Today we’d like to introduce you to Albert Lew
Hi Albert, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Thanks for having me! I’ve done a few interviews sharing my story (you can Google my name with ShoutoutLA, The LA Note and CanvasRebel to get the in-depth versions), but the TL;DR version is: I was an office worker with engineering degrees who used the pandemic time to take my first steps towards being an on-screen performer by taking acting classes, learning the art and business of cinema, and with a lot of perseverance/hard work/luck – I became a professional actor/writer/artist who booked over 50+ booked roles (as of this publication) in various indie films/shorts/series/commercials with a good team of representation behind me and SAG card upcoming. The journey is ongoing yet it’s been unlike anything I’ve ever done.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course it was smooth (says no one in this industry, ever!). It was, still is, and perhaps will forever be a struggle in this kind of industry. There is no right, one-size-fits-all path in this profession. So much so, it’s nearly part-avoiding scams/misinformation, part-waiting for the right opportunities to come, and a lot of rejections from agents/casting directors in the form of radio silences. If that sounds like something an actor/filmmaker can say “I can take it” from a physical/mental/financial standpoint, then this career might be for you. If there’s a common thread I can find among the most successful individuals, it’s to really take care of your own health in every way you can think and not give up – even if that means stepping away from the screen/stage for yourself to return later. I really believe that would be the basis to enjoying and persevering the journey. Finding and fostering what brings yourself joy outside of this industry is actually the way through it, in my humble opinion.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In short, I am a screen actor, writer, and artist who also recently dipped into writing/producing my own projects in addition to acting. There’s a short film releasing overseas called “Snapshots” I wrote last year and a few this year I wore the writer/actor/producer hats to bring to life, particularly the upcoming short film “Safe” I’m going to release in the near future. Having said that, I think what I am most proud of thus far AND sets me apart from others are two things:
1) Being able to play a wide variety of different characters among different genres from the leads in every scene to supporting roles with even just one line. You’d see me be a lead soldier saving his love in one film then turn around to see me as a doctor or technician in another project or find me as a loving father that makes you cry for a few scenes or catch me as a mob enforcer about to throw down for another story. It keeps me on my toes to contribute to stories as different roles and it’s so fun!
2) Keeping my overall health and well-being at my best in such an interesting yet tumultuous industry. I have a bunch of other interests like piloting planes, running, world traveling, diving, singing, and many others along with a supportive family/friends/community which keep me fresh and living a full, real life outside of filmmaking. Maybe it’s too early to say, but if I can zoom out at the big picture of my life when all is said and done, I believe I’ll be able to say I made the most of the breaths in my lungs and beats in my heart to contribute to world and to cinema satisfyingly without losing who I am. That I loved well without holding back.
What are your plans for the future?
Well, the industry and us as humans are always changing so it’s hard to say with certainty what actually will happen. I do have several projects which are finally completed and being released or making its festival runs now. There are the two aforementioned short films I wrote and acted which are in post-production stages. I’m aspiring to move towards working on higher profile projects with other such collaborators, and continue to write interesting, original stories to put screen (either by myself or other filmmakers). On the outside of cinema, I’m aiming to complete my journey of the Six Star Medal for the Abbott World Marathon Majors in the very near future (shouts to my running friends in Lombardy Run Club, Dog Haus Running Club, Pasadena Pacers, Friday Donut Run Club, etc). I want to also keep enjoying the learning steps like obtaining more pilot ratings and building my YouTube channel with more videos on different topics from my POV (i.e. industry terms, vlogs, etc). Perhaps even release some music which have been circling about my life. I’ve been thinking of authoring my first book. As a creative, I think the beauty of it is there are virtually no limits to what you can make. If I may dare say, I also think that’s how we should try to approach our own lives. Make something amazing you can be proud of and share it with the world.
Pricing:
- SAG scale (rates negotiable)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.me/albertlew
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealbertlew/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/albertlew
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thealbertlew
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thealbertlew
- Other: https://bio.site/albertlew
Image Credits
Matt Kallish Photography (HMU by Samantha Chapman); stills from “Safe”, “Alpha 27”, teaser poster of “Regret”, “7 Minutes”, “The Art Of Pretending Everything Is Fine”, “Over My Dead Body!”, performance/motion capture hosted by Mocap Vaults at Rouge Mocap studios in LA.
Albert is repped by Bloom Artists Agency (formerly Iris Talent Management).
