Tag: Against The Grain Productions

November 16, 2016

Celebrating Asian American Talent for a Cause at ATG’s 8th Annual Fashion for a Passion

Photo | Dr. Jarvis Jacobs

Nov. 7, 2016 (DALLAS) – Fashion for a Passion presented by Audi Dallas gave guests from all over the Dallas community a fresh take on Asian American fashion, music and art at its 8th annual event on Oct. 29 at new venue sixty five hundred. Through sponsorships, ticket sales, live and silent auctions, a raffle and additional donations, more than 350 glamorous guests gathered together to raise more than $26,000 net, all of which benefit the mission of Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based non-profit, with its supported orphanages and underprivileged children in Asia, scholarship fund and community outreach programs for 2017.

July 9, 2015

Announcing the 2015 Fashion for a Passion Designer Line-Up

Against The Grain Productions is proud to announce the presenting designer line-up for its 7^th Annual Fashion for a Passion charity event presented by Audi Dallas, taking place Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 for Parties in Dallas’ Design District. Handpicked by the ATG board, these designers represent an exciting mix of backgrounds, Asian American origins and design aesthetics.

“We are excited to host our 7^th annual event at a fabulous new venue, 7 for Parties on Nov. 7th along with seven amazing designers. We really feel the energy of that lucky number and are preparing for an exciting show that will delight our audience,” said Against The Grain President and Co-Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee. “We have a number of returning Asian American designers showing their new lines as well as a few new designers, plus a few surprises up our sleeve – all coming together to bene fit the causes we support.” Read more

June 16, 2015

ATG Presents 4th Annual Groundbreakers Speak at NAAAP National Convention

June 17, 2015 (DALLAS) – Back by popular demand, non-profit Against The Grain Productions will host their 4^th Annual Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Movers and Shakers – a diverse panel of remarkable Asian American industry leaders brought together to share their inspiring personal stories and paths to success. For the first time ever, this year’s event, which promotes leadership and mentorship, will be co-hosted with the National Association of Asian American professionals of DFW (NAAAP-DFW) at the NAAAP National Convention to be held in Dallas (another first) under the theme “Resilience: Power of the Asian Leader.”

March 8, 2015

Going Against The Grain: Grace Wu

Grace Wu serves as Executive Vice President, Casting, NBC Entertainment since 2009. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California at Berkeley, Wu began her career in entertainment casting as an assistant on the feature film “In & Out,” starring Kevin Kline. She transitioned into television when she joined Liberman/Hirschfeld Casting, where she worked on casting for the critically acclaimed “Seinfeld,” “MadTV” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” While at NBC, Wu supervised the casting of such network series as “Freaks & Geeks,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood” and “The Black List.” She is responsible for overseeing the day-today casting on current scripted series as well as pilot productions.

Full name:

Grace Wu

Hometown:

Los Angeles, CA

Current City:

Los Angeles, CA

Ethnicity:

Taiwanese-American

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

Lately, it means to speak up when I feel the most scared.

What made you decide to pursue a career in this industry?

I like being around creative people, getting into their heads and helping execute their vision.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?

I can’t think of any challenges, but as the daughter of immigrants, it’s in my DNA to work hard and not whine or complain.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

My biggest accomplishment is picking the right guy to marry because I’ve created the family I always wanted.

What’s up next?

Finding time to shop Zappos.

Quote to live by:

You get what you get and you don’t get upset.

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac):

I’m a Rooster/Scorpio

Passionate about:

Keeping my iPhone and iPad charged at 100%.My kids think I’m crazy, but it must be!

Favorite food:

Sushi and fried egg sandwiches

Can’t live without:

Thinking about my next great meal.

I Go Against The Grain #beCAUSE:

It doesn’t seem as much fun to be regular and conventional.

February 8, 2015

Going Against The Grain: Quan Phung

Quan Phung | President, Scripted Programming | Slingshot Global Media

Quan Phung is President of Scripted Programming at Slingshot Global Media, an independent television studio backed by private equity and based in Santa Monica, California. Established in 2014, Slingshot’s mission is to build a talent-friendly, forward-thinking 21st century studio that develops, produces, finances and distributes television series with a global focus and reach.

Prior to Slingshot, Quan spent close to two decades as a producer and an executive at companies such as Bluegrass Television, Twentieth Century Fox Television Studios, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). He has been involved in the development and production of many acclaimed series including House, How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl and Arrested Development. In 2002, he was named one of Hollywood Reporter’s Top 35 Executives Under 35.

Full Name: Quan Luong Phung
Hometown: San Diego, California
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Ethnicity: Vietnamese

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

To me, “Going Against The Grain” is always striving to be your authentic self. It is continuing to evolve and recognizing your strengths and shortcomings. It is not being afraid of failure and looking at those moments as opportunities to engage with the world, and get to know yourself better. It is leading anything but a life of quiet desperation.

November 19, 2014

Orphanage Update: Cambodia

Thanks to your support, we were able to expand our assistance to orphanages in Cambodia this year! Many special thanks to Rev. Sy Seng Ouk and his wife Mrs. Esther Ky (parents of ATG advisor and long-time friend Thear Suzuki) who recently visited our supported orphanages and gave us the report below. Read more

November 6, 2014

6th Annual Fashion for Passion Breaks All Event Records

November 5, 2014 (Dallas, TX) – On Saturday, November 1, Against The Grain Productions held its 6th Annual Fashion for a Passion charity event at Three Three Three First Avenue. In a sold-out show that beat all event records, the event hosted 450 guests and raised more than $35K in funds to go to ATG’s supported orphanages in Asia, scholarship fund and community outreach programs. Read more

October 12, 2014

Going Against The Grain: Vatana Watters

Vatana Watters, bridal designer and CEO of Watters Bridal and first-time bridal presenting designer at Fashion for a Passion

We are proud to highlight Vatana Watters of Watters Bridal for this month’s Going Against The Grain feature. For the past three years, Watters has been a generous supporter of ATG and Fashion for a Passion, donating gorgeous dresses for auction to the delight of brides-to-be. In addition to providing new looks for auction, audiences at FFAP will get to see highlights from Watters’ bridal, bridesmaid and even flower girl collections float down the runway for the first time ever in her debut as an FFAP (and our first-ever bridal!) presenting designer.

Check out one of our wonderful FFAP media sponsors DFW Style Daily‘s feature on Watters Bridal, too!

Full Name: Vatana Watters
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Current City: Dallas, Texas
Ethnicity: Thai

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

When I started making bridesmaids gowns in the mid ’80’s, I offered an alternative solution to the big puffy sleeves and bows. I decided to ‘go Against The Grain,’ and it paid off in a great way, due to hard work, determination and staying true to my vision.

August 12, 2014

#FFAP2014: Introducing Our Musical and Now Dance Performers!

DALLAS, TX – Dallas non-profit Against The Grain Productions proudly announces the performing artists for its much-anticipated Fashion for a Passion charity event. The celebration of Asian American talent, ranging from Filipino to Korean and Singaporean to Thai Americans, will kick off with musical performances by three Kollaboration Dallas artists and, for the first time, a dance performance by a 2014 Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship winner.

The 2014 Fashion for a Passion Featured Performers include:

Heart & Hero
Jonavi
Andrew Yun
- Lizzy Tan