FROM MIT PHD TO AWARD WINNING ACTOR, FILMMAKER: EPISODE 2 WITH ALBERT M. CHAN.

In this episode, Canadian born filmmaker, Albert M. Chan, known for his films, The Commitment, and, Ancestors of the Future, Descendants of the Past, talks about success, and how he balances his various careers as an actor, a filmmaker and an electrical engineer who holds a Ph.D. from MIT…not to mention being a Dad, and a husband.

Also in this episode Albert talks about:
- how he was able to cast Golden Globe, Emmy, and Drama
  Desk nominated actress, Tina Chen for one of his films.
- How he got his first breaks as an actor in Boston.
- His approach as a filmmaker.
- How his background as an engineer informs his acting and filmmaking.
- And the current screenplay he is working on.

Albert's website
MIT
Descendent’s of the Past Ancestor’s of the Future
Sag-Aftra
The Commitment 
Straeon Studios
The Crying Game
CP Casting
Boston Casting
LDI Casting
Christine Wyse Casting
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
Brotherhood
The Actors Green Room in NYC and LA
Sundance Screenwriter's Lab
The Opposite of a Fairytale - short film
Vanu inc.
Stage  - Bowie live album
MaketheFuckingFilm.com

People mentioned:
Tina Chen
Cira Felina Bolla
Kevin McCormick
Bill Doherty Jr.
Ross Meyerson
Minor White
Vanu Bowes
Amar Bowes
Adele
David Bowie 
Mackelmore

Show notes

While getting Phd in Electrical Engineering, Albert discovers MIT’s offerings in tennis, basketball, and photography. [4:04] Working as an engineer for a start up, enables Albert to be selective about his acting. [8:21] How Albert uses his engineering skills in acting and filmmaking. [10:00] How Albert was able to cast Golden Globe, Emmy, and Drama Desk nominee Tina Chen, for his film Descendents of the Past, Ancestors of the Future. [12:50 ] The 180 rule. [14:21] Albert’s advice on camera movement for independent filmmaking. [16:25] Immigration story from China. [18:37] Directing while you’re acting, and how it’s about the team. [21:31] Albert’s film, The Commitment, and the power of Storytelling to make sense of things. [27:43] What sets Albert apart as an actor? [29:33] Albert’s frequency of training classes. [33:25} Adventures in coaching. [35:09] Rob goes on a 5 minute rant about the expense of acting classes. [36:36] Albert deftly and gracefully extolls the virtue’s of being coached and doing scene work.[40:48] Albert’s current feature film project, Incarnations. [48:42]  Working on screenplay for Incarnations, and submitting it to Sundance Screen Labs. [50:49] Rob becomes concerned he ‘may be missing things’. [55:38] Pause for albert to greet the babysitter. [56:59] Albert’s near term, non-bucket list. [58:47] Knowing your type as an actor. [1:00:02] Vanu Inc. the startup Albert works with designs cellular infrastructure. [1:03:32] Albert’s views on success. [1:08:09]