Krystle Tugadi, Musician | Los Angeles Headshots Photographer
She's got soul, she's got style, and it's no surprise that she's on the rise. While a lot of musicians these days are going all-virtual with their webcam performances, Krystle Tugadi has taken it back to the stage. She performs live shows several times a week around her Los Angeles/Orange County home base. Don't worry, she's got plenty of web presence too. Check below for the links.
More on Krystle Tugadi:
Listen in on Myspace
Stay tuned for the launch of KrystleTugadi.com in less than a week
And look forward to her video collaboration with Turtlist Media in the coming months.
Duncan Tran, Actor | Los Angeles Headshots Photographer
Duncan Tran is charmingly good looking, and he's an actor and incredibly talented dancer. Spend some time with him, and you also get to see that he's a giant goofball on the inside.
Plus, have I mentioned he's an amazing hip hop/break-dancer? Seriously. Look him up on youtube. But check out these photos first:
Henry M. Chu, Actor | Los Angeles Headshots Photographer
If you've been following along with my blog in the past couple years, you might remember Henry krumping on the streets of San Francisco. I've worked with Henry a number of times here and there, and he's always been a great person to work with and a wonderful friend. He's on the up and up in the acting world, and it's only a matter of time before he lands a leading role and escalates.
For this shoot, we just went for a couple quick looks on the streets of Manhattan Beach down here in Los Angeles.
Cop:
Happy smiley:
Check out Henry's official website at henrymchu.com.
Behind the Scenes of Census 2010: Write in “Taiwanese” | Passion Project
It's been a week since the Census 2010: Write in "Taiwanese" video debuted on YouTube, and it's already garnered over 120,000 views. Produced by Slideshow Pictures in conjunction with at least seven Taiwanese American organizations, the public service announcement is part of a larger campaign to get Taiwanese Americans to self-identify on the US Census by checking "Other Asian" and writing in "Taiwanese."
If you know me well, you may know that I love being behind the scenes of all sorts of projects and productions. So I was very lucky to find myself a last-minute addition to this project. Five days beforehand, we worked it out for me to fly down to Los Angeles for a day and a half, just to help out a tiny bit. Let's be honest-- I basically had an very fun day just hanging out with the various cast and crew members, but my official capacity was to serve as the behind-the-scenes photographer on set of the video production. Later, I pulled my own weight by designing the accompanying website for the video campaign (http://taiwaneseamerican.org/census2010). But now I get to bring you behind the scenes with me!
We got an early start on the day, rolling out of bed around 6am and heading over to the studio in Alhambra.
Three Slideshow Pictures producers and a makeup artist relaxing a bit before shooting begins: Jon Lee (CEO, Slideshow Pictures), makeup artist Yuriko Bondies, Alex Yang (Slideshow Picture), and Howard Chen (Slideshow Pictures). Jon has been working in Hollywood for a couple years now. He was an associate producer on Formosa Betrayed. So between him and director Karen Lin, they were able to make this a first-class production with sound, photography, and editing professionals up and down the production chain.
Byron Werner and his crew sets up the backdrop, lighting, and camera.
They test the setup on Howard. Looking good in both frames.
Jon Lee with Alex Wen, owner of KCW studios.
The famous "Taiwanese" Census 2010 shirts. Order yours today from TACL!
Harrison and Haley are third generation hapa Taiwanese Americans. Adorable! Harrison just kept on munching away at his fruit while he was waiting, and Haley was a natural star, delivering lines flawlessly!
Love the giant pencil. Love.
Politician and lawyer Ted Lieu gets some pointers from director Karen Lin.
Two sets of sisters! We had a few really great families who came to the shoot. On the left are Japanese-Taiwanese American Muramoto sisters. On the right, Agnes Hsiao and Elena Ling.
If you've been following me or Taiwanese American news, you might recognize these two as the killers from Formosa Betrayed: actors Henry M. Chu and Adam Wang (links to previous shoots with me). Keep an eye out. You'll be seeing them more in the near future!
You may recognize actress Michelle Krusiec from Saving Face, amongst other projects. And on the right, a 96-year-old a-ma, Mrs. Ray-Yun Tsai Huang.
There were many, many more interesting people who participated in the video, but I don't have space to show all of them here, so head on over to the Census 2010: Write in "Taiwanese" website to meet all of the other cast and crew members.
Singer-songwriter Alice Tong fills out some information for me-- my other job that day was to collect bio information from everyone.
Director Karen Lin wraps the shoot at the end of the day-- 8am to 5pm. A full day's work.
Alex works on the giant pencil.
Breaking everything down-- the scene outside.
A wider view of KCW studio.
I don't know what they're thinking! You tell me.
Lastly, a word about the campaign-- I could launch into an argument about history and politics validating a Taiwanese identity. But for me, it's also about upholding the right to identify ourselves rather than be defined by others.
So share the YouTube video and the website. Tweet this. Go after one of the many other ways to take action. And tell every Taiwanese American person in the United States about the campaign.
But as Ho Chie says, no matter how you identify, whether Taiwanese or not, be sure to represent your own identity and community. This is important for all of us as Americans, and this is our only chance this decade.
Be Counted. Be Recognized.
Above, my latest web creation. Their bios display on hover! You can also learn more about the campaign and ways to help by visiting the website.
Formosa Betrayed, Now Opening
Five years ago, in 2005, it was just an idea. A passion project being born.
Starting today, February 26, 2010, the feature film Formosa Betrayed is playing in select theaters across the country. The Taiwanese American community has done an amazing job emphasizing the importance of this weekend (everyone and their mother should go see it-- twice-- bringing friends each time), but I'm zooming out a bit further to describe what the journey has been like in the last five years-- from my perspective as someone only loosely tied to the production but very strongly supportive of it. If you don't know much about the film, scroll to the bottom for a better synopsis and links to more information. And if you're in a major city, take it upon yourself to GO AND SEE IT TODAY!
-----
Back in 2005, Politician-turned producer/writer/actor Will Tiao wanted to bring Taiwan's story to the big screen via a Hollywood feature film. And so he began traveling around the country to drum up support in the Taiwanese American community.I remember my initial excitement (and skepticism) hearing him speak at the 2006 ITASA conference at Illinois. The initial synopsis that he circulated went something like this:
Inspired by the murders of Professor Chen Wen-Chen and journalist Henry Liu, as well as countless other Taiwanese democracy and independence activists and their struggles during the "White Terror" period, Will Tiao with his team of Hollywood screenwriters created a fictional story based on the real events.
Synopsis:
In 1983, during a routine small-town murder investigation of a Taiwanese professor, a disenfranchised cop – suffering from an identity crisis and a loss of faith in the justice system – slowly unearths a spiderweb of international secrets that has been thriving within college campuses across America for decades. With the help of the outspoken widow and a Taiwanese spy, he finds himself on a head-on collision not only with his own personal demons, but also with the U.S. State Department, the Chinese Mafia, and ultimately to the highest levels of the Nationalist Chinese Government in Taiwan.
My initial reactions are mixed. If this guy can actually pull it off, well, the possibilities are amazing. On the other hand, he could be full of idealistic fervor, and this could turn out to be a sad little movie that no one wants to watch.
But in the next several months, Will hits fundraising hard. Before you know it, he's raised over $6 Million for the project. It's starting to look like this will really happen.
Early 2007, one of my good friends Jon Lee embarks on being an assistant to Will for the project. All possibilities still ahead of him, Jon reflects on doing something for the love, and the potential he has for making an impact.
I am actually very excited for this job. I look at it as an immensely satisfying opportunity to do what I want to do and staying true to myself while being paid for it and hopefully keeping the parents happy.
While working on commercials in Hollywood has been a great experience, the final product of my work lacks the positive impact on humankind that I wish my work to have... I remembered that one night and promptly wrote a post-it note on my desktop saying, "stay in california until formosa betrayed gets made." And as fortune would have it, I ran into Will at a Taiwanese event that weekend, and we spoke about the possibility of me helping the project, and here I am now.
Over the next year, production gets underway. We (those of us on the outside) aren't holding our breaths so much any more, but getting involved tangentially and keeping an ear on what's happening with the film. Actual filming begins in Chicago and later, Thailand. We learn that the lead is James Van Der Beek. Dawson? Yes, Dawson.
Fast forward to last year, 2009. Word is, the movie has been cut. It exists! And critics are saying it's actually pretty good. I get myself invited to the cast/crew/investors-only premiere in Los Angeles as an official photographer. It's timed to coincide with the historically significant date February 28, known as 228.
Click to view my posting from last year.
It's pretty surreal to be mixing and mingling with the cast on the red carpet: Wendy Crewson, James Van Der Beek, and Leslie Hope.
The audience settles in to view this passion project as it comes to fruition. For me, it was a mixture of awe and relief seeing the movie for the first time and realizing it's actually good. Words cannot describe what it was like to see this story, so near and dear to my heart, projected on the screen.
And afterwards, with producer/actor Will Tiao, director Adam Kane, myself, and actor James Van Der Beek.
As amazing as the premiere was, and as gratifying as it was to see the movie, it was never made just for people like me who already know the story of Taiwan. The goal has always been to bring the story to mainstream America, and so here we are now.
2010. After buzzworthy attention at several major film festivals, Formosa Betrayed got picked up by distributor Screen Media Films and set out to get into theaters nationwide. Again timed for the weekend of February 28 (228), the film's opening day was set for February 26, 2010.
Cast and crew set out to promote the film around the country. Last month, they were in the Bay Area for a Lunar New Year event cosponsored by TaiwaneseAmerican.org.
Actor Tzi Ma speaks about the film as Will Tiao looks on.
Two Taiwanese American actors in the film, Adam Wang and Henry M. Chu, play the killers.
Apparently, Adam is a very funny guy!
Again, I am the one tangentially involved as official photographer, and this time, I get to spend a bit of time with all of the cast and crew at the event: Adam Kane, Tzi Ma, and Will Tiao.
Adding in Ho Chie Tsai, creator of TaiwaneseAmerican.org, sporting Census 2010 shirts.
Ok, so it's been a really long journey. But now, it's the main event. From one man's passion project to an amazing, collaborative production, this film has huge potential. From Will Tiao himself:
The Taiwanese people have suffered at the hands of many over the last century, but these stories have rarely been told or heard. As a second generation Taiwanese American, I feel it is my duty to educate my generation, as well as the world, about the struggles and suffering of the Taiwanese. We cannot allow our country's history and our people's hardships to be forgotten. Once that happens, it only becomes a matter of time before it is repeated. This is precisely why I spent the last five years of my life working on Formosa Betrayed.
As the turbulent reaction to President Obama's recent arms sale to Taiwan shows, US-China-Taiwan relations are still a hot button topic that is greeted by fleeting interest, faint support, or --worst of all-- indifference by the American media. I am hoping the release of Formosa Betrayed will help spur greater awareness and wider discussion about these important matters in the United States and abroad. The Taiwanese people deserve to have an equal voice in affairs related to our country's future. We cannot sit quietly and allow others to decide our fate. This is why I am urging you to see Formosa Betrayed with your children, family and friends...
No one else is going to do this for us. We must do this ourselves and we must do this now.
-----
Formosa Betrayed is out in select theaters today, February 26, 2010. It is a "political thriller" about Taiwan's democracy movement in the '70s and '80s based on actual events. The film stars James Van der Beek (aka Dawson of Dawson's Creek), an FBI agent who investigates a murder in the U.S. that leads him to Taiwan and a deeper understanding of the political turmoil there. It's incredibly important for independent films to have a strong showing in their opening weekend, and with your help, we're aiming to top the box offices for indy films this weekend. View the full list of theaters here (NY, NJ, Bay Area, LA, Orange County).
More information, visit the Official Website of Formosa Betrayed
View the official trailer here (Note: Rated R for "some violence").
Formosa Betrayed also featured in San Jose Mercury News (backstory), New York Times (Arts section), ABC News (interview with "Dawson" - recommended); MTV, (same).
Passion Project: TaiwaneseAmerican.org | Webdesign
Every so often-- more often than not, actually-- I get to spend my time working on projects I love. It's not just a coincidence, but a conscious effort to pursue what I find compelling. And while the idea of pursuing your passions is a common enough sentiment, I think many people perceive it too difficult to actually live this way. For one thing, doing something 'for the love' often means doing it for free. But in reality, doing something out of passion will drive you through all of the tedium and the long hours of work much more effectively and rewardingly (yes, I made up that word) than the allure of money ever could.
So take a look at my latest passion project: the brand new face of TaiwaneseAmerican.org. I created the new look and functionality for the site with the help of many, many generous friends. Read my post from behind the scenes of the revamp: Behind the Scenes: A Word from the Designer. And because I love a good 'before and after', here are some screenshots of the website, pre- and post- makeover. Let me know what you think by leaving a comment here or there.
Before:
After:
Alice Tong | San Francisco Headshots Photographer
It comes upon you and envelops you. It’s so warm and rich that you want to pull it around you and curl up in it. I'm not sure how such a sound comes out of her petite frame, but one thing is certain-- Alice Tong has a beautifully capitvating voice.
I got ten thousand ways to say I love you and nine thousand times I’ll never tell you.
When I arrived at Alice's place in San Francisco's Haight district, her sister was still helping out with makeup. Alice seemed ready to slide out of the chair and begin shooting, but her eyelashes had to be fixed up properly, and Lance and Momo (her two beloved dogs) were still busy scoping out the new stranger.
As we began our shoot, I could see Alice's personality unfurling; she has an open spirit and a gentle, laid back aura matched with a quirky twist, a sense of humor and such a strong voice with so much to say. Wandering from living room to windowsill to Buena Vista Park, we found amazing shots all along the way.
Check the bottom of the post for more information on Alice's music and her upcoming gig at Hotel Utah in San Francisco.
Alice Tong's first album, Small, is a beautiful collection of jazz tunes available on Amazon, Blacklava, and iTunes. Her second album is in the works; it's a selection of all original compositions set to be released in early 2010.
In the meantime, check out Alice Tong two days before Thanksgiving at Hotel Utah in San Francisco: Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at 8:30 pm.
Ilyssa Lu
What a great session yesterday! I spent two hours with Ilyssa shooting in different spots around her beautiful apartment complex in Mission Bay, San Francisco. I actually met Ilyssa through a mutual friend you may have seen here before-- actor Henry Chu-- they both have engineering degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ilyssa is still working in a similar field, but she's also done a couple beauty pageants on the side. Last year she was crowned Miss San Francisco Chinatown, and it's not difficult to see why!
The wind was completely on our side for this shot! Perfectly styled.
Love the angles. Super sexy!
Getting cozy with the grass! This one is so happy.
I loved doing this shoot, and I think this is a perfect example of why I encourage people to do the longer sessions. Sometimes it just takes a little while to warm up to the camera and to feel completely comfortable to let the creativity flow. With two hours, we were able to try out three different outfits, visit 4 different locations, and explore a wide range of looks. The photos in the grass were some of my favorites, and they didn't happen until the very end. You can see the warmth and intimacy that comes from being comfortable with the camera, which often just takes a little bit of time! So if you're considering a portrait session, think about booking a 1-hour or 2-hour session. I highly, highly recommend it!
Paul Yen & Stacey Blase
Paul Yen! Paul is one of my good friends from Duke. He was home in Cupertino for much of the summer but is about to move out to New York City. Whether he decides to go to Parsons for design or work in advertising, he'll also be ready for any acting gigs that come along on the side. He promises to send me referrals when he becomes famous!
For this shoot, Paul and his girlfriend Stacey drove up to Oakland, and we did a really simple headshot session, made slightly more interesting by the fact that Paul injured his knee and Stacey had foot surgery earlier this summer. Regardless, they hobbled through, and we wandered all around the Oakland Museum of California and Jack London Square. We even got a couple shots at the end of Paul & Stacey together.
So sweet! I'm wishing you both all the best as you move out to the East Coast. Don't forget to come back and visit!
tafLabs & tafMedia
I've been working this week at Taiwanese American Foundation, the summer camp I've attended since I was ten years old. I'm serving as part of tafLabs, a new program in which we develop projects to make awesome things happen in our community.
To see some of the multimedia work we've been doing, follow out the new blog I created for TAF this week. http://blog.tafworld.org.
