Saturn Return

Posted on February 9, 2011April 27, 2014 by cindychu

Happy Chinese New Year, Happy Lunar New Year, and Happy February to you all! You know my birthday’s coming up. I won’t say how old I’ll be, because I’m just so young at heart. ^_^

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

Red Dawn, New Year

Posted on January 4, 2011April 27, 2014 by cindychu

Happy New Year, everyone!

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. 😀 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!

March 4, 2010 Updates

Posted on March 4, 2010January 20, 2011 by cindychu

With the DIFF awards ceremony happening this Saturday night, we’ve been getting some press!

Here’s the article they posted on AnnArbor.com:

Detroit Independent Film Festival features the work of four University of Michigan grads this week

The inaugural Detroit Independent Film Festival — wherein indie filmmakers were invited to submit their work at no cost — kicks off on Tuesday, March 2 at the newBurton Theater, in the Chinatown/Cass Corridor neighborhood of Detroit.

More than 80 films will be showcased at DIFF, including the U.S. premiere of George A. Romero‘s “Survival of the Dead,” and the event will play host to the first-ever Michigan Film Awards.

With four University of Michigan graduates among the nominees, it’s possible that these Wolverines may get to take home some hardware.

U-M grad Cindy Chu is nominated for an MFA best actress award for the short “Qing Lou Nu,” which will be screened March 6; U-M grad and writer/director Lance Kawaswill have his film “Street Boss” (about a real Detroit mobster who was brought down by the FBI) screened on March 4 at 3:30 p.m., and Kawas has earned MFA nominations in the categories of best Michigan feature and best director; and U-M grads Wad’ih Arraf and Stephen Day‘s absurdist, MFA-nominated short “Forth, William” will screen on March 6.

To learn more about this week’s festival, and see a detailed schedule, visitwww.detroitindiefest.com.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her atjennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

There was also a mention of Qing Lou Nu and Bryan D. Hopkins in today’s Detroit Free Press:

Detroit’s Burton Theatre launches indie film fest

Romero’s ‘Survival of the Dead’ among the premieres

BY JOHN MONAGHAN
FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER

The Burton Theatre, which opened late last year in the auditorium of Detroit’s old Burton Elementary School, continues its ambitious mission this week by throwing the first Detroit Independent Film Festival. The event, which began Tuesday, continues through Sunday with a lineup of offbeat local films and the premiere of George A. Romero’s “Survival of the Dead.”

“We wanted something that would foster the creative impetus in Detroit and in Michigan,” says festival programmer Nate Faustyn. “We wanted a festival that was really filmmaker-friendly.”

More than 70 short and feature-length films will play over the weekend, among them Bryan D. Hopkins‘ “Qing Lou Nu,” Robert Joseph Butler’s “Solitude” and “Another Day, Another Dime” from former Detroiter Kathy Kolla.

For many fans, the big ticket will be “Survival of the Dead,” the latest in a long series of Romero horror films that began with “Night of the Living Dead” in 1968. The new entry finds warring families on an island battling each other and a zombie epidemic. Though the movie isn’t directly related to 2007’s “Diary of the Dead,” it shares some of the same characters.

Acquiring “Survival” was a coup for the local festival, as the film has been seen only in Toronto, Venice, Italy, and Austin, Texas. Romero says a limited theatrical release is expected this spring.

“I really didn’t know what to make this one about,” the revered cult director, 70, said during a recent phone interview. “So I went back to the theme of that enmity that won’t die, people that hold onto these grudges even in the face of disaster.”

Romero, who had his dance with Hollywood in the 1980s, prefers to keep his movies far away from studio control — and meddling. “No, they can’t compete against ‘Avatar,’ ” he said, “but I have a loyal fan base. The films do extremely well on video.”

The DIFF runs through Sunday at the Burton Theatre, 3420 Cass, Detroit. 313-473-9238 or detroitindiefest.com. $10 for “Survival of the Dead,” $5 for other screenings.

Russian-made ‘Sun’ shines at DFT: “The Sun” (***), playing this weekend at the Detroit Film Theatre, examines the surrender of Japanese Emperor Hirohito to Allied occupiers near the end of World War II. The new movie from Russian director Alexander Sokurov (“Russian Ark”) boasts a haunting performance by Issey Ogata as a man hailed as a deity who must now walk among mortals. He appears to have lots of mumbling conversations with himself in the film — something that may lead viewers to think the sound is skewed. 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (also 4:30 p.m. March 14).

Then, as part of the ongoing DFT Docs series, Michel Orion Scott’s “The Horse Boy” follows a Texas family on a journey to Outer Mongolia to find a cure for an autistic child. It screens at 4 p.m. Saturday. DFT at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, Detroit. 313-833-4005 or dia.org/dft. $7.50, $6.50 students, seniors.

Oscar party at Dino’s in Ferndale: They’re calling it the Foscars, or “fun Oscars.” So says Greg Russell from “Movie Show Plus” on WMYD-TV (My TV 20), host of Sunday night’s Academy Awards Party at Dino’s Lounge in Ferndale. The free event, beginning at 7 p.m. and running through the end of the show, will feature a limo parked out front, red carpet, champagne, snacks and prizes.

During the commercials, contestants in a Micro Mini Challenge will screen their short films as a prelude to this fall’s Ferndale Film Festival. 22740 Woodward, Ferndale, 248-591-3466. Film fest info: 248-534-5354 or ferndalefilmfestival.org.

Redford bets on ‘Day at the Races’: Among the Marx Brothers’ most entertaining vehicles is 1937’s “A Day at the Races” (***), which finds the comic trio saving a sanitarium while playing the ponies at the racetrack next door. 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser (at Grand River), Detroit. 313-537-2560 or www.redfordtheatre.com. $4.

Hitchcock rarities play Penn: 1956’s “The Wrong Man” (***), starring Henry Fonda as a jazz musician wrongly accused of robbery, is tonight’s offering in a new Penn Theatre series of Alfred Hitchcock thrillers. The 7 p.m. Thursday series will focus on rarely seen Hitchcock works, all screening in 35mm prints. The other titles: “Suspicion” (March 11), “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (March 18) and “Rope” (March 25). 760 Penniman, Plymouth. 734-453-0870 or www.penntheatre.com. $3.

Contact freelance writer JOHN MONAGHAN: madjohn@earthlink.net

With so much interest in the film festival and my rising career as an actress, I also gave a few interviews in the past couple of weeks. One was with my old high school, Grosse Pointe South. The other two were with Seaholm High School and lastly, my friend Roborobb. When I have access to the articles/interviews, I will post them here.

The newest episode of The Midnight Hour also premieres tonight at midnight, and every Saturday (10:30PM) and Thursday (midnight) for the rest of the month in the Troy, MI broadcast area. More below:

Comcast 52 & WOW! 18:

March 4, 11, 18, 25 (midnight)

March 6, 13, 20, 27 (10:30pm)

A drunken, murderous circus clown (Jamie Wheatley) gets a new lease on life as a travelling nightclub hypnotist. His sensuous assistant, Wan (Cindy Chu) begins to suspect a connection between his bizarre stage act and a series of brutal homicides in the towns in which he plays. John Tynan, Jr., Curtis Lee Vest, Angela Roberts, Jonathan West, Carol McClure, Michael J. Vanderpool, Dave Dork (30 min.)

Those are all my updates for now. I hope some of you can make the awards ceremony! In case you need the info for that again:

Tickets may now be purchased online:
http://www.burtontheatre.com/diff1/

Come see Qing Lou Nu screen at the first annual Detroit Independent Film Festival Awards Ceremony! Description of the awards ceremony follows below.

7 :30 PM – 2010 Michigan Film Awards Best Short Nominations/Award Ceremony @ Deroy Auditorium 5203 Cass Ave, Detroit MI 48202

Qing Lou Nu (2009, USA, Bryan D. Hopkins)
Walls collapse with tragic consequences when a Chinese prostitute hears the words, “I love you.” Based on Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “Qing Lou Nu” is an edgy reinvention of the timeless classic that explores the collision of east and west.

Running Time 25 Mins

**7 Michigan Film Award Nominations including Best Narrative Short, Best Editing and Best Director Bryan D. Hopkins, Best Actress-Cindy Chu, Best Actor-Axel Harney, Best Cinematography-Mark C. Davis Jr., Best Supporting Actor-David G.B. Brown

Ciao!

UPDATE on March 5, 2010

We got some more press in The News Herald! Read the article below.

East meets West: Banker-turned-filmmaker finds niche with indie film

Published: Friday, March 05, 2010

Cindy Chu pictured in incense scene from Qing Lou Nu

Click to enlarge

By Andrea Blum

Bryan Hopkins, 34, says he’s done enough living for 100 lifetimes, and now wants to use those experiences to tell stories to make people think and feel in different ways.

The Riverview resident abandoned corporate life as a mortgage banker at Quicken Loans to find his niche as an independent film director.

“The same mortgage crisis that hit everybody hit me,” he said.

After becoming unemployed, he decided to pursue one of his passions.

“I was working to get paid and trying to have fun on my off hours,” he said. “I decided that philosophy wasn’t working.”

He cashed in his savings and enrolled at the Motion Picture Institute of Michigan.

“I found that I was a perfect fit for it, and I fell in love with it,” he said.

“Now I’m trying to claw my way up and make up for 30 years I spent doing other stuff.”

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Hopkins was drawn to music and photography at a young age, but set his creative tendencies aside to serve as a parachute medic in the 82nd Airborne Division.

At Kent State University, he discovered a passion for world culture that led to a three-year trip around the world.

During that time, he studied religion, culture and international politics primarily in Asia.

“I got my degree in comparative religious studies,” he said. “I’ve always been interested in philosophy and religion.”

He met his wife in Taiwan and spent a year as an English coordinator for the Taiwanese military.

And it’s those experiences among others that Hopkins uses to inspire his creativity.

“Being a filmmaker allows me to take my business background and unique experiences and culminate them into one artistic expression,” he said.

“It’s the perfect blend of philosophy, art and corporate expression.”

One of his latest efforts, “Qing Lou Nu (The Prostitute),” is nominated in seven categories at this weekend’s first Detroit Independent Film Festival.

The DIFF was started by indie filmmakers for indie filmmakers.

The free five-night festival held at the Burton Film Theatre in Detroit will showcase short films from Michigan and around the world.

Hopkins’ 25-minute film is an edgy reinvention of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart,” with a twist that explores the collision of East and West.

His first non-student film, the idea sprang from his membership in a director’s club at MPI.

“We were going to do a version of Poe’s story and I had spent a lot of time in Asia so the director of MPI asked what I thought about going Asian with it,” he said.

Hopkins said the story fell in line perfectly with his storytelling method.

“I write dark stuff,” he said. “I’ve been through more downs than ups in life. I relate to a funeral more than I can relate to a wedding.”

The stylistic bilingual picture explores the life of an Asian prostitute trapped in a contradictory world of passion and obligations, and the stunning climax when a naïve, unsuspecting client confesses his love for her.

“I started seeing certain images in my head,” he said. “The incense ritual at the beginning of the film and mixing between something so sacred with something that a lot of people see as dirty.”

When it came time to cast the film, Hopkins said it was quite a challenge to find a willing actress to take the lead.

“I put Craigslist ads out and tried to find people everywhere, and no one would take the role,” he said.

The sexual nature of the movie prevented many Asian actresses from agreeing to take part, according to Hopkins, because overt sexuality is taboo in Asian culture.

In the end, local actress Cindy Chu was the last person seen for the role only a month before shooting began, Hopkins said, and she gave an amazing performance.

The film, made on a $1,000 budget, is nominated for Best Narrative Short, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography and Best Editing at the DIFF.

It also earned the “Audience Choice Award” at the Mitten Movie Project in October.

“The response has been great,” he said. I’m so glad that people get it.”

Hopkins, along with a cast and crew of 32 people, spent roughly a month filming in Troy and Royal Oak. The work was completed last summer.

“I’m trying to really explore a different side of things,” he said. “It’s not a love story, but I love the idea of playing with people’s definitions of things.”

For him, the greatest aspect of filmmaking is causing someone to walk away with a changed view of the world.

“It’s one of the most challenging times in Michigan’s history,” he said, “but if someone could watch this film and see that with this darkness there’s also a lot of powerful experiences and great art that can come from it, then that’s great.”

“Qing Lou Nu” will be shown at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Burton Theatre.

Also on the bill is “The Tank,” a short film by written by Wyandotte Police Det. Scott Galeski and directed by Joe Johnston.

Filmed at the former Wyandotte Police Department, the movie chronicles the interaction among five men in the holding cell known as “the tank,” as they await arraignment.

“The Tank” will show at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

For a full schedule of films showing at the festival, visit www.detroitindiefest.com.

Year of the Tiger!

Posted on February 22, 2010January 20, 2011 by cindychu

2010 is off to a roaring start.

I starred in another episode of Lee Martin’s The Midnight Hour, “Mesmerized”, which will air in March. I played the part of Wan, a down-on-her-luck hypnotist’s assistant, who may have dark secrets of her own. Check it out on Comcast 52 or WOW! 18 in the Greater Detroit Comcast area.

I finally started attending acting classes again at Michigan Actors Studio under the tutelage of Rich Goteri and Rachel Bellack. I’ve had some auditions, and landed a role in a local web series called The Roomers. I’m also wrapping up my role in the University of Michigan student film Yoshiko on the Dunes, the senior thesis project of film student Micah Vanderhoof. Some clips for The Midnight Hour and Yoshiko on the Dunes are below.

The clip for The Roomers is not up on Youtube as of now, but you can watch it by clicking here.

I’m extremely excited about the upcoming Detroit Independent Film Festival (DIFF), a new festival put together by my friend Rob Butler. I’m honored to be one of the nominees for Best Actress. The schedule for the festival is here. The festival is going to be an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to attend the awards ceremony. The best short film nominees will be screened during the ceremony. Some exciting news surrounding the festival is that George Romero will be having his US premiere of Survival of the Dead at the DIFF.

The official flyer for Qing Lou Nu:

Official Flyer for Qing Lou Nu (starring Cindy Chu and Axel Harney)

I hope to see you all there at the DIFF awards ceremony on March 6, 2010.

Best,

Cindy

It’s All About the Rs and Ds!

Posted on December 6, 2009January 20, 2011 by cindychu

Hello all, hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I sure did. It was lovely spending time with my family, although my sister-in-law and sister were both gone abroad this year.

Anyway, I’ve got a few exciting updates for you.

1) We had another mini-screening for QLN at the December Mitten Movie Project, organized by Connie Mangilin and Jeff White. QLN was shown with many other wonderful Michigan-made shorts, all audience choice winners from previous months, and I got to see some amazing pieces with my friend Grace Anne Rowan starring. The only award given out that night that I know of was for best short film, and that went to Chuck Grady’s The Point. Congratulations! It will air on Comcast’s Channel 52 Wow in the Troy area of Michigan for the next month.

2) My friend, Treasure Groh, a brilliant writer for Real Detroit, had decided to start a new series with her editor about, you guessed it, the film industry in Michigan!

Front page of Real Detroit--Cindy Chu

Knowing that I’m an aspiring actress, she interviewed me for the first piece. You can read it here, and if that’s stopped working, here’s the text of it:

Michigan’s Film Industry
By Treasure Groh
Dec 1, 2009, 12:55

Michigan’s Film Industry
A 101 Guide To Getting Started

Michigan may be the last place anyone expected to go Hollywood, but we have (minus the pretense). Now, studios, film classes and acting workshops are sprouting up all over metro-Detroit for people hoping to land film gigs. This ongoing series is designed to help you break into the business. We will examine the classes, the news, the politics, the tax incentive controversy and the films slated to be made right here in Michigan … and maybe, just maybe, help you get a job in the field.

Let’s start with the basics. Jobs are coming, slowly. The chances of nailing a big movie role by being discovered at a café are slim (even if you do nail the producer). You need to start with bit roles — roles as an extra.

But if your talent isn’t as “talent,” there are schools to help you gain knowledge as a grip or colorist — but we’ll tackle that topic in another issue.

What’s the cause of the newfound film enterprise of opportunity in our own backyards? It may be that 42 percent tax incentive that Governor Granholm granted the film institutions for producing product here (money is always the bottom line in Hollywood). Still, the very things that Detroit society has come to hate have also lured filmmakers in: burnt out and abandoned buildings with glorious architecture.

With so many movies being filmed here — some of which have included Whip It, Gran Torino and the HBO original TV series Hung — how does one break into this newly adapted form of employment? There are many different avenues to take, from Craigslist ads to agencies and everything in between. So if you find yourself itching to take a crack at the newly bustling Michigan film industry, read on.

Where to Start
If you haven’t had any previous acting or production experience, it’s best that you get out there and flash those pearly whites. And if they ain’t white, get them lasered. We’re serious. Get yourself out there and keep your name and image relevant. School productions aside, there’s an unending supply of acting seminars and workshops geared to meet your specific needs.

You can think unconventionally or follow the lead of others like you: “I took a one day seminar with Steve Blackwood (he was on Days of Our Lives) and an audition seminar with Marnie Saitta, who is the casting director with Days of Our Lives,” says Cindy Chu, an aspiring actress.

This seminar was brought to the public by the Michigan Actors Studio (michiganactorsstudio.com), which plays a big part in providing workshops to aspiring, as well as seasoned, actors. Though the seminars are not free, keep in mind that they often run weeks at a time, giving you more experience for a cheaper price than, say, Juilliard would.

While Chu admits that not all seminars are created equal, you should do what you can with what you have. Remember to check the site often, as classes are bound to fill up quickly.

Earning Your Chops
Now that you’ve learned a thing or two about the business, you’re ready for some roles, right? Wrong. Before you bother a casting director with your whimsical dreams of stardom, it’s best to get a few headshots. At this point, portfolios aren’t necessary because you don’t have any experience (yet). But once you have that pretty little card with your face on it, you can finally start looking for casting calls.

It can be a daunting task searching through all the pages that Craigslist has to offer, but it’s not in vain. “Any time it says ‘extras wanted’ or ‘actresses wanted’ and then it’ll talk about the Internet and partial nudity, I never pursue any of those,” Chu says with a laugh. The Michigan Film Office (michiganfilmoffice.org) is another great resource when looking for jobs, workshops, college class listings and other news about productions coming this way.

Though it shows drive and ambition to find your own jobs, you may also opt for an extras casting site. “You go in and give them your stats, so whenever a film is coming in and they’re looking for extras they’ll look and see if you fit the descriptions for background work and stuff,” Chu advises.

A good extras casting site is Real Style (realstyleonline.com). For a small, one-time $15 fee, Real Style will hook you up with a profile — you’ll go in and take a picture; and they’ll keep you in their database when casting directors are on the prowl for fresh talent.

Another road you may take is a talent agency. When you have enough material for your reel, you can start submitting to such agencies in the hopes of being signed and getting an agent. Doubly exciting, being signed to an agency means that you are good enough to have an agent and you’ll also get help from said agent in booking auditions.

Don’t just take the high road and expect to be cast in a movie right away. Take some time and scour local theaters for stage productions as well. “If someone wants to get into it I would say audition for your local theater groups and participate in Student films,” says Chu.

Working on a student film, as Chu did for the film Qing Lou Nu, may be tricky, but the experience will pay off in the end. As for stage productions, even if you don’t get the part don’t get discouraged — you now have an audition under your belt and may be better able to spot your strengths and weaknesses.

If you find that booking films is a little harder than anticipated, try another avenue. Working on a local crew does wonders for your networking capabilities and allows you to work closely with the people of production so that they will better recognize your face the next time they’re in need.

“When you work with someone and have good chemistry with them on the set and you’re a team player, they’ll definitely remember that in the future and wanna help you out,” says Chu, who was a wardrobe intern for the film Whip It.

Where to Go From Here
After you’ve soaked up all the skills needed to begin a career in film, it’s important to realize that you won’t always get paid. While Chu states that you should get paid, she admits that, oftentimes, it does not happen.

“A lot of people are upset because some of the films haven’t followed through but have asked for free extras or say that they’ll do a raffle for a prize and then they don’t end up dong the raffle,” Chu says. If you’re booked through a site such as Real Style, you will get paid for all of the work you do. If you approach a project on your own, be prepared for the unfortunate situation of potentially leaving with empty pockets.

From here, continue to use the knowledge and experience you’ve acquired. Even if you’re not working, take seminars and workshops during your dry spell so you don’t get rusty. Take advantage of every opportunity the blossoming Michigan film industry is offering you. Continue to hone your craft and be the best among your peers.

Who knows … some day you might just find yourself acting in an airport with George Clooney. | RDW

And the best update of all for the year, I think:

3) Last Thursday I received a call from Pound & Mooney Casting about a gig with Red Dawn, directed by Dan Bradley. They needed a Chinese female actress for an extra role with a “99.9% chance of being upgraded”. I immediately said I would do it, at which Cathy Mooney told me that the extras casting from the film would be in contact with me about going in for a fitting. I ended up getting a phone call from Ryan Hill, the head of the RD extras department, and we made an appointment for me to go in to their production offices that evening for a fitting and to sign some initial paperwork. Later on, I got my call time for the next day. Friday morning, Janet Pound called me to tell me she had seen my short film at the Mitten Movie Project and loved it, so when the call went out for this potential role, she made sure I was resubmitted from my earlier audition with them for the part of “Checkpoint Soldier”. That felt great, to know that the one huge role I’ve had so far was quite instrumental in this turnaround of events. I had given up hope of ever being in Red Dawn after hearing they were almost wrapped and there hadn’t been many roles for Asian women in it. Well, eventually on Friday, I was called to set with my co-star, Dwight Sora, an Asian actor from Chicago, and I figured I was at best a featured extra. I don’t want to say what I did in the scene here, since I don’t know how much I’m allowed to elaborate, but when we wrapped that night, I was told I’d probably be needed back Monday and they would let us know. Sunday I got notice that I probably wouldn’t be needed but they wanted me on hold in case things changed. Monday, I got a call saying I’d been upgraded to a supporting role and would have to fill out some contracts when I went back to set. Tuesday I was on hold again. Finally, Wednesday, I went back for my second scene, and was excited to see that there was a trailer on the honeywagon with my name on it! It was shared, but still! My first trailer! And inside my trailer, my paperwork awaited. I signed my first Taft-Hartley, and I believe that it means I’m now SAG-eligible. Yay! It was a great day on set, lots of “fire in the hole”, tons of action, and it was much warmer in the buildings than it had been on Friday. My first SAG feature film role…and in the biggest action flick shot of the year, I do believe!

Cindy Chu and Red Dawn trailer

All in all, 2009 has been a great year for me, and I think I’ve made some very satisfactory progress in my goal of becoming a professional actress/ film professional. Not bad for under a year and a half of actually actively pursuing this career. This last role has afforded me the financial capability to take some classes in 2010, and that will include a film acting class, and perhaps also some sort of martial arts course. After speaking with one of the professional stunt men on Red Dawn, I think it only makes sense to at least learn the basics, being a Chinese-American actress and all. At best, it will be the deciding factor in me getting some role over another actress, and it’s a great skill to have in terms of self-defense and also my constant pursuit of learning new things.

Currently, I am also doing the P90X workout program. I’m just starting week 2 and already feel some physical changes inside. I feel that I’ve been making better choices in my diet, and like I have more energy. The first week, though, wow! I was sore every day! The workouts can be pretty challenging, but I’ve already improved my endurance and coordination in the past 9 days, and can’t wait to see what kind of changes it’ll bring for me physically. I’d like to drop a size by my birthday in February! For the most part, though, I just want to know that I’m well-conditioned, and to be healthier and have better stamina overall. No hibernating for me this winter, I’ve got roles to land and a lot of work ahead of me.

I look forward to 2010 with nothing but hope.

Thank you for reading,

Cindy

Networking

Posted on July 9, 2009January 20, 2011 by cindychu

I have just spent a little bit of time spreading my internet tentacles out. I now have a LinkedIn account and my own Google profile. My Google search results are also improving. Right now, on the top 10 results, #1 is the LinkedIn for all “Cindy Chu” names, and upon clickthrough I’m #1! Also on the Google search results, I turn up at #3 with my Facebook profile and #6 with this blog. Google profiles show up at the bottom of this first page of search results, and mine was at the top of the list! Internet takeover mission is going very well. Remember my name, I will be going places in the acting industry if I’ve got anything to say about it! Thanks for reading and as always,

Stay Fabulous!

xoxo
Cindy

My 2 Seconds of Fame on vh1’s “The Shot” Episode 6

Posted on April 15, 2009January 20, 2011 by cindychu

When I was first getting into breakdancing, my new best friend and I decided to fly out to LA for Freestyle Session, the 10th Anniversary of it. It’s a huge bboy jam put on by Cros1. The first day we got to the event, we showed up a little bit late, it had already started, and we went to find our friends and claim a cypher spot on the floor. As soon as we had made our rounds and said our hellos to old friends and found our group, this girl walked up to me with a camera crew behind her, tapped me on the shoulder and asked if she could take some photos of me. Of course I grabbed at the chance and said, “YES!” right away, and followed her up to the balcony where they had a photo set up with lights and everything. They had me sign a waiver, or model-release, didn’t tell me what the show was about, and Maria had me start out with some simple cute poses to highlight my cute outfit. I even had interstitial keratitis at the time, which I discovered later with my opthalmologist was an allergic reaction to new contacts, so I was wearing an eyepatch on one eye! So as I’m posing, I’m getting bored of looking cute and I tell her I know some cool bgirl freezes, which she gets really excited about, and I start doing cool poses for her. I was mad stylin’, too, in my mom’s vintage 70s swimsuit and my new neon green 25 year anniversary limited edition freestyle reeboks.

Anyway, you can see the vh1 blog post about my episode here. Unfortunately the video clip I was in is no longer up on their website. SMH. Oh well! But I am featured in the first photo at the top of the blog post, so that’s nice. 🙂

From vh1’s blog post