Siua shares his experience on of his first professional job as an actor in CBS's NCIS: Hawaii!
Well it started at home on August 16th, 2022. A driver named Anderson from a Car escort service picked me up on a black Escalade in my front yard, "Good morning Mr. Siua!" He opened the door and I thought, "This is cool but also weird!" (I was a Lyft driver once). But I looked back at my home and my second thought (at my family) was "Y'all deserve this too."
They flew me out on First Class. Now understand that I am 6 feet 6 inches tall, 300+ lbs man if you couldn't tell from the headshot. I mean the leg room, the space, special compartments, food, etc. But then I discovered the recliner button. Holy moly! I have never been fully horizontal in plane and I am also a loud snorer, so that sucked for the other passengers. LOL.
Upon arrival, there was a nice man holding out a sign with my name, Siua Ikale'o. He drove me to a Luxury Hotel with a room that had a beautiful view--Now it is my ultimate dream for the people that I love, like my parents, to experience the treatment I’ve described above.
But my moment came to me when I stepped into my own trailer. My whole body shut down, I was speechless, and I think I was having a 'This isn't Kansas anymore' experience. I was like… this is happening to me… Not only that, I was realizing at that moment that I’ve become a FIRST. I was born in the USA, but I was raised in a sub-village that was built on top of a swamp in the Island Kingdom of Tonga. I now am amongst a handful of Tongan actors, but I became a First from my family, First from my village, First from my Church, First from my High School… to become a professional actor. What a moment! I inhaled in a breath of gratitude and exhaled these words, “GET TO WORK.”
I returned to First Take after a talent manager found one of the student films that I had done. When I signed with her, the very first thing she recommended was that it was important that I get some training. Little did she know that I had exercised the First Take method on that project, so it was not a question for me [of where to continue my training].
First Take is a gracious gym for your acting and creative muscles: Instructor Susan Chung’s energy vibrates a fun and inviting environment in CORE class. Instructor Nancy’s Masterclass is full of committed and talented actors who at their level continue to be excited about their craft. Then not only do you experience your own growth, but you also get to take a front row seat and be inspired when watching other actors blossom through Nancy's blunt but nurturing approach.
She just has a wealth of knowledge about the business, but she also understands you and is genuinely excited for you as well. Among so many that I could pick from, here are a few of my personal favorite notes from Nancy…
“Give yourself permission to...”
I often hold back due to fear and doubt (etc.) but the reminder that I have the gift to give - myself - permission to let go is empowering.
“It is better to go strong and wrong...”
When in doubt know that it is ok, to dare, to be brave.
If you make a mistake, it was only your First Take...BOOM! pun intended...
“You are enough!”
Who? Me?
“Are you talking to me?” asks Robert de Niro in 'Taxi'
Yes! (SIUA) YOU ARE ENOUGH!!!
-Siua Ikale'o
