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The Path to Fame and Fortune
Think you’ve got talent but have no
idea how to step into the spotlight? The SH staff guide you along the road to
stardom.
How to get
your book published
The facts
• Average-sized publishing houses get
over 5,000 unsolicited submissions per year.
•
Only 1-2% are purchased for publication.
Getting
started
You have in your hands the next best
seller —
now what? It’s time for some research and
networking writers! First, hunt for as many publishing houses dealing with your
genre as possible considering most unsolicited submissions are rejected right
off the bat. Next, prepare a professional, short, and direct query letter to
the editor. Remember, editors are terribly busy, so don’t waste their time.
Third, follow each house’s writing guidelines on format and word count.
Everything must be as specified.
The waiting game begins once these letters are sent. However, if you are
impatient. then head off to a literary event in your community. Mingle with
authors who have connections with publishing houses. Their faith in you
increases your likelihood of getting a minute with an editor.
Advice from
the inside
Zhao Jin of Shanghai Far East
Publishers’ marketing department offers advice on what publishers want from
writers.
1. Only contact publishers if their
work is suitable to that publishing house.
2. It’s more advantageous to contact
larger publishing houses before smaller ones.
3. Literary agents also are a good bet since they often have
relationships with industry insiders. Writers ought to know the name of the
editor-in-chief and try to contact him/her directly.
4. Remember to explain what advantages your work has over other books.
5. Once a writer finally gets the
opportunity to pitch to an editor he/she should be open to an editor’s advice.
A writer’s
worst mistake is to not cooperate or ask for a high royalty fee.
6. Basically, to get published, a writer needs to
“present the right work to the right editor of the right publisher at the right
time.”
Top tips from
someone who made it
Paul French, author of ‘North Korea
the Paranoid Peninsula,’ and the upcoming, ‘A Tough Old China Hand: The Life
Times and Adventures of an American in Shanghai,’ singles out the pitch as
where the “men are sorted from the boys.”
1. Writers seeking to publish their
manuscripts should “look at trends and for pitches that will fit in with
what is currently selli ng well.” In the end, publishing houses are businesses
looking to make money. “Pitching as the next ‘Da Vinci Code’ will get you
further than [being] the ‘most original’ writer.”
2. You need to grab the publisher’s
attention before thinking about the sell. The best way is networking with
published authors.
—
“recommendations from [them] to their
publishers gets [you] the inside track.” The more traditional method is
attending litera ry fairs and author readings to get your foot in the door.
3. The most essential advice is simply is to “love what you do.”
Where to go
Shanghai
Bookstore Publishing House
Address: 193 Fujian Zhong Lu
Phone: 5359 4508
Email:
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Shanghai Far East Publishers
Address: 357 Xianxia Lu
Phone: 6234 7733
Email:
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Shanghai Joint Publishing Company
Address: 81 Qinhou Lu
Phone: 6437 2608 or 021 6451 9008
Email:
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How to get a
part in TV/Film
The facts
• 30,745 people signed up for Yahoo
China’s talent search this year in the hope of starring in a TV commerc ial.
There were only three winners.
• 50 out of 3,000 applicants were admitted to the Performing Arts Department of
Shanghai Theater Academy in 2005.
Getting
Started
If you’re dreaming about sweeping down
the red carpet at the Shanghai International Film Festival red carpet one day,
the very first step is to enroll at one of Shanghai’s performing arts schools.
Having a performing arts degree or diploma will tremendously improve your chance
of being cast in TV shows and movies. China’s sweethearts Vicky Zhao and Fan
Bingbing, for instance, both studied at Xie Jin Film & Television Art
College of Shanghai Normal University.
Getting signed to a reputable talent agency is another stepp ing stone in your
path to fame. If you’re really worth their time, they’ll tirelessly promote
you. You can also join Shanghai Actors’ Association, which was created to build
a community for Shanghai’s actors and help them find opportunities, as well as
against the cons.
Advice from
the inside
Francis Ko is an American Chinese
director who has spent 11 years in Shanghai’s TV making scene. He gives insider
tips to new kids following their acting dream.
1. Take every part seriously, even
when it’s minor. “I’ve seen too many newcomers who have nothing in their mind
but leading roles. It’s not realistic. If you work hard enough on a supporting
role, the director might be impressed and give you some more lines.”
2. Don’t get manipulated by the
so-called talent scouts. “Formal talent agencies won’t charge you any fees. Be
alarmed if you are asked to open your purse for photo shooting, styling, etc,
when you approach them.”
3. Stick to the screen play. “As a starter, you’d better act your part
according to the screen play rather than showing your own personality.”
4. Enrich your experience of life.
“Actors should be able to live in a luxury five-star hotel one day and eat in a
street stall the next. If you are playing a drug addict, you might as well
spend some time in rehab to get it right.”
Top tips from
someone who made it
Tang Duo is a 20-something
Shanghainese who has starred in a number of television shows including ‘The
Profit & The Price’ and General Cheng Gen’, and is currently cast in the
film ‘Shanghai Park.’ She gives her advice on how to land a part.
1. Polish your
skills. “It’s necessary to be trained if you are taking acting seriously. I
went to Xie Jin Film & Television Art College of Shanghai Normal
University.”
2. Score your dream agent. “A
well-connected, professional agent is the bridge leading to your success, but
be careful when dealing with those self-acclaimed talent scouts coming up to
you in the street. Go to a well-reputed talent agency or use your network
instead. I got to know mine through friends.”
3. Crash as many film tests as you can. “There are no TV/movie parts
dropping from the sky. Go for any film test you hear of, even as an extra. You
never know! Besides it’s a good chance to get to know the insiders.”
4. Look the part. “Always dress
accordingly if you know which part you’re auditioning for. Don’t show up in
your best Chanel dress if you are competing for the part of a village girl.”
Where to take
your acting skills
Performing Arts Schools
Shanghai Theater Academy, 630 Huashan Lu, 6248 2920, sta.edu.cn. This
long-standing institution is the most respected performing arts school in town.
Courses available include a four- year degree, one-year training and Sunday
training.
Xie Jin Film & Television Art College of Shanghai
Normal University 100 Guilin Lu, 6432
2029, www.xiejin.shnu.edu.cn. Founded by the prestigious actor Xie Jin, it offers
one-year certificate and four-year degree programs in performing arts.
Association
Shanghai Actors Association, www.saa.org.cn.
Talent
Agencies
Starlight Entertainment Management Inc
18/F, OTV Tower, 2000 Dongfang Lu, Pudong,
5881 2000 ext 1804, www.e-starlight.cn.
Stellar Agency 6226 5331,
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