Articles | "The People I've Slept With" film details

Karin Anna Cheung: "Excuse me?"

KAC: We worked on developing the script along with Stan (producer) for 2 years. They met about every other week. I met with them about once a month. We wanted to make sure the script was where we wanted it to be. It was a joy to work with people where no egos collided. We didn't move on until we all agreed on everything. Because the four of us were very different people who were open to hearing each other out, to agree upon the same things, I believe, made the script more diverse and universally appealing.

KAC: I always believe that being nude as an actor is one's personal choice. No one should ever pressure you to do it. You can always be nude when you're ready, but you can never take it back if you weren't. The most important thing, if you chose to do it, is to make sure you are ready and comfortable. In this case, it was an important part of the story telling. If this wasn't a project with Quentin, I'm not sure I would've done it. I trust Quentin a lot. Trust is a very important element between an actor and a director. Quentin actually got naked himself to play one of my ex lovers. I didn't know he was planning on doing that. He just started stripping down, and I asked, "What are you doing???" As I found out, someone had dropped out and he stepped up to fill the role as an extra... who was extra naked! It really touched me that he had the balls (no pun intended) to do what he did. We shot out the movie in eighteen hot, long days. To see his commitment and to see everyone working so hard at something they really believed in made my job much easier. It's so important to have the right energy on set.

KAC: Because I was part of the creative process, I didn't need to prepare for the character the same way I would have if I've just gotten the script a month before the shoot. I was already familiar with it. But six months before the shoot, I went healthy. I took really good care of myself. Took vitamins and supplements every day, and I tried to eat as clean/organic as possible. I'd pumped my system with antioxidants by drinking teas and juices. I've realized in the last few years that I have a responsibility to be a role model if I chose to be in the spotlight. I don't always love the responsibility, but I know it's the right thing to do. So I decided to get in shape the natural way. I hate working out, so to get myself in shape I would walk around the house in rollerblades all day to tone my body. This may sound weird, but it totally worked! Right after the film I've loosened up a bit. I still take my vitamins, but I'm not eating so healthy these days. It's really hard to eat healthy all the time.

KAC: We met a few times before, but never really talked. We didn't meet before to rehearse either, so there's not much to tell. I'm sorry to disappoint everyone.

KAC: The toughest battle on set for me was fighting the heat. That's the only thing I can think of right now. It's hard to notice things going on around you when you're in almost every shot on an eighteen day/three week shoot.

KAC: Most of the clothes were from the clothing line Stella & Jamie. April Mun, who owns the line, was extremely generous with letting us use her pieces. You can find them at: www.stellaandjamie.com. I didn't keep any of the clothes, but you'll definitely be seeing me at events and on the red carpet in Stella & Jamie!

KAC: I really can't think of a favorite or least favorite scene. I don't really like watching myself, so it's hard to answer that one.

KAC: Wow, there's so much I can talk about here. A lot has changed. I've gained a lot of knowledge about myself. The amount of attention after BLT was a lot to take in for someone who just started and still didn't know much about the business. I started feeling overwhelmed. I've always believed that one should do whatever feels right to them at the time. So after a few years in, I decided to leave the business for a while. It was the best decision I've ever made for myself. I was so young in my head back then. You really have to know who you are and be fairly solid before you jump into this crazy amazing whirlwind called entertainment. Most importantly, you have to know what YOU want, and not what other people want for you.

KAC: I just finished a short for George Lin's tribute. This was my first time writing/directing. But, really, I just scribbled a bunch of ideas on paper and bossed people around on set. Everyone involved was so amazing and talented that I barely had to do anything. Thanks guys!!! And thanks to Grace Su's fantastic editing skills, the short looks really cool! It's so inspiring when people are so open to creating something with you doing jobs that they don't normally do. They were extremely generous with their time and talent! Grace and I are planning on making more shorts in the near future.

With the film, I've been busy helping out with our PR stuff. We have limited resources, so I've decided to take initiative and press out seven hundred buttons to promote our film. Ryan Suda at Blacklava has been helping us out. He provided us with the button machine, shirts for the shoot, and he's helping us with promo shirts. Thanks Ryan! You can purchase some of the shirts worn in the film at www.blacklava.net.

I've made some guitar pick jewelry in the past, which were used in the film. Right now I'm making earrings that will be available for sale at film festivals.