I frequently get requests from readers as to how to get into the film industry here in Thailand. First and foremost you have to be based in Bangkok, it doesn't matter if you're the best in the world but living in New Jersey, you can't get to auditions.
Second you'll need to be able to do stunts. You stand there and say "No sorry I'm an actor, you need a stuntman to do stunts." That is fine in the West and is a clear demarkation of responsibilities, try that in Asia and they'll say "You're fired, call the next guy."....
In Asian cinema the lines between stuntmen and actors blur, in fact many top actors are stuntmen initially or at least national level martial artists before they became actors. Often it is their physical abilities that drew attention to them in the first place.
Look at the successful Asian names in Western cinema; Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Tony Jaa - all stunt performers first and foremost. The same is very often the case in their home markets. In Thailand the biggest star in cinema/TV is "Mom" Jock Mock, a chubby comedian, who often does his own fight scenes and stunts.
'Mum' Jokmok fighting Conan in "The Bodyguard 2"
In the West we'd call these guys Stunt Actors.
So what are you going to do? You need to polish your stunt skills. You do not have to be one of the best or even world class, you just need to be able to get the job done when asked.
You go through a tough and long winded self learning process or you can fast track the whole thing by going to a stunt school or if you're in Bangkok Damian Mavis is running drop in stunt classes.
Everything you need to get your basics down. Falls, fights, reactions. And to think I did Karate, some MMA, and years of Pro Wrestling to get these skills. It is much easier today.
So if you're thinking about entering the film industry in Thailand or are already here working as an extra and would like to start working your way up then get along to Damian's Stunt classes and learn the skillz.
