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	May 2000 Brenda Wong of Talent Co "Take advice from good sources, not just anybody."
Brenda Wong started in the business as a teenage actor. Her first real gig was introducing the Tom Jones show at the old Panarama Film Studios in West Vancouver. (She asked her agent "who is Tom Jones anyway?") It wasn't until her early 20's that a stunt coordinator, John Scott, decided that she would be better at falling down than acting! So, along came her first stunt, as Joan Chen's stunt double on an NBC movie of the week staring Emma Sams called "Shadow of a Stranger". She thought they made a mistake on her pay cheque and tried to give it back because they over paid her...not realizing that stunts are adjusted according to the danger. In her early 30's she was given an opportunity to build an agency... and John Casablancas Model Management and Vancouver Talent Management grew into a business she is very proud of. Presently, at the age of 38, Brenda is the owner/operator of her own business, a talent agency called TalentCo. Talent Management Ltd. She is proud to say that everyone on her roster has booked work!
VAG - What do you enjoy most about being a Talent Agent?
Brenda Wong - All the interesting people! Actors are interesting people to deal     with. Some more than others.
VAG - What advice would you give to actors looking to "break into the industry"?
BW - Never give up! Take a pro-active position with your career...make sure you     and your agent, both, are working hard at moving your career forward. Don't      allow negative attitudes to distract you. Take advice from good sources, not     just anybody.
VAG - What advice would you give to experienced local actors?
BW - Well, it depends on the actors career goals. Does the actor want to stay in     TV land or will the actor be capable of feature films? It really depends again on     the individual. Does the actor need a manager in LA?
VAG - What should people know when contacting you?
BW - I like to have actors send in or drop off their headshot & resume along     with a 4 to 5 minute demo tape (2 minutes per scene, monologue or dialogue,     opposite scenes, perhaps one comedic the other dramatic. Have the tape cued     up ready for viewing...actors can tell if I have seen the tape because I don't     rewind!) Then if I like the demo tape, and I don't have a lot of the same looking     actors with me already, I will contact the performer for an appointment     regarding representation. Then off we go....the hard work begins!
VAG - What would you say is the worst casting choice in the history of Film/TV & why?
BW - So, who will I insult? Next question please...
VAG - If an actor wanted to get in your "good books", what is the best thing they can send you?
BW - Pot! No, just joking! Some of my actors know that I don't get out of the     agency for lunch, or in other words, I don't eat right, so they bring me food to eat     or coffee during the day. Although I must say gifts are nice but not something I     expect! If an actor does a great job, they are in my good books!! If an actor is a     "professional" they are in my good books. If an actor is talented, they are in my     good books.
VAG - Which actor do you admire most & why?
BW - I love Kevin Spacey, I love Al Pacino, I love so many...probably for the     same reasons we all love them! I tend to find a greater respect for an actor     when they do things like go to the childrens hospital and donate 1 million     dollars and sign it unknown donation! (So, I can't say who did that, but a named     actor did do that!) An actor who really works hard at his/her craft should be     respected! They work soooooo hard at it that when it's their turn to rise, they     really deserve it.
VAG - What are your thoughts on the upcoming SAG strike?
BW - I'm thinking it could go any which way... As a business person I'm     prepared to weather storms that are out of my control. I was saying to some of     my actors that there will be an earthquake some day, but I don't stop living     because of it...then we had an earthquake, so I stoped saying that!!!
VAG - If there was one thing about this industry that you could change, what would it be?
BW - I would love casting directors to give new, up-and-coming talent more,     much more, of a chance. There are some really open minded casting directors     out there, they know who they are, and I love them!!
VAG - If the local film industry was like "Survivor", who would you vote out & why?
BW - Boy, that's a loaded question....can I just tell you Brian? Well, it's only     human nature to like some folks, and not like others.
VAG - Do you have any interesting or funny stories you'd like to share with us?
BW - Well, it is true that the first stunt cheque I got I tried to give back! I really     thought they over paid me! When I was told that all of it was mine, I went out     and bought three leather jackets right away! In case they changed their minds! I     also remember going to read for Sid (Kozak) at the CBC (for the     Beachcombers) and sitting in a cafe afterwards with a few other older-than-me     actors, and this guy walks up to us all and says "so I'm thinking about     becoming an actor, what do you actors think?" and the guy beside me says     "why bother, there are already six of us in Vancouver".
VAG - Is there anything else you'd like to tell the local acting community?
BW - TalentCo. Talent Management Ltd. can be found at www.talentco.net.  And     a great big kiss for you Brian for asking me to be a part of your cool "Spotlight"     thank you.
Thanks to Brenda Wong for taking the time out of her busy schedule to be interviewed.  This interview was held by Brian Hughes.