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.
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:
Reviews on Yelp
I just set up a page for Anna Wu Photography on yelp.com: Anna Wu Photography on Yelp.
If you've never heard of Yelp, it's a review site where people can post about their experiences with anything from restaurants to dentists. Yelp is based in San Francisco, so it's especially popular in the Bay Area. I'm really excited to join the community. And of course, the more reviews I get, the better the site will function.
So-- calling all clients, new and old!-- speak your truth and be heard on Yelp. What was your experience like working with me? Tell the world. Set up an account and write what you will. Anna Wu Photography on Yelp.
And then there was one
Ok. This is admittedly a very silly thing, but I'm ok with that.
I monitor my website using Google Analytics, and every so often, I go in to take a peek at the data--all sorts of nifty graphs and charts. Today, I looked at the lifetime map and noticed this one last bastion of uncharted territory... Nebraska.
First person to Nebraska wins a prize! Come on, visit annawu.com.
Even Idaho did it! ;)
Website Revamped
Over these next few days, I will be dedicating oodles of time and efforts to establishing my photography business here in the Bay Area. There are so many things I'd like to do-- projects and plans I've been saving for this summer-- and I'm excited to share the journey with you.
The first step I took was to revamp the website. Take a look around! Notice anything different? If not, don't feel too bad. The changes are subtle. The layout is the same, but half the content is brand new, with a new portfolio and streamlined navigation among the redesigned features. Spend some time poking around, and let me know if you find any bugs or dead links.
I've also put up a craigslist posting for my photography. Oh craigslist, land of spam bots and interesting strangers. But I have high hopes that my photos will do the talking and people will make their way to me.
Next step is a Bay Area music schools tour, where I'll put up flyers for headshots just like I did back in Cincinnati. Facebook page updates, twitter feed, and other projects soon to follow!
If you email me by July 25 to book a session, I'm offering special rates that start at $65. Just name your favorite Anna Wu Photography image. Remember, I'll be in the SF Bay Area until July 21. Then I'll be in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois in rapid succession until August 5.
Mochi Magazine
mochi mag-- empowering asian american teenage girls.
i got involved with mochi last spring as the creative director. it's a magazine started by three friends who realized a need for a magazine specific to asian american girls. they envisioned a publication run by asian american girls for asian american girls, a magazine that might serve as the "older sister you never had."
that vision quickly materialized into a nation-wide collection of all-volunteer staff who contributed time, talent, and skills to the cause. i am super excited to be part of the crew. unfortunately, with first-year teaching, i was struggling to devote time to the magazine, and it existed as little more than my email signature. but now that i'm finally getting more control over my time, i have been working on the new blog. tweaking, redesigning, reorganizing, and adding all sorts of snazzy features.
the other girls have done an amazing job. james kyson lee from heroes. vienna teng. disney channel's brenda song. an exclusive scoop from gossip girl's nan zhang. the list goes on.
check it out. do me a favor and leave a comment!
www.mochimag.com
Talya and Pavle
talya lieberman has a new life plan. and it's big.
they've already been featured by the ny times (freakonomics blog) and will soon be gracing the wall street journal. their song, freddie mac and cheese, is not only timely and witty, but musically rich-- and catchy!
talya and pavle. they're an up-and-coming duo. pavle on guitar, talya with the vocals. i read somewhere that they labeled themselves geek pop. but i've gotta say it's folky, and maybe geeky, way more than 'pop'.
of course, it's only fitting that talya would unearth these beautiful vocals from her motley musical background. born to a professional cellist (mother), a bassist and music teacher (father), talya has an outrageous musical resume that includes children's chorus, lifelong piano lessons, a brief encounter with cello, a year on viola, a fascination with french horn, and even now, graduate studies in trumpet. musical is quite the understatement.
i'm doing my part to get the word out. so check out the new website i made them. it's still in progress, but it's a nice start.
New Beginnings
lying in bed for two days, this is what i came up with...
a new image for the front page of annawu.com.
it's a new look as this year closes out and i think about what's to come.
the border is actually a compilation of photos, so i thought i'd point out some of the sources... mostly a reflection of my california settings in the past year.
Facebook Fans
it's official-- you can now become a fan of anna wu photography on facebook!
visit this anna wu photography page and click to become a fan!
Celebrity Kids
calling any babies or young children in the cincinnati area... i'm the newest photographer on the team at celebrity kids portrait studios in mason (by the new borders). check out the website-- they have some great images... lots of cute babies!
if you or anyone you know wants to let me photograph you or your young children for my first official session, let me know. you can even get three free sheets of photos out of it!