Being an Actor in Indonesia

[cup1981]

Hey all!

So when I was last in Indonesia, I was a writer and did that as my business while living there. While I still write, I am also into acting here in the states -- no, you probably haven't seen me, as I have only been on local things here in the Tampa, FL area and played background in larger cable shows.

But, if I come to Indonesia, I am hoping to maybe get into it more seriously there. I was curious if anyone has experience in this or knows some who does this?

If so... is it feasible for a foreigner to get into it? Does it offer a sustainable income? And any other tips you may have.

 

[waarmstrong]

I really do not know if an expat acting career is feasible or what actors get paid. I suppose, though, if you are comfortable playing orang bule gila on a local soap opera, there might be a future in it.

 

[cup1981]

@waarmstrong Eh, I have played worse lol. I think being orang bule gila would actually be fun. Natural for me too

 

[waarmstrong]

Getting an honest Indonesian agent might be a place to start. (Joking, of course.)

 

[cup1981]

Getting an honest Indonesian agent might be a place to start. (Joking, of course.)

LOL considering there are almost no honest ones here, I find it hard to believe there is a shred of honesty in them over there .

 

[Anglian]

Some years ago I recall my wife watching a programe it had a bule as one of the central figures,he played the stupid bule, his acting skills didn’t seem too great, there is an Aussie who has a band I think, he is on tv quite often

 

[vocalneal]

If you have the look they want? Then OK. Bring a good portfolio with you. A mate here in Thailand used to fly to Indo for advertising shoots.

 

[Smallworld]

I have got a friend (bule - postgrad) who was doing all kinds of photo sessions and appearing in advertising campaigns here in Indonesia. The salary she was getting was .... very small. Her major problem was chaotic traffic in Jakarta, cancelations of the photo shootings without any notifications, constant delays eg. the photo session was scheduled on 10 am but started at 1 pm. She said it is very hard to schedule your day in that way to appear in more advertisements, get more contracts, meet new contacts and at the end be more effective and hard working. She register herself in many advertising companies and is dealing with a many agents.

I think personally you will be better off if you have your own show, be a producer rather than be an actor in Indonesia.

 

[vocalneal]

cancelations of the photo shootings without any notifications, constant delays eg. the photo session was scheduled on 10 am but started at 1 pm. She said it is very hard to schedule your day

My mate would often go to or complain about castings that were cancelled or spend a whole day waiting for a shoot. Early morning shoots, late night shoots etc.. It ,apparently, is the nature of the beast.

As for scheduling one's day regarding travelling. I suspect Indonesia is much like Thailand in that respect, or vice versa. "Only plan to do one thing a day and you will not be disappointed" or words to that effect.

 

[cup1981]

I have got a friend (bule - postgrad) who was doing all kinds of photo sessions and appearing in advertising campaigns here in Indonesia. The salary she was getting was .... very small. Her major problem was chaotic traffic in Jakarta, cancelations of the photo shootings without any notifications, constant delays eg. the photo session was scheduled on 10 am but started at 1 pm. She said it is very hard to schedule your day in that way to appear in more advertisements, get more contracts, meet new contacts and at the end be more effective and hard working. She register herself in many advertising companies and is dealing with a many agents.

I think personally you will be better off if you have your own show, be a producer rather than be an actor in Indonesia.

That is kind of how I figured it would be . Thanks for the info!

With that in mind, I will likely just continue acting in the U.S. from Indo. All the auditions are typically done online anyways, and a flight from CGK to LAX is only 18 hours. Just thought it may be fun to do some there too. Seems like it may just be a headache lol.

 

[gab-rob]

maybe you can start by digging some more info to some guys who has already been in the bizz in Indonesia. they are not super famous yet, but they are in some movies as supporting.
here are some instagram acc of them : fredneust , berf92 ( model). it took more than just months to enter the business.
one thing for sure, if you plan to be a movie star in here, you have to be able to speak bahasa. even a broken one.

 

[cup1981]

maybe you can start by digging some more info to some guys who has already been in the bizz in Indonesia. they are not super famous yet, but they are in some movies as supporting.
here are some instagram acc of them : fredneust , berf92 ( model). it took more than just months to enter the business.
one thing for sure, if you plan to be a movie star in here, you have to be able to speak bahasa. even a broken one.

Thanks for the info! Yes, I have broken Bahasa, but I plan to be semi-fluent when we get there later this year. Definitely not expecting to be an overnight success -- I am really just looking to keep my acting muscles in shape while waiting on gigs to shake loose in the U.S.

 

[vocalneal]

I would think in order to get parts one would need to be near the action. So Los Angeles. Unless you are established, have an agent and have been turning down roles I can' see living in Asia and being a budding movie star working.
You need to be networking and getting yourself seen by producers and casting staff. If stage acting is your thing don't you need to be going to parties etc. in New York?
If Asia it must be then wouldn't Korea would be better.
As you are only "into" acting then it doesn't really matter?

 

[cup1981]

I would think in order to get parts one would need to be near the action. So Los Angeles. Unless you are established, have an agent and have been turning down roles I can' see living in Asia and being a budding movie star working.
You need to be networking and getting yourself seen by producers and casting staff. If stage acting is your thing don't you need to be going to parties etc. in New York?
If Asia it must be then wouldn't Korea would be better.

The internet has become a friend of the budding actor, as I can now audition via video to roles all over the country and around the world. There’s no need to live near the action any longer. I can just as easily send my auditions in from Indonesia as I can from Florida (where I am now) and hop an 18-hour flight to LA for a role, if needed.