Getting into showbiz in China

March 28, 2007 8:05 AM

How do I get into drama, acting or TV extra work in China?

I'm a foreinger from Australia and currently studying in Hangzhou for at least another 9 months and since I have more free time now I'd like to see if I can get into entertainment work and make a quick buck or at least get some experience for later on. Also, I actually find acting very fascinating.

posted by gttommy to media & arts (8 comments total)

Related MeFi thread on Mark "DaShan" Roswell, as well as the limited roles Westerners face in China.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:35 AM on March 28, 2007

I haven't read the book "Foreign Babes In Beijing", but it's the account of an American actress working on a TV soap opera in Beijing.

As far as I could tell from a review I read, China is very much like the older studio system of Hollywood-- actors are under contract and work very long hours on whichever show the studio tells them to work on. It sounds like it wouldn't be a "quick buck" situation but could be a really interesting experience.
posted by sharkfu at 8:38 AM on March 28, 2007

(I assume by the poster's name that she's Vietnamese, not white)

Also, I actually find acting very fascinating.

Are you really, really hot? If not, and this is your starting point, I'd suggest some acting lessons before you embark on your acting career. And I do mean career- acting isn't some hobby to pursue on a lark. That kind of glib attitude won't get you very far.
posted by mkultra at 10:36 AM on March 28, 2007

Well - a lot of the time the only real requirement is being white. Certainly there's no shortage of roles out there for extras. If you actually want to be cast in a speaking part, it helps to know people and be able to speak Chinese -- but you can check that's Shanghai's online employment ads, where people occasionally post casting offers. (At least, this is the case with that's Beijing -- I assume it holds up down there as well.)

Disclaimer: my only involvement with film/TV production here has been translation work. However, pretty much all of my (mostly sinologue) cracker friends have been on TV or in movies at some point. My sense is that the money's lousy, but it's potentially fun, or at least a good story to tell once it's all over.

mkultra: you're probably right about acting being serious, non-larky business, but then again, for people in China who are obviously foreign, not much "acting" ever actually comes into play.
posted by bokane at 12:14 PM on March 28, 2007

I'm really confused as to why so many people think someone named Gia Thanh Tommy Phan is white.
posted by mkultra at 12:24 PM on March 28, 2007

It would be easier for you to get in with non-Asian looks. It's going to be a little tough if you're Asian (or even look Asian!). Play up your Australian accent.
posted by Xere at 1:23 PM on March 28, 2007

Yeah, I have an Asian look and Male.

I'm NOT expecting anything big to happen but you gotta start somewhere. And no, I am not going to drop everything and jump into the acting world.

Thanks for all your tips thus far, especially, the links to the other thread, book and employment site!

Any particular websites, venues to consider?
posted by gttommy at 4:55 PM on March 28, 2007

For the record, I never stated that I thought the poster was white. I merely posted about a book about foreigners (in this case American) acting in China. The poster said he was a foreigner (in this case Australian). I think someone assumed I was talking about whites vs asian, i was merely talking about foreigners vs natives.

but, yes, i'm assuming in a country with a billion asian people it would be harder to get an acting job because there would more competition. just like being a white actress in Los Angeles is tough-- unless you're extremely attractive it's hard to get work. i recently watched a documentary on Zhang Ziyi, and the amount of sacrifice she went through to become successful is stunning.

that said, I believe there is a craigslist for china, perhaps you could check there? perhaps you could find a low budget / student film to get started.
posted by sharkfu at 5:20 PM on March 28, 2007