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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Best city for acting in China?
I currently live in Qingdao China and I am trying to continue my acting career whilst I'm here. I know Qingdao is not the best place to be when it comes to audition for films or commercials. I've been asking a lot of people who live in this city where the best place to be when it comes to filming. I've been getting a lot of different answer across the board. Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong have been mentioned a lot with Beijing leading when it comes to continuing acting here in China.. I know it's an off the wall question that maybe none or very few can answer, but if you can, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Benjamin Shaw.
12 years 26 weeks ago in Arts & Entertainment - China
I would put the order of "acting opportunity" cities this way: Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong. Lots of competition for the few Laowai jobs. Good luck.
John,
Thank you very much for the reply, I will look into it. Do you think being a Westerner will be beneficial for me while auditioning for roles?
Also do you know if there are places like an agency where I can get a representative to help find work? I've googled and googled certain places but with no luck. Again I don't expect you to answer all if any of my questions, but any information would be great.
Thank you again Xpat John for your help.
Benjamin Shaw.
The problem you will mainly have is that in order to get real acting gigs here you need to be able to speak both Mandarin & Cantonese. They aren't very big on doing dubs for people.
As far as an agent goes, there are lots of agencies out there, but you might want to look at some of the international agencies like Moris or such. Most local agencies won't take on non-Chinese because of the low demand and communication barriers.
Also... Getting a gig is hard, but actually making it past the cutting room floor or getting more air time is another. Be prepared for, shall I say, various requests to be made.
Lol,
Dare I ask what that means for me?
Also I will look into it. Thank you so much for your time and info again Xpat John.
Sorry to dissapoint you HazzaF1 but your best bet if you want to build up here in China a acting carreer is in a kindergarten. Otherwise you have to go to hollywood or bollywood much more chances.
Good luck though.....
Thanks for the opinion Benny, in fact I've done the Hollywood scene and have been a bit successful there. Here in China I'm looking for another Challenge other than the normal Hollywood scene... I'll keep entertainment for the young kids in mind though. ;)
Well...well... hmmm... lets see if and i mean if you was a bit succesful in Hollywood as you claim, then if I was you I would pick up the phone and cal Jason Statham or Sylvester Stallone or Arnold or Mickey Rourke or Robert de Niro or ....list can go on and on... and would ask if they have contact numbers here in China to help you picking up your acting carreer. I would do this then rather ask it here on a forum. What are friends for?
Wait... wait... just something is popping up in my head here ... phone Jackie Chan or Jet Li for sure they have all the contacts in China and Hong Kong.
Nah..... better keep it with the kindergartens, that's your best bet still though...
Anyhow, keep posted about it, I will buy your DVD on the street here to support you a BIT.
Just my 2cents.... Don't worry about it.
GuilinRaf:
Only Benjamin Shaw I saw in the Internet Movie Database was: 1. Tun (Shutter (2004/II), Ananda Everingham) aka "Benjamin Shaw" Personally, I would not mind being a movie star in Thailand.....;-P
Hah, I like your sarcasm and your sense of humor! Gotta give it to ya, instead of having fun in China your actually on a forum talking shit and try to make me look like a fool for asking someone else's help on info here in China. The reason why I ask is because I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to things like this in China. I don't claim to know everything nor did I claim to know any of Hollywoods elite.. I've asked for help and thanks to XpatJohn, I've received very good information. I said I had a bit of success in Hollywood, Doesn't mean I've starred in any of the above actors films and what not. You obviously don't know what you're talking about when it comes to anything Hollywood, other than just being a big action film star, making connections and meeting influencial people is beneficiary to the porfession I've chosen. To me that's a bit of success I talk about. Never the less i've worked with M.D Selig, and writing and producing a film for Eli Roth... If you don't want to be a bit helpful on a thread then why try to down other people? You don't know me as I don't know you... I do like how you researched me.. You have to have better things to do with your time, if not call me, we'll have a beer and I'll show you how to have more fun than just talkin shit on a forum. Go find a hobby, better yet a goal and try and reach it.. you'll find yourself a better man when your time is a little less idle... Be safe and have fun in China my friend. Email me and I'll buy you a beer.