Good footage

SO, first things first -- nothing but props and thanks to the Pacifics for taking time out to talk some Asian American issues. They threw out really good insight concerning why they think Asian Americans aren't stirring it up just yet in the mainstream. Being in the mix of the hip hop world since the mid-90's has made these guys "blue collard" rappers (-Rex). In other words, they've been working hard at their craft while still doing the day job thing. Something that I found to be a pure thought in general was that they're in it to just make good music. When it's all said and done, they just want people to acknowledge their art and by them being them, they're still representing Asian Americans (w/out all that karate, stir fry, or stereotypical ching chong crap).

This was a thought that was initially dropped for my documentary through my cousin, Jesch. If you're into the underground Asian American pop music scene (or were about 4 or 5 years ago), my cousin was an original member of an R&B group named S.O.T.O. [Sons Of The Orient].



The name is now owned by the record label, so he doesn't know the guys who are in it now if you do you're google action. However, he did sacrifice about 2 or 3 years of his life to try and pursue his music dream full time. When I say sacrifice, I mean he literally picked up and moved to Atlanta. He was already a teacher in Florida with a house and everything, but he was in it to grab what was his dream. After their little run, things didn't happen and time was becoming an essence. Let's just say that my cousin is now a highly accolated teacher at his school who recently won a nationally recognized award. Imagine if he used that energy if he and his boys got a shot into the big time...

I commend the Pacifics for still rollin with the punches. They said that there were times when they didn't know what to do in terms of moving forward, but they still stuck with it. And that's what you gotta do -- just keep on pushing forward.

They were really down to earth and easy to talk to. I feel like I got some good footage tonight and already have some thoughts in my head of where to edit their stuff in the whole picture. Again -- nothing but appreciation to Jona (their manager) and the Pacifics. Wayne and I will be hitting up their show on November 19th at Morseland. I urge y'all to do the same!!

BEHIND THE SCENES:

--Multiple, multiple, multiple surveys were sent out to Asian American organizations in Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. If y'all are reading this -- please drop a complete survey at asianthing@gmail.com . You're werds will be heard and taken account for. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of a documentary!!

Chugging through....

Of late, I've been doing more research and emailing than physical interviewing. This is because you need to set things up before making moves. I've been contemplating this and figured that I don't want to create one of those documentaries where I instigate people and portray them in a wrong way. SURE, people do bad things in the world, but again, they also do good things and depending on what I show the people, that's how they'll get portrayed. This documentary is like a live essay paper that may or may not figure out why there's some sort of block in the road for Asian Americans. I mean -- we make good music, we can act (uh...some of us...), we can write (...I know I can!), and yet we're still no more than a small speckle in America's mainstream. I'm beginning to venture into an intellectual aspect to this documentary -- identity. Do we stick out far enough to even be recognized as our own people in the mainstream? It's all very interesting actually...

Another aspect that people have thrown my way through email are Indian Asian Americans (Hindu, Pakistani, etc.). Most of the surveys that I've collected have only given input with East Asian American stereotypes, but to some (and associated with college Asian Coalitions) the Indians have been regarded as Asian American as well. I think I want to dip into this thought and associate it with the problem of identity. Read this article on "Who is exactly Asian American?"

Getting into the Hindi scene and mixing with my question of mainstream culture -- I've begun to read up on Bollywood. This is the Indian film industry's push on their format of film (which involves some sort of love story and some singing). With a force like Bollywood, it's actually a wonder why one of their numerous films hasn't made it unto the big screen. At least one of them has to appeal to the masses...no? I personally haven't seen one, so I may be assuming...but it's optomistic assumption!

WHAT WE GOT GOING:

--sent out numerous surveys to random collegiate organizations. HOLLA OUT -- Rutgers University (my alma mater), NYU, and UCLA!! I'm slowly going to hit up this damn nation and get this word out. NO DOUBT! i AM a force to be wreckin wit, sucka...

--got the Pacifics interview. werd...

--doing some production purchases. we need better mics and some camera to computer cables. i'm looking into editorial software. but this is way early...right now, we need to just get as much footage as we can.

--inquiries on the way out to high school organizations, more actors/musical groups, and college/university professors.

The Little Things Count

Over the weekend, I did more personal clean up for this project. I sent numerous inquiries to Colleges and Universities in pursuit to get TakeOut Comedy to perform in the Chicagoland area. I also called a number of high schools around the area to investigate on Asian American organizations. This was necessary in order to give the documentary more in-depth analysis of our topic (and for those of you just tuning it, the topic is, "Why isn't there a bigger impact of Asian Americans in mainstream American culture?").

I have also sent out inquiries to a couple of professors of Universities. The bigger reason for this inquiry is because I want to figure out if the problem may lie in lost of identity. Sometimes Asians conform to other cultures that don't represent their roots. And to make it more blunt and racey - Some Asians I know act "white" and some asians I know act "black." Therefore not exposing a personal identity that they're associated with and then not having something different to break into the mainstream with. Okay...okay...maybe I'll give ya the chinese character tatoos...but that's it!

I've also sent out an inquiry to Kid Heroes Production. Since they've been in the game for awhile, I figure I try to get a little insight and advice. Something that I'm learning as this project keeps on going is helping hands mean so damn much! Sorry to be so blunt again, but whenever anyone contacts me, sends in a survey, or even tries to help a brotha out with this documentary...it gets me motivated, happy, and willing to keep on going.

Thanks to people that are reading this too! PLEASE sign my guestpad to let me know you're out there!! AND SPREAD THE WORD PLEASE!! Thank you to all the people that have sent in surveys and wished us good luck on our project. AND Thank you for the people that have inquiried from craigslist! ROCK ON!

NOW...I must invest the rest of my night to watching a documentary. It's helping me learn better formats to follow and how to create my voice with the exchange of voice-overs, images, music, and placement. I want this to be a strong voice for people to learn from. A voice of jiggy boy wisdom -- HOLLA!

Chinatown

Today, me and Wayne the Cameraman went to China Town. Now, China Town Chicago is nothing compared to China Town New York and China Town Philly..but nonetheless, it's still China Town! China Town- a small mecca of Chinese restaurants, shops, and museums. What a place to interview people concerning Asian American awareness...and that we did! We got some footage of the town and as we walked up and down the blocks, we stopped a few people here and there.

Now, I don't want to get too technical, but everytime I asked people if they could name famous Asian Americans -- they actually named famous Asians who have broken through in America (ex. Jet Li, Chow Yun Fat, etc.) rather than Asian Americans. (IT'S OKAY though cause this is a study and this is what we like to see...initial human behavior and reaction). However, it still rang true to most people that I've interviewed -- there just isn't that many to name. Once you get past the Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) and Lucy Liu, you get a little stuck for awhile. Interesting....

THE WRITING PROJECT:

--as far the sketch revue is concerned, I've been brainstorming with things here and there. I have ideas for sketches already, but I'm building up the stereotype bank so that I don't repeat jokes throughout the show. I'm trying to get an hours worth of material here. I can do it though...and it's gonna be frickin good man! NO DOUBT!

IN THE MIX:

--still workin with trying to get Rev. Jackson to speak about Asian American diversity. PLEASE HELP A BROTHA OUT, REV. JACKSON!!

--I've gotten responses to my craigslist ad asking for 100% Asian Americans who have been going to auditions and trying to break into "the business." Just waiting for a few more responses before I initiate interviews and closer insight.

--I need to email some theaters around the area and get into Asian American rock bands. I got hip hop heads covered...but where are the rock bands man?!?

--Harold, Kumar, Mr. Miyagi, Sandra OH...where ya at?! That Asian Thing is looking for you..........

A night with Living Memory/Living Absence

Tonight, Wayne and I ventured to a private dress rehearsal of Amy Homma and Anida Esguerra as per their contribution to the Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival. Anida's one woman performance of Living Memory/Living Absence is a combination of spoken word, visual art, and interpretive dance. Amy's performance of the Japanese lute and drums were really cool. I'm personally big on drums and hear beats in my head all day long. She rocked out man. Anida's performance was powerful. I, personally (again), have never gone to a combination of artistic expressionisms but it had a strong voice and it told a story of rebirth. THANKS ANIDA! I appreciate the fact that she let us take footage of her performance. If you've never been to a multimediated art performance before, I say try it out to see. It works for some people and doesn't work for others. Just depends on your cup of tea.

On the horizon:

--we're in pursuit to get an interview with the Pacifics. I'm pretty psyched about that. I hope to get a little freestyle action documented. They're a very good example of a music group trying to break into the mainstream (and in their case, it would be in the world of hip hop).

--I have open lines of communication with actors and other musical groups through inner networking and the use of good ol'chicago craigslist. I need to get a grasp of how it feels to try out for jobs in the mainstream where opportunity doesn't knock for the brown/yellow fisted.

--THANK YOU for all the surveys I've gotten so far. They've been droppin like it's hot and it's been a good indication of how this project is getting on its feet. If you're reading this and haven't filled out a survey...PLEASE DO IT! Every little bit helps and it gives me greater insight for my own personal project of writing the sketch revue. And don't forget to PASS IT ON!!

--there's other stuff in the mix...but right now...bed is in the mix....

My Survey email for those of you that didn't get it:

To all my friends, peers, family members, and casual aquaintences,

Handshakes all around, as I come to you with a HUGE favor. ("UGH!...now, what Jonald?!") Sorry...but please indulge me as I am on my quest to create a documentary. I need you to complete this survey and then pass it along to every-single-damn-person in your address book. It's all input for the documentary and I would appreciate it SO much. Please help a brotha out! You can take your time on it if you like, but try to get it to me as soon as possible. You can even forward this email if you like. The study has to deal with the impact of Asian Americans in mainstream American culture. The documentary will have interviews, performances, and documented footage of this journey to get an All Asian American comedy sketch show on stage. To see how it's been going so far, check out: http://www.that-asian-thing.blogspot.com . AND when you have completed the survey, please email it to asianthing@gmail.com . THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Best,
~Jonald jude

p.s. enclosed is the survey. any problems with the attachment, don't hesitate to inquire.

AND if you want to do it from this website...here's your link:

http://www.geocities.com/mrbrown19/That-Asian-Survey.doc

Be sure to 'SAVE' it and send it over to asianthing@gmail.com . THANKS EVERYONE!!

3-2-1...CONTACT!

YES-- contact has been made tonight. First, I called Anida Yoeu Esguerra, who will be performing at the end of the Asian American Jazz Festival. I'm pretty excited to view to Living Memory / Living Absence. I feel like its gonna be this unreal artistic interpretation of rebirth into a culture once known but now forgotten. I'm deeply intrigued, especially since Anida has done a lot in terms of pushing Asian Americans forward. Check out her site!

And then later on at night, I received a call from Jami Gong from TakeOut Comedy. Straight off of their Hong Kong tour, Jami still exhuberated all this energy about Asian American comedy and his own envisionment of Asian Americans in mainstream culture. I'm gonna bust my ass to get these guys to perform here. It would be a huge contribution to all causes at hand.

Last but not least, my network of friends are starting to pull through with people they know that have been trying to break into the mainstream "system" for so long. it's good to be good to people.

on the forefront -- i had a thought (....oh, oh!). being that this is a push for cultural diversity and since i am in Chicago...there is one man that can give spiritual input and insight. that's right - Mr. Rainbow Coalition himself. so...now i'm on the hunt. Also, my little cousin is part of an Asian American club at her school - I think I want to do some interviews and see how our future is being handled concerning this issue.

and now we rest....

Asians being Asian or Asians being American?

On the quest of Asian Americans breaking through the influencial clutches of mainstream society, I've begun to wonder with the question of -- "HOW?" HOW do you Mr. or Mrs. Asian American attempt to dip your talented fingers into the entertainment pool of everyday culture? Do you stay true with your ethnicity and tell those stories of the homeland to a nation where only 1 out of every 28 people can possibly relate? Or do you go along the grain and hope people will realize that you're the same kind of person they are with just a different layer on the outside? To some -- they call it "selling out" and to others, they call it, "changing face."

Jiggy Boy Definitions:

"To Sell Out" - [2 sel owt] v. to become completely Americanized and to not make reference to one's ethnic backgroud. Ebonics example: "You ain't reprezentin, you sellin' out yo!"

"Changing Face" - [chane jing fays] n. when something is accepted to be normal to a society or community but is realistically different in terms of its exterior coverings. Ebonics example: "They takin' over da game yo, shitz changing face."

I'm not gonna lie -- I'll admit that I'm trying to get mine. But not to just stay true to my ethnic background, I'm really staying true to my art. Art is what makes man move. It has the power to initiate thought, feeling, and evolution. So why can't art make man think about my ethnic background?

Inquiries

Last night I recorded myself for the first time in B&W under a tracklight
spotlight. I reversed the viewer to see myself as I was recording
and it's pretty sufficient in terms of lighting and normal camera angle. I
gave the synopsis, goal, and thoughts of my process so far.
Afterwards I did more research on the backbone of my information -- the
internet. I looked up more mainstream (or in our case, "breaking
into the mainstream") Asian American entertainment. I went through
KidHeroes Productions (which I remembered cause of "The Debut") and came to the rap crew, the Pacifics (who happen to be in Chicago). Then I continued on with that area of hip hop and rap. I hit up
Jin a.k.a. The Emcee and looked unto Apl.D.Ap of BEP. I kept on surfin and then realized that the Asian American Jazz Festival is in town and underway. SO, today I sent out some inquiries and wait to see what'll happen. I'm also thinking about improvements in terms of technical stuff. I think we need to purchase some mics, maybe lighting equipment, AND this blog needs to get revamped a little. This should happen over the
weekend.....

Research and Camera stuff

As I'm becoming more defining with my goal at hand in doing this project, I keep on rolling ideas on who I want to interview. The main points of this whole "asian thing" is:

1) making people more aware of Asian Americans and the differences within our race AND

2) how comedy is used to portray this point and in my case, what materials I can work with for my sketches.

Yesterday I emailed Margaret Cho (and her management) off of her website. Keeping my fingers crossed for a response. Today I need to email Take Out Comedy -- an assorted gang of Asian misfits. These comics are always roaming all over the nation, so I'll
have to persuade them to make a pit stop in Chicago. Again -- fingers crossed!! I'm THINKING about purchasing another digital camera for the sake of more footage. YES, MORE! We need to get as much footage as possible. I've also looked unto the Asian American Studies Department at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. They have a pretty prestigious department with faculty that have contributed books to Asian Studies. I have to start keeping tab of purchases made toward the project too. Last night -- $20 for digital 8 film. A last note -- I have to start filming myself (like confessional style alla Real World). Documentaries are based upon the auteur and in this case, that's me. I can't forget that most of this project evolves around me and learning Asian American stuff. Can't be afraid to talk with no one else in the room.

It has begun....

Tonight is the opening night of this blog. As of right now, we have 17 minutes of footage. Early this morning on the way to work, I (Jonald) recruited my cousin (Wayne) as my trusty cameraman. He's had experience with still photography in the past and I figure I take it up a notch for him to expose his hidden talent.

Prior to this, this past weekend I had an epiphany while watching the foreign film, "Border Cafe." I felt that there had to be a new truth to telling people as a whole of where Asian America is ("Border Cafe" tells a story of what it's like in Persian countries). At first I didn't want to admit to using the racial card as a way to make a film or even to start writing. You can reference all my writing peers and friends -- my writings in the past have never had anything to do with my race nor make commentary on it....UNTIL NOW. I feel that I can help make another notch in Asian American awareness by writing up a sketch comedy revue for stage. AND while in the process, making a documentary of my research for writing this revue can help create a message to all Asian Americans as a whole.

I personally would like to learn more about Asian American discrimination and why we're not having a greater impact on this U.S. soil. Is it because people just don't know? Are they afraid? Do they care? Do we not have enough hip hop rappers in our race? Even the caucasians have Eminem, the Beastie's, and 3rd Bass (...OH SNAP...didn't think I'd go there, huh?!...you're lucky I didn't break out Kid Rock and old school Bubba Franks).

I hope you follow me on this ride...cause it should be a bumpy one....