By Wang Zhuoqiong (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-10 06:53

You'd think recruiting someone in China wouldn't be a problem - but that's what film producer Sunday Sun encountered recently.

She was looking for an actress who had to do a ballet scene for a foreign film shoot as well as speak English, but couldn't find any.

"English speaking actors are a rare species in China," said Sun, who said she was one of the executive producers of Farewell, My Concubine.

"The girl who speaks English does not dance. The dancer does not speak English.

"English proficiency is a crucial part of acting for a Chinese actor vying to be in Western films," said Sun, who is a producer at Beijing-based Enterprising Dragon.

The shortage of English-speaking acting professionals has been compounded with more overseas film production companies moving their bases to China to reduce costs, she said.

The good news: A rising number of Chinese artists have begun to learn English for a career boost in Hollywood and to secure roles which break the mold of kung fu characters.

For instance, A-list artists like Zhang Ziyi go the extra mile. According to media reports, Zhang spends six months a year in New York to study the language.

But artists who can't take a break from their hectic schedules hire native English speakers full-time.

A popular actor, Huang Xiaoming, started learning English about six months ago on movie locations or during photo shoots from a native of Arizona, Zachary Overline.

"It is in my interest to learn English," said Huang, who was last year approached by US directors for a possible role. On his official website, he lists starring in a Hollywood film as his career goal. "Other actors such as Li Bingbing also plan to have English teachers."

Overline said: "There is now more collaboration between Chinese and foreign filmmakers. English-speaking ability will help Chinese actors break the stereotype in Western films.

"What we get are movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, where there are emperors, everybody is flying...

"If you look right now, most Chinese actors do kung fu films. Even Zhang Ziyi was cast as an action star in Rush Hour 2.

"Like Huang, it is necessary for other Chinese actors to learn English. If your English is broken, it is difficult for you to get a good role. You only get a role because you are Chinese, not because you are talented," said Overline who said in jest that he would set up a company teaching English to Chinese actors.

Overline, 23, said he developed his own method of teaching, which is unlike what is taught by other expats.

There is neither homework nor tests. The "classroom", usually on movie sets, is in Shanghai one day, or Hong Kong the next, which means he has to constantly travel with his student.

"It is a really cool job," he said. "I am more close to my student and have total freedom to teach the way I want."

Overline, who was teaching spoken English at China Agriculture University before he met Huang and was promptly offered a job, explains his methodology.

"I ask questions that make him think or keep him talking. The next hour, I find a way to bring the same topic back into conversation, to refresh his memory. We do this a couple of times. When you speak aloud, apply it to what is going on in your life, you will have good results."

Now, he is proud to see Huang talk fluently when he is interviewed by foreign media or chatting with expat friends.

"I am sometimes surprised to hear him use words that I haven't taught him."