Red Dawn and Roger Fan - Asian in Hollywood!

So my colleague and friend Roger Fan (actor in Better Luck Tomorrow, Annapolis, Finishing the Game) wrote this great testimonial about his experience in Hollywood about being an Asian-American Actor in Hollywood. Read it here - http://youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com/when-red-dawn-attacks/

There have been a few pivotal moments in my own acting career where this topic has reigned supreme.

1. The first/multiple times I was asked to read a script with an Asian accent.
2. The first/multiple times my agent/casting director asked if I could do martial arts.

Now being that I'm adopted, and I grew up in an Italian family I was the last person to think that I would ever be considered for a role where I would have to do an accent, because i felt there are plenty of actors out there that have a really tough time getting rid of the very authentic Asian accent. My accent is that of a mid-western Italian-American who used to call soda - POP. Think how awkward it was when I would walk into a Korean restaurant on a hot summer day and ask for POP and the waiter would bring me out a bowl of rice, clueless!

So I couldn't even speak the language, nor was I in any way literate when it came to my Korean language skills. But for the western ears - oh boy I can get as fobby as ever!

As for martial arts, I grew up playing baseball, football, basketball, etc. I didn't find an interest in martial arts into later in life. I was too busy trying to be, Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls), Walter Payton (Chicago Bears), and Mark Grace (Chicago Cubs). In the winter I was Dennis Savard or Bannerman (Chicago Blackhawks). when i was in junior high my mother put me in musicals. I mean don't get me wrong, sometimes I thought about this guy named Bruce Lee (I think I've been called bruce lee 50,000 times in my life). But I think Ralph Macchio had more of a marital arts effect on me. Until i went to college, because he kicks the cobra kai's ass! I hated Johnny as did everyone else!

So one day I get a call for a voice over job. And it's for this really kick ass video game called Grand Theft Auto. They want me to read for the gangsters. I'm cool with it. So I get into the sound booth and it's - okay Nick we need a really think Asian accent! I say which one? They say any! I'm like OKAY - yeah I'm such a sell out! But in actuality - It was a challenge and I really had to act because it's not who i am on the inside. I'm from the Banana Republic. Only my Banana is covered in Gnutella.

So I whip out everything I can imagine from Americana's depiction of Asian males in media and my limited life experience in all-Asian settings. Somewhere along the line I become everyone from PAT MORITA, to Charlie Chan, to Chow yun FAT.

Brilliant!!! Brilliant! Applause Applause! I get the job and I become immortalized by millions of Playstations across the globe! - with David Mamet scripting like" get out my Caaa, or I punch you face!

As you can see it's a pretty comical industry!

Of course Roger is right about the fact that his/our existence in Hollywood films and large scale projects could be based solely off of the need-state of a scene that takes place in China, Japan, Korea, and or the mini versions of these countries in the metropolitan areas of the USA we like to call (ethnic ghettos) like C-Town or K-town or J-town.

And he is right you can make a great living doing those projects. But at what expense? If it will be you that perpetuates the timeless stereotypes, negative images, and dis empowered male image then is that money worth it? If you're children cannot see anyone on the television that looks remotely like them, who will end up being their fantasy heroes? And while their hero's - be it white, black etc get the girl - who is also that same homogeneous race line, one has to ask how does that play into their self esteem and how proud will they be to be Asian in this country?

I can think of plenty of times where I looked in the mirror and wished I were anything else but who i was. I think there's been many many essays about this strife. Maybe that's why I found sanctuary in the acting. I always wanted to be the guy with the football, the gun, the syringe, the badge, the fire hose, the breif case, the space ship and the hot girl. But instead I get handed a sushi knife, a take out carton, a laundry bag, a pair of nunchucks, and a silk GI...AND.... Action!!!

Now In 1999, I, along with hundreds of indivuduals who were working actors and models, was part of a movement in NYC where Asian's in television film and radio started to make a political push. We had many many panel disucssions and gatherings in the name of improved roles, less stereotypical roles, and more roles was the hot topic. People like Christine Toy Johnson, David Henry Hwang, and BD wong were all part of this initiative. I was inspired by one of our panel discussions. And had the epiphany that spoke to me like when a born again finds GOD, you know that moment right? wink wink.

So in order for use to change the way Asian actors play on television and in film. We have to write till we are blue in the face! Write Write Write, then Produce produce produce, then market Market market. And then support support support!

The short comings that anyone who has ever made indie films know all to well is marketing budget shortcomings. I mean how cool would it have been if Better Luck tomorrow had it's own line of collectible Roger Fan, Sung Kang slurpee cups at 7 eleven with a buy one ticket get one free offer. Or if they gave away little toy rogers at McDonalds with his green and white letter mans jacket on! buy one happy meal today and you'll have better luck tomorrow!(tickets that is) Or what about a billboard or two in Times square? all in all the average marketing budget for a studio release is like 40 million in ad buys!

That's how you drive people to the Theatre! And ladies and gentlemen, In the Asian Film community there is no shortage of commitment, talent, blood sweat and tears, what it comes down to is financing of production and pre-release marketing.

In closing, It will take lots of money, and creativity to make a dent in the machine we call Hollywood, which pumps out formulaic films that feed into the status quo of societal norms. But We and to some extent have made a difference by focusing investment on key film makers and films that are of huge commercial value which showcase three dimentional characters. Hopefully over time all of the stars will align, Americans best writing talent, production talent, acting talent, post production talent, musical score talent and marketing talent will come together to make films that allow for a more permanent change in the perception and opportunities of Asian Americans or Asians in American Mainstream media.

Thanks Roger for re-opening this conversation!

Venti Soy Chai
Identitea.blogspot.com