Projects
My Next 12 Months Are Full
I am four weeks into a rotation offshore with no acting work until August, which has given me time to think about how I ended up with seven films booked through 2027. It all goes back to a bad shoot in a park in 2023 and a message from a DP.
Page 4 Films
The Festival Circuit, Honestly: Where to Submit, Where to Skip, and Where You’re Just Funding Someone’s Side Hustle
Most festival advice online is either pollyanna nonsense or written by someone selling you a course. Before I send Legacy into the festival ecosystem this fall, I wanted to write down what I actually know about how this works. Here's the honest map of which festivals are worth your money, which won't get you a deal but are still worth submitting to, and which ones are funding someone's hobby business with your $60.
Page 4 Films
Fractured Atlas 101: How Fiscal Sponsorship Actually Works (From Someone Who Just Used It)
Most filmmakers either don't know what fiscal sponsorship is, or think it's a grant. It isn't. Here's what I learned raising over $10,000 for Legacy through Fractured Atlas.
Projects
Why Some Films Get Funded and Some Don’t
Most filmmakers think funding is about the script. It isn't. I have two films in motion this year through Page 4 Films. One is fully funded. The other I'm self-financing. Same company, same producer, same year. Here's what I've learned about why each one needed a different approach, and why distribution is a research problem you have to solve before the cameras roll.
Projects
Your Passion Project Isn’t Their Passion Project
A filmmaker on their eighth feature bragging about spending under $2,000? That's not resourceful — that's a pattern. If you've been at this long enough to know what a grip does and what an actor prepares, you know their work is worth paying for. Your passion project is yours. Don't make other people pay for it with their time.
Projects
The Indies Are About to Run the Table
The majors are getting bigger and making fewer films. The indies are getting smarter and making better ones. As an actor and filmmaker with skin in the game, here's why I think the math is finally breaking our way.
Projects
Legacy Short Film Update — Where We Are
Simon updates on his short film "Legacy," which is 75% funded through donations and a major gift. Unlike many projects, all cast and crew will be paid, reflecting his commitment to fair compensation. The film stars a SAG actor and will shoot in Atlanta after July 2026. They seek a Chinese or Chinese-American actor for a key role. Follow for updates on Instagram.
Projects
I’m Making a Short Film. Here’s Why I Need Your Help.
Simon, an actor, is transitioning to directing with his short film "Legacy." It follows Henry Chen, a Chinese-American restaurant owner who helps a young Black man in need. Currently in pre-production in Atlanta, Simon seeks financial backing for the $10,000 budget to cover production costs. Donations are tax-deductible.
Projects
2026 Winter Classic Spot
I booked a commercial for the NHL Winter Classic, filmed on November 21st, which aired on January 2nd. I auditioned for the role of Old Man Winter among several versions, received a callback, and then got cast. The shoot in Atlanta was enjoyable, marked by excellent staff and delicious food.
Projects
Trouble Man: The Audition vs The Scene
In my first year of acting, I starred in the SAG movie "Trouble Man" alongside Michael Jai White. After nearly two years in post-production, it premiered in August with limited theater screenings and is now available on streaming platforms. I enjoyed watching myself on the big screen and compared it to my original audition.