Amy Xianglin Shi

Counting the Dream - About the title

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 20:24:00 +0000

Counting the Dream - The name actually came up by mistake, one of my Chinglish mistakes I guess :) - I was reading on the computer screen of the list"..., Counting the Dream, Chasing the Dream...". "Oh, it is actually Courting the Dream" Our writer said. "Hahaha, I thought the r was n!" I said, "Actually I thought Counting the Dream was the best suit for what my envisioning of the film". I explained why and my supportive teammates all voted yes.
Counting the dream, counting how many dreams we envisioned for our grownup self when we were little, how many of those we have been and are still working on, how many of those we have been living in. We can count the days we spend to realize a dream, and how many steps to make a dream come true. The journey is not a smooth line but rather a complicated zigzag. There are times we have joyful achievements; There are times we get lost; There are times we fall. But as long as we hold on to our dreams, helping each other who come across along the way, we will get to where we want to be. This is the message I want to send through the film and it is something I spent many many years of my young age to figure out.
Take another angle: through the stories of a group young dreamers from different culture, the short film debates on what dream you can count on and what path you can't follow. So you can interprete the title as Counting the Dream so you know if it is the dream you can count on. It is almost like solving life questions with mathematic approach.
Hope I have explained my thoughts well through my Chinglish. I am thinking of the Chinese title too - 那些青春追梦的日子

Comments? Want to share your story with us? Please email to CTDChicago@gmail.com

Counting the Dream - Production Journal #2

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Wow, we made a big step today! - We filmed our first pre-production video! I am so grateful that with short notice, film maker/director Ezzy Uchiha, writer Larry Leopoldo, and actor Jon Moy made this happen! Special thanks to Opart Thai House for providing us their beautiful restaurant to shoot the video. It is so touching that how everyone extending their hand to me along the road. I understand how late of night they usually go home due to the nature of business but my friend the owner Lenny got to the restaurant much earlier than their regular business hour so we could film without interruption. Everyone in the team came prepared, and did a wonderful job! Ezzy got there early with her equipments and prepared interview questions; Larry looked great even he was up late to write the scene we did in the restaurant today - Rich and Lu's last meeting; Jon was very talented actor, he got the scene and character in short amount of time. He was so professional to bring wardrobes to pick, but he really came in dressed in character Rich, so sorry Jon no fashion show for you today :b

We will get the video up shortly so more people will know about our project and more people will collaborate in one way or another to make this a great film! - No one man can accomplish greatness, but only team work can, so we welcome any help or contribution! --- Go CTD Productions! :)

Wrapped up with authentic Thai food after today's Filming at Opart Thai

Meeting with Ezzy and Ivan at Chinatown

Producing my first film - Blog# 1

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 05:57:00 +0000

I always wanted to make a film that sheds light on people like me: had a dream to come to the America when we were little, studied at least16 hours a day so we can apply for schools here, then after graduation, work hard to make here home and work for the American dreams. Our generation is different than our predecessors, and the world surrounding us has changed so much in a very short period of time of the history. What value do we hold when facing a huge culture difference? How do we feel to be in a foreign country that far far away from home, without family? And how do we handle it - well or badly? What is our life like? Work, friendship, relationship... You will have a glimpse on all these aspects from a short film that I'm producing.

This is the very first blog about making this film. I had this idea long time ago, but it was about a week ago, when I got the offer for a full time job, I realized I had to take some action now or never. I had two weeks before starting the new job. Originally I thought I would take one week to have the script and team ready, one week to shoot. I started to contact my film maker friends, looking for advice, and also to recruit team. I had the stories but I would love a professionally done script, so the first task was to find the writer. Very lucky that I bumped into a writer friend at the coffee shop - This was an interesting story itself: we met back in May, I'm friend and was in the same theater show with his wife, but I never contacted him since; even though both of us are frequent to the coffee shop, we never bumped into each other till that day! So he meant to be the writer of the film, and he is super talented and worked so diligently - his wife thought he was having an affair since he would come home from the 24-hr Starbucks 5 in the morning - he has other projects going on but I appreciated so much that he finished the 24 page script for me in 3 days! When he sent me the script, I read it and was so happy with the writing!

In the mean while, my friends were getting back to my message, so we will have our first meeting in about 9 hours!

Ju-Yuki Trailer is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 05:04:00 +0000

Here is the link to the trailer of live version Japanese Anime "Ju-Yuki":
http://vimeo.com/47343320

Thanks to Director Ezzy Uchiha, DP Ivan Rodriguez, and a wonderful production team! This was a Columbia student project, but we had the professional gear including the RED camera, and a team of energetic and dedicated young film professionals! I remember how cold it was to shoot in the garden by the water.

Can't wait to see the film! :)

Project Vistakon

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:25:00 +0000

Project: Commercial for Vistakon

Photographer: Eric Sahrmann

Producer: Melanie Frances

It was my first time working with the Alter team. Great experience! Didn't have time taking pictures for my blog during the shooting, but I will have some sample in about a month. Here are a few photos to show the hair and make-up - iPhone photos, not professional ones :)
A little behind the scene story: one of my characters was a ophthalmologist, the costume designer spent half an hour to prepare the lab jacket to be perfect, then helped me to put it on and showed the client - it turned out to be too stylish! Good thing they had racks of costumes in the studio and there was another lab coat fit me. But poor Michelle and her assistant had to start all over again to prep it - Again, everything has to be perfect for the picture! The shooting went really well. I was told they had lots of good shots : D . Can't wait to see the final production!

The Lara Miller project

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Wed, 30 May 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Lara Miller is a Chicago based fashion designer.Lara’s pieces have been called “sultry, sophisticated, and as endlessly variable as the woman who wears them” by elle.com.
That statement is so true! Showing here are a few looks selected by Lara - I love how simple they look on the hangers and how fabulous it turns out once you put them on.

Only if I can travel through time

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:24:00 +0000

Time Sentry: The Box is an independent short I did back in April. It is still in post production. The film is about a brave young girl on a mission travelling through the time path, back to the past, to find a missing professor, but only found herself trapped in the past and needed to find a way to come back to the only family she has - a group of scientists and a young boy she's in love with.

I love sci-fi and time travel stories. Only if I can travel through time, to correct any mistake that happened in the past, there would be less tears in the world.

Link to the Accenture Industrial Film

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Mon, 14 May 2012 03:31:00 +0000

Finally got to see my "Men(Girl) In Black" film - the industrial I did for Accenture in April (click here for photos took during filming). The final production looks so nice. Here is the link:

Accenture Experience Hub Film

Hope you like it! :)

Sneak peek of Ju-Yuki, an action-packed short film

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:20:00 +0000

Sneak peek: so excited to share this picture Alex Au took during the post-production editing of Ju-Yuki, the action packed short film by Ivan Rodriguez and Ezzy Uchiha. The film will come out in June. Will keep everyone posted! :)

Commercial/Industrial Film for Accenture

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:02:00 +0000

I'm so excited to do a commercial/industrial film this week. My fantastic agents at Shirley Hamilton, Inc. booked me to work with the fine folks at Answers Media this week to make a fun film promoting Accenture's Customer Experience Hub. Will post it once the production completed and video made available. Stay tuned!

Day 1 - Shooting bank scene, set in a real bank, producer and director checking on previous takes.

This beautiful house in Oak Park was the star on Day 2.

Day 2 - Setting up for the shooting -1

Day 2 - Setting up for the shooting -The crew team really did a great job!

Day 3 - Meeting room scene, testing the lighting and setting.

Day 3 - Meeting room scene, producer and director checking lighting.

Me in black suite and tie.

Yuki in JU-YUKI

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:31:00 +0000

I remember back at school days, anime was my simple joy with 14hrs per day's hard study. I love it so much that I dreamed to be one of those characters. My dream has come true after casted as Yuki in ---

JU-YUKI

A Short Live Anime Film

Here is the bio of Yuki: 17 year old international High school Student from Japan. She is talented in sword fighting and martial arts. In Japan, she would fight in tournaments against her rival, Juki. She enjoys studying in America, and she has a crush on a shy boy in class named Dan.

It has been such fun experience learning Japanese Sword Fighting, and working with a wonderful production team!

In Training

(If you would like to support this indie project, please go to http://www.indiegogo.com/JU-YUKI?c=home)

Autumn Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:11:00 +0000

"Long long ago, when I was a little girl not much bigger than you, my mother told me that on the eighth day of the eighth month of the lunar year, the silver moon is at its biggest and brightest and most beautiful..."

from play "Autumn Moon"

This is the play I will be in for the month of May at Stage773 Theater ;
Fridays & Saturdays 8pm -10pm; part of "My Asian Mom" Show presented by A-Squared Theater.
Come join Amy Xianglin Shi to experience a series of plays with Asian cultural twists.

With show producer Mia Park at back stage.

With my little fan after the world premier night performance

Be the Face of BCBGMAXAZRIA Spring 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Amy Xianglin Shi) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Be the Face of BCBGMAXAZRIA Spring 2013

http://www.talenthouse.com/creativeinvites/preview/a604ece4327325b7c36a6dac4615a5a5/433

This is my first time and will be the only time to do a project like this. The reason I did it is because BCBG is my favorite brand, and I really want to model for it. It has been an unique experience and I'm very happy that I get to connect with so many friends through the voting process. Thank you to all of my supporters! - your vote means everything to me! :)

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:06:00 +0000

My Shameless episode is on now. I'm live tweeting @AmyXianglinShi. Yey!

Every star had his/her own trailer. I had one too! There was literally a star with name tag "Sue"-my character's name - on the door.

Me in costume.

Close-up, check on "Sue"'s look.

With Justin Chatwin

This Sunday's Shameless Episode - I'm playing Sue

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:31:00 +0000

I had a great time chatting with Bruce and Stacey in the on the Bruce in the Morning show on KXKX (KIX 105.7). Once I get the video from the interview I'll be sure to post it!

I'll be live tweeting this Sunday's episode at 9pm / 8pm CT. @AmyXianglinShi with the #Sho_ShamelessSue

Here's a link to the trailer: http://www.sho.com/site/shameless/episodes.sho?episodeid=139859

I think I might be the first Asian person on the show...breaking barriers here ;)

Also, follow Bruce In the morning on twitter here:

https://twitter.com/#!/bruceitmorning

See you Sunday!

-Amy

Part of the Chicago Blogger Network

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:28:00 +0000

I'm so happy to have the opportunity to join the Chicago Blogger Network. Yey!

Live tweeting during Episode 6

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:54:00 +0000

Another exciting episode of Shameless tomorrow at 9pm ET on Showtime.

I'm playing the character of Sue, a new girlfriend of a character on the show. Can you guess which one? The episode premieres on 2/12/2012. I'll be live tweeting during the episode and will give you a behind the scenes glimpse of what I saw on set. Feel free to follow me@AmyXianglinShi.

Let's use the hashtag #Sho_ShamelessSue and get the conversation trending.

Thank you all for the encouragement and support!

Shameless Season 2 Episode 2

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:13:00 +0000

Wow, what an episode last night! John Wells is such a great director...what did you think about the episode?

-Amy

Amy's Bio

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:05:00 +0000

Amy Xianglin Shi is a Chinese born actress currently living and acting in Chicago.

Prior to her career in the arts & entertainment industry, Amy received 2 undergraduate degrees with honors in Marketing and Telecom Engineering. She also received her MBA from Ohio State University.

Following her passion of physical expression through the arts, Amy left corporate America to pursue her current role as an actor.

'''Amy's Resume'''

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4801365/

TELEVISION (SHOW - ROLE - DIRECTOR)

Shameless - Sue - John Wells

Boss - Election Volunteer - Gus Van Sant

FILM (FILM - ROLE - DIRECTOR)

Time Sentry: The Box - Cheryl - Desmond DeBardlabon
Ju-Yuki - Yuki - Esperanza Benavides
Roundabout - AmericanTraveler - Julian Grant / Boris Wexler

Spark and Fade - High School Student - Brian Mellen

THEATRE (PLAY - ROLE - THEATER)

Autumn Moon - Chang'e(Moon Goddess) - Stage 773 Theater

The Lady of Larkspur Lotion - Mrs. Hardwicke-Moore - Act One Showcase

Sexual Perversity in Chicago - Joan - Act One Showcase

The Laramie Project - Romaine Patterson - Act One Showcase

Improvisation Showcase - Act One Showcase

COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL FILM

Accenture - Strategy Team Member - Answers Media

China Telecom - Image Ambassador - China Telecom

MODELING

ICC - Print Model - Alter, Chicago
Boss Show / Billboard Ad - Starz, LA/Chicago
Brand Ambassador - ADROC, Chicago
Trade Show / Print Model - Phoenix Design, Chicago

Trade Show / Print Model - Delvis Italy, Milan/HongKong

HOSTING
2011 China Music Festival - Host Mid - American Chinese Music Org

TRAINING
Act One Studios -
Acting Fundamentals I, II, and III; TV & Film Techniques I and II; Commercial Tech I;
Industrial Film & Ear Prompter; Williamson Movement; Improv for Actors.
Second City -
Improv for Actors Program; Voice & Speech; Dialects
Green Room -
On-camera Training Program; Monologue Bootcamp; Professional Program with Steven Ivcich

EDUCATION

MBA, Ohio State University

LANGUAGES

English, Mandarin, Dialects(British, Irish, Southern)

SKILLS

Stage Combat, Dance (Modern, Latin, Ballroom, Ballet, Belly Dancing), Painting, Music Instrument (GuZhen), Singing,

Modeling, Business Presentation, Financial Analysis, Marketing, Sales, Cooking, Yoga, Pilates, Biking

Posted 1 month ago

Shameless Season 2 Episode 1

noreply@blogger.com (David Ip) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:04:00 +0000

What did you guys think of the Shameless Season 2 Premiere?