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Revision as of 03:18, 12 January 2010

Shin Koyamada
小山田 真
File:ShinKoyamada.JPG
Born
小山田 真
Koyamada Shin
Years active2002 - present
Websitehttp://www.shinkoyamada.com/

Shin Koyamada (小山田 真, Koyamada Shin), born on March 10, 1982 in Okayama, Japan is a film actor, producer, philanthropist, entrepreneur and martial arts instructor. Shin has been in Los Angeles, United States since the year 2000. He speaks fluent Japanese and English.

He became best known to audience after his co-starring role “Nobutada” in Warner Bros. Pictures Action epic The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise and director Edward Zwick. The movie was well received upon release, with a North American box office of $456 million and an enthusiastic reception among the moviegoing public in Japan, with box office receipts higher in that country than in the USA. The box office of the movie upon release in Japan was $119,268,595 and $111,127,263 in the US.

Shin starred in Action/Adventure Disney Channel Original Movie series Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, which was one of the top rated Disney Channel Original Movies with over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere in the US. It also received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan and broke records in the United Kingdom and Europe making Disney Channel the highest rated kids channel in Europe.

Shin also starred in a movie Good Soil. He is noted for his skill in various martial arts styles.[1]

Shin is repped by Affirmative Entertainment.

Family and name

Shin Koyamada is a direct descendant of the samurai in Kagoshima who was a member of an elite Samurai clan in the Satsuma domain (薩摩藩, Satsuma Han) which was one of the most powerful feudal domains in Tokugawa Japan, and played a major role in the Meiji Restoration and in the government of the Meiji Period which followed.[2]

His first name 真 as Shin means Truth in Japanese

Early life and education

Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong action movies began as a small boy at his father's side.[3] Despite the disapproval of family and friends, he was determined to see this dream realized.[3] At an early age, he directed all of his energy to physical training in gymnastics as a team captain, track, triathlon.[4] His decision to pursue his dream in Hollywood was already made by 15.[5] He graduated from one of the elite high schools in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

Acting career

Hollywood

In September 2000, Koyamada came to Hollywood alone, not knowing anyone, having no place to stay, and not knowing how to speak in English.[6] He studied English with a tutor for six months, enrolled at Los Angeles City College, in the Theater Academy, and secured a student visa.[7]

Building an acting career with little money, no agent, manager or other Hollywood connections is an extremely difficult accomplishment.[8] To gain experience and a portfolio, Shin worked long hours for very little or no pay in everything he could find. By 2001 at the Knightsbridge Theatre, he choreographed and performed martial arts forms and stage combat for a unique production of Shakespeare's Coriolanus.[9] He made a brief guest appearance on Power Rangers Wild Force[10] in 2002. His first movie work was a short film called A Ninja Pays Half My Rent[10].

2003: Breakout Performance

"The Last Samurai"

Submitting himself for various projects via an Internet casting site, and landed his debut feature film role in The Last Samurai[10]. Co-starring opposite Tom Cruise in the Warner Bros. epic as Nobutada, friend to Cruise's character, Algren, a fierce archer, double swordsman, and a Samurai. While filming The Last Samurai in Japan, United States, and New Zealand for almost 8 months, he added Kyūdō (Japanese Archery) and Yabusame to his repertoire[11]. Koyamada also homed in on his acting skills with the help Director/Producer Edward Zwick and Actor/Producer Tom Cruise, making the most of a powerful debut. The movie was well received upon release, with a worldwide box office of $456 million. In addition it was nominated for several awards, including the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the National Board of Review.

2006-Present: Teenage Audience

"Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior"

File:DisneyShinKoyamada.jpg
Koyamada at Disney World Resort in Florida in 2007

In 2006, Shin starred in the action/adventure/drama Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior with Brenda Song as Shen, an Undercover Buddhist Monk, who has an important mission with Wendy in the United States[10]. Shin spoke not only in English from the beginning to the end of the movie, but also a bit of Mandarin.[12] The entire movie was shot in Auckland, New Zealand.[13] Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior is currently the eighth highest viewed Disney Channel Original Movie with over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere[14] and also received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan.[15]

"Disney Channel Games"

In 2006, Shin has participated Disney Channel Games in the Red Team.[10] In 2007 and 2008, Shin has represented Japan in 2007 and 2008.[16]. The 2007 Games were produced by Disney Channel, and the 2008 games were produced by Buena Vista Television and Penn/Bright Entertainment. In 2008, Shin has received The Disney Channel Sportsmanship Award at Disney Channel Games 2008.

"Other films"

In 2007, Shin appeared in the 20th Century Fox feature film Constellation, director by Jordan Walker-Pearlman with Gabrielle Union, and Billy Dee Williams[10]. In the following year, Shin starred and produced the action/drama movie Good Soil.

Shin is set to produce and star in the action and comedy feature film 'Ticker', produced by Paul Heller (Enter The Dragon) and Nia Lyte, and written by Stephen Langford (Love Wrecked). He will play Sam Goldman.

"Upcoming films"

Shin and Brenda Song will star in a sequel to Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.[17]

Japan

2003: The Last Samurai

In WB's epic film The Last Samurai, the movie received an enthusiastic reception among the moviegoing public in Japan, with box office receipts higher in that country than in the USA. The box office of the movie upon release in Japan was $119,268,595 and $111,127,263 in the US.

2005-2006: Wine Road of the Samurai

Shin starred and received the title of executive producer in the Japanese full feature documentary show Wine Road of the Samurai (2006), nationally distributed by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) and other 28 affiliated TV stations in Japan.[10] Also, he has studied the basic of French and Arabic in the documentary movie.[18]

2006-present: Walt Disney Japan

Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior received 5.7 Millions viewers at the night of its premiere in the US and also became the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan at its premiere in Japan among other Disney Channel Original Movies such as High School Musical and The Cheetah Girls. Although he has spoken in English and some Mandarin in the movie, he dubbed his entire role in Japanese.

Shin participates Disney Channel Games every year since 2006. He has served as the Japanese representative since 2007.

Volunteer works

Shin actively involves in his nonprofit organizationThe Shin Koyamada Foundation (also known as 'SKF'), which is based in the United States. Under SKF, the organization has supported numerous cultural activities and events in the US.

As part of Disney Channel Games 2008, the team Shin was representing for has granted a donation to the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, which is chaired by Steven Spielberg.

Shin also has been a supporter of KICKSTART, which was founded by a Hollywood Action Star Chuck Norris in 1990. He has toured and given motivational activities and positive speeches in numerous Elementary and Junior high schools in Houston, Texas as well as hospitals and schools throughout Japan.

Shin has been a keen young supporter of martial arts community along with other martial arts instructors in the United States, Japan, and other countries. He was awarded at World Martial Arts Masters Expo 05, which was co-hosted by a President/COO of Warner Bros., Alan Horn and a President of CBS Studios, Michael Klausman in January 14, 2005. He was featured in a cover of Black Belt Magazine in 2004.

Shin has supported competing in Taranaki Cycle Challenging with the Former Cycling Champion in the city of New Plymouth, New Zealand and was awarded a Golden Key to the City by Peter Tennent, a mayor of New Plymouth, New Zealand.

He was honored and awarded a Gold Medal for actively supporting a Mexican community by the Mexican Government in 2005.

Music

Shin's debut Single titled "Movin' On" written by Erich Bulling and Brabdon Gatson was released by Meter On Records, an American recorded music label in August 15, 2009.

Martial arts and sports

At age 7, Koyamada begun training in road bicycle racing and competing in the various competitions in Japan. At age 9, Koyamada begun receiving formal training in Track and Field in the elementary school and officially joined Okayama Junior Track and Field Association in the same year in Okayama. He specialized in the 100 m and 200 m sprint.

From 1997 to 2000, Koyamada has served as a team captain in gymnastics and competed in the city and prefecture tournaments of Okayama, Japan for three consecutive years. He specialized in the floor exercise, parallel bars, and rings.

By 16, he began to study karate, in which he was awarded a black belt [19]. 18 months is considered a very fast to reach shodan in most martial arts, though it does vary based on circumstance. Interpretations also vary, but a black belt generally signifies a thorough understanding of the basics, and often enables the wearer to instruct in some capacity. He has also studied in Aikido, Judo, and Kendo in Japan. He has competed in various National Karate Championships in Japan during in 1997 to 2000. Koyamada currently holds san-dan (third degree) black belt in traditional Karate.

In Chinese martial arts, Koyamada is trained in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Wing Chun, and Shaolin Gung Fu. He specializes in a double broadsword among other 18 Chinese classical weapons in Shaolin Kung Fu. He has also competed in six U.S National Martial arts Tournaments over five months and winning first place in all but one, and that was a second.[20]

In Korean martial arts, Koyamada has studied in Tae Kwon Do, which he earned a black belt and Kung Jung Mu Sul in the United States.

Martial Arts Championship

  • 2000 — 4th Jade Mountain Kung Fu Grand Championship: broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form silver medal;
  • 2000 — USA National WuShu Kung Fu Championship: broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form gold medal;
  • 2001 — World Karate Championship: Double broadsword form silver medal, optional empty-hand form silver medal;
  • 2001 — 19th Annual Karate Championship: broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form gold medal;
  • 2001 — San Diego Grand National Championship: Double broadsword form gold medal, optional empty-hand form gold medal;

All his optional empty-hand form medals were won with a form called Bot Bo (抜歩, Northern Shaolin #8; Shuffle Steps).

Filmography

Main article: Shin Koyamada filmography

References

  1. ^ "Shin Koyamada's remarkable martial arts skills".
  2. ^ "Shin Koyamada's ancestor in Kagoshima, Japan in 14th Century".
  3. ^ a b "Shin Koyamada's love of American and Hong Kong films in his childhood".
  4. ^ "Shin Koyamada's physical training".
  5. ^ "Shin Koyamada's determination to pursue his dream in Hollywood".
  6. ^ "Shin Koyamada came to Hollywood all by himself".
  7. ^ "Shin Koyamada enrolled in English classes and began a strict regimen of language instruction".
  8. ^ "Shin Koyamada had no connections in Hollywood when he came to Los Angeles".
  9. ^ "Shin Koyamada appeared in Coriolanus and choreographed stage combat in the play".
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Shin Koyamada at IMDb
  11. ^ "Shin Koyamad takes serious training in Kyudo and Yabusame".
  12. ^ "Shin Koyamada speaks little bit of Mandarin in the movie".
  13. ^ "Wendy Wu was entirely shot in Auckland, New Zealand".
  14. ^ "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior had over 5.7 million viewers on the night of its premiere, making it currently the eighth highest viewed DCOM]".
  15. ^ [wkp.fresheye.com/wikipedia/小山田真 "Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior has received the highest rating in the history of Disney Channel Japan]"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  16. ^ "Shin Koyamada participates in Disney Channel Games 2007".
  17. ^ "Shin Koyamada and Brenda Song will star in a sequel to Disney Channel Original Movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior".
  18. ^ "Shin Koyamada speaks little bit of French and Arabic in the movie".
  19. ^ "Shin Koyamad receives a Black Belt in Karate in Japan".
  20. ^ "Shin Koyamada became US national Champion in Shaolin Kung Fu".

External links

Template:Shin Koyamada

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