Justin Chon slams casting office!
Asian Actors scoffed at the Industry's perception of their community at a panel discussion, volunteers were rude to the press, and PR rep David Magdael snubbed invited guests.
For obvious reason, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival came to a close on a sour note!
The expectations were high during the week - when ticket sales soared, upscale guests toasted each other at glittering parties, and a handful of glowing press clips boosted the status of the 26th annual event which kicked off at the DGA in Hollywood on April 29th.
Over the past couple of years - and at a panel dicussion today - Asian actors and filmmakers belly-ached that the mainstream Hollywood dream factory didn't take them seriously (which I found ironic).
In spite of the fact individuals like myself in the press have attempted to put a spotlight on the festival - with the ultimate aim of lending some credibility and relevance to their annual event - the Asian community has continued to remain insulated.
In fact, at a couple of the Q & A sessions, a handful of Asian organizers persisted with their theory that in the Asian community - unlike in others - there was only one degree of separation.
On this bold assumption, they took a leap, and asserted that their ties were closer-knit with their own kind than those of other races.
Subsequently, attitude reared its ugly head!
Indeed, when white folks - or members of other races attended the Festival events - they were often treated like "outsiders".
In a nutshell, the Asian Community has brought its woes upon itself.
Slaps at the mainstream Industry today - that Asian artists struggle so desperately to be a part of - didn't help matters much.
One actor snidely remarked to a full house at the Independent Theatre - that before auditions - Actors had to practice their Asian accents in order to land the job.
Ouch!
Another young Hollywood hopeful - who boasted a role in Twilight (Justin Chon) - accused the Jackass casting directors of shutting Asians out.
"I was willing to take even a small part in the film, but they told me they were going all white," he lamented in so many words.
From where I stood, the wild notion appeared preposterous, on its face alone.
In the past I have not only been a casting director, but a theatrical agent, too.
I've never witnessed that kind of alleged discrimination ever.
Type-casting - on the other hand - yes!
One naive dancer claimed that when she attended an audition, each race - African-American, Asian, Latino - was separated into groups.
Then, a candidate or two was selected from each.
I've been in the business for over thirty years, and attended hundreds of auditions, and I have never encountered that kind of casting process based on race.
Sounded like a tall tale to me.
Drama Queen!
When she quipped a moment later - that she felt like a piece of meat - it was obvious to me the gal was an inexperienced wannabee totally clueless about the nature of the beast.
Alfred Hitchcock said it best:
"Actors are just cattle."
Move along, little doggie.
One member of the Press stepped out of a movie line for one second to snatch up a treat, and ended up being rudely pulled out of his spot when he returned a second later, because a stupid ill-mannered volunteer wasn't paying attention.
Anyone can make a silly mistake, but it was the way the inexperienced loser handled the matter, which was outrageous.
Did he apologize?
No, of course not.
A organizer at an event should treat each individual with dignity and respect.
For a Festival that claims to be sophisticated and classy, the Asian Pacific stooped to an all-time low!
On Thursday night, David Magdael (normally congenial) snubbed red carpet attendees.
This afternoon, he ignored invited guests, too.
Guess he figured he made it through the gate and there was no need to hold up the plastic mask with the sardonicus smile to the thronging festival-goers any longer.
Wrong!
The words to a Beatle's song ring out loud and clear:
"I'm looking through you, where did you go?"
Director Ang Lee managed to crack U.S. market!
(with talent not by grumbling)
No comments:
Post a Comment