Last week I was called by a new agent who approached me via my website several weeks ago, Stephen. As you can tell Stephen is not a Thai name and he has ideas about running a talent agency in a western fashion, which is more suitable for me for many reasons.
Also Stephen, unlike previous farang 'agents' (read rip off merchants) has spent considerable time in the Land Of Smiles, 12 years in fact, is fluent in Thai, understands local ettiquette and customs and fits in with Thai society and most importantly here he is very polite.
The initial specs he recieved included the request for a BIG fighter.
Ha, my part! Thanks :)
Anything that has emphasis on BIG means it will be my part. I am confident, I have more experience than almost all the other actors in here, I have a lot more experience than anyone who could be considered close competition and I can act. (Well I am told that I can act the parts that I have done so far).
So I went to the casting and was given a pair of Thai Boxing shorts to wear, got in front of the camera did my intro then was able to follow most of the instructions given to me in the Thai language, even surprising myself at that, did the mandatory photos and some video of me acting like I was hitting someone - so as usual I went to town on the invisible man using unorthodox but practical self devised martial arts combinations - and then did a take where I was being beaten down into the ground and out I went.
All in all it was a very short casting for me.
This is either good or bad, if you are really bad the casting Director will often send you out quickly. Alternatively if you are good and do everything exactly as they ask, or better, then the Casting Director has the footage he needs and you can go home quickly.
It also shows the Casting Director you can follow orders, are experienced, and that you can deliver what he wants with a minimum of takes (and cost). For this you get extra merit points.
A few days following this the budget was discussed and the original offer was not bad but then again it was the first offer. I asked for more - as I am worth it. I take less film (film is expensive), I won't make them go into overtime due to retakes (and overtime fees for all crew), plus I won't annoy the Director or Camera Man by doing something stupid. I will be on time and I will have an agreeable personality on set.
So following that I have not heard anything until today, when the Producers of the TVC have asked me to film for 2 or 3 days but are asking for a reduction in my fee. So I sent back my counter offer.
That would mean that I am virtually confirmed.
So filming will be very shortly after I arrive back from Australia. What I am going to Australia again? Yes but just for a week holiday to sort out some paperwork and to take the opportunity to ruin my mate Pete's reputation as I run amock in Townsville (Northern Australia) with him.
