chu-Model/Jessica Y. Hernandez-MUA/Jimmy FivePhotography-Photog

Cindy Chu-Model/Jessica Y. Hernandez-MUA/Jimmy FivePhotography-Photog

Cindy Chu-Model/Jessica Y. Hernandez-MUA/Jimmy FivePhotography-Photog

Also, I can’t forget to plug my friends before ending this posting!

My buddy, Magestik Legend, has his new album The Great Escape out on iTunes today!  I was featured in his track “On The Run” doing voiceover work as the part of the Reporter, heard in the opening of the track.  Click here for the link where you can hear it free!

I had another small VO job in a wedding video for Jen & Dave, filmed and produced by Hyun Suh and Rob Frenette of Two Penny Productions.  If you need a wedding videographer, these are the guys!  You can check out more of their videos on their Vimeo account.

That’s all I’ve got for you now.  I hope to have more good news to share with you asap, but until then, take care, and yall stay fabulous!

~cindy

PS: Got a SAG email today, and I believe I get to vote in the SAG awards this year, and also get screeners mailed to me for the voting process?  Not 100% sure, but fingers crossed!  That would be awesome!