As a model, you oftentimes get opportunities to appear on television, movies, music videos and commercials. Here’s a fun music video I did with Taiwanese superstar, Landy Wen (溫嵐). We shot this in the middle of the night in a spooky warehouse somewhere on the outskirts of Taipei.
Videos, like fashion editorials, take a long time to shoot. Here, we waited nearly six hours before the director scheduled our scenes with Landy. Over the speakers, we could hear the catchy lyrics to “不吵不鬧,” and even though my Mandarin is a joke, by the time we shot our scene, I could lip sync like a pro. The choreographer shouted over the music, “辣! 辣! 辣!” That literally translates to “Spice!” and we certainly kicked up the heat. The director’s blocking placed me at the front with Landy, and I will divulge a little set secret: she had to dance on a raised platform because the models were so tall.
My cousin, Anson, found this video for me sometime last year. Six years had passed since the crew shot this video, and seeing it somehow made me sad. In 2002, I had reached the height of my modeling career. Since then, I have aged and gained so much weight–and I am so past my prime, it’s not even funny. I know very few people can relate to this, but the modeling world puts a lot of pressure on you. I feel shallow even admitting it. I felt invincible during this time, though, as I had finished my first year of law school, modeled for Vogue and Cosmopolitan, nailed a cosmetics campaign, landed a lingerie campaign, and pretty much conquered every goal I had set forth at the beginning of my modeling career.
I decided to retire from modeling the night of the 不吵不鬧 video. Perhaps this is why I feel a tinge of remorse when I see the video. Even though I get that pang of nostalgia, I do remember what a kick-ass time I had on that set and how much I enjoyed dancing. I still have no idea what she’s singing about, but I sure have fun trying to sing along.
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8 Comments
You kinda remind me of another one of Catwalk’s models: http://www.catwalk.com.tw/_chinese/3_model/2_model_hot_detail.asp?id=49
and did you really smoke that cigar?
did you happen to be in any of Wong Leehom’s mv’s? I love him and want to know if he really plays for the boy’s team.
Hey, Nancy! She’s cute, thanks for that comparison.
It was nice to visit Catwalk’s website. It’s great to see some of my old acquaintances still up and at it: 童怡禎Doris and 唐國忠Russell (he’s in the video, too). It’s amazing how male models never age.
Yep, I took a couple of puffs on that cigar–anything for a shot, right?
Until you mentioned it, I had never heard of Wong Leehom. I had to look him up, and no, I never did any of his music videos. Was he even around back then? I’m clueless when it comes to Taiwanese pop culture.
It seems as though there was a fart at 2:49…
I used to crop-dust the audience as I did my little turn on the catwalk.
LOL I’m literally trying to stifle my giggles so my co-workers don’t hear
Hey Amy, how did you like working on Set?
I worked as an Set Photographer recently and was blown away by the level of commitment, hard work and professionalism I saw.
Wires, wires, wires (and lots of tape). The level of commitment truly astounded me indeed. The hours are long, and the crew always knows where to place the lighting/dollies/gels. I respect set designers and the crew–I’m sure they make the photographer/director’s job so much easier.
My thoughts too.
Plus, how good are those guys with light? I know my way around on or a couple of people but those gus knew how to light an whole building from the inside with camera movement and all.
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