Karen On started on WordPress.com, as Baby You’ll Be Famous in March 2010. I wanted to start a blog where I could write about the films I watched, the music I listened to, and the concerts, shows, and events I attended, as well as opinions of American Idol performances and results, in great detail and on a platform that was more accessible to a wide audience. I also wanted to help break the hottest and latest news rocking the entertainment industry and give my own take on what was coming in.
The name and domain change came about in January 2011 when I graduated from college. Since its inception, Karen On has integrated the use of multiple social networks and has had articles featured on various websites and even shared by some of the people I’ve written about. The 2010-2011 awards season proved to be a prime time for this blog, featuring extensive coverage of winners and nominees, telecast recaps, and analysis and editorials of the race.
You can always expect to read about my favorite things in entertainment, especially in film and music, and in all genres spanning from thrilling action blockbusters to arthouse dramas, from dancey pop to acoustic indie. I am passionate about art and the people who create it, and I love sharing my passion and their passion with others. My voice is honest and constructive, but I see the beauty in everything I see and hear and that is one thing I try to get across in my reviews. One thing that I haven’t been doing as much anymore but want to work harder at delivering is the breaking news that matters, such as casting news, new theatrical trailers, and new music releases. Sometimes I’ll write large feature pieces on awards shows or a list of personal favorites—or just large features, period. If I’m lucky, you may find an exclusive interview here or there, or an anecdote about a personal star-studded experience. However, I don’t care about when Brangelina is getting married—meaning, don’t expect to find any sensationalized stories here. Yes, I have dealt with them before, but I now realize that’s not the direction I’d like to go in.
I don’t make any money off of this blog. If I do get into events and advanced film screenings for free, I do it through ways most other people do it — volunteering, signing up for promos, word of mouth. Otherwise, I pay to get into the movies, concerts, and productions I review (And for my Netflix account), and I have yet to attend any function as an official member of the press (At least for this particular venture — I am getting there as a writer for another website). I have a couple of other paying jobs and working on this website is not one of them. But I blog anyway because I love it (And I want somewhat of an online presence as I job-hunt for a full-time position in media). I live for making thoughts heard, sharing unofficial but quality photos and videos from the front row (Or elsewhere!) for the people who couldn’t go to a show, and getting the word out about the things and people that have both me and you thinking, talking, and adoring. I may write from a critical standpoint and have a resume of experience in the editorial field, but right now, I’m no different from the typical media consumer and entertainment/celebrity/pop culture enthusiast — I’ve just been able to take action and utilize the various skills I’ve learned from my education and work experience, as well as good ole street smarts, to channel my feelings, thoughts, and desires to inform and engage into an outlet.
Somewhere down the road, I would like to use this blog as a springboard for starting my own media company in San Francisco. I want to bring a taste of Hollywood here but without compromising the relaxed, down-to-earth feel of my city. That’s why I would also like to integrate theater, the indie film and music scenes, geek culture, and sports in addition to mainstream entertainment and celebrity. But if I can’t do it, I would certainly like to be a part of that movement. To quote my favorite movie Inception, “You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.” There’s no such thing as a dream too big.
I appreciate getting feedback, so feel free to contact me or leave your comments on my posts. Also, the blog relies on you, my audience, for its survival, so sharing is caring.
Remember to Karen On, wayward son. Thank you for reading and everything you do.
The “Karen” in “Karen On”
I received my B.A. in journalism at San Francisco State University in January 2011. After working on the campus website Golden Gate [X]Press, writing about local film festivals for Examiner.com, contributing articles for University Link Magazine, and moving to LA for a summer to hit the red carpets for HollywoodLife.com, I’m still making my home in SF, doing that “working 9-to-5 in an office” thing while I hustle towards launching my career in entertainment writing/reporting. Most recently, I delved into the PR field and film festival circuit as a Publicity intern for the 30th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and am now continuing my writing pursuits as an online Bay Area correspondent for Audrey Magazine. Aside from my obvious love of all things pop culture, I really love the San Francisco Giants. That’s basically my entire life: working, dreaming, the Interwebs, entertainment, and baseball. And superheroes.
To find out more about me and for a portfolio of my work, visit my website. You can also find me at my personal/lifestyle blog, A Professional Dreamer.
