Steve Nguyen
{{Short description|American film director, producer and writer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Steve Nguyen speaking at USC.jpg
| name = Steve Nguyen
| imagesize =
| caption = Nguyen speaking at USC
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|12|30}}
| birth_place = Torrance, California, U.S.
| birth_name =
| othername =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Film director
- producer
- screenwriter
- artist
- animator}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
- Studio APA
}}
| website = {{URL|steve-nguyen.com}}
}}
}}
Steve Nguyen (born December 30, 1985) is an American director, writer, artist and music producer. Nguyen and fellow director Choz Belen formed Studio APA, a multimedia collective that specializes in the production of animated films, children's books and music.{{cite web |title=Interview with Steve Nguyen |url=https://synergyfm.net/interview-with-steve-nguyen |website=Synergy |access-date=5 November 2024}}
Career
=Films=
From 2001 to 2005, Nguyen has made appearances as a young actor on films and network television programs such as Las Vegas, Scrubs, Freaks and Geeks, Are You Afraid of the Dark? and The Man Show. He worked as a production assistant at Universal Pictures on Jarhead and The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift.
In 2009, Nguyen directed and produced a short documentary film titled "The Making of a Memoir" in collaboration with Vietnamese author Lac Su to promote his HarperCollins published memoir, I Love Yous Are For White People.{{cite news|title=I Love Yous Are for White People|author=Gillian MacKenzie Agency |url=http://www.gillianmackenzieagency.com/books/27|accessdate=August 24, 2009|date=August 24, 2009}}{{cite news|last=Asakawa|first=Gil|title=visualizAsian.com has three great interviews coming up: Filmmaker Lane Nishikawa, Angry Asian Man Phil Yu & author Lac Su|url=http://nikkeiview.com/blog/2009/10/visualizasian-com-interviews-filmmaker-lane-nishikawa-angry-asian-man-phil-yu-author-lac-su/#more-1724|accessdate=October 14, 2009}} The documentary helped Su gain national exposure and has been featured on CNN,{{cite web|title=CNN Newsroom : CNN Official Interview: Lac Su: 'I love yous are for white people'| website=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo2DCBBrL1U|accessdate=January 20, 2011}} NPR,{{cite news|last=MARTIN|first=MICHAEL|title=Author: 'I Love You's Are For White People'|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=133877489|date=February 21, 2011}} the Saigon Broadcasting Television Network, and KSCI.
Nguyen directed and produced an animated film, Hibakusha, which chronicles the early life of Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, Kaz Suyeishi.{{cite web|last=Thought|first=Gifted|title=What is "HIBAKUSHA"?|url=http://giftedthought.com/2011/01/11/what-is-hibakusha/|accessdate=January 11, 2011}}{{cite web|last1=Choy|first1=Ken|title='Hibakusha' Keeps Hiroshima-Nagasaki Voices Alive|url=http://216.70.111.176/blog/archive/2012/10/hibakusha-keeps-hiroshima-nagasaki-voices-alive|website=Hyphen Magazine|publisher=Hyphen|accessdate=October 19, 2012}} The film stars Karin Anna Cheung, Connie Lim, Daisuke Suzuki, Jane Lui and William Frederick Knight as the lead voice actors. The film was dedicated to the American Society of Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Survivors in an effort to spread awareness for nuclear disarmament and was completed on the 67th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, August 6, 2012.{{cite web|last=Mainuddin|first=Waseem|title=Hibakusha: Hope and Peace in the Aftermath of Nuclear Destruction|url=http://www.ourchinatown.org/2012/10/10/hibakusha-hope-and-peace-in-the-aftermath-of-nuclear-destruction/|publisher=OurChinatown.org|accessdate=October 10, 2012}} Nguyen and the Studio APA crew have toured with Hibakusha throughout the United States since October 2012, and the film has been screened at the Japanese American National Museum,{{cite web|last=Fukuda|first=Keiko|title=Presenting HIBAKUSHA to the World: Animated film conveys the hibakusha experience|url=http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2012/11/28/hibakusha/|accessdate=November 28, 2012}} Vietnamese International Film Festival,{{cite web|title='NORWEGIAN WOOD,' 'HIBAKUSHA' AT VIETNAMESE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL|publisher=Rafu Shimpo|url=http://www.rafu.com/2013/04/norwegian-wood-hibakusha-at-vietnamese-international-film-festival/|accessdate=April 4, 2013}} Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, Dragon Con in Atlanta,{{cite web|title=Dragon Con Independent Film Festival – Hibakusha|url=http://filmfest.dragoncon.org/2013/d-i-2013/hibakusha/|accessdate=August 30, 2013}} University of Michigan,{{cite web|last=Nahata|first=Harsha|title=Harsha Nahata: Activate the 'quiet' generation|url=http://michigandaily.com/opinion/04harsha-nahata-saying-no-neutrality11?page=0%2C0|publisher=The Michigan Daily|accessdate=November 28, 2012}} UCLA, UC Irvine,{{cite web|last=Pham|first=Phuc|title=Kaz Suyeishi Presents "Hibakusha"|date=November 20, 2012 |url=http://www.newuniversity.org/2012/11/news/kaz-suyeishi-presents-hibakusha/|publisher=New University|accessdate=November 20, 2012}} UC San Diego, San Diego State University, UC Davis, UC Riverside, DisOrient Film Festival, University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and California State University, Fullerton. Hibakusha received the Special Achievement Award and Best Animated Short in 2013 at the International Uranium Film Festival held in Rio de Janeiro.{{cite web|title=Hibakusha|url=http://uraniumfilmfestival.org/en/festival-programs/iuff-2013/rio-2013/films/438-hibakusha|website=uraniumfilmfestival.org|access-date=April 8, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207003128/http://uraniumfilmfestival.org/en/festival-programs/iuff-2013/rio-2013/films/438-hibakusha|archive-date=February 7, 2015}}
In association with the nuclear disarmament campaign, Global Zero, Nguyen hosted a travel documentary segment titled "Hiroshima Revisited" as a follow-up effort to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.{{cite web|title=ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATOMIC BOMB: HIROSHIMA REVISITED|url=http://blog.angryasianman.com/2013/08/on-anniversary-of-atomic-bomb-hiroshima.html|publisher=angryasianman.com|accessdate=August 6, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Murakami-Tsuda|first=Vicky|title=Hiroshima Revisited: Interview with Steve Nguyen|url=http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2013/9/3/hiroshima-revisited/|accessdate=September 3, 2013|newspaper=Discover Nikkei|date=September 3, 2013}}
=Illustration and books=
In June 2020, Nguyen released his first children's book with Skyhorse Publishing and Simon and Schuster titled To Baby From Daddy, which features his own illustrations and personal composition of paternal love and advice to his baby daughter.{{Cite book|url=https://www.skyhorsepublishing.com/sky-pony-press/9781510745995/to-baby-from-daddy/|title=To Baby, From Daddy|date=May 19, 2020|isbn=978-1-5107-4599-5|language=en|last1=Nguyen|first1=Steve}}
Online media
Along with Kevin Hsieh, Nguyen was the co-founder of ChannelAPA.com, a defunct online news source that started in 2008 that posted current news updates and video interviews about Asian Americans in mainstream/independent media. According to KoreAm Magazine and Myx TV, it was featured as one of the top Asian American news sources to follow.{{cite web|url=https://charactermedia.com/asian-am-bloggers-3/|title=In Blog We Trust: Part III of III|last=Eun|first=Elizabeth|date=November 10, 2010|website=Character Media|publisher=KoreAm|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=November 10, 2010}} In November 2012, Nguyen and Belen launched a multi-media creative collective called Studio APA that serves as both a film production and dedicated YouTube channel.
In 2010, Nguyen directed YouTube singer-songwriter Megan Lee's music video for her first official single, "Love, Laugh, & Live".{{cite web|title=Megan Lee reveals MV for new song "Love, Laugh & Live"|url=http://www.allkpop.com/2011/07/megan-lee-reveals-a-mv-for-new-song-love-laugh-live|publisher=allkpop|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}
On February 4, 2013, Nguyen produced and released a short film with The Jubilee Project and Jeremy Lin titled "The Last Pick," which can be viewed on Lin's personal YouTube channel.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/TheJlin7/ |title=Jeremy Lin's Youtube Page |work=YouTube |accessdate=February 5, 2013}} In November 2013, it was announced on Allkpop that Nguyen and Korean hip-hop artists, Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae, have collaborated on an animated music video for their single, "Turn It Up", which is featured on CHOPS' upcoming album, Strength in Numbers. The full version of the music video was released on January 15, 2014.{{cite web|title=MV for CHOPS' 'Turn It Up' ft. Tiger JK and Yoon Mi Rae released|url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/01/mv-for-chops-turn-it-up-ft-tiger-jk-and-yoon-mi-rae-released|publisher=allkpop|accessdate=January 17, 2014}}
On April 18, 2014, Nguyen, Belen, and Queens-based rapper Awkwafina released an animated lyric video for her single, 'Flu Shot', off of her Yellow Ranger debut album.{{cite web|title=New Video: Awkwafina 'Flu Shot'|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-video-awkwafina-flu-shot|publisher=VIBE Magazine|accessdate=April 18, 2014}}
On September 28, 2015, Nguyen premiered a collaboration project with the global campaign, A World at School, titled, R I S E, at The Town Hall in New York City.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.aworldatschool.org/news/entry/UpForSchool-Town-Hall-blog-10-million-people-stand-up-for-education-2331 |title=#UpForSchool Town Hall blog: 10 million people stand up for education |publisher=AWorldAtSchool.org |date=September 28, 2015 |accessdate=September 28, 2015}} In association with Christian hip hop artist Lecrae and the help of Theirworld founder Sarah Brown, the project was created to raise awareness and to pressure governments to act on providing universal education across the globe.{{cite web|author= |url=http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/09/30/a-chibok-girl-recalls-her-escape-from-boko-haram/ |title=A Chibok girl recalls her escape from Boko Haram |work=New York Times |date=September 30, 2015 |accessdate=September 30, 2015}} Since early 2015, he has served as a Global Ambassador to the nonprofit, Theirworld, to help bring awareness to the cause and share global youth stories through graphic novelization.{{cite web|author= |url=http://theirworld.org/news/new-comic-series-illustrates-the-power-of-our-global-youth-ambassadors |title=New comic series illustrates the power of our Global Youth Ambassadors |publisher=Theirworld |date=May 3, 2016 |accessdate=May 3, 2016}}{{cite web|author= |url=https://theirworld.org/news/steve-nguyen-and-theirworld-gyas-join-forces-with-graphic-stories-for-worldstorytellingday-2021 |title=Steve Nguyen and Theirworld GYAs join forces with graphic stories for #WorldStorytellingDay 2021 |publisher=Theirworld |date=March 19, 2021 |accessdate=March 19, 2021}}
Nguyen and Belen collaborated with Los Angeles electro-pop band, Mansions on the Moon, to produce a music video for their upcoming single, "Heart of the Moment". The project was released in October 2015.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6730010/mansions-on-the-moon-heart-of-the-moment-video-premiere |title=Mansions on the Moon Premieres 'Heart Of The Moment' Video Starring Lindsey Haun |publisher=Billboard |date=October 14, 2015 |accessdate=October 14, 2015}}
In January 2017, Studio APA released the animated visuals for K-pop star Ailee's US debut, "Fall Back", via Vevo in conjunction with Westside Entertainment.{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allkpop.com/article/2017/01/single-mv-review-aleean-fall-back |title=[Single & MV Review] A.Leean – 'Fall Back' |publisher=allkpop |date=January 18, 2017 |accessdate=January 18, 2016}}
On January 23, 2020, Nguyen released a personal short animated documentary on his Facebook account titled Blast Burn that deals with the miscarriage of his son.
Discography
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
! scope="col" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" style="width:20em;"| Album details |
| scope="row" | Singularity {{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/21848017-Steve-Nguyen-Singularity |title=Discogs |date=February 2, 2022 |website=Discogs |access-date=February 2, 2022 }}
|
|
|---|
= Extended plays =
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Credits !Notes !Ref |
| 2005
| The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift | Script coordinator | | |
| 2005
| Post-production coordinator | Assisting Editor | |
| 2005
| Writing assistant | | |
| 2008
| The Making of a Memoir | Director | Producer & Writer | |
| 2009
| Production coordinator | | |
| 2010
| Kill Joy (short film) | Producer | | |
| 2010
| Dilated (short film) | Producer | | |
| 2012
| Director | Producer & Writer |{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/exclusives/remembering-hiroshima-through-cinema-31089 |title=Remembering Hiroshima Through Cinema |website=Golden Globes |date=August 6, 2015 |access-date=August 6, 2015 }} |
| 2012
| Raskal Love | Producer | | |
| 2013
| The Last Pick | Producer | | |
| 2013
| Hiroshima Revisited | Producer | Host & Narrator | |
| 2014
| Producer | | |
| 2020
| Blast Burn (short film) | Director | Producer & Writer | |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col"|Year
! scope="col"|Title ! scope="col"|Artist ! scope="col"|Director ! scope="col"|Other ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| 2011
| "Diamond Bars" | | {{yes}} | Director of photography | |
| 2011
| "Love, Laugh & Live" | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | Director of photography | |
| 2014
| "Turn It Up" | CHOPS, Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae | {{yes}} | | Co-directed with Choz Belen | |
| 2014
| Flu Shot | {{yes}} | | Co-directed with Choz Belen | |
| 2015
| R I S E | {{yes}} | | Co-directed with Choz Belen | |
| 2015
| Heart of the Moment | {{yes}} | | Co-directed with Choz Belen | |
| 2017
| Fall Back | {{yes}} | | Co-directed with Choz Belen | |
| 2021
| Lonely Whale |Steve Nguyen | {{yes}} | | |
| 2021
| Bali |Steve Nguyen | {{yes}} | | |
| 2022
| Stella |Steve Nguyen | {{yes}} | | | |
| 2023
| Shelly |Steve Nguyen | {{yes}} | | | |
| 2024
| Lovercraft |Steve Nguyen, [ocean jams] | {{yes}} | | | |
| 2025
| Twilight |Steve Nguyen | {{yes}} | | | |
Publications
- {{cite book|author=Steve Nguyen|title=To Baby, From Daddy: A Love Letter from a Father to a Daughter|year=2020|isbn=978-1510745995|publisher=Simon & Schuster|location=New York}}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.steve-nguyen.com/}}
- {{IMDb name|1694548|Steve Nguyen}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nguyen, Steve}}
Category:American film producers
Category:American male screenwriters
Category:Television writers from California
Category:American film directors of Vietnamese descent
Category:American Internet celebrities
Category:Businesspeople of Vietnamese descent