acting

Yin & Young EP048 - Actor Paul Yen (Vietgone, Little Fires Everywhere)

July 12, 2020 in Asian American, Entertainment

Hi All! We recorded this podcast at the start of the lockdown with actor Paul Yen! Paul is a politically aware actor who can be seen on Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” in the role of Scott. Paul was nominated in 2018 (not 2019 as said in the podcast) for LA Drama Critics Circle’s Best Lead Actor for his portrayal of Quang in East West Players’ “Vietgone.”

HIGHLIGHTS:

00:51 Dan met Paul through a play that was directed by Dan’s wife.
1:46 Graduated from CSULB. Took a long break until a friend convinced him to finish his degree.
14:15 Had to rap for the “Vietgone” audition. 17:20 A social media post from the director telling Asian American men to “take space” lit a fire for Paul.
20:36 Many older Vietnamese immigrant are registered Republicans (incl. his parents). Been trying to get them to vote more Democrat.
28:00 Shares his auditioning process for “Little Fires Everywhere” (says this experience can vary greatly depending on the casting office).
Role for “Little Fires Everywhere” differs from the Asian model minority stereotype
37:58 Watching Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon’s process as executive producers was educational and inspiring.
43:30 Solo show “Secret Identity Crisis” (The Hollywood Fringe 2017) takes popular superheroes (Batman, Superman, Spiderman) and reimagines them as Asian-American men.
55:39 Shares his voice acting experience on “White Snake.”
1:02:20 Sheltering in place with his wife and dog during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1:15:11 Paul’s political awakening.
1:35:48 Believes Asians actors should be able to play other types of Asians (as long there’s no language stipulation).

Language Corner (1:31:08):

Taiwanese - 莫按呢 - mài anné: don’t be like that
Japanese - 仕舞った (しまった) - shimatta - darn it! we’re screwed!
Vietnamese - mày - informal “you.” Used only between people who’re familiar.

Yin & Young EP31 - Writer Vicky Luu

June 15, 2018

Yin & Young and returning guest Laura Cox meet with writer and Young’s fellow Milpitas home girl Vicky Luu!

* Vicky and James went to the same high school, but didn’t connect until recently in LA through a mutual high school friend, Anson, Vicky’s first boyfriend.
* Vicky dated Anson out of social pressure.
* Vicky is into true crime stories.
* Vicky writes for Superstore.
* She likes to watch a lot of different shows to see what's available.
* Top 3 things she likes that doesn't involve screens, Hiking, Camping, Eating out with Friends.
* Born and raised in Milpitas, Vicky went to USC for undergrad, studied film and TV.
* She initially liked the production end of things.
* After graduating USC, she stayed in LA as a Production Assistant working in reality TV.
* Met her writing partner on the set of "Family Guy".
* They wrote a script and their bosses passed it onto UTA and they both got signed.
* Got their first gig on "Marry Me", then to "Grinder", then went to "Superstore" in their second season.
* Vicky is conversational in Vietnamese.
* Vicky came out as a lesbian in college. Vicky shares her dramatic coming out story with her parents which involves a short film, lots of laughing, and tears.
* We get an inside look into how a writer's room works.
* Yin leaves early because he has to take his Mom, a “Fast and the Furious” fan, to the airport in the morning.
* Vicky’s grown to love LA for all the options that are available.
* Vicky shares how she met her wife.
* Discussion veers to the label people have of each other.

Language Corner:
Mandarin (James): 辛苦 - xīnkǔ - suffering, toilsome
Korean (Laura): 짐이 많은 - jim-i manh-eun - burdensome
Vietnamese (Vicky): Dất ơi - Oh My God

Vicky Luu's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2936759/
Superstore on NBC: https://www.nbc.com/superstore

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Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young Episode 30 - Actor George Q. Nguyen

May 20, 2018 in Filmmaking, Asian American, Acting, Entertainment

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/6R_EhkohGP4 (or click picture above)

After a month-long hiatus, Yin & Young are back with an interview with actor George Q. Nguyen discussing his path from SF to LA and balancing a day job with an acting career.

- Young met George in the Bay Area for a screening of "The Grandmaster."
- George's parents used to teach language for the Defense Institute in Monterey. Was born in El Paso, but grew up in San Francisco. Started as a film major as an undergrad and filmed in 8mm.
- Took one acting class as undergrad. Realized was more passionate about being in front of the camera or on stage then behind the camera.
- Changed his major to Cellular & Molecular Biology, wanted a more practical major.
- Got a job at ACT selling tickets to upcoming shows and was able to take ACT classes at night.
Started working at a biotech before graduation.
- "Whenever a director asks you to audition, you audition," was one of the first great acting lessons he learned.
- Continued working both at a biotech firm and at ACT doing sales.
- Biotech pays the bills to allow George to pursue his creative endeavors.
- George got hit by a car not too long ago. Broke his leg in different parts and as gone through multiple operations to fix things. Rough start to 2018.
- Being a consultant/contractor allows for some flexibility to go to auditions.
- Tried various martial arts in SF such as Wing Chun where he learned in a garage.
- Oscar Corner: Yin and Young and George discuss some Best Films from 2017.
"Coco", "Three Billboards", "I, Tonya", "The Shape of Water."

LANGUAGE CORNER
Mandarin - 清明節 - Qīngmíng Jié - Tomb Sweeping Day
Vietnamese - đám giỗ - death anniversary.
Japanese (slang) - yankee - delinquent

George’s Links:
website: https://sites.google.com/site/geogenes/
films: https://sites.google.com/site/geogenes/george%27sfilms
imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2852475/?ref_=nv_sr_4

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Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Full Interview

Yin & Young Episode 28: Actor, Writer Teo Yoo (유태오)

March 23, 2018 in Filmmaking, Acting, Spirituality, Travel, Writing, Society & Culture

60 sec teaser.

Yin & Young Episode 28: Actor, Writer Teo Yoo (유태오)

Yin & Young meet with actor, writer Teo Yoo in Seoul and delve deep into his journey as an actor from Germany, to America, to the U.K. and eventually settling in Korea. Teo's path gives insight into the parent-child relationship, the artistic process, and finding one's place in the world.

* James met Teo at Sundance in 2015.
* Teo starred in the film “Seoul Searching” directed by Benson LEE (not Kim).
* Born and raised in Germany, Teo left at age 20.
* Wasn't great at school, but excelled in the arts and athletics. Played a lot of street basketball.
* Made a deal with his parents to finish high school if he could travel for a year.
* Took classes at the Lee Strasberg school in New York and decided that acting was for him. Also studied Meisner technique.
* Maxed out his dad's credit card to pay for school over the course of two years.
* Used all his resources to buy tons of DVDs and to watch plays. Watched two films every day before he went to sleep.
* Sacrificed everything for acting: there were times he didn’t have enough money for food and or a place to sleep.
* After getting on the wait list, called the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) everyday and until he got into the program.
* Teo went back to Germany soon after London and started writing poetry.
* Father's side is from North Korea. Mother's side is from North Korea and from a southern island of South Korea.
* His father started off as a miner and his mother was a nurse in Germany.
* After the mines closed down, the Yoo family started their own deli.
* In Korea, Germany, or the U.S., doesn't feel accepted as one of their own.
* Is a citizen of the world.
* Writing is his therapy.
* Teo’s a published children's author in Korea. Using Shakespearean rhythms, he wrote a story about a little monster that eats socks.
* Teo plays Viktor Tsoi in an upcoming film by Kirill Serebrennikov called “Leto”. Said it was his hardest role to date.
* Did research of Korean historical figures he would like to play such as Antonio Corea the “Korean Man”.
* Wants to cultivate his acting and reserve directing for his 40s.
* Has found spiritual help in the writings of Eckhart Tolle.

—

Language Corner: Where is the toilet?
Mandarin - 廁所在哪裡? - cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ
Taiwanese - pian-so ti toh-ui?
Korean - 화장실이 어디예요 - hwajangsil-i eodiyeyo
German - Wo ist die Toilette?
Japanese - トイレはどこですか - toire wa dokodesu ka

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Special thank you to Sunny at Stagedoor for letting us record there. 고맙습니다 😊 (http://stagedoor.one)

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Teo Yoo links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teoyoo/ @teoyoo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialteoyoo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teoyoo @teoyoo
Soundcloud: Florence Kamerad - https://soundcloud.com/fyodorkamerad The tracks “Coelln 1988” and “Hopa Minor” were used for the intro and outro respectively. Song in the 60 sec teaser is “autumn 31”.

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Starring Teo:
Seoul Searching (on Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/80106230
MV Noel(노을) - our last day (그날의 너에게): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs9Ch5KUocQ
Russian Director Serebrennikov finishes “Leto” under house arrest: http://www.calvertjournal.com/news/show/9620/russian-director-serebrennikov-finishes-viktor-tsoi-rock-film-house-arrest

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Yin & Young EP24 - The King of VO: Feodor Chin

December 04, 2017 in Asian American, Acting, Filmmaking, Relationships

Apologies for the delay! Yin is busy with family business and Young is currently traveling.

In this episode, we're speaking with film/tv, theatre, and voice actor Feodor Chin!

Noted voice actor for Overwatch as Zenyatta.

The only time he has ever played Zenyatta was at an eSports Convention at UCSD.

"Experience Tranquility" is the sound byte that Feo likes most.

Went to high school in San Francisco and had an inkling to act.

His major was no longer offered the year he matriculated into UCLA.

Started acting in the Bay Area, most notably at a theater in the Tenderloin.

The first couple of years back in LA as an actor was mostly commercials.

Most roles don't require an accent.

James encounters a racist while getting some Mexican food.

Feo has only experienced outward racism in LA.

Has dabbled with online dating prior to meeting his current girlfriend.

Feo's tweeting has become more political since 45 has been elected.

You may have heard Feo's voice on audible.

"Big Little Lies" is Feo's pick for the best TV show this year.

Listen to get all the details! Much appreciation to Feodor Chin for joining us.

LANGUAGE CORNER

James - Taiwanese: 眼睛 (bagciw) - eyes

Dan - Yangchow dialect: 十三點 (Shi San Dian) - 13th hour, silly

Feo - Cantonese: 咸湿佬 (Ham Sup Lo) - dirty old man, pervert

Find Feodor on:

twitter - https://twitter.com/FeoChin

instagram - https://www.instagram.com/feochin/

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216120/

audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Feodor+Chin

Find us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

iTunes: https://goo.gl/VVZLhB

Yin & Young Episode 23 - Hustling in Asia with James Z. Feng

October 29, 2017 in Filmmaking, Asian American, Acting, Society & Culture, Travel, Writing

Yin & Young are catching up with writer/director James Z. Feng, who is now based out of Taiwan. Special guest host Aaron "the fish" Estrada!

Lived in South Dakota for a year before moving all around the Bay Area and winding up at UCSD with Young.

Tragedy was the catalyst for Feng to go from ranked tennis player to filmmaker.

The Chinese film industry requires every actor to keep grinding in order to stay relevant.

Fear is a motivator for the top Chinese film talent.

Different motivations between Western and Eastern production crews, idealism vs making the most amount of money.

Telling the stories of people who are not usually represented as well as hearing audience reactions inspires Feng to continue creating.

Feng's bits of advice to everyone:

1. Never apologize for being who you are.

2. Make some time for yourself.

LANGUAGE CORNER

Young - Taiwanese: - lí-hó-bò - 你好否? - How are you?

Yin - Japanese slang: nan ba shiyo tto? - What are you up to?

Feng - Wuxi dialect: ho che ma - 好吃嗎？ - Tastes good?

Aaron - tagalog: anong balita - What's new?

Optional Drinking Games:

Take a shot or sip of your favorite beverage (alcoholic/non-alcoholic):

1. For every Feng humble brag.

2. For every time Young stutters for fear of embarrassment of what he's about to say.

The films of James Z. Feng:

Yin & Young EP14 - Actor/Performer Judy Lei

Yin & Young Episode 14 - Actor/Performer Judy Lei

May 23, 2017 in Asian American, Society & Culture

Actor/Performer Judy Lei shares her tumultuous journey from growing up in East New York to Smith College and back to NYC to pursue acting.

Highlights:

- James met Judy at her one person show: The World's Greatest http://heyjudylei.com/theworldsgreatest/

- Judy is a hustling, Brooklyn girl

- Comparing Chinatowns of NYC, SF, and LA

- Smith College was a culture shock for Judy, seeing nature for the first time and learning to interact with Caucasians

- Enunciating with proper diction led to people asking her why she is portraying herself as someone else

- Her one person show dispels Asian stereotypes

- Judy had to create her own opportunities due to the dearth of what was available for Asian American women in film/TV

- Three key people helped shape her one person show

- Created her own major at Smith College

- Judy's dating preferences...

Language Corner:

Dan - Japanese

侘び寂び - wabi-sabi - the art of imperfection

James - Taiwanese

我去玩 - goar khix chitthøo - go out and play

Judy - Cantonese

堅持 - gin1 ci4 - to persist

Be sure to subscribe to Yin & Young the podcast! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2

Yin & Young Episode 4 - Ronnie Alvarez

February 05, 2017 in Asian American, Society & Culture, Relationships

Yin & Young are back with our first official guest podcast! We took a month off for the holidays, but promise we'll have a weekly schedule from now on.

Ronnie Alvarez is a Los Angeles based actor and a good friend of Dan’s. He shares his philosophy on approaching and dating women, a year long diet, mental approach towards auditioning, why not to be a whipping boy and more valuable life lessons.

Also we have our first language corner where we each share a phrase from a different language.

LANGUAGE CORNER:

Ronnie: “A una mujer ni todo el amor ni todo el dinero.”

Don’t give a woman all the love or all the money.

(Spanish)

Dan: 我慢 (gaman)

To endure.

(Japanese)

James: 靠腰（kaoyao)

Lit. so hungry you cry out. Commonly used like “bullshit”, to call someone out for saying something false and/or annoying.

(Taiwanese)

*Note: there's some crackling sound in the audio that I did my best to remove. Apologies!

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