September 9, 2004

• BACK TO SCHOOL

  
  

  The new school year also means that I’m back in session too with my university tour.  Last year, I began to make myself available for speaking engagements because I remembered that I learned the most in college hearing working professionals come in and share their experiences that ranged from culture, profession and politics. 

  
  

  People like Phil Nee, Amy Tan, Ronald Takaki.  FBI and Secret Service Agents.  Advertising creative directors.  Even magicians.  It was the best part of college.  With that perspective coupled along with my experience over the past 8 years working in the business, I was able to formulate a comprehensive program that I brought to about 25 universities last year.  As mentioned before, I really want to bring the tour to the Texas (UT, UH, A&M, etc) and Boston areas (BC, BU, Harvard, Wellesley, Amherst, etc) since the clustering of them in a relatively small area would be the most time and cost effective for everyone involved.

  
  

  Scheduling might be a bit tougher this year between the “Tru Calling” gig, action film I’m writing and “BLT” follow up but it still should be doable as long as it’s planned ahead – dates are all locked in on a first come basis.  

  
  

  The press release below goes into detail of all my programming be it focused on the Asian-American perspective, Acting Technique, the Business aspect of the Business … how to properly wash/wax a car or comic books (those are about all the topics I’m well versed in).  So if you know any organization that would benefit, please pass it along!  

  
  

                                                    PARRY SHEN UNIVERSITY TOUR 2004-2005

  
  

  For Immediate Release-

  
  

  “Better Luck Tomorrow” was the first Asian American Film to be picked up at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and MTV Films’ first acquisition ever.  When it premiered on April 11 2003, it had the highest per screen average of any film that opening weekend.   DVD rental/sales have brought the current Box office tally to approximately $15 million.  The film cost $250,000 to produce.   

  
  

   Lead actor Parry Shen has begun an ongoing tour sharing his two-year journey with the film and as an Asian American Actor for the past eight years because…the story is far from over.

  
  

  Several Asian, Professional and Acting organizations at over 90 Universities across the country such as, The University of Florida, ICON Philadelphia, Pitzer College, Vanderbilt University, SUNY Buffalo, Notre Dame, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Cornell, Colorado State, John Hopkins, UMBC, Univ of Ill-Urbana, Viginia Tech, Dartmouth and The University at Maryland have already utilized Parry’s unique perspective into their annual programming. 

  
  

  Last year’s tour was extremely successful – many participants that have attended the large APA conferences such as ECAASU and MAASU alike have repeatedly mentioned that Parry’s experiences mixed into his programming is something they have never seen before.

  
  

   KEYNOTE:

  
  

  Parry speaks about the Cinderella back-story behind “Better Luck Tomorrow”, the aftermath, reactions and effects the film had on the general public and on Hollywood.  He shares his distinctive outlooks from the past 15 years in dealing with Asian American issues through: Being an officer himself at his University’s Asian American Organization at SUNY Buffalo; bringing in speakers and setting up programming.   To where he became the actual invited guest performing with the Asian American Theatre Company “hereandnow” for five years at universities across the country.  And up to the present being at the very forefront of the latest Asian American movement with “Better Luck Tomorrow”.

  
  

  He also delves into his recent experiences serving as a panelist on the Fox Movie Channel’s “Charlie Chan” Marathon where Parry discusses, along with several other prominent Asian American academics and activists (Stephen Gong, Helen Zia), the ramifications of airing such programming in this day and age.  

  
  

  He will also touch upon his personal reflections on the betterment of the Asian American future based on his wealth of experiences during his ongoing 15 year voyage – from Brandon Lee and “The Joy Luck Club” to Chad Hugo and William Hung.

  
  

  WORKSHOP:

  
  

  Integrated or separate from the keynote, this is by far the most popular portion of the program.  Parry holds a workshop where the participants get to experience and “audition” for the types of roles that he and his fellow Asian American colleagues have gone out pre-“Better Luck Tomorrow”.  He will then compare and contrast those with meatier scenes from “BLT” and “Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle”.  No experience necessary but something everyone should experience.

  
  

  “BLT” DOCUMENTARY:

  
  

  There is also a 35-minute documentary of “BLT” that can be shown as well.  This piece goes hand in hand with the film and chronicles, the shooting of the film all the way until it was ultimately picked up for distribution.

  
  

  “BLT” LIVE COMMENTARY:

  
  

  Also, Parry has recently begun to do a live commentary throughout the film pointing out interesting facts of each scene, stories only the cast would know, etc.  The film runs with the volume on low but with the subtitles up, so that people can still follow along with the film.  Kind of like your own DVD commentary!

  
  

  You can use some or all of the above programming.  It can be spread out in one day in a conference setting or compacted into one night.  The 35 min documentary, Keynote, Workshop and Q&A together clocks in at 2 ½ hours.  The commentary for the film is the length of the film (1 ½ hours). 

  
  

  Parry also brings “BLT” photos, CD’s and posters to sign for the participants as well.  Let us know what topics you’d like Parry to cover for the event, the proposed date, time frames and the theme of the event so that Parry may tailor his presentation accordingly. 

  
  

  Whatever your programming needs are, it is safe to say that Parry’s experiences and perspectives from programming in college and being in the public eye are extremely rare and in heavy demand.  Dates are booking up quickly for this extraordinary opportunity.  

  
  

  Besides the Asian American perspective, Parry has also been brought out to teach acting principals as well (most recently SUNY Buffalo’s Master’s Summer program) and to speak to professional business organizations/fraternities regarding the grassroots viral marketing of the film that landed Parry on the cover of the LA Times Business section! 

  
  

  To inquire availability/quotes contact: parryshen@yahoo.com, Att: Michelle. 

  
  

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