I came ti Japan on Jet, then bounced around in Eikaiwas or kindergartens. Now even that is drying up and I have no hard skills.
I did used to enjoy acting in plays in HS and doing slight theatre in Uni, but it all dropped off in other regards. I’m at the point where I need to teach myself a programming language from scratch or fine another plan cause ESL ain’t it long term for most of us.
How possible is it to break into VA, doubleing, or film industry in general? Does anyone have any experience? Is it something I should even be considering?
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There is that urban legend which says that Japan indeed lacks male actors in some movie genre…
It’s only delusional if you fail!
Certainly the quality of some acting one sees gives the impression that if they need a visibly foreign guy they’re not picky.
stupid people exist in every country. i’m sure you will be fine
I worked at NHK on 2 tv shows for a while, that’s an option. If you’re fluent you have even more opportunities there.
Or just do what everyone else does, start a YouTube channel
I was in two commercials that a friends studio directed. I didn’t really seek out the gigs, my buddy asked me since he wanted foreigners for the projects. The second time he also had folks from a talent agency. If you’re serious, start looking for talent agencies that work with foreigners and see what happens.
Your visa may or may not be an issue. I was on a student visa then specialist in humanities/engineering visa when I did the two gigs. Honestly though, I never checked with immigration. It was one off work for a few hundred dollars.
Getting into the TV & film industry is relatively easy. There are talent agencies for foreigns in Tokyo.
– Don’t expect to get your visa from this (most people are married, have PR, or another job)
– Expect to be extremely flexible (Are you free tomorrow? Can you hold Wednesday & Thursday for us? Audition is the 7th & the job might be the 15th or 16th)
– Be able to deal with rejection after holding some of these days
– Rich & famous doesn’t always go together in Japan for TV, movies, many talent that you may perceive as they made it are struggling
– Even if you don’t speak Japanese on set understanding all instructions & working in Japanese with the Japanese talents works in your favor.
– Many shoots you will have no idea what you are doing until you get there
Avoid the entertainment industry like the plague.
I have known two foreigers who got into acting to the extent that I would occasionally see them on TV. They both had to keep teaching to make ends meet.