Photo courtesy of Neo Yau

When it comes to the performing arts in Hong Kong, the most commonly-heard criticism has long been the lack of it — but there is no famine of creativity, per se. What's really been the heart of the issue is the lack of support for youths aspiring to have a career in the arts, and the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts is dedicated to changing the status quo. 

With schools in Chinese opera, dance, drama, film & TV, music and theatre & entertainment arts, the leading tertiary institution is dedicated to nurturing young performing talent in Asia. One of the key ways  to achieve this is through the annual APA Ball — an event organised by The Society of APA (SAPA) to raise funds for the Academy's scholarship programs. 

This year's event — chaired by Tatler 500 Lister Winnie Chiu — will carry the theme of "Art DecoDance", culminating in the screening of a three-minute silent film written and produced by students and alumni of the Academy. We caught up with budding Hong Kong actor Neo Yau, star of the short film and an alumus of the School of Film and TV, to ask him about his passion for the arts, what to expect from the film, and the most memorable moments  in his career thus far.

How did you discover your love for the performing arts?

"My dad is a big fan of movies and he used to bring me to the cinema whenever he had time to spare. This really helped nurture my early interest in film. I participated in a lot of drama productions when I was at school, and even rearranged story settings and produced my own short films."

How did your time at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts inspire your craft?

"I think my major in screenwriting helps me think and see things differently. I learnt to be empathetic about other people's feelings. Not all people can be sympathetic but as a storyteller, it is our responsibility to deliver the correct message to the audience. I aspire to spread positive messages to the world through my work."

What has been the most memorable moment in your acting career so far? 

"I still remember the time when I went to a meet-and-greet after the screening of my debut movie — I felt like a completely different person! In the past, I participated as a member of the audience, looking up at the actors and directors, but at that moment I was a movie actor who was meeting the audience! That was a very big moment of transformation to me."

How did the APA equipped you for challenges in your arts career?

"I would say my biggest challenge is feeling bottlenecked in my performing skills — sometimes, I get stuck with specific lines and scripts. However, I cope with it quite well with my level of creativity, since screenwriting was my major. Approaching a scene from a third-person point-of-view helps me think outside the box and be an all-round artist."

Tell us a bit about the short film that will be screened at the Academy of Performing Arts Ball this year.

"The Ball this year will feature the talents of students and graduates of a few Schools, including School of Film and TV.  The Ball Committee has assembled a team to produce a black-and-white silent movie to tie in with the Ball’s theme, Art DecoDance, with the 1930s as the setting. As a Film and TV graduate,  I am very honoured to participate: I will be playing a Charlie Chaplin-type, and the feedback has been great!"

What was the biggest takeaway you learned from your time studying at the APA?

"I would say I had learned to be humble. Teachers and students at the APA are all very talented, and I was very lucky to be able to work with different people and broaden my horizons during my time there. There's still a long way for me to achieve my ultimate goal —  becoming a successful and all-round performer — even long after my graduate."

Can you tell us about some of the exciting projects you will be working on in 2017?

"I will be starring in a movie with a rich historical backstory, and I will be playing the role of a prisoner in another film. It will be my second year of acting, and I believe in more fruitful and exciting things to come!"