For actress Tiffany Shiau, playing the intelligent, sensible girl-next-door comes naturally.
Shiau, recently answered a few questions about acting and her latest role as the pretty object of desire in director Tyrone Howard's short film "Bait & Switch".
Where were you born and raised?
I am definitely a California girl. I was born and raised in Cerritos and attended the University of California, Berkeley.
Were you always interested in being an actress growing up?
Not at all! I was very much into math and science in high school. (To this day, I still think calculus is the coolest subject and I attribute that to my amazing high school calculus teacher). I did compete as a classical pianist from a very young age and throughout high school so I guess you could say that was my artistic passion until I discovered acting.
What inspired you to pursue acting career?
You know, I studied engineering in college and I had many opportunities for innovation and exploration. But being employed as an engineer is a different environment and I found myself craving that need to explore and discover. My first acting class was at a local community college because I really just wanted to “try it out and see what it was about”. It really opened up a whole new world for me and I’ve been living that world ever since.
Where did you get your acting training?
I’ve trained at various studios in different techniques. I have improvisational training from the Groundlings as well as cold reading technique from Margie Haber studios. Right now I’m training with the head instructor at the L.A. On-Camera Training Center.
What kinds of character types do you most often play? Why?
I’ve been cast most often as the love interest. I’m the intelligent, sensible girl-next-door that any guy would be interested in. I’ve also played a young doctor with Sandra Oh attitude. In looking back at the work I’ve done, the trend has been characters that have a self-reliant confidence with an under-core of complexity.
How did you get involved with Bait & Switch?
I auditioned for Tyrone Howard and booked the role after the callback. I remember Tyrone saying he really liked my girly, high-pitched laugh – which was an adjustment at the first audition since I really don’t laugh like that at all. And Keye Chen, who plays the protégé, I got to work with him previously on a theater production. I find him to be quite hilarious.
Tell us about your role in making Bait & Switch.
My role is the pretty Asian chick that’s at the coffee shop waiting for her friend. Lo and behold, I become the love interest for Keye who’s the dorky guy that’s afraid to talk to her a pretty girl. So Tyrone comes over to talk to me and show Keye how it’s done. That’s pretty much the setup. I won’t say anymore so I don’t give away the “switch”.
What other films have you worked on?
In “One Child” where I also speak Mandarin, I am the worker supervisor in a Chinese sweat shop. In another short, “K-Town”, I am the sensible best friend advising my girl friend to dump her loser boy friend. My first IMDB credit is from “L.A. Hit” which is a feature film and I am the forensic scientist at a convenience store crime scene.
What's your next project?
One of my goals for this year is to book a co-star role on a TV episodic. At least one, hopefully more. Stay tuned, folks!
Any advice to other aspiring actors?
Hmm, pursuing an acting career is a marathon. If you treat it like a sprint, you’re going to get frustrated and burned out. You’ve got to be in it for the long run. Also, make sure you have a life outside of acting – whether it’s a flexible, meaningful career or a serious passion – so that you can support yourself fiscally and mentally during the dry spells. Other than that, good luck and see you on the set!
For more info about Tiffany Shiau, go to her website at: www.tiffanyshiau.com
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