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Sunday, 25 September 2011

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Hey, all, this is from my friend and producer extraordinaire Karin Chien. It's a call for all you hip club kids in NYC to come be extras in a new movie she is producing. I know from experience how hard it is to get a club to look like a real club in a movie in the middle of the day. If you are around, you should definitely help out. SUPPORT INDIE FILM!

From Karin:

Hi everyone,

[Please forward far and wide]

We need your help in finding non-union background actors to work with us on an indie feature shooting in Chelsea on June 21 - 22. The film is a love story involving two teenage girls, Jack and Diane, who meet and fall in love one summer in New York City.

We will be shooting a club scene on Monday 6/21 and Tuesday 6/22 for which we need 50 clubgoers (in club wear), 2 bartenders, 2 bouncers (in all black) and 1 Transvestite (in Transvestite club wear). We are looking for both males and females of all ethnicities in the "young adult” range (18 - 35).

The shoots will happen from roughly 10a – 11p on both days. You must be able to commit to a 12-hour day on set. It would be great if you are able to make it on BOTH Monday and Tuesday; those that come both days will be compensated $50.

If you are interested we'd love to hear back from you. Please e-mail a headshot, or recent photo, and your available dates to castingjackdiane@gmail.com.

Thank you!
Karin

Monday, 12 April 2010

Koreality

In case you hadn't heard about this, here is some info on the development of the plan to destroy the image of Korean Americans.

Here are some random thoughts I had about the challenges faced in putting this together:
1. Though I do believe there are fame-whores in the Korean American community, I think there is generally a duality in these Korean knuckleheads that party -- on one side, they definitely drink, fight, fornicate, do drugs, sing noh rae bang, etc. But in my limited experience I have found that these same people usually are also hyper-aware of how they represent for the Korean community, they tend to be church-goers and they don't like to be public about their indiscretions.
2. The ones that may not have the latter qualities stated above, tend to be involved in criminal activities and equally would not want to be showcased on a national television show.
3. The deeper crevices of Koreatown (e.g. room salons) seem like highly unlikely participants in a show like this. Also many times, club staffs are commonly sprinkled with people with questionable immigration status which would make it even more difficult to get releases. In addition, the sensitivity of the Korean American community may cause a swell in boycotts by business owners (I speak from experience on this).
I think these producers have their work cut out for them. I am not sure which side to root for. On one side, I am bothered with the idea of exploiting Korean Americans with some of our collective worst qualities. On the other side, if it's going to happen, I'd at least like it to be done right. My prediction is that they will need to create a watered-down incomplete portrait of K-town nightlife and the participants will hold back and not create the "situation" the producers are hoping for. But you can never underestimate the power of Patron and the allure of fame.

Friday, 26 March 2010

What's in spam?

I've been getting some unusual spam emails recently. No links to viagra sites or Nigerian princes. Just odd sections of prose. Here's one:

"What do you mean? How much is it that you need? He's about done the job now. Her father shook his head sadly. But I know I am right.
That was where I got Eliza. What else could it point to?Let us hope it's the opposite here. Have you seen it? And I have about as much more. Perhaps you are right.
Keep your head down and hang on! During the last days after Dr. Cherie perked up. That is quite a different matter. Leakage of magic? You're compelled to fend for yourself."

Anyone else get these? What do they mean?

Monday, 22 March 2010

Tribeca Film Institute

Thought you might want to know that I'll be serving on the Narrative Jury for Tribeca All Access this year. If you are at the festival, look me up.

Tribeca All Access 2010 Program Announcement

The 2010 Tribeca All Access (TAA) program will hold six days of events taking place April 19 – 24 during this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, held from April 21 – May 2, 2010. A year round program of the Tribeca Film Institute, Tribeca All Access supports the careers of filmmakers who hail from communities traditionally under-represented in the film industry.

Projects

20 U.S.-based filmmakers will participate with narrative scripts and documentary work-in-progress. In addition, 4 international projects will participate through partnerships with the UK Film Council and Canadian Film Centre. The selected filmmakers along with their accredited team members will have access to workshops, networking opportunity, and one on one meetings with registered industry at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Please visit the industry corner for more info on the selected filmmakers and projects.

2010 Program and Events

This year’s program will begin with a Kick Off celebration that will help build the relationships of the selected filmmakers and the industry. The celebration will include a tribute honoring the 20th anniversary of the film House Party and feature a special performance by guests of honor and original cast members Kid & Play and Full Force along with producer Warrington Hudlin and DJ Whiz. TAA alumnus K’naan, will also perform his song Wavin’ Flag, the official song for the upcoming 2010 FIFA/Coca Cola World Cup. The participants will gather the next day for a welcome lunch , where the selected filmmakers and Tribeca All Access supporters can meet and discuss the events and goals ahead. The selected filmmakers will also get to participate in special workshops with respected Industry personnel and later get feedback on their pitch before taking part in three days of one on one scheduled meetings with the registered Industry. A special TFI award show will conclude the week of networking, pitching, and advancement of their careers.

TAA Creative Promise Award

At the 2010 TFI Award Celebration a total of $35,000 will be awarded in juried cash prizes to selected TAA winners through the TAA Creative Promise Award. Amongst the 2010 Tribeca All Access narrative jurors are Anthony Anderson, Anika Noni Rose, Hill Harper, Michael Kang, Kadeem Hardison, Victoria Rowell, and Kelly Rutherford. The 2010 Tribeca All Access Documentary jurors are Rebecca Cammisa and Linda Goode Bryant