Entering the Year of the Horse

A happy belated 2014 to all of you, my dear readers!  I hope you have all been having an exciting year so far, although I know much of the US is suffering through one of the most terrible winters in decades, and definitely in my lifetime.  I am thankful every day that I moved to LA before this winter, as I really hate being cold.

ACTING STUFF

Anyway, I’m still on the hunt for a theatrical agent or manager in Los Angeles, which is proving difficult.  I’d prefer not sending out thousands of postcards, and am reaching out to people I know who may be able to put me in touch with their connections.  I know I can do the work, but it’s a matter of finding people who believe in me.

Recently I did a great agent showcase with Actor’s Advantage, run and organized by Shane Russeck.  It was an interesting experience.  All the actors checked in and got their time slots, and then the five agents were in the room, and when it was your turn, you went in, performed, and walked out and you were done.  I haven’t heard anything but I know that sometimes these lead to work for some actors.  Here’s the website if you want to check out an event.  If you go, tell them I sent you!
Actor’s Advantage Showcase

In other acting news, there’s a great new trailer out for Those Who Kill, in which I played Nancy Yuan for the premiere episode.  You can click through to the really scary trailer here.  My friends Kate Boyer and Jordan Trovillion, both actresses I’ve written about before, can be seen in the creepy trailer.  Kate is the one running away from the serial killer and tied up in a chair, and Jordan is dead in a dumpster in a quick flash.  The show will premiere on A&E on March 3!

My shoulder was featured (body doubling) for a split second on the premiere episode of Rake, starring Greg Kinnear.  When I went in for doubling, they had me working some lines with the actors and Sam Raimi, who directed that episode, very kindly upgraded me to cast for my work.  I wish I could have auditioned for the actual role, but my turn will come.  Anyway, I am incredibly thankful to Mr. Raimi for his kindness.  That is the second time I’ve worked in a “background” role and been upgraded, which is very lucky indeed!  When I worked on Red Dawn, I agreed to go in as background with a very high likelihood of being upgraded, and it went through so I became that police station screamer.  (BTW, you can view Red Dawn on Netflix!)  🙂

I’m still very much enjoying my classes at the Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica, and we are moving from emotional prep to scenes with emotional prep, which we will be performing as our one year graduation showcase.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

I was recently googling myself as I am wont to do now and then, (purely for career reasons!!!) and saw a photo of mine that was posted on the Bar Method blog by none other than Burr Leonard, the creator of The Bar Method!  That was pretty neat and also made me feel more inspired to go to my Bar classes to get even more results.

Burr Leonard, bar method

Burr Leonard demonstrating moves at the bar

Cindy Chu Actress/Blogger

Since the holidays have come and gone, I had also gotten really into rock climbing to the detriment of my Bar routine, but it was still exercise!

Cindy Chu, climbing

Cleaning up leads and anchor, then rappelling in Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas, NV

But then, I used the holidays as an excuse to eat a lot more than I normally do, and after the new year, I wanted to rededicate myself to my health and fitness, and so not only did I restart my habit of going to Bar a few times a week at minimum, along with walking and cycling, and other activities like paddle ball or hiking, but I also signed up for a 30 Day Challenge through DailyHiit! They have a lot of great routines you can do at home with just a few simple exercise tools, and the workouts are High Intensity Interval Training (hence the HIIT) so are more efficient than spending an hour at the gym doing random exercises, meaning the workout videos they’ve been sending have been just 12 minutes!  Here’s a photo of my halfway point progress:

day15, cindy chu

Day 15 progress photo of 30 Day Challenge from Daily Hiit

As you can see, the differences are very subtle.  What I notice the most is a more defined linea alba  which is that center line down the stomach, a tendinous stretch on the abdomen splitting the two sides of muscles.  I hope there will be even more change come Day 30!

I know I posted about my hair care awhile back, too, and the Shiseido Tsubaki shampoo/conditioner is still working wonders and my hair is so much softer than before, which is helped also by the Aquasana carbon shower head filter I installed.  Since I often do need to style my hair for auditions, I’ve got some great recommendations on styling tools, too.  I received an amazing blow dryer for Christmas and it dries my hair so quickly, and keeps it very smooth, and I can adjust it to no-heat, as well.  It’s the Elchim Ionic and is a pro level tool.

Elchim ionic hair dryer

Elchim Ionic

I also am extremely satisfied with the Hot Tools curling iron I bought last year.  The 1″ size is perfect for creating beachy and classic waves, although, the 1″1/2 might be nice for softer waves.  I got the 1″.  I usually spray some of the Bumble and Bumble Does It All styling spray in for heat protection.

BB does it all styling spray

Hot Tools Ceramic Marcel Curling Iron

Cindy Chu

Styled using the Hot Tools 1″ Ceramic Marcel Curling Iron

I had a lot of fun last night self-taping myself for some roles, and did a quick change in between, and I’ll leave you with this funny image of me.  Signing off until next time!  And please make sure to watch Those Who Kill when it comes out March 3!!!!

Cindy Chu

Double duty

xox,

Cindy

Needlestick!

Some of you who are following any sort of Michigan film news will already know that Needlestick, an upcoming indie thriller to be shot in December, was recently approved for the Michigan film incentives.

Big congrats to Steven Karageanes, writer and director of “Needlestick”!  We met years ago when my short “Qing Lou Nu” was screening at the same film festivals as his “Pink Slip”.  I was fortunate enough to attend the auditions for Needlestick on Saturday.  My wonderful and talented friend Jordan Trovillion is already cast in Needlestick and you can view her in the awesome trailer here.

I’m really excited to see more projects finally starting up in Michigan again, and just wanted to share Steven’s good news with the film community!  Whoever they cast, I hope the project is a giant success!

I hope everyone had a great weekend post-Thanksgiving!  Here’s a pic of me in my high school reunion outfit.  Wheee, dressing up is fun.  I gotta be honest, it felt pretty good showing up and knowing that my hard work with my diet paid off and that I felt really comfortable in my own skin.

Cindy Chu

I’ll blog about my whole diet later in its own thing for those of you who are interested.  It’s pretty easy, but does require a few changes and commitment!  But I’m living proof it works!  Just take a look at me a year ago.

Image

Look for my weight-loss post later this week!

Have a lovely week, friends!

xoxo,

Cindy

Michigan Movie Magazine!

I recently did an interview with Michigan Movie Magazine, held at my agent, Curt Howe’s office in Ferndale.  Jordan Trovillion and I were both being featured in the local movie mag as up and coming young actresses.  Also in the same issue was an article about Sucker, in which Jordan played the female lead, Evelyn, and I was makeup and hair assistant.

Still from Big Screen Entertainment's upcoming Sucker

Still from Big Screen Entertainment's upcoming Sucker

Kimberley Kates in Sucker

Kimberley Kates in Sucker

Monty Bane with Jordan Trovillion in scene from Sucker

Monty Bane with Jordan Trovillion in scene from Sucker

The last photo is from an article on DreadCentral.com, a nice piece they wrote on Sucker.

Anyway, back to that interview!  The videos were posted awhile ago but I just came across them and wanted to share them with you!

Part One

Part Two

Also, some fellow web-savvy chicks in the EU contacted me recently to ask about my experience filming with Ciaran Hinds on Salvation Boulevard!  They were gracious enough to include a link to my site, and in case you’d like to check theirs out, click here!  Thank you Sylvie!  They do have a lovely photo of Mr. Hinds as Jim, his character in Salvation Boulevard.

As always, thank you for stopping by my blog and stay lovely!

~cindy

A-maize-ing March!

March was truly a blessed time for me!  Here are the big updates.

1) I was cast for a print ad for Brunswick, which I had to travel down to Chicago for.  A lot of fellow Michigan actors/actresses were cast as well, including my friend, My-Ishia.  We definitely held our own on the shoot, along with the Charlie’s Talent Agency talent from Chicago.  We had to do many different setups over two days in the Brunswick Zone XL in Algonquin, IL.

2) I auditioned for Salvation Boulevard through Pound-Mooney, and subsequently got a callback (with the director, George Ratliff) and then cast!  I am proud to announce that I will be playing Alisa, a grad student, in 2 scenes opposite the very wonderful and talented Pierce Brosnan! (JAMES BOND!!!!)  Also starring in this comedy thriller by Larry Beinhart are Ed Harris, Jim Gaffigan, Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, and Marisa Tomei.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan

Ed Harris

Ed Harris

Greg Kinnear

Greg Kinnear

Jim Gaffigan

Jim Gaffigan

Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Connelly

Marisa Tomei

Marisa Tomei

Director George Ratliff

Director George Ratliff

Author Larry Beinhart

Author Larry Beinhart

3) Voice acting is another field I’d like to add to my acting resume, and I have just received the chance to build on that dream.  I was cruising through Craigslist the other night and saw a posting for voice acting auditions for a CG-animated sci-fi feature called The Phoenix Armageddon.  I dropped by the audition, and the next day, got the call that they wanted me for one of the leads!  It’s a local, indie project, so there may not be pay involved, but I’d love to add it to my repertoire regardless.  We have our first cast meeting tonight!  I’ll be running over to Detroit for that in between being on set for…(leadup to #4)

4) I am the makeup/hair assistant to the lovely and talented Andrea Syron on the feature film Sucker, starring Michael Manasseri and Jordan Trovillion.  Today, we get to do some sfx makeup.  Or at least Andrea does, and I hope I get to help!  Puncture wounds!

Michael Manasseri

Michael Manasseri

Jordan Trovillion

Jordan Trovillion

In other news, Qing Lou Nu has been submitted to many festivals with the wonderful help of some very generous friends.  Now we just have to wait with fingers crossed…

Red Dawn‘s premiere is slated for Wednesday, November 24th, 2010, Thanksgiving Weekend!  Look for my giggle/scream scenes in that!

For more regular updates, feel free to follow me on Twitter.

Peace and love

Cindy