ACTOR’S DREAM SHATTERED
Josiah Hogan’s excitement at landing a role in an American film was shortlived when he was informed that his contract was terminated. BIBI NURSHUHADA RAMLI finds out why
EVERY artiste dreams of branching out into the American entertainment industry, and Malaysian actor Josiah Hogan, 31, almost made it there.
Last year, Hogan was selected to star in American sci-fi fantasy film Tykarindom. He even signed the contract under its Coloradobased production house, Aeon Century Company. However, his dream came crashing down when he was told that the deal was off.
“I am confused because the casting team cited the reason that I was ‘insensitive’ during one of our conversations.
“I do not recall acting in such a way. When I asked them further on the incident, they did not respond,” Hogan said at the screening of his film, LuQman, at mmCineplexes in e-Curve, Mutiara Damansara. It opens in cinemas on Sept 28.
In November, the Texas-born actor-musician had sent an audition tape to the production company and auditioned via Skype.
He was set to play an elf, and the job would have earned him US$67,000 (RM281,000).
The Manisnya Cinta di Cappadocia actor said he had informed the company that he would be filming Malaysian film KL Vampires in December here, so he would not be able to attend meetings in the United States.
“At the last minute, they told me about a party that every cast member had to attend.
“Since I could not make it, we spoke over Skype.
“It was after that that they decided to boot me out.
“I did not fly out to Colorado, but I had worked really hard to have a shot in this film project.”
He said he had to memorise dialogues for two different roles for the audition.
Since he had signed the contract, Hogan planned to take legal action. However, after consulting some lawyer friends, he learnt that the contract had a clause allowing the production house to terminate it if they suspected something was off about the arrangement.
“I am cracking my head because I do not know what I did to deserve this. I did not see this coming at all.
“At first I thought this whole thing was probably a scam.
“Or maybe the company realised that they did not have the budget to fly me across the globe.”
Hogan also learnt that such an experience was common in the American film industry.
“Nevertheless, I am not giving up and will keep searching for opportunities, no matter what life throws at me,” he said.