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anne-sophie braendlin
Actors’
Equity
Expats
are natural actors. And if they’re not, they’ll sooner or later be asked to
pretend
they’re actors. Especially in Asia, where any Western face will do. There are now
more casting agents in Shanghai than guys on Huaihai Road selling “bags, bags,
watches, DVDs!”
That most of the parts are going to tourists, non-credentialed English teachers
and folks who wouldn’t know a montage from a close-up bugged the crap out of
Karl lgnaczak. Thanks to him, Shanghai now has its own professional actors
association. Recruiters don’t have to approach strangers on the street anymore
because the association is proving that
Shanghai has a stable of big-nosed thespians. The director of “Mission
Impossible 3” could’ve found a passable stand-in for Mr. Cruise, had they
bothered to look up lgnaczak, who, in reality, more closely resembles Malls
Wilander.
The Shanghai Actors Association represents professional actors both in Shanghai
and across China. It wants to help actors get fair treatment and wages, as well
as anyone with an interest in acting, including producers and filmmakers.
lgnaczak,
born in Poland, has lived all over the world. He came to Shanghai to “take
advantage of the great wealth of economic opportunities” but realized that many
producers, directors and agents here were undercutting actors, treating them a
bit like cattle. He also discovered that it is difficult to keep up on news
regarding acting, film, castings, etc. in Shanghai and that there was no easy
way to get in touch with other actors and those interested in stagecraft.
That’s in the past. Since October 2005, every third Thursday of the month a
meeting organized by SAA is held for those in Shanghai with an insatiable
appetite for acting — or food, which is also provided.
A chance to meet other professionals and aspiring actors, and perhaps even some
agents and producers, the monthly sessions is gaining popularity. Would-be
Oliviers perform monologues, improvisational skits and stand-up comedy.
Experienced actors offer advice on the acting situation in Shanghai and answer
related questions. They also show films from the short- film festivals. Like a
gathering of friends that have
something in common, newcomers—and even the odd journalist— are given a warm
welcome.
Think of it as Shanghai’s very own Actors Studio. Karl’s homepage
(www.planetkarl.com) provides a trove of interesting bits about the performing
arts in the city, in addition to detailed information about Shanghai’s
entertainment industry. The SM schedule is also posted on the site. Learn your
lines, kids. You too can land a part in a Chinese dumpling commercial. Wouldn’t
that make mom proud?
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