American Actor in Hong Kong...needed?

[wesleymurphy1]

Is there a demand for American actors in the entertainment/film business in Hong Kong? I understand the American actors usually play bad guys in their films, and there is a market.
I have lived in in Los Angeles, CA for the past 3 years, and have successfully worked as an actor/entertainer. I am still building my resume and would love the experience of living in another country as I have the freedom to do so right now. I am considering a move/visit in late December, although I am deciding between Hong Kong and another country. If you stumble across this message, I'd be interested to know names of websites, agencies, or anything regarding this inquiry. Thanks.

[hello_there]

Little demand for an American actor in HK - although if you are good perhaps you could find some work.

A more practical issue before you would move is that there really isn't a resident visa option that works for actors with unstable employment. To be able to legally "move" here, you need a job and an employer-sponsored work visa (or another resident visa - dependent, investment or the like...). A visit to see what may be available would be fine though.

[jayinhongkong]

Also the pay for western actors to do bit roles in movies here is very low: definitely not enough to live on.

[wesleymurphy1]

Many thanks for the information 'hello there' and 'jay.' Good food for thought. I am good at what I do, though who knows with the language barrier. Do you see many American actors in their films/TV besides bit parts for Western Roles?

[jimbo]

Get a profile up on alivenotdead.com

As others have said, No real demand for U.S actors in HK.

And why HK?

[hello_there]

Again very few Western actors (and fewer American as most of the few tend to be from Canada/ UK/ Aus). For more than bit parts in Canto-language films there would be a definite language barrier - it is a very difficult, tonal language that doesn't come naturally to non-native speakers.

HKMDB - Home

HKIFF Society

http://www.alivenotdead.com/

http://www.fso-createhk.hk/accessibi...p02-Engi02.pdf

[Skyhook]

I wouldn't say there is a big demand for western actors in HK, but if you speak Cantonese it will certainly help. Gregory Rivers aka Ho Kwok Wing, an Australian actor that has had a modicum of success in HK ie he managed to make a sustainable living out of it. One of the few that have.....

Greg explains a little bit about his 2 decade TV/Film career in HK ( video below), he will also be the first to tell you that the hours at TVB were very long and not all that well paid, too...

.

[pizzalover]

This guy is American.. Hong Kong Cinemagic - John Wakefield He was in the critically claimed movie "The Echoes of the Rainbow". He speaks perfect Cantonese.. not sure the OP can repeat his "success".

Again very few Western actors (and fewer American as most of the few tend to be from Canada/ UK/ Aus). For more than bit parts in Canto-language films there would be a definite language barrier - it is a very difficult, tonal language that doesn't come naturally to non-native speakers.

HKMDB - Home

HKIFF Society

http://www.alivenotdead.com/

http://www.fso-createhk.hk/accessibi...p02-Engi02.pdf

[wesleymurphy1]

Solid resources Pizza lover and Skyhook, I checked out John Wakefield and Gregory...extremely helpful. Jimbo I will go to alivenotdead.com, haven't had a chance to check it out yet. I'm considering Hong Kong because I have a friend there who is visiting for three months and really loves it. He really encouraged me to come and visit and said there is a demand for American actor's in HK and they are usually cast as 'bad guys.' While I am finding success in the US (acting is still not full-time for me though), I enjoy the idea of an outside the box move. Plus, I've never been to HK.
I am conversational in Spanish and had almost booked a flight to Buenos Aires for late December. I may seem all over the place, but my friend is very convincing when speaking about HK and has caused me to really investigate.

[hullexile]

I don't think you have grasped the visa issue - if you come here as a tourist you can't work and if you come here to work you need an employer to sponsor you.