Interests:This journal is an experiment delving into the day-to-day of one actor's path; realistically detailing all the highs and lows.
How will it all work out? Well, that's the point.
Good or bad, there's always something to be extrapolated for either future actors or the casual passerby. Expertise:Credentials/Links: www.imdb.com/name/nm0791487/,
www.parryshen.com,
www.myspace.com/parryshen
Besides having the 2 daughters now, all of my time this past year has been directed towards putting this book together. That corkboard on the right, with all the stories laid out in order on index cards, has been my life.
But there's nothing like delving into an original creation that you believe 110% in. We're finally in the home stretch and I'll soon have more images to share. But one of the multitude of things I've learned in the publishing business these past 2 1/2 years is... once the book's done, it's all about publicity and banging the drum - mostly by yourself.
A great book that our publisher's publicist suggested was: "The Savvy Author's Guide To Book Publicity" by Lissa Warren. It's a really interesting read about all the things that go into that small window right before AND after the book's out (ex: not having any media done on your book until AFTER the book is in stores -- otherwise folks will get frustrated when trying to find it and most likely won't come back to try again.)
One of the cool things I'm busy with now is converting some of the book's stories into mini movies -- editing them panel by panel, adding music, foley, voices to ultimately use them as teasers in the approaching months online.
But the biggest thing right now is setting up a tour to bring the book out into the public. It's funny, of the three editors that will be traveling -- all three of us have had babies born while putting this book out -- so I feel like the aging Rolling Stones putting out a tour or something.
It used to be so easy to just take off and tour the country with the biggest concern being: whether or not to check-in or carry-on my luggage.
Now it's all about finding coverage for child care.
But... what has to be done, has to be done. We've worked too hard and come too waaay too far to half-a** it now. So without further adieu, below is the SI Book Tour press release and programming info. Please forward to organizations you think would be interested -- thanks!
SECRET IDENTITIES: The Asian American Superhero Anthology - 2009 BOOKTOUR
September 29, 2008 –SECRET IDENTITIES: The Asian American Superhero Anthology to be published by The New Press in April 2009 -- has begun seeking opportunities at universities/colleges to host a book event during Asian American Heritage Month from April to May 2009.
Possible programming includes:
- Showcasing a traveling galleryof original artwork from celebrity contributors (James Kyson Lee, Sung Kang, Kelly Hu, Aaron Yoo, Beau Sia, Yul Kwon) that will be auctioned off for Cartoonists Across America - a literacy program.
- A 30 min documentary, highlighting a sampling of the stories as animated films.
- Discussion on the stories inspired by actual events/people (internment camps, Atomic bombs, Vincent Chin, Wen Ho Lee, Transcontinental Railroad, Vietnam Airlifts).
- An interactive workshop where participants "audition" for roles portrayed by AA’s on film/tv to demonstrate the need for projects, like SI -- to create strong, 3-dimensional heroes and role-models.
- Q&A panel with editors/local contributors and book signing.
SECRET IDENTITIES uses the conventions of the superhero comic book to expose the real face of the Asian American experience, usually hidden behind the mask of misperception and stereotype.
This groundbreaking anthology brings together top Asian American creators in the comics industry—including Gene Yang (American Born Chinese), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Greg Pak (The Hulk), Sonny Liew (Liquid City), Greg LaRocque (The Flash), Christine Norrie (Black Canary Wedding Special), and Francis Tsai (Heroes for Hire)—as well as new and established creators from film (Mike Kang), television (Keiko Agena) and literature (Jamie Ford), to craft original graphical short stories set in a compelling "shadow history" of our country: from the building of the railroads, to the Japanese American internment, atomic bombings, the Vietnam airlift, the murder of Vincent Chin and the groundless incarceration of Dr. Wen Ho Lee.
This week Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain, running mate Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani and a laundry list of GOP-ers are out in full attack mode at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota -- each taking turns to poke at rival Democratic Presidential Nominee, Barack Obama with a majority of their "witty" statements fixated on this point:
"He's [Barack] never run a city, never run a state, never run a business, never run a military unit. He's never had to lead people in crisis," said former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "This is not a personal attack ... it's a statement of fact — Barack Obama has never led anything. Nothing. Nada."
As true as that may be, I find it humorous that they've all selectively darted around the fundamental definition of a leader. It's a definition that's taught in any basic Management class, which is:
Leadership is when others follow you because they wantto, not because they have to.
A great leader inspires people to want to be better. To want to stand up from the mire of apathy and cynicism that they've languished in for the past 8 years. Hell, to get me off my a$$ to blog in support after enjoying 2 1/2 months of inactivity! And 85,000 patriotic Americans in a packed stadium at last week's Democratic National Convention in Denver showed in spades how much they wanted to follow this man's lead.
Additionally, good leaders are also good delegators. I don't think anyone will doubt the enthusiasm and competancy level of the best minds this country has to offer, in every field, that will be clambering to work with Obama and can choose to surround himself with.
Because really, when all is said and done, this country can pretty much run itself on autopilot regardless of whomever is in office. Local governments are in place, tax dollars are allocated into different areas, all the cogs and gears that make this country move will continue to grind away. Leaders will nudge us towards certain directions, etc.
But to have a reawakened interest in wantingto actively take part in shaping changes in this country for the better as opposed to just 'waiting out' an incumbent's term -- it's that intangible *spark* that has been missing, at least in my life since 2001, and been replaced by Barack Obama. This man not only has the rare perspective of a minority(that you can reallyonly possess by actually being a minority) but also the pulse and the heartbeat of the majority.
Not to discount the support or service to this country John McCain has established but hey, it's gotta say something when arguably one of the most conservative political minds ever, Pat Buchanan, who has said stuff like this -- can't stop gushing over how great Obama's speech last week was.
Yeah, yeah, I know he was only 'giving his opinion on the merits of Obama's speech' and 'doesn't consider him a good Presidential candidate' despite the praise.
But let's go back to the videotape and look at his body language (especially at the 1:35 & 2:00 marks).
The old man's excited.
No two ways about it. I play ALOT of poker and man, if that ain't an obvious tell like Teddy KGB chompin' on his oreoes cuz he's got a made hand (see: "Rounders") -- I don't know what is! The hairs on the back of his neck got prickled -- but because of who he is, he could never publicly endorse Obama no matter what he felt.
No, he's got to put on his GOP game face and man-up. Like Mitt Romney eating humble pie after losing his Presidential bid and having to publicly support McCain. Like Ben Affleck having to say "This is the best movie I've ever worked on" during the press junket of "Paycheck".
Unfortunately, we all know how the game's played being exposed to it so many times during the past 8 years -- nothing but spin, spin, spin. Hearing the publicist make their statement and then trying to listen and decipher what the real story is beneath the 'official' press release.
But it's that *spark*, the one that momentarily cracked the Grand Old Party's Pat Buchanan usual demeanor, and is lighting up something in others as well, that is going to get my vote come November.
Michelle Maykin is 26 years old. Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in February 2007, Michelle underwent chemotherapy for seven months but relapsed in May 2008.
She now needs to find a bone marrow match to save her life. You could be that person. Please consider registering as a bone marrow donor. To learn more, visit projectmichelle.com.
Last week I mentioned the MADtv sketch, "Attitudes and Feelings, Both Desireable and Sometimes Secretive" that I shot. Well, here it is! I come in at the 2:30 mark. Props to my mom and aunt for helping me with the Cantonese. Enjoy!
Just got back this weekend from speaking and workshopping at MAASU (Midwestern Asian American Student Union) and had a great time. As most may be aware, in my workshops I have the participants "audition" for the roles that my colleagues and I read for as actors -- both the good and the bad.
In doing so, it gives folks a real sense of how these roles seen by millions of viewers and will ultimately and subtly "trickle down" to the mass public's perception of Asian Americans. That seeing an Asian American character described for the 20th time as:
"Office I.T. guy, nerdy and shy. Awkward around women. However has the ability to access information with lightning speed" or "fiercely intelligent (a nerd, even), and asexual"
Leads to real-life statistics like this:
The authors of "Freakonomics" did a study of women who dated online and found 97% of white women preferred white men but responded equally to profiles of Hispanic Men if they made $77k+ more, Black Men if they made $154k+ and Asian Men if they made $247k or more.
In the workshops, I ask folks how did the Asian American Male become so undesirable -- that only having a quarter million dollars in his pocket could even things out?
My theory is it comes largely from the roles that are inundated in a medium that is seen all over the country and now the world with sites like YouTube. Because honestly, who'd want to be with a guy whose fingers are only magic on the computer keyboard and not in the bedroom?
So my intent in doing these workshops is to expose the future leaders and pillars of society to what is going on in the real world so that when they actually are in a position to do something about it 15 or 20 years from now... they'll hopefully do so.
Anyway, it's always inspiring to see the younger generation get gung-ho about being proactive. However, I do often wonder about how many follow-though once every day life gets to 'em after college.
Then a few weeks ago, Bobby Lee invited me into the Korean Drama parody sketch world of "Attitudes and Feelings, Both Desireable and Sometimes Secretive" on MADtv.
Here's where they left off in the storyline last season and the saga will continue with Bobby, Sung Kang, Cathy Shim and myself (speaking Chinese in a Korean Drama, natch!) this Saturday, April 5th on MADtv, 11/10 central on FOX!Not to give anything away but I can tell you the sketch has something to do with Ping-Pong!
I saw Bobby at an event two Christmas' ago, and told him how much I loved the 'Attitudes' sketches to which he replied, "You wanna do one?" To which I replied, "Hell yeah!" And lo and behold, 15 months later when there was an opening, he was true to his word.
When I met comedian Danny Cho at MAASU this weekend, he said Bobby did the same thing for him -- getting him in as "Pongo" on his Thailand Cable Access sketch on MADtv. Check out when Danny cuts in on Carmen "Electrica" at 4:38 during the slow dance at the end. Cracks me up all the time and apparently Carmen too - Danny told me that was part was all improvised.
Granted, the stuff isn't Shakespeare but here's a guy that's at least trying to use his position on a show to integrate as many Asian faces as possible and being a generous guy lending a hand out. Good lookin' out, Bobby!
And then finally -- it happened again 2 weeks ago. Low amniotic fluids in my wife's belly. Baby needs to come out 3 weeks early. Sound familiar? Well that's because the same thing happened 3 years ago with Avery!
Although this time we got to schedule the C-section the next day! Got to go home, shower, pack a bag. 24 hours notice -- sheesh, cake walk. Anyway, please welcome... Kori Layne Shen at 5lbs 10oz, 19 inches long.
Avery's been a great big sis so far.
I took her to see "Horton Hears a Who" last week since I was going to miss her B-Day speaking at MAASU and this time I got her a pair of earmuffs to wear because the theater's loud sound system just freaks her out.
She asked if Kori could come. I said, "No, she's too small." And she retorted, "But I'll share my earmuffs with her!" Aww. I have feeling I'm in store for a lot more "Aww" moments in the near future.
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theater's loud sound system just freaks her out. 
