Everybody needs a teacher!

A lot of people think they can just jump into any industry, especially artiste world, without any guidance whatsoever. They think all they need is their looks and talent. How wrong they are! As you can see in the picture, this famous director was my mentor. The time this picture was taken was way back in 2000, way before this film director directed any feature films (except for commercials of course & notice how different I look back then).

In a people-oriented industry, every aspiring artiste must break their idealistic view that only their looks and talents can take them far. It's virtually impossible! There are simply so many lessons one must learn in their journey towards becoming an established artiste. Note the word "established", not simply any fly-by-night artiste. Giving due credit, I cannot blame for this mentality of looks and talents alone can take you far. I see so many young artistes who appears on television. Fresh new faces that come and gone just as fast. What happen to them all?

There are moments when you shine. The secret is to keep on shining, even when the world no longer take notice of you. Take the time to learn. New knowledge leads to new possibilities. Artistes who strives to learn new knowledge are the ones that will continue to shine in their own way, even when the world no longer cares about them.

GET NEW IDEAS: Now, our Artiste Training Course is available for 1-on-1 personal class. After much interviewing with potential students, some are shy to perform in front of a group. For this, I decide to conduct personal classes according to potential student's schedule: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY or FRIDAY (time is flexible). Those interested, please sms/call Mr.Liew (after 1pm) at 012-2350091 to set apointment at section2, Wangsa Maju.(gather in front of V2 Cybercafe)

Being an Artiste is more than just performing...

It's also about how you handle the production crew. Recently I was invited to act in a telemovie. It's really quite awful the whole scenario. I came on time, but the transport were late for more than 2 hours. Then there was a change in location. Now, if you're a seasoned artiste like I am, you would use this waiting time to do other things: like reading your script or go to a cybercafe nearby to check for other castings. At the same time, remember to call on the transport person from time to time to see where he is.

Back to this production, I arrived on the apartment set and the assistant director came to me. This particular "guy" were very reserved and uncommunicative. A big no-no if you're in this industry. Sometimes I don't know why she is even hired for the job for her tomboy gangster attitude is awfully intimidating. An assistant director should be more accommodating to the talent and seek to communicate well. For this assistant director, she only likes to give orders, so the talents are expected to obey like dogs to a master. Sad scenario here in the local production team.

The assistant director kept on changing the way my script was supposed to be read, and at most times got me agitated by her indecisiveness. It may be because she doesn't like me because my profile doesn't suit what she wanted. But a professional has got to work with whom she got. She forgot that I was recommended for the job. As artistes, do not give in to such bad treatment. This is the most difficult time, one that you need to stand on your ground.

After some arduous moments shooting with her, it's time for us to wrap for another scene. Upon arrival of the new set, the assistant producer came to me and told me the reduction of the talent fees because of the apartment scene were not to the assistant director's satisfaction. Now, this should never happen to any respecting artistes, even if you are new. When you had agreed on the original payment sum, the producer must give you the exact same sum even if they're not happy with you. That's what we call professionalisme. If they don't, inform directly to the executive producer.

For this one, they even dare to show their ugly stripes and look threatening like gangsters. It got me pissed off for thinking they can treat talents any way they want. In the script, I was supposed to dance like a crazy moron because high on some drugs. When it came to that scene, I simply said no to the director. That got the assistant director really angry and he told the assistant producer about my refusal. I came head to head with both of them, unafraid and direct to the point. Finally, now I remembers again why so many talents doesn't feel motivated to be in this industry because of the plain childish attitude from some of this so-called "assistant directors and producers" (who are probably new and thinks they're in charge). They simply don't know how to treat talents as an equal!

That's why I always inform my talents that they need to go through a formal artiste training course. Not just to learn about the skills in performing arts, but more than that. The skill in handling unfair, ridiculous situations like mine, that is getting more rampant everyday.

Would you rather stand behind the door?

It's true when your parents and friends tell you that it's risky being an actor or singer. There's no consistent income like what you'll get from a steady job. You attend a hundred castings, and only a few call you back. (even the call backs aren't a guarantee you clinch the job) You'll wait for months, even years before you truly can establish yourself as an artiste. You'll have to bear with different types of creative personalities (some can be extreme). Wait a minute, isn't this sounds similar to any other jobs?

You see, people who aspires to become real artistes ain't in it for the money. They are all there, committed and passionate, simply for one thing: the ART. Once you get your mind focused on that, you won't worry much about dealing with other people's overinflated egos (even your own) and be more comfortable and relax within yourself. Of course the first few steps in becoming an artiste are the hardest few steps. You'll certainly need some form of guidelines and knowledge to get you standing on your own two feet. Real artistes are not empty vessels, they are brimming with creativity and knowledge. They are those courageous few(even outlandish types), who are inspired to step into the limelight and claim their place in the world.

Or would you rather remain standing where you are... right behind the door?

"So I have the connections. But do you have the spark?"

Connections. This word came to my mind since last week, when an aspiring student asked me whether I've got any in the film industry. He was desperate to know what connections I could provide him upon enrollment in the Artiste Training Course. Then, I threw back a question to him "do you have the spark to start the connection?"

Many aspiring artistes tend to think that in order to break into the entertainment industry, you've got to have some connection with the people already in the industry. Yes, some connection with people you know may help, albeit very very little. In the course of my career, I have worked with some very good local film directors like Meor Shariman, Shuhaimi Baba and Kabir Bhatia. Do you think I have any connection with any of them when I started out? No. It was all based purely on my talent ingenuity. But aspiring artistes, you must bear in mind, do you have the goods to back you up when I finally present you with the so-called connection?

Look at it this way: the marketplace. In this scenario, you will have the product (that's you), the buyer (film producers, directors etc) and middleman. If I were the middleman with all the connections in the world, what benefit does it do for you if you don't have the knowledge to back up your product? The chap who raised the question of connection to me last week is looking for a quick way to fame by thinking of joining in our Artiste Training Course. Instead of asking for quick fame in our course, shouldn't he be more realistic and look inside himself and asked what he could offer? Adjusting your perception level is vital. That's really the core purpose of our Artiste Training Course: to uncover your hidden talent and keep your mind realistic.

About providing you with the contacts or connections, the chap who asked me this question should be less negative in his approach. He thought the entertainment industry is all about connections, hidden away beyond the reach of any normal aspiring artiste. Not true at all. I do send my students for special casting sessions, and why do you think I do that? Because that is the best time for you to create the so-called "connection". The chap asking me the connection question was probably thinking offers would pour on his lap without him taking any actions. But actions are required. Attend the castings and form the relationships.

Replace the ugly word "connection" to forming relationships. The chap who asked me the question positions himself as someone who is struggling. Why do you have to suffer this way when all it takes is a change in your thinking pattern? People in the entertainment industry are humans after all. If you show sincerity in forming good relationships, then you have it. I know it's hard to be friendly to people who doesn't want to know you. So what? Move on and get to know other people.

Like in any other industry when you're starting out, do not ask what you can get. Rather you should enquire: what you can offer. Selfish artistes who only think of themselves and always ask "what can I get?" is easily detected (they are usually rude, complains alot, demanding, easily frustrated and give up). And do you think their careers would last? Be a positive artiste and think of ways to contribute your talents. That way, a fresh new perspective will dawn on you. Before you can do that, you'll need to properly adjust your mental state in one that gives you fresh ideas and strategies in charting your talent. Here's where our Artiste Training Course can truly benefits you. Upon completion of the course, you will finally be able to create your own "connections", and not needing mine. And that's truly a rare talent artiste.

The Importance of Being Media Free

Many of us aspires to become an artiste for various reasons: money, fame, popularity, recognition. A good artiste will question him or herself the source of where these reasons come about. In other words, "how do i come about to aspire to be an artiste?" Nobody who is born in this world automatically shouts "I want to be an artiste!".

It is through a complex life process that everyone goes through from childhood to adulthood. Through these series of life events, that eventually the seeds of desire are sown into our motivation. The pursuit in becoming an Artiste has to be deeply anchored into the reasons from "why?" Now, the most common reasons are usually heavily influenced by the media. For example, when we watch an actor acting out his role so heroically onscreen, we are inspired to do the same. The media is filled with these figures of glamour, that try to personify the definition of an artiste. But how wrong and even dangerous this definition can be.

What happen if your physical or looks do not match the requirements? Should you give up totally in becoming an artiste? Hence, it is very important advice I want to depart to all my fellow aspiring artiste friends here: try to stay away from the influence of the mainstream media as much as possible.

The mainstream media consists of television, cinema, radio and newspapers (even advertising). Be aware of what makes up your motivation in becoming an artiste. When your reasons in pursuing a specific artiste skill is clear (meaning not influenced by the mainstream media in any way), then the pursuit of your goals will be easier and clearer (not to mention you won't get disappointed that easily)

You should never let your definition of success be dictated by the mainstream media as it should be. Here's an idea: why can't you define your own success? Through our Artiste Training Course, you will discover how unconventional we are in instilling the various value disciplines of becoming an artiste to our students. Our approach is focused more on the individual's own capacity to grow into the skills of choice ( be it acting, TV presentation, modelling or singing) In other words, we nurture you to grow into your artiste self. We don't find the way for you, we let the way grow into you.

Boastfulness: A matter of what and why.

Boastfulness. A quality particularly rampant in our industry. Everybody does it. We boast about the beauty of our country. Car salesman boast the engine of their cars. Mothers boast about the success of their children in school. Women boast about their experiences, good and bad. Men boast about their achievements, extraordinary and sometimes really insignificant. Singers boast about the awards they won. Actors boast about the films they were in. And film directors boast about their international projects. For artistes, boastfulness transforms into self-promotion.

The reason people boasts differ. Some boasts to ace the job interview. To win the heart of a girl. And the worst reason of all: to show how good they are. Showing other how good you are in your job is not a bad thing. But the reason of it is to illicit some form of admiration or jealousy can be potentially dangerous. Now to all aspiring artistes here reading, I sincerely advise you to be careful of what you boasts. Doesn't mean you had starred in this number of commercials, you are already qualified for the job. I have students and talents who come for casting, showing me their certicates and "awards" in gaining the title of best actor in their school/college plays. But when in actual audition, this talent forgot his script and gave no portrayal of the character in any way at all. A little bit of SELF-DOUBT is good for you. And why?

Self-doubt automatically makes you THINK. To have different perspectives of what your capabilities really are. It also makes you open to other people's ideas. When you are boastful, your mind only works in one direction: relishing the joy of how superior you are towards others. It doesn't encourage you to cooperate and understand what the other party is saying. Some people boasts to hurt other people's reputation. And that is the worst form of boasting of all. Because it hides under the pretense of success. The sort of success preached in our fame-crazed media. And before you know it: the things you boast about doing suddenly becomes obsolete because of some drastic changes (beyond any human control like an act of God)such as death or loss of funds etc.

In conclusion, to boast what you had accomplished in the past is only good when you add a bit more self-examination in the way you present it (that's where our Artiste Training Course will help you). And to boast what you're going to achieve in the future should be anchored strongly with caution and humility because the future is not in our hands.

"You know exactly how I feel" ~ Nor

I love to bring all my students to special castings whenever there's a chance. Recently, I took a few of my students for a very popular malay drama casting. I got one particular student name Nor. She's a wonderful student and really take instructions well. Another one of my student, Zul came late, because he got lost, causing the whole group to be late for an hour. A good lesson for those of you who are joining in a group casting: ALWAYS BE ON TIME. I've already informed Zul ahead of time about where to meet, so that should able him to search for the place.

Upon arrival of the casting office, I met some of my ex-students, who have become working artistes in their own rights. One artiste name Mimi was there, and I was very happy to see how well she is and the work she's been doing. I've helped her clinch her first beauty product endorsement and now she's an artiste. We talked, and before leaving, she requested me to send her for commercial jobs if any. Will take note. The other talents I've met also come to me with similar requests: commercial jobs.

It got me thinking, what is the appeal of being in a TV commercial? One thing: the level of pay for a majority of commercial jobs at this time are not up to par. Secondly, it's extremely specific profile for any kind of commercial jobs, which means not everyone can be in commercial. Thirdly, the competition for commercial jobs are very stiff. Again, the ability of properly adjusting and matching your skill levels as an artiste to the industry needs is not yet present among the talents I met at the audition that day.

Before I send my student Nor for the recorded casting, I took her aside and coached her in her script. I understand she's very new (just into her 3rd week of class with me), and there's a lot of understanding involved in interpreting a script. Thank goodness, in that short time I managed to help her focus on understanding what the script demands. She was very happy with her audition. After the casting, I looked at her and advised her not to think about the audition anymore. What is done is done. I told her that her first audition with me should inspire her to go for more auditions in the future. She turned to me, smiled and said I knew exactly what she was feeling.