Arts
In this episode, Canadian born filmmaker, Albert M. Chan, known for his films, The Commitment, and, Ancestors of the Future, Descendants of the Past, talks about success, and how he balances his various careers as an actor, a filmmaker and an electrical engineer who holds a Ph.D. from MIT…not to mention being a Dad, and a husband. Also in this episode Albert talks about: - how he was able to cast Golden Globe, Emmy, and Drama Desk nominated actress, Tina Chen for one of his films. - How he got his first breaks as an actor in Boston. - His approach as a filmmaker. - How his background as an engineer informs his acting and filmmaking. - And the current screenplay he is working on. Albert's website MIT Descendent’s of the Past Ancestor’s of the Future Sag-Aftra The Commitment Straeon Studios The Crying Game CP Casting Boston Casting LDI Casting Christine Wyse Casting Ghosts of Girlfriends Past Brotherhood The Actors Green Room in NYC and LA Sundance Screenwriter's Lab The Opposite of a Fairytale - short film Vanu inc. Stage - Bowie live album MaketheFuckingFilm.com People mentioned: Tina Chen Cira Felina Bolla Kevin McCormick Bill Doherty Jr. Ross Meyerson Minor White Vanu Bowes Amar Bowes Adele David Bowie Mackelmore Show notes While getting Phd in Electrical Engineering, Albert discovers MIT’s offerings in tennis, basketball, and photography. [4:04] Working as an engineer for a start up, enables Albert to be selective about his acting. [8:21] How Albert uses his engineering skills in acting and filmmaking. [10:00] How Albert was able to cast Golden Globe, Emmy, and Drama Desk nominee Tina Chen, for his film Descendents of the Past, Ancestors of the Future. [12:50 ] The 180 rule. [14:21] Albert’s advice on camera movement for independent filmmaking. [16:25] Immigration story from China. [18:37] Directing while you’re acting, and how it’s about the team. [21:31] Albert’s film, The Commitment, and the power of Storytelling to make sense of things. [27:43] What sets Albert apart as an actor? [29:33] Albert’s frequency of training classes. [33:25} Adventures in coaching. [35:09] Rob goes on a 5 minute rant about the expense of acting classes. [36:36] Albert deftly and gracefully extolls the virtue’s of being coached and doing scene work.[40:48] Albert’s current feature film project, Incarnations. [48:42] Working on screenplay for Incarnations, and submitting it to Sundance Screen Labs. [50:49] Rob becomes concerned he ‘may be missing things’. [55:38] Pause for albert to greet the babysitter. [56:59] Albert’s near term, non-bucket list. [58:47] Knowing your type as an actor. [1:00:02] Vanu Inc. the startup Albert works with designs cellular infrastructure. [1:03:32] Albert’s views on success. [1:08:09]