The Pinoy Show!

This past weekend was full of work towards the documentary and talent show. Currently I am now editing a small preview of the film with the footage I have thus far to post on the upcoming website. Hopefully it can help gain the film some exposure and much needed funding. “That Asian Thing” would like blog readers to remember that these are the filming production notes. It’s sort of like an insider’s journal to seeing what goes into making a personally budgeted, independent film. So here are the important parts that can easily be overlooked:

-film releases. Whenever you’re filming anything, you need to watch your back in terms of having the permission of people you’re taping. You can’t just go and tape any ol’person and then feature them in a movie without them knowing. Doesn’t work out legally and you never know when you’ll be filming a wanted criminal.

-production company. Continuing with the legal mumbo jumbo – having a secure company name to be the entity that produces the film is better than Joe Schmoe taking the fall if things don’t go right. Again, having this will watch your back in terms of money, footage, and professionalism.

-legal and financial advice. If you can, try to get advice on both aspects because making a film is as much of a business as it is an entertainment. You need to know the ins and outs of what is legal to do and what isn’t. Then you need to know financial matters considering how much it will take to make the film, what can be taxed, and how to handle a budget.

I believe these are very important aspects to making a personal, professional type company. And for any info on any of these things, don’t forget that the internet is at your fingertips. Google has become a part of the English language and I’m not talking about the number 1 with a bunch of zeroes after it. I recommend:

Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Moving right along....

On Sunday, we were fortunate enough to attend Northwestern University’s Kaibigan event – the 4th annual Filipino cultural show known as The Pinoy Show (2006). This had a more sincere feel as I’m a Filipino and it dealt with my culture for “That Asian Thing.” Since the inception of the film, I’ve always been very open to all Asian classes and have been (and continue) to get a vast array of them on film. However, as most people can relate, when it has to deal with the race you know so well because it’s yours…well, that’s just some hardy pride. However, I was happy to find some non-Filipinos attend the event. Hopefully we can get a good turnout for “That Asian Thing” Talent Showcase.



I would like to thank Lesley Arca and Jon Maloto for being so helpful with my project. We appreciate their generosity and support! As for the show, I was very surprised how long it felt as opposed to how long it was. Personally, I felt as if time flew by so quick – which usually means a good time. The Pinoy Show featured mostly dance numbers that derive from the Philippines. Better known ones are Pandanggo Sa Ilaw, which is a dance with lit candles being balanced on the head and arms, and then the Tanikling, which is a dance done with rhythmically closing bamboo sticks.

I’d like to applaud Kaibigan on putting up a good show to present to people that aren’t very familiar to the Filipino culture. It was also a good way to teach heritage to some Filipino’s that might not know better. The running theme of the show was the hunt for their image created friend, Paolo Pinoy, thus making the other title of the show, “Case of the Missing Identity.” That Paolo taught us all about Filipinos! THANKS PAOLO! And thanks Kaibigan!

"That Asian Thing" Talent Showcase

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages - now introducing a spectacular event you don't want to miss out on. A one time show featuring an array of talent. A gala of artists performing on one mainstage for a night to remember. The one and only....

"That Asian Thing" Talent Showcase

Working with Mr. Glenn Bermejo of IBU, "That Asian Thing" will put on a show of the artists that have been interviewed. Target Date and Location will be solidified in weeks to come. Please keep an eye open and pass on the good word....

A thought to think about:

-we're currently working on getting more artists to share their thoughts on Asian Americans peeking through the door of mainstream America. For this blog post, we will feature one artist who we've been in contact with.

Ms. Czerina Salud - an aspiring opera singer who has shared her thoughts about American born, Asian decent classical performers. Here's an excerpt from an email speaking of "old money" and how it effects her realm of the arts. Please read through it and think about what she's saying. Check it out:

"Where is the representation of the American born, Asian decent singer?

The one who would walk into a concert hall with an unromanticzed version of what the American operatic institution is about.

The one who knows that most opera in this country is funded by old money and that most old money in this country was made off the backs of exploited immigrant workers (much like their family or ancestors) & slaves.

The one who also has the knowledge that the humanistic values of brotherhood, love & inclusion that many of these operatic composers were trying to explore in their work is, sadly, only available to those who can afford that $100 ticket to the opera. (An idea that may turn them off of opera all together.)

The one who met with resistance from their parents because they needed to pursue a “real” education – not music – if they wanted to survive in the classist and racist climate their parents understood America to be.

The one caught between two worlds & two different value systems, which only enforced how every independent thought or action they ever had failed to live up to the standards of either world.

THAT Asian person is the representation we have very little of in opera – at least not to my knowledge.

And why is that relevant?

Because if the old money with its old prejudices are still in charge of the institution then what does that make its “exotic” little underlings? Is it just enough that we are there or does it also matter that we are regarded as equals? Does it “mean” something when there is a dearth of Asian singers in the opera that may actually have criticisms about how the whole institution is set up because they grew up right along side it?

Maybe Asian-Americans in my generation are just not widely interested in the opera. I rarely meet any people in my age group of ANY race that are. And I do see a lot of Asian-Americans my age gravitate toward more contemporary expressions (like hip hop). But if I were a student of art & social change, the opera is EXACTLY where I’d be looking. It’s one of the oldest institutions in the country & has evolved from being an expression that was once accessible to everyone in its indigenous community to being considered an elitist trapping. I see the future of hip hop barreling toward the same future. As that genre of music becomes more and more commercially successful it seems to get farther and farther away from its original expression (which I’ve always understood to be a voice of triumph for the powerless in society – hmmm, much like the message found in many opera story lines.)

Now, all this aside, I don’t think the situation is completely hopeless. As I am student of my discipline I am, of course, influenced by its teachings. And one thing my voice teacher taught me was that in the operatic repertoire, even in the saddest song, there is always hope. And hope is what I am always rediscovering again and again in this music. Though the institution itself may fall short of representing all the ideals the music brings us – the music is what endures. It’s lasted this long for a reason and has managed to reach across boundaries of race and class and religion and sexual orientation and political affiliation throughout centuries of human progress. How can you not find hope in that?"

----Thank you Czerina! We look forward to getting your thoughts on film.

-More to come people! Also - look out for our website to be established soon. WOO HOO!!

Spring is in the air!

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - as opposed to April being Asian American Awareness Month. To some, it may depend on when the college or university is celebrating and recognizing the efforts of Asian Americans. Personally - 2 months of representing is better than 1 month! So try and check out as many events as you can!!

UP TO SPEED:

Last month's events were overwhelming and full of artistic interpretation. The highlights include:



India Night: -the Skokie Performing Arts Center was packed with South Asian American students cheering for their friends on stage. The last dance routine was astonishing and so fast paced that it was unreal to realize that all those steps could be learned. Bhangra dance was amazing to watch and the use of sticks and eccentric colored costumes made me wish we could establish an aerial shot. The use of small sketches to introduce the acts was a good way to keep the show flowing, rather then just having someone come out and introduce people. (This sometimes causes breaks in a show.) UIC's Indian Student Association even made their own 10 minute Bollywood film. Hillarious stuff and it literally was a 10 minute Bollywood film. Kudos on the editing! The night in general went well and "That Asian Thing" would like to give them a CONGRATS! and THANKS! - especially to Ravi Talati and Shital Patel for their help.

UNTRANSLATABLE!: YAWP - you may recognize this from a Walt Whitman poem (or quoted in the movie, Dead Poets Society). "I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world." This Y.A.W.P. (Young Asians With Power) event was great and very powerful in terms of the spoken word performances. A couple of the YAWPers were very vivid with their imagery and painted this picture of being put down because of their race. Some performances were of identity issues that were faced and of family problems that were learned. These moments sometimes take a lot of courage for writers and I commend them on their ways.

"That Asian Thing" was lucky to see Tatsu Aoki perform there. The jazz vibe made the whole room stand still - listening to great music. Also other talents, which include Xyzr_kx (pronounced "Scissor Kicks") and the atomic shogun herself, Anida Esguerra. "That Asian Thing" was very happy to be a part of this event and grab such great performance footage. We'd like to thank everyone for their cooperation, especially Jed and Anida.

ON THE CUSP:

-"That Asian Thing" is working on multiple projects to obtain on film. Right now, we're working with I.B.U. manager, Glenn Bermejo to try and set up a 3 group performance. On a previous "That Asian Thing" post - we had interviewed Jesch Reyes, member of former group S.O.T.O. (Sons Of The Orient). Hopefully a reunion can be established and a perfomance in Chicago can be obtained. Keep your fingers crossed!

-ASIAN PACIFIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION at Northwestern University:





http://www.northwestern.edu/asian-american/Heritage_Celebration_2006_Poster.jpg

Please support the Asian American organizations and celebrate!!



-Here are a list of websites "That Asian Thing" looks unto for research. Read up on some of the sites and learn of Asian American influences. Also, hopefully it'll help many of you attend some Asian American events that will happen across the nation or Chicago. Enjoy:



http://angryasianman.com/

http://www.angrylittlegirls.com/

http://www.desiclub.com/

http://www.indianparty.com

http://panasia.uchicago.edu/index.shtml