Ever wondered what it’s like to be an actor in Hollywood? Guest Keisuke Hoashi has been in the business for over 30 years! He's done it all – commercials, films, TV shows, theatre, voiceovers, and much more. He’s also a writer and musician and co-founded a music camp where he was the musical theatre director and where he and My Career Journey co-host Emily Banzhaf met!
In the episode, Keisuke shares how he broke into acting, how he built his network from scratch, how he learned how to act, the depth he goes to prep for an audition, tips on getting an agent, how he deals with nerves, and hilarious stories from set.
He also talks about starting out in the arts, the importance of his father in his life and career, the jobs he worked until he was able to support himself as an actor, when he realized he loved acting, running the music camp, transferable skills, and much more.
To check out his incredible body of work, go to www.hoashi.com or find him on all socials at Keisuke Hoashi:
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Highlights from the episode include:
0:00 - Episode intro
2:47 - Keisuke intro, background, and formative years in the arts
5:13 - Realization that he didn’t have what it took to be a professional trumpet player
5:55 - Parallel career as a performer
8:28 - Job at the NY State Government as a writer and graphic designer
9:31 - Setting low expectations
11:23 - The realization in 2nd grade that acting was something Keisuke loved to do
13:46 - Working in tech
19:43 - Moving to Hollywood to pursue acting
21:42 - Building a network in LA without knowing anyone
23:25 - Getting started acting in commercials
25:22 - Taking acting classes
27:37 - Types of training required for each type of acting
29:34 - What commercial acting is like
31:49 - Getting into film and TV
32:46 - Dealing with nerves and stage fright
38:09 - Being boxed into roles as an Asian American actor
40:26 - Sabrina the Teenage Witch
42:41 - Running into people when auditioning for roles and 2 chances Keisuke had to be the next Ken Jeong
44:44 - The importance of personal branding and Keisuke’s tagline #1 Asian Every-Man.
48:11 - Chair farting while playing Judge Lance Ito
48:54 - Favorite stories from set
53:51 - How Keisuke’s audition prep changes depending on what role he’s auditioning for. Talks through how he used his real life experience on his audition for Brooklyn Nine-Nine
58:27 - What Keisuke’s life looks like as an actor, balancing auditioning and working
1:00:52 - Getting creative with auditioning on the go and Keisuke’s experience generating work vs. going through an agent
1:02:09 - Tips for getting an agent and what not to do
1:07:00 - Advice for finding what fulfills you and what you really want to do
1:09:39 - Doing a 45-minute standup set at a camp concert that got delayed
1:11:36 - How Keisuke’s tech skills helped the camp he co-founded become successful
1:15:08 - Mentorship
1:20:18 - Closing
