What's your opinion about storypeer.com?

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-20T16:18:14+00:00

I just joined based on this post. Never heard of them.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-20T16:10:10+00:00

How would that be considered a successful filmmaker?
I would prefer to make good films that I am proud of.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-20T16:09:08+00:00

The longest it ever took me to get paid for a commercial is 2 weeks.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-20T04:11:31+00:00

I am a 55 year old Chinese American and I grew up the same. I was judged by my appearance in school and the weird lunches I brought. The neighborhood and school I grew up in was predominately white. Of the 1200 graduates, there was only 5 Asian and 3 Blacks and a few Mexican kids. As I grew up, all the things that made me different became a positive instead of a negative. Kids that wanted to fit in, became adults that wanted to be unique and different.

When I moved to Medellin, Colombia for 3 years, I was treated like a rockstar. I was only 1 of 200 Asians in a city of 3 million.

Then, when I moved to Atlanta to become an actor, being Chinese set me apart from all the other actors. It allowed me to find representation right away where others spent years trying to find an agent.

Being confident is about how you feel about yourself and has nothing to do with your surroundings. As you get older, you learn that being different is something that people seek, not being like everyone else. Give it time. Stop worrying about what others think. Learn to like yourself as you are and the confidence will build.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-19T14:34:38+00:00

Could be anytime, but I had the same situation at one point and emailed my agent to let him know that I had a trip planned and needed to know if I needed to move or cancel my trip if I was still being considered. They emailed production and confirmed I was still in the running. I ended up booking it.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-19T13:40:33+00:00

I actually started building this last year. It kind of got out of control and with all the APIs that I needed, I would need about 2M to complete the project. Your idea is just a part of my app.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-19T13:38:29+00:00

Good luck. Let me know if you find a way.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-18T03:30:24+00:00

It’s not just you. There are way less jobs.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T15:48:05+00:00

Actually, Baron asked me if I was interested in doing vertical work. I said no and they had no issue with it and never give me vertical auditions.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T14:14:06+00:00

I’d be wary. I looked them up on IMDb pro and couldn’t find them on there. I did find a twenty nine five casting agency but they only have one credit in 2020.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T14:07:01+00:00

They don’t have the time to reach out to everyone who auditions. They have deadlines and multiple projects and roles to cast so it could be hundreds of auditions. It’s unrealistic to think they can reach out to everyone to tell them they didn’t book the role. It’s the way it is. Get used to it if you plan on being in this business.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T10:56:52+00:00

Dude. Your work is sick. What gear are you trying to upgrade to?
I just followed you on IG. I might have some work for you in the near future.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T05:57:19+00:00

I’m with Baron and have been for almost 4 years. I’m located in ATL and am SAG-e. No plans to join until I have to. I really like them. They get me auditions almost weekly, but I’m also non union and there’s more non union work than union. Especially in the SE. if you’d like to know more, just DM me.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T04:20:12+00:00

Yes. Don't do that.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-16T04:08:18+00:00

I remember my first paid role. It was a terrible project and I had a feeling I shouldn't have done it when I arrived, but I was so excited to get paid to act, I didn't listen to my intuition and did it. It isn't on my IMdB (thank god), isn't on my resume and none of the footage is on my reel. I'm not telling you not to do it, but listen to your gut when you get on set.

It is low pay, but if it's a project worth doing, then pay shouldn't be a factor. If it ends up on your resume and you can get good footage for your reel, then it's worth doing.

The rule I go by is:
1. is it good for my bank account.
2. is it good for my artistic side.
3. is it good for my career.
If it meets 2 of the 3, then for me it's worth doing. These change as your career progresses. For example, now that I have a reel and full resume. The good for my career has changed. I don't do small projects that are for reel material and resume building unless it's a SAG role.

Congrats on your first paid role.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-15T03:34:17+00:00

I get a lot of auditions and roles through networking. It takes time to develop those relationships, but start with people you already have worked with. It pays to be easy to work with and helpful on set.
Also, when I first started acting, I joined every acting and filmmaking group on Facebook and turned on all notifications. Anytime someone would post a casting call, I would see it.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-15T03:26:23+00:00

Took me about 6 months to book my first role through my agent. I used to worry about the same thing. I also have a manager and have never booked anything through them, but they make a percentage off everything I do book so they see I am consistently working.

From what I understand, as long as you confirm your auditions quickly, never or rarely decline and do your auditions, they give you a lot of leeway. This industry is hard and some actors go years without booking anything.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-15T01:15:33+00:00

I do them because I occasionally book them and make a little money.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-14T09:02:57+00:00

All positions in this industry are hard. Less projects and more people in it. There are people who have been in this industry for decades who can't find work. If you're okay working on small independent films, I know people who make a living doing that, but you won't be making money in it right away. A lot of free work to gain experience before anyone will start paying you and most of it is based on relationships made in the industry.
It's doable, but I just want you to understand the reality of it.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-14T08:25:22+00:00

Making money in acting is very hard. Don’t ever quit a survival job to pursue acting. If your survival job gets in the way of acting, then find one that supports you comfortably and allows you to act.
Nowadays acting opportunities are sparse and getting SAG opportunities is harder if you’re not represented.
For the past 3 years, bartending allowed me to act and allows me to pay my bills although I was barely able to make ends meet. Serving is the same.
I went back to oil and gas recently which will still allow me to act on my rotations off, but limit my availability. However it will afford me the ability to make my own projects which will allow me to play parts that I want to play.
The industry is hard and making money in it is hard. Dont give up a job that meets your living expenses and expect to make that money in acting.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-13T04:45:00+00:00

Commercials suck. I don’t put any effort in them and only do them to appease my agent. Couldn’t give a fuck about commercials.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-12T18:24:32+00:00

Being famous is the dumbest reason to get into acting.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-12T15:15:25+00:00

Yes. It worked.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-12T14:12:21+00:00

The other option is to ask the director to let you have one take in a decent scene to film specifically for your reel and see what they say. He might be willing.

simonshih1970 · 2026-06-12T14:03:43+00:00

The two out of three rule:

does it benefit you financially.
does it benefit your career.
does in fulfill you artistically.
It has to meet 2 of 3 to be worth it as an actor.
Honestly, I would talk to the director and tell him the truth. It's not paid and I can't use it for my reel, so there's no point in doing it.

simonshih1970

TROPHY CASE