Cast for Asian stories
March 11, 2007
 (Jim – Cheap Chinese Dude)  |
 |
James Kyson Lee is currently wrapping up the comedy feature film Searching for Mickey Fish, with Treat Williams and Daniel Baldwin. He will be starring in three other feature films in 2007: Point of Contact, written by Buddy Dolan, Big Dreams, Little Tokyo, with David Boyle, and Doberman, directed by Joseph Paul Vargas. James will also guest star on the new NBC drama HEROES, premiering in Fall of 2006. Other TV credits include JAG (CBS), The West Wing (NBC), Threat Matrix (ABC), and All About the Andersons (WB). James has starred in over 25 commercials, and has voiced numerous radio spots & video games. He performs at Improv Olympic West, and is a member of the LA based comedy troupe Room to Improv. For more upcoming appearances, visit: www.jameskysonlee.com. |
 (Alex – Japanese Hit-man & Best friend) |
 |
Distant relative to director Ron Oda….whereabouts currently unknown… |
 (Amanda) |
 |
|
Kathy Uyên was born and raised in San Jose, CA. Prior to Asian Stories (Book3) she has played leading roles in films such as Oan Hồn (Spirits), directed by Victor Vũ and Kieu directed by Thu Ha Vu. Her most recent films, Skidmarks directed by Karl Kozak and Finishing the Game directed by Justin Lin will be released this upcoming 2007.
Along with films, she has been in commercials including Direct TV, K-Swiss, NBC Winter Olympics, Chevrolet,etc. Aside from acting, she also loves to MC/Host, and has MC many events, concerts and award nights within the Vietnamese American Community. |
 (Katherine – ex-fiance) |
 |
As a martial artist and former Lakers Girl, Lauren is no stranger to physically demanding roles. She starred as the lead female villain last year in BACKLASH, directed by two-time Emmy winner David Chameides. Lauren co-starred in FOX’S pilot, ‘HAPPY HOUR,” co-starred in Comedy Central’s RENO 911! and plays murder victim, Stephanie Preston in USA’s MONK. Lauren finished filming TAKEN BY FORCE as one of the supporting actors. She currently is in pre-production with SIEGE, a Tritan Northstar Entertainment film as the lead villain. Aside from acting she’s worked with some of the top stunt coordinators in the world, and has appeared in numerous film and TV productions, including THRESHOLD (CBS), GREY’S ANATOMY(ABC), THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS 3, VERONICA MARS(UPN), THE CURSED, and HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2. Lauren can be seen in Femme Fatale Magazine (Aug 05), Blackbelt Magazine (Aug. 05 and July 06), FHM (Oct. 05), and Vengeance Magazine. She has also appeared in international campaigns for NIKE and a National SNICKERS Ad starting this summer in People, Self, Glamour, Shape, Cosmo, Fitness, Get Active, and Experience Life magazines. |
 (Ed – The Nicaraguan Friend) |
 |
| Luis trained and started his professional acting career on stage in New York with the Broadway terms production of “Don Quixote of La Mancha” (apparently his accent and look made him the perfect Spanish priest… ironic). After touring and performing on stages around USA he decided to make LA his new home in April 2003. On the big screen, Luis major credits consist of over 30 movies including “Weapon of Mass Destruction” (Asahi TV) and “The Yearbook” which received the Best Picture award on the 2005 Chicago International Really Short Film Festival.
On TV, you will see Luis from September 2006 onwards as a Series Regular on KLSC on the upcoming sitcom “English for Success“. |
 (Minh Phuc) |
 |
|
Christopher Dinh starting his acting career at UCLA, not as a theatre major, but as a Biology major with his sights fixed on Med School.
While working at a coffee shop on campus, he was befriended by a theatre professor who talked him into taking his first theater class. He continued to take acting classes at UCLA and at East West Players in Downtown sporadically throughout college and eventually found himself involved in independent films both in front of and behind the camera. |
 (The Pizza Delivery Guy) |
 |
| Eric would like to thank Ron and Kris for casting him in this charming picture. First reared on the stage in his hometown of Nashville, Tn, Eric set off for NYU to continue his creative journey. After spending a semester there, or what Eric likes to call lunch, he found a suitable nest in the Theatre department at the University of Alabama.
Since that time he has been flailing in the confines of relative obscurity and profound indentured servitude that is the city of Angeles. |
Cyshizzle
March 3, 2007
1980’s head gangsta “Honey”
Projects cyshizzle has worked besides some theater in Chicago are mostly indie films. The last recent films he worked on were:
“Second Moon”
www.Secondmoonmovie.com (trailer is there)
“Honey”
http://www.myspace.com/honeythemovie
“Actually, Adieu My Love”
www.minjikang.com (click on “Actually, Adieu My Love”)
“Kamakiri”
I am currently working on a short film/feature.
http://www.myspace.com/kamakirithefilm
In “Kamkiri” he plays the head mobster BUT it’s not your typical, because it’s an Asian-American Mobster. He speaks fluent Engish and has a two page monologue =)
His goals is to specifically represent Asian Americans not Asians in the entertainment industry, specifically in film. It’s an enormous difference and unfortunately it’s hard for America to see it. He gets tired of seeing us deliver food, kick ass, and speak English with an accent.
Alex
March 3, 2007
Photography by Bern Nguyen
Alex had a show on National Geographic Channel not too long ago called Fight Science, just finished working on Pirates 3, did an episode of MADtv and has also worked on the FX’s The Shield and HBO’s Entourage. As for his goals, he really want to succeed as notable Asian-American actor (who does his own stunts)! The world’s overdue for a new Asian hero!
Vietnamese aspiring models
March 1, 2007
APPLY NOW!! RECRUITING POTENTIAL VIETNAMESE MODELS!!
Application Deadline: SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2007!!
For the first time ever, 25 of the most beautiful Vietnamese women from all around the world will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of a world-class event that celebrates the new Vietnamese generation of high fashion and beauty. Vietnamese Modeling Project LLC proudly presents: Nguoi Mau, the 1st Runway! Nguoi Mau, as it is defined in Vietnamese, means model. Vietnamese Modeling Project is re-defining its definition of what it means to be a top model. Typically models are a select group of people who tend to tower above the status quo, remain intense down runways, grace the cover of fashion magazines, and are stereotyped for little else aside from their physical beauty. But when models are capable of posing challenges that stretch the limits of their thinking, strike the core of their intelligence, and test the battles of their wit, the result on the runway is our definition of a top model. This project seeks a well-rounded top model that can grace beyond the covers of fashion magazines as well as be a respected role-model that can represent the beauty and intelligence of the Vietnamese women.
This project strides to advance our Vietnamese top models into the mainstream spotlight. She will have opportunities to be a part of this exciting modeling and fashion industry where personal growth and career objectives can be developed and achieved. Our motto is that only when you dream, you can succeed!
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. You must be female and 18 to 28 years of age by the time of the event.
2. You must be at least five feet and two inches (5’2”) in height.
3. No criminal record.
4. Not bound by any prior or current agreements which preclude you from signing any contract with the Vietnamese Modeling Project LLC as a model contestant.
5. Understanding Vietnamese language or to be at least ten percent Vietnamese.
6. If selected as a participant, you must be willing to live in a house, loft, or hotel at a location and in a city determined by the producers for approximately two weeks sometime between August 4-18th 2007 with approximately 24 other female strangers, where you will have little or no privacy.
7. If you are chosen to be a participant, it is your responsibility to make any necessary arrangements with your employer, school, and family in anticipation of your extended absence from home.
8. You must be in excellent physical and mental health.
9. If selected as a finalist you must complete a participant package, which will be furnished to you by the Producers and will include among other things, release forms and waivers for you and your immediate family.
10. By applying for participation in the Vietnamese Modeling Project event: Nguoi Mau, the 1st Runway, you authorize the producers to conduct civil, criminal, financial, driver-history and any other type of background checks deemed necessary by the Producers.
11. Applicants will be chosen internationally for an approximate total of twenty-five (25) finalists and possibly five alternates. The Producers reserve the right to change any of the eligibility requirements and terms, including the terms of any prizes to be awarded at any time without notice.
12. We reserve the right to make changes to the application and production schedule. If you are selected to be a participant, we will endeavor to give you at least one week’s notice prior to your move-in day into the accommodated location.
13. If selected as the top 25 finalists, contestants will have approximately 2 weeks from the time of acceptance to pay $350 for the registration and participation fee which will help pay for your food, accommodation, transportation and photography during the week(s) of the event. If the $350 fee is not paid by the deadline date, then producers may have to replace the contestant(s) for an alternate contestant.
ken wantanabe is a pimp
February 26, 2007
when i make it big
i’m having my girl wear ao dai’s to every big event
like mr. ken wantanabe and his wife/date’s kimono
James Kyson Lee
February 22, 2007
| James Kyson Lee | ||||
|
||||
Heroes Preview: Is Ando More Than Just a Trusty Sidekick?
by Angel Cohn
James Kyson Lee with Masi Oka, Heroes
While Masi Oka draws much attention for his role on NBC’s Heroes (returning from hiatus tonight at 9 pm/ET), Hiro himself would be nothing without his loyal best friend and translator, Ando, played by James Kyson Lee. But now that Hiro has incredibly improved his English, will he still need the seemingly “ability-free” Ando around? TVGuide.com had to know the answer, so we spoke with Lee to see if Ando will, in fact, survive the hit show’s first season.TVGuide.com: What has it been like for you to get so much sudden fame for Heroes?
James Kyson Lee: You know, it’s just been a blast. I think the best part of it is that we have such a good family here at the show. Everyone, from top to bottom, is just really friendly and has great energy, and I just love coming to work. We have great writers, they’re doing some brilliant stuff…. It’s probably the best show I’ve been a part of.
TVGuide.com: Are you at all jealous of Masi [Oka] and the attention he’s getting? C’mon, be honest!
Lee: You know, I’m very happy for Masi. He’s been in the business a lot longer than I have, so a lot of times he shares stories about how he was on the verge of giving up. It’s interesting, there are so many unpredictable things about this business, and you just never know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next year, but we’ve been having a blast together. They love writing for our story line, and we have this really interesting, great dynamic on screen.
TVGuide.com: The scene of yours that I love is you in the diner just waiting for him to come back.
Lee: [Laughs] I must have had every single piece of pie in that diner! Sitting there for 48 hours or so….
TVGuide.com: Are you at all concerned about Hiro’s much-improved English, that maybe he doesn’t need Ando anymore?
Lee: Yeah, hopefully he doesn’t learn too fast. [Laughs] We told the writers to slow it down a little bit. Right now, they see us as one entity, and we have created this great relationship where we balance each other in sort of a yin-and-yang kind of way. They created this interesting combination of a modern-day Odd Couple or Dean Martin-and-Jerry Lewis — or that’s how they like to refer to it. I feel like we have a unique position in that we are able to bring comedic elements into the show, which separates us from some of the other heroes.
TVGuide.com: Right, because squinting isn’t the same as flying.
Lee: [Laughs] Exactly.
TVGuide.com: What would your reaction be if somebody said, “Hey, I can do this really cool thing — watch me walk through a wall”?
Lee: I have a fairly active imagination, so I’d be so excited if someone came up to me and could show me something. I’d be like, “Well, do it now!” and then my brain would start being active, like, “How do we use this? Let’s put a show together!” It’s fun when Ando comes up with different ideas to pursue his power.
TVGuide.com: So you’re not as logical as Ando is?
Lee: No. In fact, I think having any kind of power would be so much fun. I know if I had a power, I’d get in so much trouble.
TVGuide.com: Which ability would you like the most?
Lee: I do like the way Peter is able to absorb other people’s [powers], but I think it’d be great to absorb other people’s special skills. Like, if you knew how to play the trumpet and I just hung out with you, and then all of a sudden I’m this jazz-trumpet master. Or, you speak fluent Italian, and I absorb your ability and am fluent in several languages and traveling the world. Something like that would be so fun. Another fantasy I have would be to switch bodies with somebody for a few hours. I would switch with LeBron James, or any professional basketball player, and see how I do in an NBA game! [Laughs] I mean, I grew up playing a lot of sports, so I’ve had these fantasies about professional sports.
TVGuide.com: You’re very well-rounded, because I hear that you’re also a jazz singer in your free time.
Lee: [Laughs] Well, I do like singing jazz. When I first came out to L.A., I started in music classes rather than acting, so I explored jazz a lot and the standards and really kind of fell in the love with that whole history and world. And then I entered musical theater a little bit.
TVGuide.com: You have to tell me: Does Ando have a power? A special ability that a normal human being wouldn’t have, perhaps?
Lee: Well, is romancing women a power? [Laughs]
TVGuide.com: In some circles, yeah!
Lee: Well, we have some great surprises coming up. Ando has a mini love interest in one of the upcoming episodes, and there’s going to be a great twist to it, too. We have some really, really fun stuff ahead.
TVGuide.com: I love how you totally avoided that question, by the way. They’ve trained you well!
Lee: [Laughs] You know, we were talking about this, and we thought, “How funny would it be if Ando develops powers that were unique but just really random?” Like being able to make cheese out of thin air. I concentrate and say, “Mozzarella!”
TVGuide.com: I think it would be really cool if he had uncontrolled powers, like he never knew what was going to happen.
Lee: [Laughs] Like all of a sudden, 10,000 balloons pop out of nowhere and everything turns pink.
TVGuide.com: Did you ever watch Inspector Gadget?
Lee: [Laughs] Yeah! Random things pop out of his hat and you just don’t know what’s going on. What about the ability to Bedazzle?
TVGuide.com: The ability to make people sparkly!
Lee: I snap my fingers, and there’s glitter all over you. [Laughs] How useful is that for saving the world?
TVGuide.com: I’m definitely glad to hear that there’s a good story line coming up for you. I’ve been worried about Ando becoming, well, dispensable.
Lee: Yeah, we have some great cameos coming up. I’m sure you’ve probably heard by now about George Takei [of Star Trek fame, debuting Jan. 29 as Hiro's father]. [Right now], I’m working with Missi Pyle [who plays a damsel in distrees in the Feb. 12 episode]. And we have some new characters with different powers coming up. It’s all going to keep people on their toes.
TVGuide.com: We’ve seen the painting of Hiro and a dinosaur. Are you with him when he faces off with the T. rex?
Lee: [Laughs] Yes, I am with him, I am in the vicinity. Now, where that’s going to take place will be a great surprise. In fact, when we come back [tonight], that’s going to be Episode 12, and boy, that’s a great, great, great episode. It’s a fun one.
TVGuide.com: Now, the geeky girl in me is all excited that you’re involved in all these video games. I heard that you’re doing The Darkness, and you did a baseball one?
Lee: Yeah, The Darkness is coming out this year [for Xbox 360/PlayStation 3], and that was a really fun process. I did motion capture, where they get me in this tight leather suit with pins all over, and then they put these little pins all over your face to capture every expression that you make. And you’re put in a sort of chamber where there’s, like, 36 cameras going all around. Basically you have to physically move and tuck and roll and jump and shout and say your lines. I mean, it was really theatrical!
TVGuide.com: You have movies coming out as well. You’re very all over the place.
Lee: Well, thank you. I have four feature films coming out next year. The last one I worked on is an independent ensemble comedy, called Searching for Mickey Fish, and it’s with Treat Williams, Daniel Baldwin, Charlotte Ross, Curtis Armstrong, Efren Ramirez…. It’s an ensemble piece directed by Don Most (Happy Days), and he’s such a great guy, a great actor’s director. I’m really looking forward to seeing it.
TVGuide.com: Do you have time to do movies now, or are you busy with Heroes?
Lee: I do have a cameo [which aired Jan. 19] on Las Vegas. I play this interesting guy who womanizes his older brother’s ex-girlfriend in order to try to get them together. [Laughs]
TVGuide.com: Well, Ando and Hiro were already at the Montecito once….
Lee: [Laughs] We said it would be awesome if we did a crossover episode. It would have been so funny when we were playing cards if James Caan popped up in the background and Molly Sims gave us cocktails.
TVGuide.com: So, coming up on Heroes, do we get to see lots more of you and Hiro hanging out?
Lee: Yeah, and our adventure. I myself don’t know where things are going, but I’m getting little hints here and there, and we have some amazing stuff coming up. The great thing about it is that a great friendship is really featured in our story line, and you don’t really see that a lot in prime-time television. I think it’s the first time you see two Asian characters featured in this sort of way, so fun to share. People come up to us who don’t understand Japanese and at the same time they’re like, “We totally love you guys…. We feel like we relate and connect and really latch onto these characters.” To me, that’s the biggest compliment.
TVGuide.com: Is it hard going back and forth between the English and the Japanese?
Lee: [Laughs] For me, it was one of the biggest joys and challenges, because Japanese was not my native language. My father lived in Japan for a while, and then he was transferred back to Korea, where he married my mom, so I’ve always been really fascinated with the culture and the language. I took a semester of it in college, but this has been such a great opportunity to really dive into it and study intensively. I’m planning to go [to Japan] sometime in the summer, if I can, to really experience the culture.
TVGuide.com: If they’ve seen the show by then, you’re going to be a god over there.
Lee: [Laughs] Well, I just hope that they’re fans of the show.
——————
James Kyson Lee of “Asian Stories (Book 3)”
Interviewed by Lee Ann Kim, SDAFF Executive Director
 Actor James Kyson Lee |
Actor James Kyson Lee has appeared in numerous SDAFF films. This year you can see him in “Asian Stories (Book 3)” and as a regular on NBC’s new drama, “Heroes.” James will be here for the Friday screening of “Asian Stories (Book 3)” and participate in our Asian Americans in Hollywood Panel.
First, congrats on your lead performance in “Asian Stories (Book 3)”. Asian Americans (men, especially) rarely have the chance to be the lead of a feature film, so you must have been psyched about this experience. Any thoughts on that?
Thank you. This was probably the most fun I’ve had on a shoot. The best part about this script, is that the lead characters really could’ve been played by actors of any ethnicity, with some tweaking here and there. The fact that it presented great three-dimensional Asian American characters was very refreshing and rewarding.
I was the first cast to be attached, so to see the process from conception to casting to the shoot and then the premier — it’s been an incredible and hilarious journey.
Then again, your character is a heartbroken, self-loathing, suicidal man in a tuxedo. Was it much of a stretch?
(lol) I got to do some interesting research to play Jim. Because the character is loosely based on a real person — an old roommate of Kris (our executive producer) — Kris had these various home videos of Jim and Catherine at different events — trips to Disneyland, Holloween party, etc. The study was less about mannerisms or personality, but more about their dynamics and relationship.
Jim is a character whose rug is pulled out from underneath him by life at the most unexpected moment — human, imperfect, sometimes pathetic yet relatable. To experience his arc, I myself had to go through a gamut of emotions. It was a satisfying challenge.
 Heartbroken in “Asian Stories (Book 3)” |
You wore a tuxedo for most of the film. Just curious, was that really the same tuxedo?
Yeah, it was. I think we had one jacket, two shirts and pants. And many of our shoot days we had 90+ degrees weather… so you can imagine the fun I was having. Ron [director] later told me he wrote it that way to save money on wardrobe. After we wrapped, they gave me the tux as a memorabilia.
There were some pretty funny moments in the film where you had to stay dead pan. Did you have a hard time keeping yourself from cracking up?
We have some great outtakes and scenes that are not in the film. Maybe they’ll include it on the DVD. After spending time with Ron and Kris, I began to understand their humor more and more. Also during rehearsals, we improv’ed and played a lot, and discussed different ideas. The time we spent together really helped the chemistry of the cast and crew. We were laughing and talking all the time.
 Lee gets tough in “Bunny & Clydo” |
Now let’s talk about your career. Your bio says you’ve appeared in numerous commercials and projects (and in fact, the SDAFF screened “Bunny & Clydo” last year, which you starred in — loved it!). And now, you’re working on at least three feature films and you star in “Heroes”, the new NBC drama. Would you say you’re where you want to be with your career?
I’m very thankful how my journey has turned out. I came out to L.A. five years ago, knowing nobody in the city and surely nothing about the business. I was living in Boston, sold my used car for $1800, packed one suitcase and bought a one-way ticket. I spent my first night in L.A. in my rental car.
What did help me was that I didn’t come out with any expectations, but just a willingness to learn. My first two years in L.A., I really explored the arts: jazz singing, musical theatre, dance, doing plays, training at a conservatory. It was important for me to find myself before I jumped in to this game. Then my professional career began three years ago.
Television moves very fast. We shoot an hour episode — essentially one-half of a feature — in eight working days. The number of people involved to create the show from beginning to end is astounding. “Heroes” has one of the best organized production teams I’ve ever seen — very efficient and tight-knit.
|
Can you compare the indie film experience with your studio experience? I’m sure there are tradeoffs.
Indie films can move in a similar pace but for a very different reason. Usually it’s from a lack of a budget. Photography for “Asian Stories” was about 24 working days, and I was needed on all of them. There were times when we had just wrapped a 15-hour day, and I had to be on a set for a commercial in 2 hours. During our shooting I was seriously sleep-deprived, which probably helped with the character.
Indies also provide opportunities to tackle roles that maybe harder to come by in studio pictures. It often becomes more of a “collaboration” where everyone pulls in their resources to help the film come to fruition. That was certainly the case with “Asian Stories” and maybe that’s why it was so satisfying.
Some Asian American actors say they’ve had to audition for roles that they didn’t want (slim pickings). Have you ever taken a role you regretted or considered somewhat humiliating? And if so, do think things are getting better for ethnic men in Hollywood?
Sure, I’ve had auditions for roles that weren’t that interesting but luckily I’ve had many more that were rewarding. I haven’t had a project that I regretted — simply because I wouldn’t take it if I knew it was something I was going to dislike.
I think the responsibility to make things better for minorities falls on us. I and my fellow actors need to continue to do good work. We need more talented writers and filmmakers who will create stories and characters that are interesting and compelling. We need more collaborations between people with financial and political powers who can support and enable the arts and filmmaking. It’ll take time but I’m optimistic.
Who is your hero?
Teddy Roosevelt. I recently read about his life, and he was a pioneer in so many ways, overcoming some huge personal tragedies. Inventors like Thomas Edison, whose impact on humanity and our lives today is immeasurable. Oprah, because she does so much with what she has.
What do your parents think about your work?
They’re very supportive. I strategically did not discuss my career with them until I began to do TV. I wanted them to see it in a professional context. My father also lived in Japan for a while, and my character in “Heroes” is Japanese — so he’s really looking forward to seeing the show.
We hope you’re looking forward to throwing down with us at SDAFF. Any thoughts on the film festival experience, and particularly the role of Asian American film festivals?
I’ve had nothing but great experiences at festivals. They provide a venue for a lot of independent projects and a forum where people can come together and connect. Festivals like yours and Visual Communications are crucial in creating more visibility for Asian American work. It gives us a chance to celebrate our community and our arts. I want to personally thank and praise you for what you have done in San Diego. I’m looking forward to being there.
Finally, is Kyson your Korean name?
Kyson is from the first letters of my parents’ last names, “k” and “y”, and the word “son”. When written in Korean and Chinese characters, it means “Child of the Spirit.”
Lance Krall
February 18, 2007
| Lance Krall | |
 |
|
| Birth name | Lance Krall |
| Born | December 9, 1970 Monterey, California |
| Official site | http://www.lancekrall.com |
| Notable roles | “Kip” in The Joe Schmo Show |
Lance Krall (born December 9, 1970 in Monterey, California) is an American comedian and actor, television writer, director, and producer. He is best known for his role in faux-reality show The Joe Schmo Show.
[edit] Background
With his father, John Krall, being a Naval aviator, and his mother, Yung Krall, working as a spy for the CIA and FBI, Lance spent most of his life moving from country to country, state to state. After retirement, the family finally settled in Atlanta, Georgia.
[edit] Career
After getting his BA in Film and Theater at Georgia State University, Krall helped found The Whole World Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1993-2000, Krall performed in improv shows and scripted plays at Whole World.
In 1999, Krall was spotted by a Hollywood talent agent, and moved out west. In late 2000 he was cast on Steve Martin’s variety show, The Downer Channel. After a disappointing four episode run, Krall tried his luck at shooting his own sketch comedy show. With the help of his old troupe in Atlanta, Krall shot a thirty minute pilot named The Lance Krall Show.
In the interim, Krall was cast in the feature Made Up, directed by Tony Shalhoub, and later directed and starred in Party Animals that premiered at the Los Angeles International Film Festival and was an official selection in the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
In 2003 Krall was cast as Kip, a flamboyant Cuban homosexual, in the reality show parody The Joe Schmo Show. His popularity on Joe Schmo convinced Spike TV to greenlight eight episodes of The The Lance Krall Show.
Krall is currently working on a pilot, Free Radio for VH1.
Lance Krall also holds a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was ranked 6th in the nation in 1992. As a trainer, Krall coached several Junior Olympic gold medalists. In November 2005, Krall appeared as the karate instructor during Michael and Dwight’s match in “The Fight” episode of The Office.
[edit] External links
www.myspace.com/johnnyonelung
February 18, 2007
Entertainment’s New Jack-of-All-Trades
.. 
Angela Pang, Jan 19, 2007
Actor. Model. Host. Singer. Young and charismatic Vietnamese and French American John Wynn is a jack-of-all-trades in the entertainment industry.
In the past four years, the up-and-coming pop cultural phenomenon has modeled in national television commercials and print ads for Kohl’s, Verizon Wireless and recently Chevrolet. He has appeared on such television shows as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, American Dreams, 7th Heaven and General Hospital. He starred in the horror film, Ring of Darkness, and played a supporting role in the Sci-Fi Channel film They Are Among Us.
Wynn is slated to star in the feature film Beyond the Mat and will make his feature film debut this year as the comic lead in X’s and O’s.
Currently, the 25 year old, is the co-host of DirecTV’s highly rated and worldwide syndicated music program CD USA, which is in its second season. The show airs in over 97 countries and is a weekly hourlong showcase of live concert performances by chart-topping artists. Past performers include John Mayer, Nelly Furtado, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Busta Rhymes. He just hosted a Las Vegas New Year’s Eve special edition of CD USA, in which All-American Rejects, Rockstar: SuperNova, Smash Mouth, OK Go and Chicago performed.
..
“My job as host of CD USA is such a blast and leaves me feeling like I’m 10 years old in a candy store,” said Wynn, who has met celebrities like Christina Aguilera and Natasha Bedingfield. “On the outside, I’m mellow and I might not come off as a raving lunatic fan, but on the inside, I’m like, ‘YES! She just touched my shoulder!’”
“John is very driven, intelligent, self-possessed and funny. I think whatever level of success John is enjoying at the moment, he’s going to be on a lot more people’s radars in the coming years,” said actress and friend Camille Mana. “My one concern is if he is doing all these careers at once, that it might confuse audiences or slow down his rise, but I think with focus and a good team behind him, he will tackle each career medium strategically and experience success in all of them.”
Represented by Tim Kessler of Brady, Brannon & Rich, Bonnie Liedtke of TalentWorks Agency and managed by Peter Kluge of Impact Artists Group, Wynn plans on releasing his solo debut this year.
“The album will be combining trip hop, ambient songs, and will be a combination of all my musical influences like Pearl Jam, Damien Rice and Ben Harper,” said Wynn.
“As a musician and singer John is quite easy to work with,” said Johnny Lee of the band Frequency 5. “We’ve been recording in my studio for a few months now and I must say he has a lot to bring to the table. Not only can he sing, play the guitar and piano, but he writes meaningful lyrics as well.”
TAKING A RISK
Born in Chesterfield, Va., Wynn, who speaks a little Vietnamese and French, grew up singing and playing piano, but never really considered pursing a career in entertainment.
..>..>
“It was just something I did for fun. It was never emphasized,” said Wynn. “Asian kids are not generally encouraged to be entertainers. It is not what we are normally expected to do in America.”
Young Wynn was actually more intent on pursuing a career in medicine, but not because of parental pressure.
“It was something that I wanted to do,” said Wynn, whose mom is Vietnamese and dad is half French and half Vietnamese. “As a child, I definitely looked up to and admired my grandfather, who was a doctor, and in many ways I wanted to be like him.”
But during his freshman year at the University of Virginia, things changed when he fell in love with the guitar.
“My roommate in college was an incredible guitar player. He was the one who motivated me to learn how to play, and pretty soon I was practicing 24 hours a day and writing songs,” recalls Wynn, who majored in biology and chemistry. “You hardly ever saw me without a guitar at that point.”
Wynn was 21 years old and in his second year of graduate school at the Medical College of Virginia, when he made a life-changing decision. He opted to leave a highly promising career as a doctor and pursue his love of music.
“I started wondering when I’m 50, am I going to look back and say I did everything I wanted to do with my life” Not that saving lives isn’t fulfilling, but I felt like creatively I wasn’t 100 percent satisfied,” said Wynn. “Before I went down the path where there was no turning back, I wanted to just take a year off and play music.”
“My mom and dad were not happy. I think they weren’t upset that I wasn’t going to be a doctor, but because I was leaving behind a stable and respectful lifestyle for the unknown. My perspective on the whole situation was if you don’t gamble big, you don’t win big. Sure, I could end up homeless on Venice Beach, but I figured I’d never know what success was out there if I didn’t at least try,” said Wynn.
..
“I love and respect my parents and their wishes, but it was something I had to do at the time for me. To this day, they still ask me to go back to med school, but that time has passed for me. I’m out here [in California] doing what I want to do and the desire to finish med school just to say I did is not there.”
After leaving Virginia and medical school in 2003, Wynn drove cross-country to Nashville, Tenn., where he played solo shows at the Gibson Guitar Gallery and Café and the Bluebird Café before departing for Los Angeles.
In L.A., he played at spots like the Rainbow Bar and Grill, Whiskey A Go-Go and Silverlake Lounge. Six months later, he was signed to a label deal fronting the indie rock band Agent Sands, which eventually broke up in 2005.
WYNN’S BIG BREAK
During one of his music gigs with the band, Wynn had his big break and was discovered and signed on the spot by a modeling agent.
..>..>
Two weeks later, he shot his first national television commercial for Pizza Hut.
“After I found out that I booked my first commercial, I was completely in shock. My friends were at my apartment and I just jumped up and down and ran through the hallway, probably looking like the biggest fool on the planet,” said Wynn. “I never believed that this was something I was going to do. I left so I could pursue music, not become an actor or model. I’ve been very fortunate and lucky.”
During this time in 2004, Wynn continued to work as a waiter and bartender so he could continue to play music when he could. He also went on modeling and acting auditions at the prodding of his agent. This same year, he landed his first acting role on 7th Heaven. He played a 15-year-old Korean student who gets into a political debate with another classmate.
..
“I wasn’t offended that I was cast to play a Korean student, I was just happy that they were including an Asian aspect to their show,” said Wynn.
“Today, there are more Asian Americans on TV than ever before, and I think it’s great that the public is opening up to the concept that we can do more than math and science. I look at the show [CD USA] as an opportunity to show anyone who watches that you don’t have to stereotype us as one way,” said Wynn. “With me, hopefully they’ll see that I’m just a normal guy and us Asian Americans are just like anybody else,” said Wynn, who’s currently single.
“I was recently in a great relationship with an incredible woman, but we decided to break it off before it became too intense,” said Wynn. “So right now, I’m single and loving it.”
Wynn’s CD USA co-host Becky Baeling says, “His intellect, talent, expertise and cute face and bod add up to make him so appealing and successful. I have truly enjoyed my experience working with him. He has been an incredible role model for not only the young Asian American community, but for all youth.”
“He has great things in store for himself in the future, whether his next endeavor takes him back to his music, further into movies or with more hosting, he will find success in all he does. Because that is what John does,” Baeling continued. “John has what it takes to continue to do great things in this industry of entertainment.”
Reach Angela Pang at apang@asianweek.com.
Parry Shen
December 2, 2006
parry shen
www.PARRYSHEN.com
Male
33 years old
CALIFORNIA
United States
Parry Shen is best known for his performances in MTV Films’ “Better Luck Tomorrow” and in Columbia Pictures’ comedy, “The New Guy” opposite DJ Qualls (Hustle & Flow) and Zooey Deschanel (Elf). Other Films include: “First Daughter” starring Katie Holmes, “The Gene Generation” with Bai Ling & Faye Dunaway and “Hatchet” with Robert Englund in theaters Jan 2007. Parry recently filmed a cameo in the comedy, “Finishing the Game” — the anticipated follow-up collaboration with “Better Luck Tomorrow” director Justin Lin and cast. Television credits include: “Without A Trace”, “Veronica Mars”, “NCIS”, “The King of Queens”, “Tru Calling” and recurring on FX’s critically acclaimed “Thief”.
He’s been featured on “Entertainment Tonight” and “Extra” as well as in Premiere, Rolling Stone, VIBE, People Magazine, The LA Times and The Wall Street Journal.
 |
“ |
ACTORS/MODELS
November 25, 2006
John Tchoe
Art
Tong
Charles
–> –> –>
Jon
Jerry
Willis Chung
Bobby
Don
Chris Tashima
I’m an actor and director…
… perhaps best known for my Academy Award® winning short film, VISAS AND VIRTUE (1997), a 26-minute dramatic portrait of Holocaust rescuer Chiune “Sempo” Sugihara, which I directed, co-wrote (adapting a play by Tim Toyama) and starred as the heroic diplomat. To produce VISAS AND VIRTUE, I co-founded Cedar Grove Productions (with playwright/executive producer Toyama and producer Chris Donahue), which remains active developing and producing projects which boldly defy mainstream Hollywood by giving Asian Americans the spotlight on stage or the close-up on screen. More recently, I directed, co-wrote and acted in DAY OF INDEPENDENCE (2003), a tribute to Japanese Americans who endured America’s World War II concentration camps. This half-hour PBS drama received an EMMY® nomination in the category of Historical/Cultural – Program/Special.
.. language=”javascript” type=”text/javascript”> –> –> function confirmAbuseReport(url){ if ( confirm(“Are you sure you want to report this image as inappropriate?”) ) { location.href = url; } } // –> ..>
Matt
Tristan
John
Victor
Vex
Alfred
I do wushu. Love martial arts, ufc, kung fu movies, stunts, gymnastics, sparring, swords, ninjas and all that. I can’t stand people who are irresponsible, self-centered, or flakes. Living in LA has made me really value people who stick to what they say. I promote: Flaunt @ Mood on THURSDAYS | Garden of Eden on Saturdays –> MESSAGE ME for TABLE SERVICES =D or www.thehouseofglam.com. I love travel. Checked off my lsit: England, Italy, Switzerland, Amsterdam, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Canada.. and within the US.. Hawaii, Florida, New York, Nevada, DC.
–> –> –>
Thai – Hoa
Jackson
Lam
–> –> –>
Song Tran
