Chang Chen Spotlights Six Emerging Taiwanese Actors

Actor Chang Chen presented six emerging Taiwanese performers at a showcase in Taipei on November 6, in the first collaboration between Taipei’s Golden Horse awards and the Taiwan Creative Content Fest. The event was designed to give the actors greater visibility as Taiwanese talent becomes more prominent in international co-productions.

The group included Bai Xiao-ying, Ho Man-xi, Ma Shih-yuan and Lin Yi-ting, along with Rosen and Jimmy Liu. Bai and Ho are nominated for this year’s Golden Horse Best New Performer award. Ma won the category last year, while Rosen, Liu and Lin were also nominees in the previous awards cycle.

The performers discussed their skills and the kinds of roles they hope to pursue. Bai speaks Japanese and has trained in traditional Chinese martial arts. Ho has extensive dance experience and hopes to take on suspense or action roles. Liu practiced taekwondo for seven years, while Rosen described learning new skills for roles, including Western fencing. Bai, Ma and Liu said they would like to move beyond familiar casting and try comedy or villain roles.

Chang, who chairs the organizing committee for the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, urged actors to adapt to the needs of different production teams. He also encouraged them to read autobiographies to better understand the lives and emotions they may portray. TCCF organizer TAICCA chair Sue Wang said acting talent can be a factor in applications for the agency’s funding, and called for more opportunities to showcase Taiwanese performers.

TCCF runs through November 9. The Golden Horse Film Festival opened November 6 and continues through November 22, when the awards ceremony is scheduled.