Everyday we are sure to hear terms like Viral Videos, Web Episodes, and Cyber Blogging. These are all common day words used by the most ordinary people. The Internet revolution has changed the way people seek entertainment in today’s world.

Enter the stylish, Shyaporn Theerakulstit (Tearahgunsehtaet) a YouTube comedian that is anything but a fly by night talent.

Ever the modest gentleman, he lives up to his nickname “Shy” and admits his videos are no Film Phenomenon. This charming actor proves he is not just another pretty face, as his videos are more than the commonplace, resentful drama web-cam video blog dairies, (called vlogs), but humorous sketches, that sometimes have an ethnic twist. He is best known for his “500 impressions in 2 minutes” video, he then taught us that kittens can fly, documented the daily grind of an unemployed hitman and wrote a zombie musical. He even has represented the only Asian super-friend and put him at the forefront of one of his videos. Never one to loose a clever sketch idea he keeps them on a mirror using dry erase marker. Be assured that each upcoming Holiday there will be another one of his immensely enjoyable videos premiering on YouTube. With such a diverse profile like this, you can easily see Shyaporn is a brilliant artist that is as sophisticated as he is creative.

Classically trained at the at Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and in experimental theater, where he received the Tisch Creative Artist and Scholar Award. Shy has participated in many Shakespearean productions throughout NYC and even more so interesting, he played in several gratis empty lot Shakespearean performances, known as ”Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot)”. When asked about his history of work in theater on a recent radio podcast interview, he compares his to that of many actors throughout the greater NYC area, tough but average. “A actors life in theater isn’t easy regardless of ethnicity”, he then goes onto also mention that *Actors’ Equity” has over 100,000 and only 5% are working. With a ratio of 95% unemployment it has to be tough field. His stance is even if an actor doesn’t fill the casting call requirement (ethnicity, height etc), and he/she thinks he can play this role to go for it. Nowadays casting directors although strict are still much more open minded then in the past but to be sure when the actor auditions, they must really bring it out, not to waste anyone’s time. Although he does acknowledge that the nature of the business is to utilize every skill one has to their disposal when auditioning, whatever it may be ethnicity, height, athleticism, all come into play when being a actor. And, Shyaporn has many skills to his disposal, such as Voiceovers; Classical Violin; Stand Up; Sketch Comedy; Stage Combat; Kung-Fu Wu-Su; Basic Coin/Card Magic; Illustration; Origami-Paper Folding; Basic Dance; Basic Ballet, Jazz and Tap; Marathon Running; Cooking; Internet design & programming. His favorite roles include Prospero in The Tempest, Donald Wu/Tai Tung Trahn in In Perpetuity Throughout the Universe and the Narrator in Once Upon a Time in Chinese America.

Shy also has avid hobbies, he is no stranger to being an active sportsman. For over 10+ years has studied traditional Shaolin Kung-fu at Alan Lee’s Chinese Kung-Fu Wu-Su Association in New York, NY. He is certified in SAFD stage combat for hand-to-hand, rapier & dagger, and broadsword. He has versed himself in many other sports and exercise such as boxing, kickboxing, kendo, fencing, hiking, aikido, tai chi and bikram yoga. He also ran in the 1998 and 2002 NY Marathons. His first NY marathon he ran in 3:56:02 which is very impressive. What can also be said about Shy is that he is very environmentally aware since he has blogged about Urban Foraging otherwise known as *dumpster diving. A strange but very smart and green influenced hobby, I am very impressed with anyone who has green friendly practices. This sport mostly happens in rural areas and can be seen as a means to reduce landfill sizes.

His production firm “You Said Your Damn Ninja Would Take Care of Robocop Productions” is titled from a line spoken in Robocop3, by Rip Torn . When asked why he chose that particular quote he says “Its the worst line of dialog written in the English language… it’s a reminder of things to avoid… (and yet) it’s spoken by a corporate raider about a ninja (robot) fighting a cyborg made of a dead person.. (so it represents) Pirates, Ninjas, Robots and Zombies!”, and we are very glad he has done so, because as a prominent Youtube fixture, Shy is helping break stereotypical Asian male archetypes. By using his remarkable witty tact, he combines an urban backdrop, sophisticated vibrancy, metropolitan looks and pure unbridled wit. What strikes the YouTube audience different about Shy’s sketches, are how he sheds light onto Asian Issues, never truly making fun or a total protest. The humor he uses in his videos is easygoing, non-offensive and still makes one think about a deeper subject when it is relative. Using a urban backdrop to tell these little snips are also the usage of a wonderful resource. All in all his sketches are hilariously inventive.

So get to YouTube and keep an EYE on Shy! http://www.youtube.com/user/Shyaporn

You must get this a lot but what does your name mean?
- Funny, I just did a vlog about this. “Shy” or “Chai” in Thai means “Man.” You see it in the construction of a lot of Thai names. My full first name, Shyaporn, means “Blessed Victory.” The translation of my last name is a bit more muddy - I’ve been told a range of things, from “First Family” to “Wise or Respected Family.”
Do people right away think you don’t speak english? Do they think you speak Japanese? What else???
- Years ago people would occasionally be confused as to whether I could speak English, but it’s been comforting to find in the 21st century those sort of assumptions have fallen by the wayside. Of course, I live in the United States of New York, so I might have a different experience in a less cosmopolitan environment.
Of course when I first moved to New York, one of my first landlords leaned into me and said in a slightly louder voice and exaggerated enunciation, “I look forward to learning about your culture!” I leaned towards her and said, “I’m from Pittsburgh.”

What is the biggest misconception people have on first hearing your name?
- That I’m somehow involved in the Adult Entertainment Industry. Or that I’m Irish.

What is the biggest misconception people have about Asian men in general?
- Well, there are the typical ones - that we’re effeminate, poorly-endowed, or submissive.

Do you believe you fit a mold or a stereotype?
- Well, I played violin growing up, did well on my SATs, eat lots of rice, study kung fu and have a braid down to my waist. No, I don’t think so.

What do you think of Asian Media becoming more mainstream?
- It is? Did I miss a sign-up sheet? Oh, do you mean because there are 3 Asian people on Lost now? Yeah, that’s very cool.

Is the Mainstream audience getting the wrong Idea of asian culture via media?
- What exactly IS “Asian culture” anyway? Asia is the world’s most populous continent by far; there are over 60 countries in Asia and in terms of culture it’s as wide and varied as you can possibly imagine.

How did you decide to do youtube sketches/videos?
- I only started making short films as a way to try to get on to Survivor, and then I made them to amuse my friends. I entered a few 24-hour movie making contests and suddenly I had this handful of shorts that nobody but my friends had ever seen. About that same time, YouTube made it’s big splash with that Lazy Sunday video, so I decided to go ahead and upload what I had.
Also around that time I was just burned out doing other people’s work. I had little and big ideas bumping around in my head, so I figured I’d give the little ones an outlet on YouTube. Getting your current ideas out into the world helps make room for the new ones.

You have so many fans, do you know how many subscribers you have?
- As of this interview, I have 3,153 subscribers. That’s really nothing, though. The top channels on YouTube have over 100,000. I think the most subscribed guys, Smosh, have over a quarter million subscribers.

What are some of the pros & cons of being a Youtube celebrity?
- Let’s get something straight, I am FAR from being a YouTube celebrity. However, the pros of being on YouTube in general are getting to meet people all over the world. It’s just amazing. Getting notes and feedback from people from the other side of the planet for a video of me punching out Santa Claus is simply extraordinary.

Do people on the street recognize you now?
- Exactly 2 people have recognized me on the street from my YouTube videos. And one of them was my mother.

Do you consider yourself Internet Savy?
- Enough to know that “Savvy” is spelled with two “V’s.”
Sorry, I’m a bit of jerk. Anyway, being net savvy is one of these new social skills that has no immediate reward. Knowing the latest, hippest blogs, videos and Flash games is great for impressing your friends on the message boards, but really, what does it get you? I suppose there are people at various creative entities, such as an ad agency or magazine, that actually get paid for staying on the crest of the net wave, but for the rest of us it’s mostly a way to get through the monotony of our day jobs.

From your online bio it I read you studied in NY for 10 years is that correct?
- Studied what? I’m going to assume this is a typo…
I went to New York University from 1991-1995, and I’ve studied traditional Shaolin kung-fu wu-su since 1997.

So are you a native of New York because I heard you were born in Pittsburgh? - I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. I moved to NYC when I was 18 for school. Go Steelers!

What is Pittsburgh like in comparison to NY?
- Pittsburgh is a great town. Big enough that it has all the arts, culture and cuisine of a big city, but small enough that it’s not overwhelming. You can pretty much get anything in Pgh that you can get in NYC, but in NYC there’s just MORE of everything. Where they’ll be one Ethiopian restaurant in Pittsburgh, in NYC there’ll be 100. Ten museums versus a thousand. Though our T-Rex is better.

In 5 words describe yourself? Yes five.
- Slightly above average at stuff.

Can you explain Dumpster Diving to our Readers?
- Yes, I can.

Rollerblading, Rock climbing, Kayaking, Ultimate frisbee, Martial Artist, Marathon Runner, Yoga Enthusiast is physical fitness important to you?
- I enjoy being active

I love your Superfriends Samurai Costume! Do you wear it often? Hehe
- What costume?

Do you like Yogurt?
- Yes.

More Importantly does Yogurt like you?
- Goat’s Milk more than Cow, but I think I have a fine relationship with most yogurts. Unless they have artificial sweetener. That’s pointless. I find artificial sweeteners in general to be pointless.

I heard you can cook Thaifood, Borscht & Turducken is this true? Whats Turkducken? Whats Borscht? And you eat this???? You sure its edible?
- A Turducken is a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey, with a layer of stuffing in between each layer of meat. I usually add a fourth meat group by layering the bird in bacon while it’s roasting. In short, it’s joy.
Borscht is a Russian/Ukranian beet based soup or stew, depending on how thick you make it. Mine tends to be rather stewish, and has beef, carrots, onion, cabbage, turnip, dill and other assorted goodness that shall remain a secret.
Both dishes are eminently edible, yes.

Do you like Italian food? (Just say yes)
-Yes.

Have any pets?
- I used to have a goldfish pond in my living room I’d made out of a cement trough, but Groucho, Harpo and Chico have since passed. I’ve had parakeets, hamsters, I’d love a dog someday. Currently, no pets. Not on purpose, anyway.

What is your favorite Color?
- Black.

(Hehe) Whats the color of the water in Brighton Beach?
- Dark blue, green and brown; not in a disgusting way, but in that stoic, North Atlantic Ocean tradition. It’s solid and eternal, and in the purple rays of the sunrise, it’s absolutely beautiful.

Did you eat a lot of Nathans Hotdogs living in Brighton?
- Nathan’s Hotdogs are decent, but overrated in my opinion. A few blocks away from Nathan’s is Totonno’s, the oldest, continually-operating pizzeria in the country. They use coal burning ovens, tons of salt in their crust and have, hands down, the best pizza in NYC.

Whats the color of Love?
- The same color as Lies.

Are you single? If not what kind of girl are you looking for?
- Define “single…”
The women I like are more likely to say “yes” than to say “no.” I like adventurous people in general. Pickiness and high maintenance is a bore. I’m befuddled by people who say they don’t like something they’ve never tried.

If you could be doing anything right now what would it be?
- Do you mean in general in life, or at this moment, while I’m answering these questions?
In general, I’d love to be acting, writing and directing full time. As for at this very moment, other than the obvious lecherous answer, I’d like to be making a video.

If you could be in anyplace right now where would that be?
- Ecco Termales hot springs in Costa Rica, in the Arenal Volcano region. There are three major hot springs there, and this is the smallest, most intimate of the three, and hence, the most relaxing. And they have some of the best food I have ever tasted in my entire life.

If you could work with anyone imparticular who would it be?
- That’s a long list. Off the top of my head, in terms of performers Bill Irwin, Steve Martin, Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien or Letterman. Directors: Soderbergh, Spielberg, Tarantino. Writers: Charlie Kaufman and Aaron Sorkin. I’d say Daniel Day-Lewis, but he would drink my milk shake. He’d drink it up.
See “There Will Be Blood” by the way. It’s fantastic.

Who inspired you to be who you are today?
Nature. And Nurture.

*Actors’ Equity Association is the labor union representing American actors and stage managers in the theatre.
*Dumpster diving is the practice of sifting through commercial or residential refuse bins to find discarded items which may be useful to others. The practice of Dumpster diving is also known variously as urban foraging, binning, alley surfing, or Curbing,.

Tags: actor, asian, Comedy, Hiking, martial arts, new york, Pittsburgh, Sketch, Thailand, Youtube