The A3 Foundation (Asian American Artists Foundation) is one that provides resources to Asian American artists in an effort to aid their success in the Entertainment Industry. The project was founded in 2012 by three Facebook veterans Philip Fung, Julia Lam and Franklyn Chien. Upon realizing that they didn’t grow up with many Asian role models in the media, they decided to put their efforts into fostering the talents of young Asian Americans.

A3 has just announced their new Advisory Council which will consist of actor Harry Shum, Jr.(Glee), director Jon M. Chu (G.I. Joe Retaliation, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, Step Up series), Dr. Konrad Ng (Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center), Sheree Chang (Hulu International Business Development), Bing Chen (YouTube Global Creator Development & Management Lead) Producer Hieu Ho (The LXD: Legion of Extraordinary Dancers), and Producer Mynette Louie (Children of Invention).

“I’m proud to be working with the A3 foundation as it gives Asian-Americans an opportunity to develop skills needed to make an impact on the entertainment industry,” said actor Harry Shum Jr. of Glee. “It’s an honor to give back and work along side industry leaders to aid the development of emerging talent.”

Korean actor Lee Byung-hun and French Cambodian actress Elodie Yung both star as Storm Shadow and Jinx respectively in the upcoming G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation. Check them make look kicking ass so easy in this preview clip (the four minute version will be shown before Hansel and Gretel this Friday).

G.I. Joe 2 will be released in theaters on March 29, 2013 and is directed by Jon M. Chu.

Lee Byung Hun as Storm Shadow.

Lee Byung Hun as Storm Shadow.

Elodie Yung as Jinx.

Break Exclusive: New G.I. Joe Has Amazing Ninjas – Watch More Funny Videos

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“When I see someone like a Harry [Shum, Jr.], I get excited. I think about me as a kid — like, ‘oh my god, I want to be cool like that.’” — Jon M. Chu on Asian role models.

ISSUE: Spring 2011

DEPT: Personalities

STORY: Katrina Guevara

Jon M. Chu may be known for directing dance films, namely Step Up 2: The Streets and Step Up 3D, but don’t pigeonhole him just yet. The 31-year-old says he’s just a modern fairytale story- teller, whether it be through dance, superhero stories, or an old fashioned boy-meets-girl romance. He even considers his latest film, the 3D musical documentary, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, a modern-day fairytale. “[It’s] about a kid from a small town who follows his dream, has Usher as a mentor, finds his way and is anointed by the king,” says Chu.
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How many of you cried at Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never? You ain’t gotta be ashamed. So did we. If you did, it’s all thanks to the talented director Jon Chu who directed the teen mega-star’s documentary and infused it with an extra dose of heart as opposed to cheese. The director has Bieber Fever and a veritable man crush on Glee‘s Harry Shum Jr. (don’t we all?). After this interview, we think we may have a crush on Jon. Featured in Audrey’s Spring 2011 issue, and we’ve got the extras here.

Jon Chu and Harry Shum Jr. attend the LXD after party at The Roosevelt Hotel on July 6, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (July 5, 2010 - Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images North America

Audrey Magazine: Tell us about a day in the life of Jon M. Chu.

Jon M. Chu: It’s The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers or Never Say Never or Step Up 3D DVD release — it’s all coming in at the same time. So yesterday we wake up at 6 in the morning and work on sound, music and sound effects. And at the same time we’re doing color timing. So I had my editors work on the pictures with color timing and the mix. In the afternoon we switched, and then I came back to the office because I had to do a Twitter conversation online to help promote the Step Up 3D DVD release, which came out yesterday. So we did that or a couple hours. Checked out visual effects. And then we’re meeting about a secret project, and then we had to do a Christmas party, with our white elephant craziness. And I had to recheck the movie last week to see if it’s good to preview. It depends on the day.

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