by Thomas Chiang
I want to write an article about my love story. It happened during last summer’s vacation when my ex-girlfriend went back to Mainland China. At the end of summer vacation, I participated in a summer camp prepared for the freshman. On the second day, when a chasing game is being played, I found my new love. When that game started, I intentionally chased her. Because in that game I was tasked to chase the freshmen, as I felt it was reasonable to chase the girl I fancy. There was a supernatural connection helping us to be together. I always had the chance to meet her and say hello to her. Therefore, I thought it were simply fated to be. So I decided to grab the chance to pursue her. That was how my love story started. During the first day of school, I went to the convenience store in the morning. I saw her sitting on the bench eating her breakfast. My mind naturally told me I should accompany her. Of course, I did. I chose a seat beside her and started talking. We talked about everything under the sun. Most of the time I was talking and she listened to me silently. Our conversation wasn’t over until the meeting for the freshmen was started. During the meeting, I found opportunities to look at her even if she had noticed. I was simply living happily for the moment. When school started, I tried to find her class. At first, I went to her different classes to look for her and find a chance to be around her. For example, I helped her to cross the road or cheerfully greet her. Occasionally, I would leave messages on her Facebook account or ring her up on her cellphone. Two weeks after school started, I tried to find her by only myself. I focused on the classes which freshmen have to attend and realized I had almost thirty classrooms to go. It was a long road to locate her. So I devised a strategy and made an effort to accomplish my mission within one week. Eventually, I succeeded by doing it all by myself. During this tough process I faced some difficulties. I had to pretend to be a passerby and used a quick moment to look into the classroom windows to make sure I wouldn't disturb the class. If the classroom had no windows, I used the recess period to enter the class to pretend to chat with the freshmen while searching for her. When I chat with them, they always wondered what was a sophomore doing in this class. I responded honestly that I was searching for someone. When she found out I was outside the classroom waiting for her, she was shocked. If I were her, I would be shocked too. This is my fault I admit, but I just wanted to find out where she was. So I chose two days a week to give her snacks and hoped that she would be glad to try them. Besides, I waited outside her dormitory in the morning with hopes of giving her a ride to her classroom. Even at night I hoped to have a chance to meet her. Every day, I posted one article on facebook hinting my love for her. All I did was to let her know I really care about her, and how much I adore her. However, the more effort I put in, the more she avoided me. She finally blocked me on Facebook line, cell phone and whatever communication lines between us. My heart was initially broken but it soon became stronger. I decided to start over and take action. I know chasing a girl who had rejected me wrong behavior. However my confidence and optimism didn't stop me. I still thought I have a chance to get her heart back, so I kept taking action. I knew that she didn't want to have anything to do with me, so how can I continue chasing her? When I was in despair, my friends showed up and gave me a hand. They helped me send gifts I prepared for her. At first, I just sent some snacks, but I thought the snacks were not enough. Therefore, I started to write love letters and give her other small gifts hoping someday she will change her opinion of me. I know it’s a long road to walk because many people speak ill of me. Even though, I do my best to satisfy every one, I will prove that my ability is strong enough to rely on and she’ll be happy to stay with me in the end!!! The fate between us still exists. Hope is still there. I have no reason to give up. I can sacrifice myself for her no matter the time or spirit my life can give to her. This is what love is. That’s why love is so attractive and untouchable. I really love myself, so I want to share this love to her and give it all to her. So I will keep chasing her! asey HuangDealing with Sensitive SkinOpt for Fragrance-free Products
Fragrance is usually the main cause of skin related allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to choose skincare products that are labelled “fragrance-free.” Even products that are labelled “unscented” may still contain small amounts of fragrance components, typically used to mask odors of other active fragrances. Sunscreen You should always protect your skin from UV damage regardless of your skin type. However, for sensitive skin, remember to choose sunscreens with a non-comedogenic SPF paraben and of course fragrance-free. Also, you should stick to SPF not higher than 30, since the higher the SPF, the more irritating it may be. Reducing Clogged PoresThe Importance of Exfoliating By exfoliating your skin, you are removing all the dead skin cells from your skin’s surface that clog pores. Make sure to exfoliate only 2-3 times a week, too much exfoliation irritates your skin and pores, causing them to produce more oil. Facial Masks If not cleansed properly, things like makeup and sunscreen tend to clog pores and make them more visible. Therefore, choose masks that draw out impurities, such as clay /mud masks. Clay masks not only exfoliate and hydrate skin, but also, as they dry up, improve the flow of nutrients to the skin’s surface. Sunscreen Not only may UV damage lead to dark spots, wrinkles, and skin cancer, but it can also further enlarge pores, since the sun’s UV light damages the collagen that firms your skin. Therefore, regular use of sunscreen can help you avoid additional enlarged pores. However, make sure to use an oil-free and fragrance-free sunscreen, since oil can clog pores and enlarge them, and scented products may irritate your skin which can lead to breakouts! Controlling Oily SkinOpt for pH Balanced Products pH balanced cleansers are not only able to remove makeup, but they are also capable of gently removing oily substances secreted by the skin without stripping away natural oil, preventing them from clogging pores yet not causing your skin to be too dry. Make sure to look for the words “pH balanced” on cleansers and exfoliators. Reducing DiscolorationLightening Cream Skin discoloration normally leaves your skin with brown spots or patches. Excess sun exposure is one of the main causes of skin discoloration; UV damage leads to pigment overproduction which results in brown freckles or patches of brown skin lesions. Skin discoloration can generally be treated with a lightening cream; make sure to look for lightening creams that include vitamins A, C, and E, glycolic acid, or Alpha Arbutin. Sunscreen UV damage will worsen your skin discoloration; therefore you should always apply sunscreen whenever you are under the sun. Make sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF no lower than 15! Preventing PimplesKeeping Skin Hydrated Most people do not know that dehydration is one of the main causes of acne. Therefore you should always hydrate your skin with oil-free moisturizers; on top of that you may also want to use a hydrated clay mask daily. As mentioned earlier, clay masks open and clean out pores, removing excess oil clogged inside. Get Enough Sleep It is really important to get around 8 hours of consistent shut eye, because it helps your skin look beautiful and healthy. When you get enough rest, your whole body operates smoothly, and that is what keeps you from getting pimples! Getting Rid of Dry and Flaky SkinKeeping Skin Moisturized With the winter season ahead of us, we are faced with the devastation of dry, cracked, or flaky skin, regardless of our skin type. In order to get rid of dry skin, you want to make sure to lock moisture in! Use moisturizers that contain Hyaluronic acid since it attracts and locks in hydration. Short Showers Long showers can actually dry out your skin, so make sure to keep your showers to 5 to 10 min max with tepid water, nothing too hot because that is what really dries your skin out. Foundation Brush Use a foundation brush instead of your fingers. A brush allows you to get into all the fine lines and pores on your face providing an even coverage, while fingers warm up the foundation making it harder to stay on. When using a brush, pay special attention to the neck and jaw line area, you do not want people to see a fine line between your face and your neck. Finding The Right Color Choose a color that is closest to your skin tone, never try to darken or lighten your complexion with foundation, it will look like you have a mask on. Seek professional help at mall counters or try the colors on your jawline, this way you may detect which color blends best with your skin tone and will not create or leave any lines behind. Concealers For visible breakouts or under eye dark circles, use a concealer instead of covering it up with layers of foundation. However, do not use too much concealer, for it will just accentuate the problem areas. When applying concealers, make sure to pat with a finger to blend evenly into the skin. Apply Moisturizer By applying moisturizer before putting on your foundation, you are keeping your makeup from cracking and flaking. It also allows you to look like you have lighter foundation on. If you have really dry skin, you may consider spraying mineral water on your face, over your makeup to add moisture. Choosing Blush Blush gives your face a beautiful glow. However, how does one avoid looking like a “caked face?” Use a light pink or bronze blush, instead of a bright pink for a natural look. Light pink and bronze are easier to blend into your skin. Use Powder by Marc Sim
Before the introduction of color film in 1935, black and white photography was the sole medium of expression for photographers. Some of the best photos in modern history, in fact, are shot using black and white. Photojournalists risked their lives encamped in trenches during World War I, capturing powerful images of men in battle. Vivid images of gore and brutality were showcased to the world, all through the lens of a camera. As color photography amassed in popularity, we may wonder why black and white has withstood the test of time and continues to be a popular choice today. Importantly, it contains an element of nostalgia, transporting people back to the childhood memories of a distant past. Although the combination of black and white projects a somber feeling, the deficiency of color is compensated by a strong sense of realism and purity. In the eyes of a photographer, its format is highly versatile. From portraits, close-ups, to urban architecture, black and white fits suitably within each of these domains. Color photography relies heavily on natural light. With the constant hindrance of overcast skies in Taipei, photographers are given a justifiable reason to experiment with black and white. Unlike science, there is no right or wrong answer when taking a photo; nor are there any boundaries and restrictions. All that is needed are a few considerations before pressing the shutter, such as light and composition. Most importantly, as the saying goes, “A good workman never blames his tools.” Hence, having a good eye for detail far outweighs using expensive gadgets. It is about bringing the best out of your camera. We can do so by following a few basic guidelines that are easy to remember, which will definitely improve the quality of our photographs. Rule of Thirds When framing shots through the viewfinder, we should first conjure an imaginary grid. Divided by two horizontal and two vertical lines that intersect, we create nine equal squares. If we place our subjects or points of interest along the lines, or intersections, it allows viewers to interact naturally with the image. It therefore becomes aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Contrary to popular belief that the best images are shot dead center, research has shown that the human eye reactively drifts towards the intersection points and not in the middle of the photograph. Hence, the rule of thirds is best applied in landscape or portrait scenarios with only a single point of interest. Showing Scale Size and distance are components which can often deceive the naked eye. Shooting across wide open spaces such as deserts, rivers, and mountains becomes an issue when viewers have no idea how large an area they are looking at. Black and white photos can be improved when we include something whose size is already known, such as a car, an animal, or a person. Not only does it give viewers an idea of space, it adds a point of interest, allowing viewers to concentrate on a particular subject. Experimenting with Light Light plays an important role in black and white photography. Keeping in mind that rainy days are a common occurrence in Taipei, the presence of soft light comes into play. However, we are able to use soft light to our advantage when shooting in black and white, as it brings out subtle tones and textures within our photographs. In fact, the best way to understand lighting scenarios is to take more photographs! You will be surprised that many times certain shots tend to exceed our expectations. Thus, we shouldn’t be intimidated by the presence of light and get out there and experiment. Practice makes perfect! Now keeping these guidelines in mind, I shall attempt to justify them through a couple of recently taken photos. The above picture provides a simple and clear illustration of the rule of thirds. As explained above, the key is to avoid taking it right in the center. Although the rule of thirds cannot be applied to the final two photographs, they are essential as they revolve around the domains of light and scale. As the pictures were taken at night, the only light sources were the glow of buildings and lampposts. In the first photo, light emits from the buildings across the river, casting a reflective glow on the water. The undulating slopes, complemented with the presence of a couple in the bottom right corner are perfect examples of showing scale. Viewers are able to better identify the distance and magnitude of the photo. Similarly, the idea runs in parallels in the second photo, although scale is shown in a different way. By capturing the night sky, it is an attempt to make the tall buildings seem small. Keeping these simple guidelines in mind, I am confident that you will find a greater sense of satisfaction with your photographs, or perhaps an additional reason to pick up photography as a hobby! by Marin Yamamoto With the advent of the winter season, more and more people are catching a cold. Are you interested in how other people treat colds? Here are some ideas from around the world I got during some interviews. Get well soon! By Weber Hsu
Renowned for its unique cross-cultural and multilingual heritage, the city of New Orleans is a paradise that people the world over wouldn’t want to miss out on. Dubbed “The Big Easy” and “The City that Care Forgot,” among other popular monikers, the city offers a lighthearted and carefree atmosphere that pleasure seekers are looking for. From exotic French Creole cuisine to elegant jazz music, from fascinating swamp tours to extravagant festivities, New Orleans is as captivating and intriguing as can be, with boatloads of fun and adventure that will surely blow your mind away. A resident of NOLA (acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana) for six years, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the charms that this vibrant city provides. Here are some of my favorites from one of America’s most interesting cities: Food To say that I’m a resident of New Orleans and not mention its world famous gastronomic culture would be an act of sheer blasphemy. Words can’t describe how much you will enjoy New Orleans’ exquisitely-made French Creole and Cajun delicacies. A staple breakfast would be a plate of New Orleans-style French toast. Crisply toasted and drizzled with Louisiana cane syrup, the toast is served with poached eggs, oysters, and fresh pieces of ham and bacon. The classic Jambalaya (known in Spain as paella) is also a must-have. Well-seasoned with parsley, bay leaf, bell pepper, and other spices, jambalaya is a rice dish mixed with sausages, chicken, green onions, and celery. Another signature dish is gumbo. A spicy stew consisting of broth, rice, and spices, gumbo is typically flavored with various kinds of seafood, particularly shrimp and crawfish. Other delicacies to consider are red beans and rice, shepherd’s pie, shrimp and beef po’ boy sandwich, fried catfish, and Popeye’s chicken. A blend of French, Spanish, Portuguese, and African cooking, these exceptional dishes will have one’s taste buds screaming for more! Architecture and Streetcars Attesting to its rich historical and cultural heritage, the city still contains various kinds of 18th-century French Creole mansions and country houses, many of which are situated Uptown on famous St. Charles Avenue. Built in many different styles (Greek, Queen Anne, Antebellum), with either great marble pillars or thin wooden columns and wide porticos, this architecture brings forth a sense of intimacy that bonds people closer with the city. The famed streetcars on St. Charles Avenue are equally beautiful and historic. Inexpensive and convenient, the streetcars are also great public transportation. Each ride is itself a new and refreshing experience. Moving gently along St. Charles Avenue with soft breezes, visitors will marvel at the buildings, oak trees, and other greenery along the way. Swamp Tours Care for a date with alligators? For those that are adventurous, a trip to the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve would be the perfect way to spice things up. On the outskirts of New Orleans, the park is well known for its bayous, marshes, and exotic wildlife. Journey through Louisiana’s swamplands by boat and see alligators up close, either basking on the riverbank or lurking stealthily beneath the water’s surface near a Cyprus tree. Beware! The French Quarter and Downtown Perhaps the most appealing venue for tourists seeking excitement and entertainment is the French Quarter. Considered a National Historic Landmark, the French Quarter is essentially the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It contains numerous historic Spanish buildings, many of which are illustrious for their wrought iron balconies. Vintage mule-drawn carriages progress to and fro along the streets, furthering an even more refined reminiscence of the historical past. Bourbon Street, the most famous street in the French Quarter, is frequented by revelers and party-goers dressed to the nines. With hotels, restaurants, drinking establishments, and clubs, the aura of fun here never ceases. Located near Bourbon Street is Preservation Hall, known as the birthplace of jazz music. Usually played with trumpets, trombones, string basses, and clarinets, New Orleans jazz gives out a slow rhythmic flow that is soothing for the ears. Like its famed gastronomic culture, New Orleans jazz symbolizes the city’s historical and cultural identity. Positioned at the center of the French Quarter is a historic park called Jackson Square. Renamed for general Andrew Jackson after the Battle for New Orleans in 1815, Jackson Square is now vibrant with street performers, musicians, painters, and hawkers of all kinds. While here, one can stop by the Café du Monde and have a cup of café au lait (French chicory coffee) with French-style beignets (doughnut with powdered sugar) for dessert. Right next to Jackson Square is the beautifully built, white-colored St. Louis Cathedral. Facing the Mississippi River at the heart of New Orleans, the cathedral beams brightly in the sun for all to see. Speaking of the river, for a perfect view of the city skyline why not hop aboard a great paddlewheel steamboat for a river cruise down the crescent-shaped Mississippi? A view of the sunset will literally take one’s breath away. Other downtown options include Harrah’s Casino and the family-friendly Aquarium of the Americas. Last but not least…Mardi Gras! The most famous event of all in New Orleans has to be the annual Carnival season known in French as the Mardi Gras. Known as “the biggest free party on earth,” Mardi Gras is a time for fervent, sometimes chaotic, celebrations and merrymaking. People get giddy from alcohol and party throughout the nights. During this special occasion, participants, both young and old, don masks and costumes in traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple (which stands for justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Parades are the biggest attraction for fun seekers. Floats put on by krewes (private organizations) travel slowly through the streets, starting from Uptown New Orleans and moving towards downtown. Throngs of people dance crazily in the streets to music blaring from truck radios. Feeding off the festive mood from the enthusiastic crowd, krewe float riders toss “throws” to the merrymakers; these gifts can be colorful plastic beads, doubloons (coins with a krewe logo), cups, toys, or other souvenirs. In addition, people may also attend masquerade balls or King Cake parties. Eaten especially during the Carnival season, the cake is laced with cinnamon on the outside and stuffed with cream cheese of fruit-filling on the inside. The crust is topped with sugar icing in purple, green, and gold. The atmosphere and spirit of Mardi Gras is like no other, as people from all corners of the world and all walks of life are bonded together in fun and laughter. Having partaken in these events myself I would like to share with you the uniqueness of it all; New Orleans is a home away from home, a magical place of vivacity and infinite possibilities! By Violet Lin
Shihlin Night Market is the most popular spot for hungry tourists and locals in Taiwan. One of the unique Taiwanese snacks you can find there was recently number one on The World’s Weirdest Food list. Ten of the World’s WEIRDEST Foods Pig’s blood cake was selected as number one by members and editors of the travel website VirtualTourist.com. But why are people more scared of this item than a grasshopper or a grub, which are also on the list? In my opinion, the first reason is that they have misunderstood the name. It is not a kind of dessert or a salty cake made of animal’s blood. Actually it is a traditional snack made of glutinous rice and pig blood similar to English black pudding. The translator of the Taiwanese version of The Lord of the Rings called it as Brown Rice Pudding because Taiwanese like to eat it with peanut powder. Other items on the list include live octopus from South Korea, grasshoppers from Uganda, pigeons from France, durian from Malaysia, grubs from Australia, snake wine from Vietnam, donkeys from Italy, and ostriches from South Africa. Which one would you like to try next? The 10 Worst Foods You are Still EatingAnother list from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has determined that Starbucks Venti (20 oz) White Chocolate Mocha has 580 calories and 15 grams of saturated fat. A serving of Häagen-Dazs ice cream contains one day’s saturated fat and two-thirds of a day’s cholesterol. A cup of Campbell’s condensed soup has 760 mg of sodium. That’s half a day’s worth. According to the World Health Organization, “the global epidemic of obesity – "globesity” – is rapidly becoming a major public health problem in many parts of the world.“ The 10 Best Foods You Should Eat More of It’s flu season again, do you want to have a fever or runny nose during the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve, when the rest of your friends are out watching fireworks? Even worse you might have a bad flu when you need to study for finals. Here’s what the CSPI suggests as the right foods: Sweet potatoes, mangoes, unsweetened Greek yogurt, broccoli, wild salmon, crispbreads, Garbanzo beans, watermelon, butternut squash, and leafy greens. Here are some other foods recommended by Time Magazine: ● Tomatoes: contain lycopene (an antioxidant) and vitamin C, to prevent prostate cancer. ● Spinach: contains iron and vitamin B for the prevention of blindness and vascular disease. ● Nuts: prevention of heart disease if eaten moderately. ● Cauliflower: prevention of breast cancer, stomach cancer, rectal cancer. ● Oats: Rich in fiber, for weight loss, lowering blood pressure, cholesterol. ● Blueberries: antioxidant-rich to prevent aging, heart disease, and cancer. ● Green tea: reduces the risk of gastric cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, heart disease. ● Red wine: helps anti-oxidation, moderate drinking helps prevent heart disease. There are many ways to keep you healthy, but eating healthier is the most important. It doesn’t cost any extra money and gives you more energy to do what you like. Why not try to change your diet for your loved ones, and, most of all, for yourself? by Mandy Hsu
Founded in 2010 by four young women, Womany.net is a website that provides services for reading, shopping, and lifestyle and features diverse viewpoints on fashion, sex, health, career, and travel, as well as interviews by worldwide authors and designer items from all parts of the globe. After registering as a member you can create style walls showcasing your photos, articles, and fashion products. You can also browse the walls of other users and connect with friends by giving hugs and flowers. Unlike other websites such as PIXNET, PayEasy, or Facebook, in which the focus is on one field only, Womany.net has everything you need just like a department store. It also aims to satisfy the spiritual aspects of women. It helps women to understand themselves more deeply and better informs men about the attitudes of modern women. But the background of its founders is also fascinating. I first met Wei Shuan Chang, CEO and co-founder, when she attended a lecture class at NTU. I was immediately attracted by her stylish haircut, but soon the whole class was filled with excitement and admiration, touched by her passion towards life and inspired by her amazing stories. Being interested in gender since her childhood, she shared many stories for us. During Chinese New Year, for example, she noticed that male relatives were always given more money than female ones. Even in her mother’s generation, girls could only consume chicken feet and were strictly forbidden to eat other parts. This is because chicken feet were believed to be a symbol of a woman’s illiteracy. But she also knew that throughout history women had a significant influence that generally went unnoticed and unrecorded. These phenomena were so fascinating to her that she was driven to study history at NTU, after which she went on to obtain an M.A in Media and Culture at the London School of Economics. When Shuan studied in London she found most women to much more comfortable in their own skin. Every woman on the street seemed to be unique and it was hard to define who was more beautiful. But women in Taiwan seemed to lack the confidence to flaunt their own style and personality. For example, when talking about beauty in Taiwan everyone seems to identify with one particular person or one typical image. Shuan observes that Taiwanese women conjure a one-size-fits-all conception of the type of woman they aspire to be and they follow it closely. The result is that they are unable to express themselves as they truly are. But we do not necessarily have to follow the rules of our culture; rules were meant to be challenged and broken, and therefore we should just be ourselves. Beauty has a multitude of definitions and does not revolve around a single type: “So long as you think you’re beautiful, you truly are.“ “Women are many.“ This was what the professor wrote on the blackboard in the Introduction to Gender and Women’s Studies course which Shuan took at NTU. Not long after, it became the origin of her website’s name, Womany. Traditionally, women and men are regarded as two groups constantly confronting and oppressing each other. According to such a conception, women are always thought of as an entity and we tend to disregard the differences between them. For instance, women in New York differ from women in Beijing, career girls are dissimilar to housewives, and women working in an office are unlike women operating their own B&B. That’s what the statement means, women have various aspects. Because of these differences, every woman on earth is unique and gorgeous. Connecting the dots, Shuan found her true calling. She invited three of her friends to become entrepreneurs. They expanded this basic idea and made it an even clearer slogan: “Women are many, and you are the only” Womany.net hopes to empower women and to help them find confidence: to let them know that they are good enough and can gain the freedom of being who they are. Also, they hope to make women believe that it is the greatest happiness to be a woman. As Shaun’s faithfully believes, only when you love yourself will you have the ability to love others. You can make the world a better place because you are good enough to do so. Despite lacking the technical knowledge of setting up a website, these girls eventually overcame very difficult odds. Imagine that they created a business enterprise on their own! But Shuan doesn’t take it that way. She said it is no big deal to own a business. It is just a pathway for the founders to realize their dreams. She knows it from her heart that it is her vocation. For her, it is more important to do what she wants than what others expect her to accomplish. As she told me: ”My idea is pretty simple. We don’t have previous existences and an afterlife. We only live once. No matter what we do, what we get or what we lose, we should engage in whatever we want.” At the end of the interview, I asked Shuan to give some advice for women in their twenties. She mentioned three things. First of all, she encourages them to visit Womany.net and broaden their horizons. The contributions made by authors from all over the world will enable viewers to realize that every part of the world is distinct. We will find out that what we have gotten used to knowing is not necessarily meant to be so. We will begin to ponder deeper. If you feel Womany.net is inspiring, she added, then what our team has accomplished is indeed worthwhile. As for the future, she suggested that we should not be anxious about what lies ahead. Just follow your heart, using every moment to do what you intend to. Eventually, all the dots will naturally be connected and all the seeds you planted will ultimately sprout. As for advice on chasing dreams, she says: “Stay brave, stay loved.” You have to be brave to gain the courage to chase after what you love. When you do what you want you have to love it, or you will lack the courage to pursue it. Voiceis the reflection of a person’s nature. It is the vehicle by which one’s age, personality, and relationshipswith others are conveyed. The job of avoice-actor is to bring to life various film characters merely with his voice. Without the supports of actions, a voice-actormust condense into the voices he produces emotions which normal actors tend toconvey with physical mannerisms. Such isthe challenge of being a voice-actor. Cheng-changYu has been a voice-actor for twenty years. It is a job closely related to his family, since both his father andbrother are voice-actors. Upon enteringthis job, he found it intriguing, since here he was offered many chances toexplore a myriad of voices by which he can make understood the emotions hewould like to express. He grew dedicatedto the job as he perceived the expectations of his audience. Yu soon felt that it was his mission to createhappiness and new sensations by means of his voice characterizations, and thatthis was possible only when the roles he interpreted were brought before his audiencelike real people. To make them real, Yu becomesone with them, and he tries to experience the same emotions they have. He is able to achieve this with the supportof his life experiences as well as what he observes around him. Yu remarked that his life experiences help him to enter the emotional state of the characters he interprets as well as the roles they play. Take Gian, a local bully in Doraemon, for example. The character harked back to the bullies he met in his elementary school years, who took advantage of the weak but became servile before the strong. These memories helped him to envision Gian’s state of mind during each scene of the film. And thanks to the impression these bullies had on him, Yu also added something new to the character. He added a sense of clumsiness not included in the Japanese original so that he could emphasize Gian’s cowardice as well as his oppressive attitude. With such a contrast the character became all the more entertaining. Xiaobao Wei in The Deer and the Cauldron is another representative character. Xiaobao is generally playful but privately he has his own thoughts about the world. Yu remarked that his own humorous nature enabled him to represent Xiaobao’s playfulness. Yet this humor was counterbalanced by a seriousness that did not make his characterization too cartoon-like, giving the character a private thoughtfulness and a similar kind of contrast we find in Gian. Yu stressed that it is the character’s oscillation between tightness and looseness that makes him so impressive; otherwise he would seem nothing more than a fool. Nevertheless, a voice-actor cannot experience everything. He must make constant observations of other people to compensate for what he has not yet experienced. Yu said that he has nurtured a habit of observing people in his day-to-day life. He further remarked that as he observes people closely, he will think through what he is observing and certain feelings will arise in him. It is these feelings that make the scenes he observes part of himself. They become assets he can use to widen his imagination, making it possible for him to identify with his characters and to make his characterizations true to life. While all of these things add color to his interpretations, different aspects of each character can also inspire him. Yu mentioned that by becoming absorbed in the character he is interpreting he can experience different ways of expressing emotions such as pleasure and sorrow, as well as varying intonation in order to represent different moods. Yu remarked that the knowledge he acquires from these experiences can affect his own life as well as open up diverse interpretive styles by which he can make his characterizations even more vivid. Yu remarked that, for him, life is like a play. It consists of impressions made upon him by people of different backgrounds. To do voice-acting is to bring these experiences and other observations to the voices that he portrays on film. At the same time, the characters he interprets will also add new things to the play going on in his real life. This process is, in short, a continuous push and pull between art and life. As the two push and pull with each other, inspirations are sparked, which, if nothing else, can make life more abundant. His characters breathe with life, and their vividness and diversity will always touch our hearts. - by Stuart Pei-hua Chuang |
Authors
The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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