ACTOR Aung Yé Linn always looks young, energetic and full of life in his TV commercials and movies. According to directors he also has a good reputation for working hard. At just 21 years old he is widely touted a being one of the film industry’s rising stars. Time out met Aung Yé Linn to find out what his plans are for the future…

Acting is not a popular hobby for young men. How did you get interested?
When I was a schoolboy I usually participated in school entertainment programs. I’ve loved performing in the arts since then.

How did you try and make you acting dreams into a reality?
I didn’t have any contacts in the film industry so I had to try very hard. There was discrimination against me because some people didn’t want to give favours to new talent. But after struggling with such obstacles I became stronger at facing them and I value acting more.

If you weren’t an actor…
I’d be a sailor.

Have your opinions on acting changed over the years?
Yes, a lot. To tell the truth, I thought it was an easy task to perform. I never thought it was a tiring, hard job. It’s not hard physically but you suffer mental tiredness. It’s a job where you have to work with emotions.

Here, it takes around 10 days to film a movie. Do you think a Myanmar actor is more tired than actors from other countries?
Every one has their own difficulties and I think the others might feel tired in their roles. We are wearier because we have to change our moods many times in a day to finish a movie within a few days.

You started out your career as a model. When was the turning point towards acting?
In 2004, I joined the Star & Int’l Model Agency. I only modelled for about two years. But when I got in contact with Snow White Video Production I changed my career to become an actor. I learnt a lot about acting there. More recently I have been working with Mahar Htun Video Production.

Have you ever asked yourself whether acting suits you?
Yeah, mostly I act in dramas because I’m the quiet type. So when I act flamboyant or action characters I have to work really hard.

When you’re feeling happy who you do share your it with?
When I’m happy, I usually stay alone. But when I feel sad, I tell my mum my worries and share with her. Sometimes, I share with both my mum and dad.

What a clever son! By the way, is there anything you do daily?
Ah…I exercise daily.

Most Myanmar actors rarely change their hairstyle but you do a lot. You are quite different from them.
I have my hair cut every three months. Changing styles is very important for the actors and actresses. You should be different for every character. So I always prepare for the characters before I act.

In Myanmar, most of the actors and actresses sign contracts with movie studios and work with a director over the long-term. What benefits do you find in that?
Sometimes it’s good because we know each other and it makes work easier. But when you act in the movies directed by different directors, you have more opportunities to learn form each of them.

What advice do you want to give to emerging newcomers in the film industry?
Watch movies a lot. And learn about the process of filming not just acting. It is better to learn editing as it can be very helpful in acting.