We were lucky to catch up with Bing Fu recently and have shared our conversation below.
Bing, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Growing up I was only one of a handful of Asian-Americans in the area. The majority of the population was very homogenous, and it mostly wasn’t in ways that I related to whatsoever. As there weren’t a lot of other Asian-Americans around, I was pretty much left on my own. Because of the situation I was in, I learned to fend for myself a lot, and I developed the ability to adapt and interact with a wide range of people with a wide range of different interests and views. There were a lot of bumps in the road, but I believe that I developed a strong sense of resilience, confidence, and self-reliance through those experiences.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started in the acting and modeling industry in 2016, and I’ve been working fairly steadily throughout the years. A large bulk of my work has been in the commercial sector; I’ve done over 50 commercial shoots over the years for a variety of clients – Bose, State Farm, Verizon, and Yamaha to name a few. I also pursue theatrical roles when I’m able. Over that time I’ve been in dozens of tv shows, short films, and feature films ranging from no-budget indie productions to full scale multi-million dollar productions. And honestly, I have enjoyed them all in their own way regardless of the financial rewards, because to me the enjoyment I get from the craft and the comraderie is why I do it. Some of the best people I know have come into my life from the acting world, so for that I feel very fortunate.
Recently I’ve even been able to get my sons involved with me in a few different things, and it means a lot to me to be able to share those experiences with them as well. Last year we shot a commercial together for Farm Bureau Insurance, and we also have a short film called Baseball with Dad that is in film festivals right now and getting some good reviews. It’s really been a blast to see them enjoying some of the things that they’ve watched me do over the years.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First off, I think the resilience I spoke about before is a crucial one for all artists. The world is fickle, tastes aren’t objective, and you’re always at the mercy of gatekeepers who control the industry. You have to be able to move on and not dwell on any setbacks. It also helps if you’re in it for the right reasons. If you find your craft rewarding in itself, you won’t be as focused on “making it” and hopefully the road is a more satisfying one because of that.
Piggybacking on that, I believe self-confidence is another quality that everyone aspiring to work in this industry needs. Acting is a field that really lends itself to self doubts and insecurities, but you really need to believe that you can do this to keep moving forward. Make your decisions with confidence and don’t look back. I think this can apply to any projects, auditions, meetings, etc that you find yourself involved with.
Finally, I think communication skills and being able to market yourself is invaluable in this industry. People like to work with people they enjoy being around. This is true in all areas of life, and casting agents, producers, and directors aren’t any different. Never be scared to put yourself out there, show your personality, or ask for things to happen for you. Because the worst thing that can happen is that nothing happens. So why not try?
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
As an actor, I am always looking for new directors, producers, and filmmakers to work with. Some of my best work and new experiences have come from short and independent film projects that I have participated in, so I am always excited about working with new people and expanding my range and repertoire. If anyone out there believes that I could be a good fit for their project – big or small, tv show, short film, or feature – please don’t hesitate to reach out! Thanks!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/bingfu?fbclid=PAAaaVY7WabYDk7sQGjOpv-NadRnAgiv9GfEDVzRG4r7enZIHdnv-oO6NXemA
- Instagram: Instagram.com/bingfu1
- Facebook: Facebook.com/bing.fu.1
- Twitter: @bingfuofficial
