By George Wyndham

Actors with the X-Factor. Photo: Courtesy of Max Brunner

Talent, perseverance and a thick skin; essential qualities for an actor hoping to make it in the cut-throat world of movies. But not in Shanghai, it seems. "Anyone can act in China," says Eric Heise, who has recently moved here from his native US to pursue a career in the film industry. "There is a need for white faces in movies and TV shows. I mean, I don't consider myself a professional actor but I can quite easily do it in Shanghai."

Having worked in Hollywood for five years, Eric, 47, is certainly aware of the disparity in the two industry locations, not least the salaries. A foreigner in a non-speaking role can expect to earn 400 yuan ($58.60) a day in China. A few lines will bump it up to 800 yuan ($117) but the maximum any foreigner is likely to receive is 2,000 yuan ($293) - even for a lead role.

Foreigners are frequently cast as diplomats, businessmen, journalists, and, oddly enough, priests.

And according to Shanghai-based US film director Richard Trombly their suitability for these roles is usually based on a simple profile shot provided by an agency. "In Hollywood there will be an arduous auditioning process for even minor roles, but here it is usually just a case of whether you look right," he says. It's a view backed up by Shanghai-based agent Rami Abunameh who currently has 900 aspiring thespians on his books. "An extra doesn't need talent, they just need to look foreign," he says.

 Agent and actor Rami Abunameh. Photo: Courtesy of Rami Star

But although there is high demand for foreigners from production companies, any would-be star expecting to simply walk into the lead in a Chinese film is likely to be disappointed. "Extras are mostly what local productions want, not movie stars. Directors need people to stand in the background pretending to talk or just be walking down a street," he adds.

Rami's advice for anyone looking to get into acting in China is to first seek out someone like him. "It's easy, but you must first find yourself an agent. Get to know more about the payments and the rules but be aware that many agents will try and cheat you. Get out there and do lots of networking and socializing. Keep looking for the person who is going to take you to the next stage."

While most foreigners are content with walk-ons, those with a modicum of talent and a command of Chinese can occasional play pivotal roles. Max Brunner from Germany has been acting part-time for four years in Shanghai and leads something of a double life, as a financial analyst and occasional action movie star. Max has often been cast in pugnacious roles, usually as the villain of the piece, leading to some rather unlikely big-screen scenarios. "I once got beaten up by three Chinese men who were about half my size. It was hilarious. In another film I had to burst in through a door with a sub-machine gun only to be beaten to death by a Chinese policeman with a pillow."

Despite his age (51), Max expresses surprise he hasn't been chosen to play more action stunt roles. "Ok, it's been a while but I know my stuff (karate). I had an audition the other day for an action role and I didn't get the job. I couldn't believe it. Maybe they can't take the real thing and I am the real thing. I know I'm something out of the ordinary: I'm a martial arts expert and I can't believe directors are missing out on casting me as their main action hero."

Someone with more sober expectations of the industry is 26-year-old American, George Tronsrue who has been acting in China for less than a year. He says that work in Shanghai is plentiful, if seasonal. Having first arrived in the middle of December, he didn't get an audition for months. But as soon as the weather picked up he found himself swamped with offers. "A lot of us will be out of work for a few weeks but you have to hold on as you know it's going to get better. Show business is slow business, it's the same everywhere." And while George believes that speaking Mandarin is a bonus, it's rarely necessary, even for speaking parts. "During a shoot I will often give my lines in English to the Chinese actor who then responds in Chinese. Even if I fluff my lines, it really doesn't matter as my voice will be dubbed out anyway."

When asked about the availability of film work generally, Richard Trombly points out the Beijing film industry is more highly developed than Shanghai's. "There are definitely more film and TV opportunities in Beijing and if I was a young actor that's where I would go." Rami, meanwhile, is convinced that with the right look and attitude, Shanghai is still the place to be. "You can become a star here," he insists. "Even if you have absolutely no acting skills you can become well known and get paid hand-somely. The movie industry is growing in Shanghai and it will continue to do so."