As an addition, I also competed in Martial Arts
for a while, and after having a little winning streak I
got scouted to do some Kung Fu choreography that
led me into the stunt world, and then eventually the
film and TV stuff as well.
As an Asian male entertainer trying to make it in
this industry, what hurdles have you had to face
because of your ethnicity and how did you
overcome these challenges? Also, why do you
think that casting for Asians hasn’t necessarily
been a demand up until now?
Finding opportunities is definitely an attitude thing
in my opinion. The work is there if you search for it,
and if it’s not you can create it, so there is always
work to be done as an Actor. I have faced
typecasting in the past; for example Kung Fu roles or
Doctor roles, etc but I take the opportunity to
practice acting and also meet more people in the
industry, so I never really minded - plus they are fun
to play!
Great Asian driven-stories are really getting
more publicity now, which really opens a lot of
doors for new talent! Also it is becoming very
apparent around the world that Australia has a very
multicultural society, so hope these ethnic stories
continue!
When was it that you made the big move to
Sydney, and how has that journey been for you?
I kept going up for auditions and doing a few gigs
here and there, and then heading back to Canberra
to do work at Questacon, until I landed my first fulltime theatre show which went for 2 years, called
“Shanghai Lady killer”. It included performers from
Cirque du soleil and was like a live Kung Fu movie
on stage with wire work, flying fights and circus
performers!
Shortly after the season finished I scored my
first long-term TV show contract with “Kitchen
Whiz”, that has kept me there for 6 years now, LOL you should all watch it! It’s weekdays at 7:30am on
GO, it will keep me employed, thanks! *wink*