11-09-20
We call the leading actor and actress in a film or TV drama ‘peonies’ and supporting ones ‘green leaves’ in Hong Kong. Peonies are well-rewarded but green leaves are underpaid. To hearten the supporting actors to their task, we usually cite a Chinese idiom to them ‘Peonies can never be beautiful without the green leaves’(牡丹花雖好，仍須綠葉扶持). In reality, leaves wither and not too many care.
The popular film and TV supporting actor Wong Chun Tong Ricky (王俊棠) said, “Most supporting actors are freelance since entertainment companies are eager to keep only the peonies with long-term contract. When the future unfolds, we, the green leaves, are usually thrown into financial uncertainty and lead a poor life after retiring. We must learn to derive our incomes from a great variety of freelance jobs.”
I asked Ricky, “Tell me more. How do the green leaves survive in Hong Kong?” Ricky said, “By experiencing only one thing, you miss everything in all the other things in your life. An actor, in order to get ready for any difficult and challenging role, must see the world, see the cities, see the streets and look around for people for observation. Try to see everything from the uncommon angles and all the unnoticed things will be visible from other people when you bother to be curious. A good actor possesses not only his own style but also the spirit of others. Some actors just stay at home and wait for phone call of job offer. This is too passive. No acting is good without the actual inspiration from a real personality. Ha, a great actor should keep a database list of his perceived gangster, terrorist, fugitive, sex offender and even mental patient.”
I was puzzled, “Did you do that?” Ricky chuckled, “I spend my whole life exploring myself and others. My after-graduation job in 1973 was a seaman. I lived and worked on ships at sea. I saw the world, the big big one and other races. After that, I became a policeman, disco helper, transportation worker, fashion model and finally a movie actor in 1985. In 1997, I became a TV supporting actor when Hong Kong film started to decline. In the 2000s, I enjoyed the easy transition from an actor to a stage singer especially for event functions in shopping malls, bars, discos, hotels and restaurants. I do not have my own songs and I don’t mind. I can never know who I am and what I can do as a performer until I discover and taste all possibilities in the path.”
I asked, “What is your second stab in the dark?” Ricky laughed, “A ‘green leaf’ shall fully exploit his earning potentials and sources before it is too late.” I was interested, “How?” He explained, “Supporting actors are known but not extremely famous. Yet, being like a VIP pass, fame can be used by us in many ways. We should get one or several part-time jobs, such as property and insurance agent, car dealer, salesman, event organiser and stage singer. People like to deal with celebrities. They will give us business so that we can survive.” I agreed, “Some criticized this is not a professional way to make a living as an actor. There is no garden without its weeds. Sooner or later, the truth comes to light and the truth is to first survive financially. Ricky, some label you as a ‘Star of Karaoke’ but I am always proud of you. You earn a good living and have helped many other actors by introducing singing jobs to them.”
The situation in Hong Kong’s TV, film and entertainment sectors is worrying. It is like a rocking chair. We sit there and are too feeble to walk. But, it never gets us anywhere. Advice from Ricky Wong is pragmatic and wise—stand up, learn and be hungry!
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