Theater student prepares for career

Sourixay Vilalay gains experience and exposure through his cable show

By Nikolina Hatton

Sourixay Vilalay, 26, says, “Knowledge is power,” and his background shows he believes it.

After eight years of attending Mt. Hood, fall term 2006 will be his last, as he’ll finish up his third degree in Theatre Arts. Instead of transferring to a four-year school, he said, “I’ll be pursuing my ambitious goals.”

He’s been in several plays at Mt. Hood, but he’s interested in directing movies. He’s working on producing his own show for cable television. He calls it SVACT, which stands for “Showing Volition Aspiring Courageous Talents.” For content, he says right now he’s open to do anything, and he said it’s pretty affordable. “It’s a lot cheaper than school,” he said laughing.

He hopes his show will give him some exposure as a director, but it’s also more than that. “It’s experience, it’s exposure, it comes down to passion,” Vilalay said.

“I’m interested in how people will notice me,” he said. In 2004, someone took his picture at graduation and used it for a Mt. Hood advertisement. “I actually got footage of that and used that as my ender, a little-sign out of my show. I try to milk my blessings,” he said.

He says he’s been trying to network with other people for his show, but, “so far, it’s been a one-man deal.” He says he wants to work with people in their strong points who enjoy what they do.

As an aspiring director, he likes Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, Quentin Tarantino and some of Brett Ratner’s work.

He said in 10 years, he could see himself traveling around the world making movies.

Vilalay completed his Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer in General Studies in 2005, and his Associate of Applied Science in Professional Photography degree in 2004. Regarding that degree, he said, “They consider it science, I consider it art.”

He says his strong point in directing is his cinematography.

As for not going back to school, he said, “I’m at a point in my life where I could pick up a book and just learn from the book and my personal experience. I know what I need to do, and I do it. I let the world judge me now.”

This term he will also be serving as the Asian Cultures Appreciation Club president.

He said the club, “allows higher learning to study and learn about other cultures of Asia because in America we learn a lot about U.S. history, Caucasian history, Anglo Saxon, path of how things came about; however there are many great stories to be learned through folklore, children’s stories…” Vilalay said there are many stories that help us understand each other as humans. He said he would like to implement more Feng Shui in the club. He explained Feng Shui to be, “Mathematical and philosophical ways to enrich life.”

He said, “Clubs are great in that it allows people with common interests to get together.”

As far as his philosophy on life, he said, “I just think people ought to learn what’s worked in history, what will benefit humanity, and then, by all means, practice it, make it a part of their lives, share it; that’s when you’re living.” He said that people have freedom to think what they want, but it shouldn’t hurt another human being. “I think learn the different processes of life and choose what will make you happy and healthy in the time you have here.”

Students can view the A.C.A. club website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACAClub/.