Talented young actor Jeff Chen schedule to star in the film short “Plum Town”, that’s on * The Blacklist, shooting begins in May, 2021. It’s a heartfelt story about reconciliation between a father and a son after years without seeing each other. Jeff loves his craft and always deliveries amazing performances, he is super excited about this upcoming opportunity.
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Jeff Chen hails from China, he moved to Los Angeles in 2018 to pursue his acting career, and has made many in roads into Film, Television, and Commercials. Jeff Chen comes with a lot of goodies in his acting tool box, he is fluent is both English and Mandarin, he has e a Bachelors Degree from American University and Masters Degree from Academy of Art University, in San Francisco.
Jeff Chen has done scene study with The Ivana Chubbuck Studio, and audition technique with the world-renowned Margie Haber, as well as Chris Holder. Jeff Chen acting credits include; Commercials – NBA Chinese New Year, and Chevrolet. His film credits include; “Kiss of the Rabbit God”, where he played Shen, a short film about a Chinese restaurant worker who falls in love with an ancient Chinese god who leads our hero on a journey of sexual awakening. The god is called Tu’er Shen (Rabbit God) who is an actual god from Chinese mythology who blesses and protects gay people, directed by Andrew Thomas Huang. “Shanghai Sole”, where he played a lawyer, a story about an American Businessman who has to overcome culture, self-doubt and a toilet to close the deal of his life in Shanghai, directed by Eli Stern. “I for I”, where he played Jeremy, directed by Ash Coffelt. “White Collar Lie”, where he played Troy, directed by Rong Hou. “Almost American”, where he played Bruce, directed by Kunyou Lai, and “Home for Dinner”, where he played Ken, directed by Jiayu Liu.
All of his various characters are thoroughly researched and he brings a certain charismatic portrayal to everything he touches. Jeff says, “ I find the character through the writing, every time I get a script I look at something in my own experience that is relatable to the character, but each one has a large part of me wrapped up in it, you have to find it inside yourself, it’s a process”.
Jeff Chen has a huge heart, he covets many charities; NGO called Saving Promise helps raise awareness for Domestic Violence and feels strongly about the mission of Doctors without Borders, which he consistently supports. He is always thinking about giving back, he wants to help anyone who is not as lucky as he is.
Jeff Chen’s family means a lot to him and his beloved Mother, a super successful businesswoman carved the way for him to be confident, and to brush off any doubts and keep striving to the top.
Jeff Chen has got all of the goods, he is one of the most promising young actors in Hollywood, his acting chops are right up there with the best. Jeff Chen’s time is now; don’t you want to be part of this phenomenon?
* The Black List is an annual survey of the “most-liked” motion picture screenplays not yet produced. The Black List comes out in December and has been released since 2005, by Franklin Leonard, a development executive who subsequently worked at Universal Pictures and Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment.
Read more about it at its Wikipedia page here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Black_List_(survey).
Jeff Chen spoke about this acting career:
How has your family inspired you and your acting?
My family actually discouraged me from pursuing acting. They are the typical Chinese parents, which means they want me to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. But, since I was a kid I loved entertaining them and make them laugh. The idea of being seen and heard inspired me to pursue this career.
Where do you see your career going in five years?
I want to have more on-screen presence in general. I want to do more films and explore roles that I haven’t gotten to play before. Also, I have always wanted to do a fun show that requires extremely good chemistry, like Friends or Modern Family. Doesn’t every actor want that though?
[Can you] talk about any directors you have worked with?
I had the honor to work with Andrew Thomas Huang. He is known for his iconic visual style. Working with him on set is an eye-opening experience. He has a clear picture in his head and he communicates with me with trust. I enjoy every minute of working with him.
Where do you get your ideas for character development?
Art imitates life. Observing people in real life just gives me so many resources to work with. I like observing people: watching how they walk, how they behave, how they talk. I also like to play with my imagination. I like to read the scripts and have the word stimulate my imagination. There are no rules of how to approach something. Usually, my instincts tell me what to do and I follow them.
What charities are you aligned with, and why?
Years ago, I worked for an NGO called Saving Promise. We helped raise awareness for Domestic Violence. I also donate to Doctors without Borders through my Amazon purchases. It’s not much, but every bit counts.
What acting projects will you be involved with in the future?
I just finished working on a short film that’s adapted from a Black List script. I am also talking to Andrew for a possible collaboration on a feature film in the future.
Who are your biggest influences?
So many people have influenced me and it’s impossible to just pick out one. Great movies are the reason that I want to pursue an on-screen career. I admire directors such as Pedro Almodovar, Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Wong Kai Wei, Ang Lee, etc. I look up to their work so much.
What advice would you give to a young actor starting out?
Listen and learn from all the teachers, and challenge what you’ve learnt. You have to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Most importantly, dare to fail.
Talk about your acting training–who have you trained with and why?
I am currently training under Margie Haber and Chris Holder at Ivana Chubbuck’s studio. Margie teaches me to use my imagination, and Chris teaches me to draw inspiration from my personal life.
How do you take care of yourself? [What’s] your health regime?
Well, I try to exercise as much as possible. I need physical activities to calm my mind.
If you could collaborate with another actor, who would it be?
Anya Taylor-Joy. I am a huge fan of Queen’s Gambit and her performance is hard to forget. I also love her work in the VVITCH and Split. Timothee Chalamet is another actor that I really want to work with.
What shows are on your DVR right now, and why?
I am finishing up Six Feet Under. The Sopranos and Handmaid’s Tale are also on my list.
Who are your favorite actors right now and why?
Well, there are just too many. Olivia Colman, Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino…All these great actors just inspire me to be better. I love actors.
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
About when I was 1 years old, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I just loved to watch movies and I knew this is what I wanted to do.
What actor/actress did you admire as a child?
I didn’t really admire any actors or actresses when I was a kid but I did want to be friends with Emma Watson and the entire Harry Potter gang. I was such a fan of Harry Potter.
What types of characters would you like to play in the future?
I want to play a really bad, sexy villain. That could be really fun. I also want to play a young artist, a poet, a loner, rebel without cause. These are characters I would love to dive into.
What’s your fashion style?
I honestly don’t know what my fashion style is. I do care about what I wear, but I don’t know how to label it. I know what vibes or feelings I want to give out and I dress accordingly.
What do you do to relax?
I do yoga and rock climb. I also love hanging out with my friends.
What other businesses do you plan on starting to promote your brand?
Right now, I am just focusing on my acting.
What’s the one thing you think everyone could do to make the world a more positive place?
Put yourself in others’ shoes more.
What would you be doing if you were not acting?
I think I would go to law school and be a lawyer. Or go back home to help my mom with her business.
What was your first memory of seeing great acting?
I remember watching “Cold Mountain” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” in high school. Renee Zellweger brought me into tears and Mr. Brando presented so much power through his performance.
What’s your favorite film, and why?
It’s impossible for me to pick one favorite film. Right off my head I can think of Chungking Express, Little Miss Sunshine, Brokeback Mountain, Toni Erdmann, Kill Bill, Amelie.
What are your first steps in taking on a new role?
I put on my detective’s glasses and look for all the information I could possibly find to help me live truthfully as the character. I want to know everything about them: social class, where did they grow up, what’s their physicality, etc.
What do you want to leave as your legacy?
Hopefully 50 years after I left this world, somebody will still watch my movies and go “hmm, I really believe him.”
Talk about your last 3 acting projects.
I just finished shooting for a short film called “The Plum Town”. It’s a heartfelt story about reconciliation between a father and a son after years without seeing each other. It’s adapted from the feature film script that was on the Black List.
“Kiss of the Rabbit God” is a short film about a Chinese restaurant worker who falls in love with an ancient Chinese god. This god leads our hero on a journey of sexual awakening. The god is called Tu’er Shen (Rabbit God) who is an actual god from Chinese mythology who blesses and protects gay people.
“Shanghai Sole” is a story about an American businessman who has to overcome culture, self-doubt and a toilet to close the deal of his life in Shanghai.
How do you overcome challenges in your career?
Certainly, there have been difficult times on this journey. At the end of the day, the love and passion for cinema just moves you forward. So, you pick yourself up, dust off your shoulders and move on.
Is there anything in your career that you wish you could do again?
I don’t really have any regrets. I do wish I could of came to LA earlier and had started this experience earlier.
What are your hobbies?
I like bouldering, hiking, and working out. I also love travelling. Karaoke is a big part of my life.
Fondest memory as a child with your family?
My mom is a strong businesswoman who has been busy with her business for the past 15 years. I don’t really get to spend a lot of time with her. When I was about 10 years old, she actually planned a one-day vacation for our family. We went to this amusement park for a day. I still smile every time I think about that trip.
Instagram – @jfcting
https://www.instagram.com/jfcting/
Links to articles regarding the movie “Kiss of the Rabbit God”
https://vmagazine.com/article/witness-a-kiss-of-the-rabbit-god/
