|
Britney Spears featuring Madonna "Me Against the Music" / Columbus Short and Kevin Tancharoen
KEVIN TANCHAROEN - BIOGRAPHY
At just 20 years old, director Kevin Tancharoen is a new breed of triple threat. A prodigy of the digital generation, Tancharoen is as comfortable producing music in the studio as he is choreographing dance spectacles and designing computer-generated, ultra-contemporary visual imagery for his dynamic, on-stage extravaganzas.
He not only teamed with pop diva Britney Spears on the concept for her 2004 sold-out world tour, THE ONYX HOTEL, he also composed and arranged the music re-mixes; directed, shot, and edited the video segments used on-screen in the production; choreographed the dance numbers and directed the project; and even wrote a 70-page script complete with storyboards and illustrations.
Tancharoen describes THE ONYX HOTEL as a thematically driven show with a sensibility evocative of many of his favorite motion pictures and a strong underlying theme. The hotel setting is a mythical place powered by the onyx, a dark gemstone that feeds off the energy of the guests and then projects their untamed fantasies. The ONYX theme has similarities to the 1956 classic science fiction film FORBIDDEN PLANET, which Tancharoen says was somewhat inspirational.
“In creating this production,” he explains, “my approach was to blend a cinematic sense of drama with certain elements characteristic of Broadway and to infuse a modern-day concert flavor, all the while remembering that this is a pop show, and our audience has certain expectations.”
Prior to directing THE ONYX HOTEL tour at Spears’ personal request, he choreographed Spears in the music video ME AGAINST THE MUSIC with Madonna, and has just been nominated for an American Choreography Award for this video.
He hopes his experience as a dancer, music and video producer, computer geek, director, and choreographer will prepare him for an eventual career as a filmmaker.
“I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to grow as an artist,” says Tancharoen. “Choreographers design a production, and that background gives you the opportunity to learn what works visually, and why. As a music producer you’re developing your sense of rhythm and timing. I hope to be able to combine all my artistic and technical experience and one day transfer it into making films.”
His latest directorial project, THE JAMMX KIDS, is a 12-episode direct-to-DVD imaginative series aimed at inspiring kids to become more active through dancing by learning the latest pop and hip-hop moves, for TV veterans Andy and Merv Adelson’s new venture, Lightforce Entertainment, set for release Summer 2004.
“The whole series is geared towards motivating kids to “get up and jam,” remarked Kevin. “Television today tends to cause kids to be passive and inactive. We want to encourage them to enjoy dancing by making it entertaining.”
He credits another youthful musician-choreographer-director, Wade Robson, with having a strong influence on his artistic and professional development. Tancharoen was ten when he enrolled in a dance class taught by Robson, who was only twelve at the time. “After the first class I was getting into the car with my mother.” he remembers, “Wade followed us out and knocked on the car window. He said he was starting a dance company and asked if I was interested. Of course I was.”
When Robson began choreographing and directing he brought Tancharoen in to assist on the *NSYNC POP ODYSSEY Tour, the Britney Spears DREAM WITHIN A DREAM Tour, and the BRITNEY SPEARS HBO SPECIAL. The two have worked together on numerous productions, and Tancharoen served as choreographer and produced some of the original music for the MTV series THE WADE ROBSON PROJECT. He has also produced music for such artists as Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Tyrese, and, of course, Britney Spears. In addition he was artistic director for the Spears ABC Special, IN THE ZONE, and Michael Jackson’s 45th Birthday Celebration.
Tancharoen is a classically trained musician who began studying piano at age five. As a teenager he developed an interest in jazz, poetry, and ballet, which he says, are major sources of inspiration for his work.
Born and raised in Los Angeles of Thai heritage, Tancharoen grew up in a creative environment. His father works in the film industry as a local transportation coordinator, and his mother is a fine artist. His sister, Maurissa, a screenwriter and WGA member, contributed dialogue for THE ONYX HOTEL.
Although he has studied dance and music and is also a dedicated MAC user, he says he learns best through practical experience.
“I just throw myself into the fire, and the pressure helps me learn, and hopefully achieve, whatever I’ve committed to doing.” Tancharoen is a member of SAG and AFTRA.
MEDIA CONTACT
For more information on Kevin Tancharoen, please visit
http://system1.ipressroom.com/pr/Kevin_Tancharoen/info/default.asp
|
Pressroom Home
Pressroom Home
