This weekend was full of documentary work, so let me indulge you with our happenings:
-On Saturday, we had the pleasure of meeting R&B group - I.B.U. (Inspiration By U) at the Hataw Pinoy Television Studios location (a Chicago based television studio used for The Filipino Channel / ABS-CBN ). Filming on a big set was more majestic and such a bigger profile from the other places where we've filmed thus far. But like I've said in the past - footage is footage and we'll take it where we can get it. Through the generosity of their manager, Mr. Glenn Bermejo, for setting up the interview and reserving the studio, we were able to attain the viewpoints of a young pop group attempting to surge into everyone's homes. A point that they made explicit during their interview session was the need for more Asian Americans to support their music. How interesting it is to know that a group that is built on talent rather than racial focus has difficulty getting the interest of their own race to listen to their music. Not that I should assume that all African Americans listen to all music produced by African Americans (or even Latinos listening to Latinos, or Caucasians only listening to Caucasians). But with such a small Asian Ameican population in America, it can get quite difficult to get a good majority of them to pick up the products of Asian AMERICAN entertainment, especially the younger generations - which tend to assimilate with more of what's on MTV.
ANYHOO, the guys were very helpful in getting feedback from their point of view as an accolated group that is still trying to get noticed by a larger audience. Try to check them out live whenever you have the chance. They gave us a live performance and proved to have vocal talents. Thanks to them, Mr. Bermejo, and Mr. Dave Tiu (who we will be in touch with in the very near future).
-Sunday we fell into one of the more insightful interviews I've conducted thus far, with Ms. Laura Kina. She is an artist and an Assistant Professor at DePaul University. Her art work exemplifies Asian American culture. Her feedback was impecable and made me raise more questions after our interview about what exactly I was doing with my documentary. Some points she raised concerning the small impact of Asian American culture in mainstream American culture is that people just aren't looking. Rather than think that there isn't a small impact, there is a bigger impact in front of us more than what we think. Even her home is not far from a fully South Asian/Indian community. Places like that and Chinatown exist because there was a push by people to have their restaurants and stores in place. She brought up the issue of economy, not far in relation to the low population of Asian Americans in America. Laura also talked about history and how her herself has helped to create Asian American history classes available at DePaul University. And the kicker that made me have to turn around and rethink my plan of action was instead of asking why Asian Americans should care about their culture, we should think of why any race should think/care about any other race - sometimes it's just a matter of taking care of our community. Man helping man and letting people be able to say what they want with no difficulties because of race.
And as a sidenote, for all you Asian Americans out there - can you recall the first time you saw an Asian American on television or film? How was he/she depicted? Try to think about it hard....it was really difficult for me. In fact, I'm still trying to think....
Thank you for all your generosity and thoughtful answers Laura Kina! We will definitely touch base again in the future!
-Digest these interviews as we're making ways with more in the near future. Things are starting to pick up at rapid speeds....
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