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WHAT YOU SAY

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Ray,

I wanted to get back to you sooner, but I'm actually quite busy too. I've been meaning to ask you (without divulging too much), what kind of stuff do you write, is it more historical or have you tried to write more contemporary pieces? Also, do you think the agents or producers may try to change your script a bit for a more Hollywood-ized story or do you think they will leave it "as is"? Again, just curious. Oh, almost forgot: congratulations on the responses--you're a very lucky man!
Joy Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 20:37:11 (PDT) [218.44.178.57]

"I don't know why people think kung fu flicks are sterotypical."

Yeah, there is nothing stereotypical about them at all. However, you know, in America, we think of kung fu flicks as an "Asian" thing, but back in China itself, they only conceive of it as a Cantonese thing. Cantonese are thought of as tough guy savages who can kick some ass. This is partly true, since martial arts is a much larger part of southern Chinese culture than it is in the north. Some of it can be debatable though, since the Shaw Brothers, the premier classic kung fu directors, were originally from Shanghai. Then again, Shanghai is considered to be southern China as well, just not as south.

I don't know why northerners have traditionally mocked southerners anyways. A recent trip back to the motherland proved to me that the south is way more civilized than the north. Sure, we had help from the Brits, but who didn't?
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Tuesday, September 24, 2002 at 11:21:12 (PDT) [67.116.70.248]

Joy,

Sorry for the delay of responding. I just had lots of homework to be done in film and photography classes. Yes, you can not change and avoid stereotypes, but I am a true believer in limitations.

In my honest opinion, the agency responded to my script because of the historical aspect and the way it was written.

To all,

Those of you considering majoring in film, please be aware that once you take these classes, you will never view filmmaking the same way again. It basically eats your day and it can also be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing.
Ray Saturday, September 21, 2002 at 08:31:45 (PDT) [68.96.110.59]

"a pet peeve of mine.. just *where* are all these writers trained? From whence spawn their nefarious and contrived and ignorant plots??"

Better bring a belt-fed machinegun and a lot of extra ammo cans.

Here's how it works in Hollywood:

Writer writes a hot spec script. Writer has a little bit of juice through connections, and gets it read at the studios. Some good coverage is issued, and some folks are interested.

Writer's agent goes wide with the script, and since dev people talk to each other all the time anyway, everyone knows which spec is hot, and who might pick it up. This increases the heat, and the buzz picks up about people actually thinking about putting money on the table.

So eventually, the spec gets bought. The prodco pays the writer through two rewrite sessions, then brings in another "industry recommended" writer to move the script "in the right direction." Essentially, the original writer is fired. This is the nature of the business.

More often than not, the second writer will get paid for three or four rewrites, then get fired himself. Another "industry recommended" writer--let's say Ron Bass, or Ronald Rodat--will be brought in to do "body and fender work"; i.e., change specific aspects of the script to make it more attractive to the top-billing star of the moment. For your information: this is always, 99% of the time, a successful white actor (Bruce Willis, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson). The actual person doesn't matter. At this point in the game, story no longer matters. Talent does. (And here you may argue about Chow or Jet or Denzel or anyone else non-white getting a chance to get a slice of the pie, but believe me, if there's any way they can get the project done with a white male lead, this is what they'll do.)

Eventually, the prodco finishes its rewrite cycle. They try to attach a director while trying to interest some major acting talent. The director, once attached, brings in his own "industry recommended" writer(s) who move the story in the direction he wants it to go. Once a director is attached, the project suddenly becomes more legit; at this stage, real acting talent begins to take a true interest in the project.

So, a star is signed. The star brings in his/her writer to "rewrite their part" to make it more palatable. The director and the actor might squabble a bit about what stays and what goes; depending on who's the 800-pound gorilla on the set, that person wins (Ridley Scott could conceivably win out over Bruce Willis; Ang Lee wouldn't stand a chance. The prodco and studio who has distrib rights would line up behind Willis, guaranteed).

Assuming the project moves into actual production, then another writer(s) are on hand to affect any on-the-fly rewrites. Obviously, at this point, it's in everyone's interest to keep the script fairly well locked, because too divergent a change increases the budget (no one ever changes anything to SAVE money).

After that, the production is underway.

I think you can appreciate how much a script is changed from initial purchase to final product. To get an idea for yourselves, read my buddy Ross LaManna's original spec for RUSH HOUR. It's way, way, different from the film that was finally released, starting from the protags being changed from a North Korean intel officer and a white cop with LAPD to the resultant Chan/Tucker pairing.

So, Captain of the Stars, if it's your intent to clean up the zone by firepower alone, you have your work cut out for you.

Better yet, leave the machinegun at home. You'll need a battalion of AH-64s just to get started.

Arming the choppers in LA,
Apache Driver Friday, September 20, 2002 at 15:28:15 (PDT) [24.44.167.125]

Well we got the Tuxedo to look forward to.

I don't know why people think kung fu flicks are sterotypical. In the begining they were the break through film for asian males in a lead role. Granted after 30 years or so it is a little played.
AC Dropout Friday, September 20, 2002 at 10:15:51 (PDT) [24.90.98.143]

a pet peeve of mine.. just *where* are all these writers trained? From whence spawn their nefarious and contrived and ignorant plots??

I've noticed such a phenomenon against technology and geeks, too. Lots of these scripts are just trash. I can only say so because I am Chinese and I *love* technlogy ;)

I'm talking about the ones that belittle, antisexualize, and separate tech and Chinese. Antisexualize is not necessarily sexual, just anti-advertising. There is the separation, mocking.

It's not that painful, lol, reading these words seems horrible. But it is the many little potshots that show up now and then, piss me off.

I'd like to find out, yes, whence spawn these devils and maybe root them out, um, kill them :D

Some movies and stories are balanced and more idealistic, and do not make issues of these things even if they involve elements.

However not the majority, whenever they involve Asians or technology or whatnot. I love movies, I would love to make and create movies, among other things, and being a geek I must feel and say that I am *much* better qualified than these, mere writers.. ;) these.. drama people??

I know some drama people are racist, ignorant, etc. I know they tend to do poor academically, etc. yet I want to and enjoy creating artistic stories, such as movies. So therefore we must intersect somehow, therefore there must be cool people among them somewhere.

But the bad must be targeted, must be eliminated. Where do they come from? They must be those party majors, at party schools, pursuing a subject that should not be theirs, making money they should not be making, and demeaning the very things they should appreciate; new things in technology and art. (Demeaning their *masters*, one of whom shall be me!! I do not the extent of my talents but once upon a time they overlapped. I just happen to proficient in other things as well. Therefore they must subordinate themselves to me)

Of *course* I'm biased. But they must die. lol

If war comes between Silicon Valley and Hollywood, I have chosen my path.
Captain of the Stars Thursday, September 19, 2002 at 20:28:08 (PDT) [63.162.229.2]

Asian American actors, writers, film makers,and everyone else on this forum,

As a chinese-american actor myself, I truly understand everyone's desire for better images of us male, or female being portrayed in the media and film especially. I consider myself fortunate because my agent feels the same way about all ethnicities. I've auditioned for several roles intended for white males and have been able to land some. I've actually only been on 2 auditions where the casting director was seeking an asian male. One was for a modeling job for Nike, and the other as one of DJ Qualls best friends in "The New Guy". Unfortunatley, I didn't book any of those parts. However, I always remain optimistic of getting my first speaking part in a feature film someday soon.
Has anyone here heard the buzz about an upcoming all asian american cast film called "Better Luck Tomorrow"? Its written and directed by an asian and it centers on four brilliant students who stumble when they begin experimenting with sex, drugs, and crime. It deals with the stereotypes, sexuality,pressures, and other issues that asian americans encounter by growing up in a white society. The only cast member I really know of is John Cho aka. The Milf Guy in the American Pie saga.

My ultimate dream is to play roles that create postive images for asian males, and to see more of these roles offered to other asian actors. For instance, Russell Wong, Chow Yun-Fat, Rick Yune,and Jet Li(once his english gets a bit better) are capable of so much more than what major studios have offered them. Especially Chow Yun-Fat. Those of you who have seen the vairety of roles he played in his HK films, know what I mean.

Thoughts? Anybody?
Max orgazmo83@hotmail.com Thursday, September 19, 2002 at 16:22:17 (PDT) [205.238.9.194]

IMHO, Mike Myers' parody character Linda Richman is more of a familial tribute, rather than a dig at Jews.

In fact, he toured with Barbara Streisand portraying Linda Richman in a comedy portion of Babs' concert.

It would seem that if Jewish people find Linda Richman funny, then the character isn't offensive to them,let alone to a bunch of Asians debating what might be offensive to themselves and others.
Filipino M.Myers Fan Thursday, September 19, 2002 at 14:17:55 (PDT) [12.230.218.161]

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