Acting | Traci Toguchi

I began adding a comment to this quote:

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
~Harriet Beecher Stowe

for my Facebook page, but it became lengthy, so thought this could be an opportune time to write a blog post.

The quote is very true. I’ve witnessed it many times in my life. In fact, I was just telling my mother yesterday two instances in New York City (“NYC”) and Los Angeles (“LA”) when I received significant career opportunities, but was already on another path because I had “given up” on them.

In LA, I had auditioned for a one-time speaking role in a top major network television program, and had a great meeting with the casting director who wanted me for a recurring role, but I was already in the midst of relocating back to Hawaii.

In NYC, I was honored to be called back for consideration by a critically acclaimed and well known playwright for one of the lead roles in a revival of a classic Broadway musical. I attended the call and already had my LA phone number on my resume. The playwright said he heard I was moving to LA then asked, “When are you moving?” I answered, “Tomorrow.”

Needless to say, I was no longer in consideration, as the show was being developed in NYC, and I would have needed to be there for that.

Another opportunity that was finally taking a turn was my winning Amateur Night at the Apollo (by singing). I won, and qualified twice to proceed to the next week’s rounds, but didn’t continue as I had already relocated to LA. If you’re not too familiar with the success of those who won Amateur Night at the Apollo, musical icons would compete weekly, get noticed, then the rest would be musical history. I had gone in the first time with the thought that I wanted to see what I could do on that stage. I wanted to be able to sing the entire song (many don’t get to sing more than a couple of lines, as they can get booed off the stage), and have people clap at the end. (It was a dream to be able to get cheers after singing the first line of “I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” as well as throughout the song, then receive a standing ovation after it, especially since I only knew two people in the audience.)

Video of my singing “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” in Hawaii

The question is, how do we know when to keep persisting, or when to move on?

Aren’t there those that pursue ventures, situations, etc. even when it may seem obvious it is not “right”?

In the case of personal and romantic relationships, aren’t there obvious and less-obvious situations when one should “give up,” and when one should “keep on”?

When I began typing my comment about the quote, I was perplexed about my answer.

As I began typing this post, the answer came to me — I believe we “know” when we are “in tune” with our intuition/soul/gut instinct, whatever you want to call it, as well as our heart. I’d say intuition/soul/gut instinct first and primarily because it doesn’t require reason (head) or emotions (heart). I also feel the heart is an important part of making decisions, as being rooted in and with love means being able to love with the knowledge that whatever happens will ultimately happen for the best for everyone concerned.

I know when I was in those predicaments in NYC and LA years ago, I was having challenges being able to identify my intuition/soul/gut instinct, and being able to “hear” it. Since I tend to be very analytical, I can often over-think anything to a point where I can no longer identify what was that “still small voice inside” (aka intuition/soul/gut instinct), and what was my (over-)reasoning.

As I am a work-in-progress, I continue to work on developing this ability, but feel more confident in my ability to do so.

What about you? How do you know when to persist, or when to move on?

Valentino Valdez, who many on Twitter affectionately know and refer to as @valdezign, was the first to tell me that this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) would be screening “The Karate Kid Part II” which was the first film I got to do when I was 12. He asked if he could interview me about the film, and I was also able to tell him a little about “Bait,” one of five short films included in this year’s TalkStory Productions’ HIFF entry of “The Short List.”

Tamlyn Tomita and me at HIFF (Hawaii International Film Festival).

We tried to do the interview in person, but timing and logistics posed some challenges as the days were leading up to last night’s “The Karate Kid Part II” screening, so we corresponded via email, Twitter DM’s (Direct Messages), and a few texts.

One of the things that have continued to surprise me was how Tino saw most of the work I’ve done (from campy flicks to pilot episodes). This surprised me even more because I haven’t yet seen many of them.

He posted the interview early this morning, and many kind Hawaii folk have already shared it.

Here it is:

When The Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) announced they were bringing ‘The Karate Kid Part II’ back to the big screen for the 25th anniversary (showing tonight at Dole Cannery), I was stoked. It’s such a cult hit, especially here in Hawaii, and I have fond memories of watching it with my family in the back of our shag-carpeted Chevy Malibu station wagon at Kam Drive-In, as well as re-enacting every scene with my sister and nephew. I was compelled to seek out the only person I knew, personally, that was in the movie–-local ‘renaissance chick’, Traci Toguchi—to get some behind the scenes scoops. Her role in the film (she’s credited as ‘Girl Ringing Bell’) was not only a turning point in the movie (Sato sees the light!), but a turning point in her career. I sat down and talked with Traci (and by “sat down and talked”, I mean, emailed her questions and waited for her to reply) about her experiences on ‘The Karate Kid Part II’, as well as catch up on her other projects as an actor, musician, designer, and yes, baker!

Was ‘The Karate Kid Part II’ your first film? Was it your first “Hollywood” job?

Yes, it was. It’s how I got my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) card. (My first acting job was a Japanese commercial for Mitsubishi of Japan when I was 8.)

What was it like working on such a popular movie? Can you describe some personal experiences you had with the stars of the film?

It was a dream come true. My sister and I kept Karate Kid posters of Ralph Macchio on our bedroom walls, so everything – from the audition process (standing and crying, hitting an imaginary bell in a room at the Ilikai Hotel), to the callbacks (on set with many other kids – all needing to climb the tower and cry), to the filming process (did some of my own stunts and had a stunt woman!) , to the premiere in Hollywood (my mom and I got to attend!) – was surreal.

From Day One, Ralph was so kind, thoughtful and professional. We shot that bell tower scene a zillion times (not only in Hawaii in Kahalu’u, but also in Los Angeles in a movie studio parking lot). That required much rehearsal and getting wet, cold, and muddy. After every take, everyone would rush to Ralph, but he’d tell everyone to help me first, and let me to go first to take a hot shower (and clean off for the next take). He made sure I had hot cocoa. I’ll forever be grateful for his kindness.

… continued at ValenTumblr – An interview with ‘Girl Ringing Bell’, Traci Toguchi

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Thanks uber much, Tino!