Biography
Described by Kung Fu Magazine as, "the love child of Bruce Lee and Elvis Presley," (a.k.a. Brelvis) Shing Ka has spent his life and career straddling the seemingly contradictory aspects of Eastern and Western cultures. It is a fine balancing act, yet Shing walks between these two worlds effortlessly, bringing his unique touch to everything he does: On the East, Shing embraces the light and dark essences of Bruce Lee in both philosophy and in action. He has studied the healing arts and holds a Masters Degree in Massage Therapy (Five Element Style Energetic Shiatsu) from the Swedish Massage & Acupuncture College in Manhattan, and has studied the martial arts of Tiger Claw-Fujow, Southern Style Kung Fu, and Tai Chi under the Grand Master Tak Wah Eng; On the West, Shing embraces his inner Elvis, never abandoning his deep traditional roots, but instead, bringing them to the fore by weaving them into the contemporary fabric of his work.
Originally from Shanghai and then Hong Kong, Shing grew up with his finger on the pulse of New York's Chinatown culture, enabling him to play, with great effect, the White Tigers gang crime boss in "The Revenge of the Green Dragons." Shing worked with renowned Hong Kong film director Andrew Lau on this film, which was written and co-directed by Andrew Loo and executive produced by Martin Scorsese. The son of two doctors, Shing's early work career began in real estate and then at the Shanghai Tang store on Madison Avenue where he was scouted by legendary Asian performer and manager, Jadin Wong. He studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute in New York, which led to an extensive acting career with credits including "The Manchurian Candidate," directed by Jonathan Demme.
Over the years, Shing's career has expanded to writing, directing, and producing. He executive produced the stage play "White Eyebrow and the Destruction of Shaolin" with co-producers Lyndon Brown and Alfred Rutherford. The three then formed Inn-A-Circle Productions, LTD. Shing recently completed "Sarah Q" (Producer/Actor), a film featuring Oscar nominees Burt Young and Sally Kirkland, and "Sopranos" alumni Tony Sirico and Vincent Pastore; and "Made in Chinatown" (Producer/Actor), a Martial Arts Action-Comedy featuring the Shaw Brothers' Lo Mang ("Five Deadly Venoms," "Kid with the Golden Arm") and Chi Ling Chiu ("Kung-Fu Hustle"), and with Director/Fight Director James Lew (Emmy winning Stunt Coordinator for "Marvel's Luke Cage," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"). Shing's current films in development include "Chinatown Horror Story" (Producer/Actor/Co-Writer with Alice Liu), a Sci-Fi Supernatural Action-Comedy with James Lew slated as Stunt Coordinator/Fight Director; and "Heavy Shadows" (Producer/Co-Writer with Paul Mammon) with Albert Magnoli slated to direct (Helmed rock star Prince's film debut, "Purple Rain").
Shing follows a guiding philosophy of total faith, hope, love, and commitment to one's calling. Novelist Charles Bukowski captures Shing's intent best in this quote: "If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start...You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is."
"Be water my friends. Thank you. Thank you, very much." - Brelvis
