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Anna Akana had always been interested in the entertainment sphere. In an interview with mochimag, she said “I had wanted to do it for a really, really long time. But it just seemed like such an intangible journey, especially as a woman of color”.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> However, it wasn't until her 13 year old sister's suicide on February 14, 2007 that she made the leap to the entertainment world. Akana saw laughter as a means of trying to move on with her life and therefore became a comedian.<ref name="Surviving Suicide">{{cite web | title = Surviving Suicide | url = http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19092231-surviving-suicide| publisher = GoodReads | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> She began in 2010 on stage as a stand-up comedian. Although her parents were initially unsupportive of her decision, they were convinced once they witnessed how easy comedy came to Anna.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> The following year, Akana moved to [[Los Angeles]] and began performing behind a camera. Her at the time boyfriend, [[Ray William Johnson]] encouraged Akana to create her own [[YouTube]] channel.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> In less than 1.5 years, she amassed more than 760,000 followers and has now surpassed the 1 million mark.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref>
Anna Akana had always been interested in the entertainment sphere. In an interview with mochimag, she said “I had wanted to do it for a really, really long time. But it just seemed like such an intangible journey, especially as a woman of color”.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> However, it wasn't until her 13 year old sister's suicide on February 14, 2007 that she made the leap to the entertainment world. Akana saw laughter as a means of trying to move on with her life and therefore became a comedian.<ref name="Surviving Suicide">{{cite web | title = Surviving Suicide | url = http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19092231-surviving-suicide| publisher = GoodReads | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> She began in 2010 on stage as a stand-up comedian. Although her parents were initially unsupportive of her decision, they were convinced once they witnessed how easy comedy came to Anna.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> The following year, Akana moved to [[Los Angeles]] and began performing behind a camera. Her at the time boyfriend, [[Ray William Johnson]] encouraged Akana to create her own [[YouTube]] channel.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref> In less than 1.5 years, she amassed more than 760,000 followers and has now surpassed the 1 million mark.<ref name="mochi">{{cite web | title = mochi | url =http://www.mochimag.com/| publisher = mochi | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref>

==Career==
===YouTube Videos===
Akana is known through her unique and humorous videos on [[YouTube]]. Her videos are generally comedic and is based on her daily life experiences. She currently has 152 videos uploaded in her channel. However the number continues to grow as she uploads a new video every Monday. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mochimag.com/article/riley-rewind-anna-akana-youtube-series-suicide-prevention-anti-bullying |title= How Death Shed New Light on “Riley Rewind” Actress Anna Akana’s Life |publisher=MochiMagazine |accessdate= 2014-12-16 Mochi Magazine|accessdate=2012-08-06}}</ref> Besides comedy, Akana talks delves into serious topics as well. In her short film, ''Short Films: Let's Talk Money'', Akana goes into depth about the financial process in short films. This includes allocating a budget, financial logistics and casting a crew. <ref name="Short Films: Let's Talk Money">{{cite web | title = Let's Talk Money | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBw1eFniQoQ| publisher = YouTube| accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref>. In addition to comedy and serious topics, Akana would have other celebrities appear in her video. Her ''How to Track Trolls'' video starred [[Wong Fu Productions]] <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxgt6om72R4
|Title=How to Track Down Trolls |publisher=YouTube |accessdate= 2014-12-16}}</ref> and her ''What If'' video starred [[Daniel Radcliffe]]. <ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGkdUEHa7sI
|Title=Who Pays on a First Date? –Save the Date |publisher=YouTube |accessdate= 2014-12-16}}</ref>

===Beyond YouTube===
While producing weekly [[YouTube]] videos, Akana is also constantly auditioning for other roles.

In 2011, Akana appeared in the TV series [[Awkward (TV Series)|''Awkward'']]. She played a supporting role in Season 1, Episode 2 as an "Asian girl". <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663676/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_22 |Title=Awkward (2011) |publisher=IMBD |accessdate= 2014-12-16}}</ref> In that same year, she also appeared as an extra in [[Katy Perry|Katy Perry's]] [[Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)|''Last Friday Night'' music video]]. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1964831/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt |Title=Last Friday Night (2011) |publisher=IMBD |accessdate= 2014-12-16}}</ref> Throughout 2011 to 2012 Akana starred in the two TV series, ''10 Second Traumas'' and ''Breaking Los Angeles''. She also made an appearance for two episodes in [[ABC Family]] series, ''[[The Fosters (2013 TV series)|The Fosters]]''.


==Short Films throughout Career==
==Short Films throughout Career==
Line 38: Line 49:
===''Afflicted Inc. (2014)''===
===''Afflicted Inc. (2014)''===


''Afflicted Inc.'' tackles on the subject of [[anorexia]]—the film takes place in a dark room where a group of people gathered and discussed how they can afflict young women. “My fascination with mental illness continues to inspire my writing, and the result is the personified afflictions you see above”, says Akana. Anna is the lead in this film and she is made to look like a representative avatar of anorexia; hence her comstume is a [[Day of the Dead|Dia De Los Muertos skeleton]].This film has reached over 640,000 views and 38,000 likes on [[YouTube]]. <ref name="Afflicted Inc.">{{cite web | title = Afflicted Inc.| url =http://www.annaakana.com/short-films/afflicted-inc| publisher = Anna Akana | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref>
''Afflicted Inc.'' tackles on the subject of [[Anorexia (symptom)|anorexia]]—the film takes place in a dark room where a group of people gathered and discussed how they can afflict young women. “My fascination with mental illness continues to inspire my writing, and the result is the personified afflictions you see above”, says Akana. Anna is the lead in this film and she is made to look like a representative avatar of anorexia; hence her comstume is a [[Day of the Dead|Dia De Los Muertos skeleton]].This film has reached over 640,000 views and 38,000 likes on [[YouTube]]. <ref name="Afflicted Inc.">{{cite web | title = Afflicted Inc.| url =http://www.annaakana.com/short-films/afflicted-inc| publisher = Anna Akana | accessdate = December 8, 2014}}</ref>


===''Hallucination (2014)''===
===''Hallucination (2014)''===

Revision as of 16:39, 17 December 2014

Anna Kay Akana
File:Anna Akana.jpg
Born (1990-08-18) August 18, 1990 (age 34)
NationalityAmerican
Years active2010–present
Websitehttp://www.annaakana.com/

Anna Akana (born August 18, 1990) is a Japanese-American filmmaker, producer, and actress. She is known for her YouTube channel where she creates comedic blogs and short films. As of December 8, 2014, Anna Akana’s YouTube channel has over 1 million subscribers and over 100 million video views.[1] Her works have been featured in the 2014 San Diego Asian Film Festival and 2014 HollyShorts Film Festival. She has collaborated with Wong Fu Production and appeared in 2 episodes of the ABC Family series, The Fosters. Daniel Radcliffe was also a guest star in one of Akana's YouTube video as a promotion piece for Radcliffe's film, What If? (2013) [2]

Additionally, Akana is known for her involvement in the suicide prevention community. Her sister’s suicide in 2007 ultimately propelled Anna Akana into pursuing her dream career in the entertainment industry. She opened up her feelings about being on the other side as a suicide survivor in her YouTube video "please don't kill yourself" (2013). The video reached over 1 million views and spurred an open discussion about suicide prevention in the comment section.[3] Due to the positive feedback from the video, Akana decided to publish the book “Surviving Suicide”(2013) to remind suicide survivors that they are not alone. All the proceeds are currently going towards suicide prevention programs.[4]

Background

Anna Akana had always been interested in the entertainment sphere. In an interview with mochimag, she said “I had wanted to do it for a really, really long time. But it just seemed like such an intangible journey, especially as a woman of color”.[5] However, it wasn't until her 13 year old sister's suicide on February 14, 2007 that she made the leap to the entertainment world. Akana saw laughter as a means of trying to move on with her life and therefore became a comedian.[4] She began in 2010 on stage as a stand-up comedian. Although her parents were initially unsupportive of her decision, they were convinced once they witnessed how easy comedy came to Anna.[5] The following year, Akana moved to Los Angeles and began performing behind a camera. Her at the time boyfriend, Ray William Johnson encouraged Akana to create her own YouTube channel.[5] In less than 1.5 years, she amassed more than 760,000 followers and has now surpassed the 1 million mark.[5]

Career

YouTube Videos

Akana is known through her unique and humorous videos on YouTube. Her videos are generally comedic and is based on her daily life experiences. She currently has 152 videos uploaded in her channel. However the number continues to grow as she uploads a new video every Monday. [6] Besides comedy, Akana talks delves into serious topics as well. In her short film, Short Films: Let's Talk Money, Akana goes into depth about the financial process in short films. This includes allocating a budget, financial logistics and casting a crew. [7]. In addition to comedy and serious topics, Akana would have other celebrities appear in her video. Her How to Track Trolls video starred Wong Fu Productions [8] and her What If video starred Daniel Radcliffe. [9]

Beyond YouTube

While producing weekly YouTube videos, Akana is also constantly auditioning for other roles.

In 2011, Akana appeared in the TV series Awkward. She played a supporting role in Season 1, Episode 2 as an "Asian girl". [10] In that same year, she also appeared as an extra in Katy Perry's Last Friday Night music video. [11] Throughout 2011 to 2012 Akana starred in the two TV series, 10 Second Traumas and Breaking Los Angeles. She also made an appearance for two episodes in ABC Family series, The Fosters.

Short Films throughout Career

Miss Earth (2014)

Akana is the director, writer, executive producer, and starring actress for Miss Earth. This film uncovers the story of the future— in 1,000 years, Miss Earth (Anna Akana) competes for the fate of Earth in a Galactic’s depopulation pageant.[12] Writer Jeff Klima exclaims, “Anna’s pilot, called Miss Earth, demonstrates Anna’s capabilities not only as an actress but as a writer as well” he continues, “In crafting Miss Earth, Anna teaches the wisdom of standing up to blind allegiance through a parable about an intergalactic beauty pageant – and that’s only episode one”.[13] This film has accumnulated over 200,000 views and 16,000 likes on YouTube.[14]

Here She Is (2014)

Akana co-directed this short film with Megan Rosati.[15] This short movie is approximately five minutes long. It centers around a beauty pageant contestant (Anna Akana) and her experiences with strange visions in the midst of the competition. According to Akana “This short ends inconclusively and leaves quite a bit up to the audience to interpret”. The film has over 380,000 views and 22,000 likes on YouTube.[16]

Pregnapocalypse (2014)

Written, directed and starring Akana, Pregnapocalypse revolves around the notion that all the women on Earth are impregnated with an alien baby.[17] This film combines both Science fiction and comedy elements to it. The film has reached over 636,000 views and 26,000 likes on YouTube. This short was also featured as part of the 2014 San Diego Asian Film Festival's "A Conversation with Anna Akana" event.[18]

Emergency Call (2014)

Akana co-directed this 3 minute short film with Megan Rosati. This movie is about a 911 dispatcher receiving a terrifying call. It was inspired by Megan when she read an article regarding a 911 dispatcher's discovery of her daughter's car accident. This film has reached over 520,000 viewers and 34,000 likes on YouTube. [19]

Afflicted Inc. (2014)

Afflicted Inc. tackles on the subject of anorexia—the film takes place in a dark room where a group of people gathered and discussed how they can afflict young women. “My fascination with mental illness continues to inspire my writing, and the result is the personified afflictions you see above”, says Akana. Anna is the lead in this film and she is made to look like a representative avatar of anorexia; hence her comstume is a Dia De Los Muertos skeleton.This film has reached over 640,000 views and 38,000 likes on YouTube. [20]

Hallucination (2014)

Written and directed by Akana, Hallucination is a short film revolving around a girl with schizophrenia and her confrontations with hallucinations. According to Akana, this film is the discarded ending to Akana's novel Surviving Suicide. [21] It conveys the message to raise awareness for mental disorders and indirectly suggestions donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Hallucination was also an official selection of the 2014 [HollyShorts Film Festival]]. [21]

Notable Productions

Video: How to put your Face

Akana's most viewed video on YouTube is "How to put on your Face". The unique video offers more than a makeup tutorial as Akana delves into the meaning behind each make up product. For example, when putting on eyeshadow, Anna talks about dabbling the eyes with optimism and when putting on lipstick, Anna reminds the audience that the words that come out of a person's mouth is very important.[22]

The Huffington Post writes:

"There is a lot of focus on how women look, and although putting on makeup can be an empowering act, it's important that we don't stop or start there. Getting ready starts from the inside out, and Akana reminds us where in our lives we should have a light touch, and where to apply a little extra." [23]

As of December 2014, this video has amassed over 2.6 million viewers on YouTube and was also featured in the 2014 San Diego Asian Film Festival's "A Conversation with Anna Akana" event.[18]

Personal life

Ray William Johnson

Akana was in a relationship with YouTube star Ray William Johnson for approximately 2 years and broke up in May 2014 as announced in Ray’s Twitter.[24][24] They met at the CBS Diversity Showcase. It was Johnson who initially encouraged Akanato start her own YouTube channel.[5] There is speculation within the YouTube community that Ray broke up with Anna "because of his transition from simple YouTuber to feature films and television." [24]

Pole Dancing

In January 2013, Akana posted the YouTube video, "Am I Sexy?" qualifying whether or not she feels sexy.[25] In June 2014, Akana follows up on that video by posting a new one: "Yes, I am Sexy." in which she announces that she is now taking pole dancing classes as a way to feel confident about her sexuality and as a new found hobby.[26] In October 2014, Wong Fu Productions posted a video on their YouTube channel showcasing Akana teaching Philip Wang and Wesley Chan how to pole dance.[27]

Impact

Video: please don't kill yourself

In October 2013, Akana uploaded a video titled “please don’t kill yourself” where she opens up and talks about being on the other side of suicide: being the survivor. She went into great depths of grief and discusses how her sister’s death continues to affect her. This video led to positive and supportive responses. People would leave comments about similar experiences, their own struggles with suicide, or supported the message.[3]

Book: Surviving Suicide

As a result from the positive feedback of “please don’t kill yourself”, Akana published the book “Surviving Suicide” in 2013. It consisted of her old diary entries from 2007-2009 in efforts to show the aftermath of suicide. She provides a free online link but all proceeds will go towards suicide prevention programs. Her intent behind the book is to remind people like her (survivors of suicide) that they are not alone.[4]

Awards

Akana was awarded the San Diego Asian Film Festival's first annual Digital Pioneer Award in 2014.[28]

References

  1. ^ "YouTube: Anna Akana". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  2. ^ "Daniel Radcliffe collaboration with Anna Akana". hypable. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "YouTube: Please don't kill yourself". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c "Surviving Suicide". GoodReads. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e "mochi". mochi. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  6. ^ "How Death Shed New Light on "Riley Rewind" Actress Anna Akana's Life". MochiMagazine. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  7. ^ "Let's Talk Money". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  8. ^ . YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxgt6om72R4. Retrieved 2014-12-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ . YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGkdUEHa7sI. Retrieved 2014-12-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ . IMBD http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663676/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_22. Retrieved 2014-12-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ . IMBD http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1964831/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt. Retrieved 2014-12-16. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Miss Earth". IMDB. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  13. ^ "New Media Rockstars". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  14. ^ "Miss Earth". Anna Akana. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  15. ^ "Megan Rosati". IMBD. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  16. ^ "Here She is". Anna Akana. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  17. ^ "Pregnapocalypse". Anna Akana. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  18. ^ a b "Conversation with Anna". San Diego Asian Film Festival. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  19. ^ "Emergency Call". Anna Akana. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  20. ^ "Afflicted Inc". Anna Akana. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Hallucination". Akana. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  22. ^ "How to put your Face". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  23. ^ "Make Up Tutorial". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  24. ^ a b c "Break Up". YouTube Buzz. Retrieved December 8, 2014. Cite error: The named reference "Break Up" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  25. ^ "Am I Sexy?". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  26. ^ "Yes, I am". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  27. ^ "Pole Dancing with Anna Akana". YouTube. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  28. ^ "Digital Pioneer Award". SDAFF. Retrieved December 8, 2014.

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