We recently connected with Stan Zhu and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Stan, thanks for joining us today. Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

Actors, like any other professionals, should make as many connections as possible within the industry. I attended an acting program in college that is good enough to provide a Showcase event towards the end of our last year. The Showcase is designed for agents and managers to get a chance to see the actors perform, as well as opportunities to communicate with them face to face. That’s how I got in touch with my talent manager, Frontline Management. My manager, Craig, and I had wonderful conversations and set our goals. It all went very smoothly once you talked to the right person. There are many forms of Acting Showcases out there, and I think it’s great opportunities to showcase yourself and talk to agents and managers in the industry. Even if they turn you down, you still have the connection with them and you can maybe give it a try when you have a stronger resume. How I signed with my agent is a perfect example of “You never know how your connections will help you.” A lovely professor of mine saw a clip I did about a year ago, and she showed her agent, Alexander, the clip and recommended me. Her agent loved it and reached out to me. Even the work you did a long time ago can benefit you when the time comes. So always do your best work! Some tips for getting agencies and managers: 1. Some agencies take submissions on their website, so do research and put yourself out there! 2. If you get turned down, don’t beat yourself down. You’re not suitable for this very specific roster the agent has, and that doesn’t mean you’re not talented. 3. Agents and managers are human beings, and so are you. Communicate with them as who you truly are, and you will know immediately if you will enjoy working with them. 4. Have a Headshot, a Resume, an Acting Reel that you are satified with, these are usually the things Agents look for when they first get to know you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Stan Zhu is an Actor/writer based in Los Angeles, originally from Chengdu, China. (Where the Pandas at) Stan has graduated from the Performing Arts Program at Savannah College of Arts and Design. Stan has been performing in over fifty films and several plays, including MOONLAKE, KILL THE ROSES, MARIAN:THE TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD, CANNIBAL: THE MUSICAL. ETC. Stan had won the Best Lead Performance at the Paris Play Film Festival 2024.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

What’s the first thing you think about when we talk about “Emotions” in acting? Take a few seconds to think about it. Is your first answer Crying? Laughing? Yelling hysterically? or something else? There are many misunderstandings about acting when it comes to “What is good acting?”. One of common mistakes inexperienced actors make is that they tend to show “Emotions”, to show “the emotions I’m capable of”, to show “I can cry on cue. I must be good.” But it’s actually so much more layered, difficult, and also at the same time, EASY to do when it comes to the truth, which is also the essential fundation of acting. For example, real human beings tend to avoid showing the vulnerable side of them. In another words, we don’t like crying in front of people. So what do you have to have to break all your social defense and perhaps dignity that structs you so much, and leaves you no other choice but to break down in tears? This thing you have to have is the Truth, and every single human being has a different way to express it, but it’s definitely not just easy as a few drops of liquid from the corner of the eyes. Like any other art forms, We all know what good acting feels like. We might not know the technical terms, but we know it speaks to us. The truth in the acting reflects the truth in our real lives. The craft we learn as actors is exactly that, instead of crying on cue.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

“You are enough.” This is the last thing my professor told me right before our graduation. “You are enough.” he said it to another person. “You are enough.” he said it to every young actor who’s ambitiously aiming to get into the industry. Many times when I was looking back on my craft, or when I’m confused or beaten down, this sentence from my professor always comes back to me. “I’m enough.” This simple and yet powerful statement cleared most of my insecurity and ego. I quit SHOWING, and instead I was present at the moment. When I’m acting, there’s no more or less of myself, because I am ENOUGH. There will be no more doubt or thoughts of vanity when I walk into an audition room. And yes. You are enough.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: stanxingzhen
• Other: www.imdb.com/name/nm10740114

Image Credits
(In Order) Film: Kill the Roses Gazing Chopped Green Onion SCAD Acting Showcase Kill the Roses Moonlake