guidelines: actress

16. Be sharp and witty with words. You'll need it to outsmart the press hounds and to win verbal catfights with your fellow colleagues.

15. Remember - the TVB actress circle is a big competition. Always have your claws out and be on the lookout for backstabbing. It's like War and Beauty only there's no distasteful old emperor as the goal - only a cheap trophy at the anniversary.

14. You can obtain a nickname of "Princess" like Bernice Liu but never act like one. Take what you're given and don't complain. Spoiled and picky girls will get the boot. Just ask Mandy Cho. Speaking of which, you haven't seen her, have you?

13. Must be able to act cute. We'll worry about the emotional and comedic scenes later. If you can be cute, then that's good enough. Even if you're over thirty and no longer young, you must still act cute to stay in the business (just like Charmaine Sheh).

12. Never deny the sexy route. If it gives you media attention, then do it. That's how Vivien Yeo got some press. If she relied on her "acting," "singing," and "Cantonese," she'd have gotten no attention. But, once she revealed those nice legs and boobies, the reporters were all over her. However, you mustn't take it too far. If you do, TVB will freeze you and you will have stalkers.

11. Don't worry if you can't shed real tears... not everyone is a crybaby like Myolie Wu. TVB has plenty of eye droppers that you can use, but just make sure you still look "sincere" with the fake tears.

10. Preferably you should come from some sort of pageant. Beauty is subjective, but if you have a "Miss" title (win or lose) attached to your name, you will have a better fight against critics who claim you're not "pretty."

09. Slim, slim, slim until you're as skinny as a twig. Forget your curves because in Hong Kong, the ideal woman has the body of a skeleton. Besides, you could get sponsored to slim. It doesn't get any better - you're getting paid and you get to look like an ideal skeleton like fa dan Kenix Kwok!

08. Must appear sweet, charming, and pretty at all times.

07. Spend lots of money on make-up, products, and clothes to look good. Do not be thrift like Linda Chung because outer appearance is an utmost. If you're not attractive, then you won't get any big roles because no one will want to watch you.

06. Create rumors for yourself. This is the only way to set you apart from the millions of other actresses. If you have no rumors, you will have no news, no buzz. No one will care about you and you'll easily be forgotten in the sea of actresses.

05. Be friendly with fans. If possible, post messages to them on your fan sites so they will support and love you even more.

04. Never date or have a boyfriend. If you do (you're risking your career - look at Sonija Kwok), hide it extremely well. The male fans will be driven away and the female fans will lose hope that you will date with their favorite pairing.

03. Never talk about intimate relationships in your real life. You have no life besides series. What goes on on-screen is as "intimate" as you are to get.

02. Never say or mention anything dealing with "sex." That word is dirty.

01. Should be virginal, if not - fake it. No one likes a slut. Take Kate Tsui and Queenie Chu as examples. TVB upholds chastity for their actresses.