Related
The serious shortage means many older actors are getting jobs without a thorough audition process. The situation is so common that youths such as Diem My, Dao Ba Son, Kim Xuan, Minh Hoang and Viet Anh are playing fathers and mothers.
The popularity of TV movies gives up and coming young actors plenty of opportunities to strut their stuff but without the guidance of veteran middle aged performers.
In recent years, many actors under 40 have been acting 20-30 years their senior in accordance with script demands. Some must play parent to a character only 10 years younger than them.
Nguyen Hau, a well-known supporting actor in his 40s, barely has any time to rest or prepare between roles because he is so in demand.
The great demand for such actors has attracted popular artists Ha Xuyen or The Anh to make their comebacks in the film Xin Loi Tinh Yeu (Forgive Me Love) with smart, lively performances reminiscent of their heyday.
Assistant Director Le Minh found it difficult to persuade once popular, now middle-aged actors like Hoai An, Minh Hoang and Tuyet Thu to work in his film, even though their roles only required a commitment to 10 to 15 scenes.
Directors often settle for amateur actors for older roles, Minh said, citing Nguyen Thanh Tung as an example.
Tung, once a security guard for Yuki Company, became popular after playing a role in Doc Tinh (Love Slope) and went on to a string of roles on TV.
Wages for non-professional actors can be as low as VND300,000 (US$19) for each scene. Actress Mai Hoa said audiences often get bored of seeing the same faces on TV, no matter how talented the actor.
Training new actors is a pressing issue for Viet Nam's film industry. Hoa and director Ba Vu plan to develop courses aimed at teaching middle-aged aspiring thespians basic knowledge of performance techniques.
This article appeared on www.vietnamnews.vnanet.vn
May 27, 2008
| 0 Comment(s) |
sponsors
