Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Lien.
Todd, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my stage and film production company, iStage Entertainment in December 2020 during the year of pandemic where small business were closing because I saw a need in the community and I had a vision of how to fulfill that need in the community with the expertise and knowledge I have gathered through the last several years of being an acting coach and film/stage director for Asian American children at a local talent school. Before I started my own company, I was teaching 100+ Asian American children acting and singing ranging from the age of 4 to age of 17, and I saw so many talented and passionate young artists that couldn’t pursue their artistic dream properly. And the main reasons included their parents’ language barrier and not knowing how to support and help their children. With my bilingual skillset and my expertise about the entertainment industry, I realized my role in their journey in reaching for their dreams – to be the bridge. I started this company with two partners.
With the network, resources, and expertise in teaching and the industry, I was able to lead 20 talented and professional young artists on several films and stage productions, including Crazy Talented Asians Jr. sponsored by Warner Brothers, and five original musical performances in Hollywood Fringe Festival 2022. Many young artists have also acted in the films we have produced for them and won accumulatively over 40 awards from film festivals all over the world. Five of our talents have also been approached by talent management and agencies. Some of them have done shows on Netflix, Disney+, and Nick Jr. With more success bookings and stories from our young talents, iStage Entertainment is adding on with the talent management department starting next year to better support the young talents to move towards mainstream Hollywood. All of these stories started with one mission – to be the support and the bridge between young Asian American artists from immigrant families and Hollywood.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has a lot of struggles because it requires a lot of patience from the young talents to continue training and getting rejected by casting directors when they were sent out to audition or self-tape. The entertainment industry is not just about being prepared and trained. It also requires a lot of patience and faith in ourselves. The same goes to me as the CEO and the artistic director of iStage Entertainment. All the stage events and film projects are all produced in hopes of getting the young actors a better platform to shine and to get exposure. However, none of it is a guarantee for everyone. Although some of the talents have been lucky and got some notice and signed even into a big talent agency, but it still means a lot of the young talents have to wait and believe even more in my teaching and guidance. Some young artists have given up because of how difficult this road can be. Most young artists still believe in themselves and know that iStage is doing everything we can for them.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
iStage Entertainment is mainly a stage and film production company that caters to the artistic development of young Asian American artists. We not only provide services to produce stage performances and film projects for the young artists to get exposure and hands-on training but also coach them the basics of acting, singing, and auditioning. What set us aside is how up-to-date our casting and talent agencies knowledge is while we are able to provide bilingual services when we discuss future plans for each individual young artist. Todd Lien, the CEO and Artistic Director, also has a very keen eye for talent and knows how to individualize the future plan for each young artist based on their strength and weakness as an actor/singer. On top of all that, Todd is a working actor who has a strong pool of network and newer casting information for the young talents to always be in the game for the next big project. Todd is also able to mentor the young talents and their parents how to be a professional on set at the same time. As of now, Todd has not failed any of the young talents with their award-winning short films that help young artists to apply for private schools and universities/colleges with a more well-rounded resume.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is when I see my vision are being carried out through each individual young artist I coach and support through iStage Entertainment because of the validation I get through their success and also the individuals I am able to help shape into through my coaching. My goal for iStage Entertainment is to ultimately increase visibility for Asian Americans and also elevate our voices through young talents that are passionate about storytelling. To see them succeed is not only validating my method of teaching and guidance but also makes me very proud of them for becoming who they are today. Helping them to become one step closer to their goals is, in turn, helping me to reach mine with iStage. The sense of fulfillment is so great that it motivates me to expand the company and create more opportunities for more passionate young artists to pursue their dreams.
Pricing:
- $120/hr In-Person Private Lesson
- $80/hr online Private Lesson
Contact Info:
- Website: istageentertainment.com
- Instagram: @istageentertainment
Image Credits
Jime Sechinbaatar
