When I realized that you could be paid to play make believe, I jumped
It’s always exciting to cover fresh new talent in our Actor Spotlight series like rising star, Adrian Voo. He’s already amassed an impressive and varied acting portfolio.
The New York Film Graduate is originally from Malaysia and has made Los Angeles his home as he pursues a very promising Hollywood career.
You may have seen him in the post-apocalyptic feature “Infected” and this summer you can catch him starring in a new web drama series called Black Jacks.
Voo recently tackled the lead role in the psychological thriller “Seventy-Nine” which will be released on VOD and Blu-Ray Fall 2014.
I’ve always counted on casting directors to bring me in as a wild card read
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
Ever since I realized the Power Rangers weren’t real! (laughs)
Ever since I realized the Power Rangers weren’t real! (laughs)
I grew up an only child. I played make believe a lot. When I realized that you could be paid to play make believe, I jumped.
What was your very first acting gig?
An extremely low budget student film. Every actor has one in the can.
Tell us about the new web series you are in called “Black Jacks”.
Black Jacks is a series about life in a corrupt future. It follows six strangers who are brought together by the underground world. It’s set in a grim time where New York City is now controlled by the military; but sex, drugs and crime have only magnified.
What differences if any, are there working on a web series?
There’s not really a large difference production wise. The only difference is the medium that the script was written for. A script written for the web has more pace (shorter dialogue, denser scenes).
Congratulations on your lead role in “Seven-Nine”.Tell us about the movie.
Seventy-Nineis a psychological thriller about brain washing, manipulation. We find that a secret government branch is essentially kidnapping people for a re-programming experiment. And has been doing it for years!
What draws you to horrors and thrillers?
As an actor, I just blame plain happenstance. But I actually do prefer those genres as an audience as well.
As an actor, I just blame plain happenstance. But I actually do prefer those genres as an audience as well.
What actor or movie has inspired you the most?
I admire many actors, but particularly breakout actors who are able to sustain some kind of longevity in the industry.
I admire many actors, but particularly breakout actors who are able to sustain some kind of longevity in the industry.
Do you have a dream actor or producer you’d like to work with?
It’s always been my dream to work for Steven Spielberg. Two of my favorite movies growing up are Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. I’ve always admired films produced by Amblin Entertainment.
It’s always been my dream to work for Steven Spielberg. Two of my favorite movies growing up are Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park. I’ve always admired films produced by Amblin Entertainment.
What has been your biggest challenge in the industry?
Being an Asian actor in Hollywood is definitely a disadvantage on its own. There simply aren’t enough roles out here for Asian actors.
Being an Asian actor in Hollywood is definitely a disadvantage on its own. There simply aren’t enough roles out here for Asian actors.
I just watched an interview with Steven Yuen from The Walking Dead and even he was saying that he still fully struggles with finding auditions. It’s kind of disheartening when you hear such testimonials, especially in 2014.
I’ve always counted on casting directors to bring me in as a wild card read. Remembering that lightning does strike in Hollywood, I keep pounding that pavement.
What’s next for you?
I have a couple exciting projects in the works but I can’t discuss them at this time. Definitely stay tuned!
I have a couple exciting projects in the works but I can’t discuss them at this time. Definitely stay tuned!
Adrian Voo
Actor, Producer
