Reviews For "New Year's Eve" Suck. If They Had Some Asian American Stars In The Headline Maybe It Wouldn't.

Yup. Once again these MF's tell us that we don't exist on holidays.

First it was Valentine's Day (no headliners).

Now it's New Year's Eve.

Please.

Like Harry Shum isn't going to get mobbed on NYE waking up with a face full of lipstick.

Shanghai.I.Love.You.Please.Come.Out.Soon.

iTunes Rewind 2011+Far East Movement (@fareastmovement)

Just in case you're like me and have been hiding under a rock for a while, FM had two songs in the iTunes Rewind 2011 including "Rocketeer" and "Like a G6".

Random Thought: Is Jude Law Racist For Being In A Movie With Yellow Face?

Hmmm....

The Asian Pacific American Media Coalition To ABC, CBS, Fox And NBC: You Got 3 Years To Create Asian American Stars

Throwdown time.

Concerned with the slow progress of TV networks in the area of diversity casting, the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition (APAMC) has released its 2011 report cards grading the networks' past 2010-2011season while simultaneously challenging ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to castat least one Asian Pacific American actor as the mainstar in a TV show within the next three years.

"Since APAMC began meeting with the networks in late 1999, only two new shows have starred Asian Pacific Americans (APAs)," said co-chairs Guy Aoki and Marilyn Tokuda in a Coalition statement, "'Cashmere Mafia' with Lucy Liu and 'Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (Inaba),' both on ABC. We believe that, without a timetable, the networks will never confront the perceived obstacles to using APAs as the faces of their series. So we have issued a challenge that within three years--by the Fall of 2014--they air a series which stars at least one APA clearly cast as the central character (the star's name usually appears first in the credits when they aren't listed alphabetically)."

For example, the star of "Parks and Recreation" is Amy Poehler, not Aziz Ansari.

The Coalition challenge included a further condition: "Because many actors are part-Asian Pacific and viewers are unaware of what their heritage is, we always encourage the networks to make it clear within the context of their shows that the character is Asian Pacific. However, if all we end up getting are stars who are part-APA but don't look it and who don't play recognizably APA roles, then the goal of more meaningful inclusion will not have been reached."

Last year, the total number of APA regulars amongst the top four networks jumped from 32 to 38--an all-time high. This past season, that number dropped to 31.

Overall, NBC, with a B (up from a B-), ranked highest in this year's APAMC report cards, which marks the 10th anniversary of judging the inclusion of APAsin eight categories: actors, unscripted show participants, writers/producers, directors, development, procurement, executives, and network initiatives.

No other network has ever received this high a grade from the coalition. Out of 12 report cards since 2000, NBC has received the highest overall grade 8 times (5 of them ties with other networks). This past season, the peacock network also had the highest grade for actors, development deals, and writers/producers, and tied for top honors in procurement, executives, and diversity initiatives.

CBS maintained a B- for the third year, ABC slid from B- to C+. Fox fell from C+ to C-, the worst network grade since CBS received the same rating in 2005.

"Last season, NBC had 13 regulars of Asian Pacific descent (boosted by five regulars on 'Outsourced'," Aoki stated. "This was the highest number any network has been able to achieve in the 11years the Coalition has released report cards. Accordingly, we have issued our highest grade in the actors category ever, a B+. NBC is the only network to receive this high a grade, which they also received in 2004."

According to the APAMC report, between 2006 and 2008, ABC either had the highest number of APA regulars or tied for that distinction. But ABC's record has declined noticeably since then. This past season, ABC could claim only 5 regulars and 4 recurring characters, their exact numbers in 2005. Of all four networks, ABC received the lowest grade in the actors category, a D+.

The day after the new "Hawaii Five-0" debuted in September of 2010, theAPAMC encouraged CBS to hire writers and actors from Hawaii in order to truly capture the essence of the people of that state.

"We have been disappointed that most of the APAs used are as suspects or villains and increasingly, most of the guest stars-who often get more screen time than regulars Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park and Masi Oka-are white and from the mainland," Aoki said. A meeting with CBS has been set for next week to address these concerns.

ABC scored best in the unscripted series category for the fourth consecutive year. Since 2008, the network has featuredAPAs in many of their unscripted series, including Carrie Ann Inaba as a judge on "Dancing With the Stars."

CBS made the biggest improvement in reality shows, jumping from a C- to a B- for its profiles of two Asian American CEOs in "Undercover Boss" and many contestants on "The Amazing Race" and "Live to Dance."

"The networks have always struggled with using APA directors on their shows," said Coalition co-chair Tokuda, reporting that Fox had the highest number (11) of APAs directing a total of 28 episodes. Except for one episode of "Traffic Light," however, all of those shows were animated. Still, Fox earned the biggest grade improvement in any category this past season, jumping from a D- to a B-.

However, Fox had no development deals with APAs, receiving an F in that category, as well as an F/Incomplete for its failure to report verified procurement data (they have promised to provide this in the near future). The network also received the lowest grade for diversity initiatives (C-), as the head of the Diversity department left in October of last year and the entire team was eventually dismantled. Fox is now taking a different approach with its "Audience Strategy" department, and we look forward to seeing whether its promising new diversity initiatives bear more fruit at the network than have past efforts.

The Coalition singled out CBS President Nina Tassler, praising her for convening a second meeting with her show runners and the APAMC to discuss ways to include more people of color (POC) in their series. In the 2011-2012 season, CBS will have at least 10 APA regulars, the highest in its history. Unfortunately, this includes the heavy-accented restaurant owner played by Matthew Moy in "2 Broke Girls," which many in the community feel sets back the cause. Fox's numbers also look better for this new season with the inclusion of three Asian Indian/half -Asian Indian regulars as part of the main family on "Terra Nova." Also, the network once again includes an Asian American doctor--played by Charlene Yi--in "House."

Despite losing five regulars on the now-cancelled "Outsourced," NBC only slipped from 13 to 12 as it included 7 new API regulars on 7 new series.

Although the road to reflecting reality has been an ongoing challenge, since the 1999/2000 meetings, the networks have implemented many initiatives to increase the presence of POC before and behind the camera. Although the programs do not guarantee employment, they provide access and a means to getting a foot in the door in areas POC have historically been denied.

APAs have gained ground as writers, with some elevated to producers, co-producers and executive producers on such series as "ER," "Lost," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Prison Break," "Law & Order: SVU," "Bones," "Medium," "The Walking Dead" and "Body of Proof."

"For actors," Tokuda stated, "winning a place in the network showcases is like harnessing the brass ring. The exposure can lead to solid agency representation, multiple auditions and, in some cases, an ongoing mentorship with casting executives. People like Carrie Ann Inaba ("Dancing with the Stars") and Liza Lapira (21, "Traffic Light") were discovered in the showcases."

Graduates of directors programs have gone on to direct shows like NBC's "Community" and the Julia Roberts film Fireflies in the Garden.

Vote + Jeff Yang(@originalspin) + Cluefly + 10K

Help Jeff Yang win 10K for his new startup called Cluefly. It's a site where the crowd can ask, answer and uprank questions on hot-button topics like race, gender, sexuality and identity — and have "certified" answers validated by experts -- the Factcheck Desk for the Internet.

Check out all the info at cluefly.com and if you want to vote (you can vote as many times as you want) *click here.

And if you are so inclined check out all the video pitches here.

*Note that if you click on the links at cluefly.com they will go to a survey/vote that is no longer available - apparently this was a glitch - use the link provided in the post.

Home:Word Magnetic North & Taiyo Na Official Music Video (@magnorth, @taiyona, @samkangmusic)

Leave It Up To Us To Make Sleeping Better Through Your iPhone/iPad/iPod

I've heard of these for a while but had no idea the folks behind this were mostly Asian - and if you go to the company page for Lark you'll see a lot of happy Asian faces.

They must sleep well.

@slantyapolis: Twitter Finally Sexes Me Up

While I've made posts on twitter (see the sidebar for example), and have pushed posts to it via an account - albeit without making it's existance known instead people searching via the blog contact address - I've never really let it sex me up - until now.

@slantyapolis

Retweets.

Random thoughts.

Probably still me being lazy.

That's An Old Pot Stash

From The Seattle Times:

Looks like very early residents of China had a penchant for smoking marijuana.

Archaeologists who dug up a 2,700-year-old tomb of a shaman near Turpan out in far west Xinjiang province found a curious pouch. News reports call it the oldest stash of marijuana on Earth.

The cannabis was "superbly preserved by climatic and burial conditions," according to an article in the scientific Journal of Experimental Botany.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008466900_chinapot04.html

Olivia Munn Goes FHM

Named one of the funniest people? Check.

Cover of FHM?

Double check.

Want To See It: Tran Anh Hung's Norwegian Wood

LEO37 + PPF House: Fanfare

Toronto-based artist collective, PPF House, is proud to present their newest release: Fanfare. Courtesy Taiwanese-Canadian emcee/turntablist, LEO37, Fanfare combines producer and multi-instrumentalist, John Poon’s oversized drums and violent synth squeals (imagine Hank Shocklee with a Moog) with LEO37’s poignant, vivid lyrics and aggressive, stylistic cadences to create something that is altogether both big system and headphone worthy.

Having previously been referred to as ‘one of the most original sounds in Canada.’ by Exclaim! Magazine, Fanfare serves as a reintroduction for LEO37 to the Canadian and International music scene. Having spent the better part of the last 5 years touring (including – all self-booked -- 3 Canadian tours, Amsterdam, Ireland, 20 cities across the U.S. as well as 7 countries in Asia), LEO37 felt it necessary to fully hone his skills on stages all over the world before finally releasing the first single and video from his new EP, also titled, “Fanfare”. The video features animation and direction from PPF House head and current Disney collaborator Howie Shia, whose resume has earned him awards from film festivals across the globe (including the Tokyo International Anime Fair Grand Prize and Best Short Film at Montreal’s Fantasia Film Festival) as well as mentions on Kanye West’s blog for his video with eletronic composer, Deru (Avatar, the Last Airbender: Animated Series). As for the music, all instrumentation on ‘Fanfare’ was played by John Poon with contributions from fellow Housemate, Tim Shia (Drums - The Worst Pop Band Ever, Emma Cook, Milosh). This new edition to the PPF House discography is certainly a refreshing and welcome direction for the crew.

PPF House is a group of like-minded artists who, through varying mediums and genres strive to create forward thinking, yet accessible product. For Saskatchewan born, Toronto bred LEO37, this is his 3rd release. Having just recently moved to Taiwan this November to accept a DJ residency at the legendary Primo club, LEO37 has continued touring Asia with plans of heading home this Spring to follow up the release of his brand new EP. Having previously shared the stage with an eclectic combination of: Aloe Blacc, The Bad Plus, Del the Funky Homosapien, Tittsworth, Swollen Members and Tanika Charles, just to name a few, LEO37 is poised to continue building and looking to be awesome. Really awesome.

Film + Fundraising: Quentin Lee, Stanley Yung, Koji Steven Sakai, Jason Tobin, Eugenia Yuan, And Chink (The First Asian American Serial Killer Movie)

If the title of this post doesn't at least somewhat interest you - I don't know what will (and to be honest I'd be a little afraid to ask).

But serial killers? Asian Americans? And Eugenia Yuan?

What more do you want?

Help.Get.This.Film.Off.The.Ground.

First Asian American Serial Killer Movie Begins Fundraising Drive on New Crowd-Funding Site USA Projects

Los Angeles, CA. December 1, 2011 – The filmmakers responsible for independent hit, The People I've Slept With, are joining together again to make Chink, the first Asian American serial killer movie. It is the directorial debut of Stanley Yung, the film is written by Koji Steven Sakai and produced by Stanley, Koji, and Quentin Lee. The film stars Jason Tobin (Better Luck Tomorrow and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) and Eugenia Yuan (Memoirs of a Geisha and The Eye 2).

They are hoping to raise at least ten thousand dollars to cover production expenses on USA Projects, created by United States Artists to expand its mission of investing in America’s finest artists. They plan on beginning production in the spring of 2012.

Chink is about an Asian American man who has internalized the racism he felt as a child and turned it into a hatred of all Asians – including himself. His anger and his desire to be like his hero (Ted Bundy) leads him to violence and ultimately to his dream of becoming the greatest serial killer in history.

The production team of Stanley Yung, Koji Steven Sakai and Quentin Lee have produced more than a half-dozen independent motion pictures. Their films have been exhibited on television, in theaters, and at major festivals such as AFI, São Paulo, Golden Horse in Taiwan, Toronto, and most of the Asian American and LGBT film festivals throughout the world.

USA Projects is a community where America’s finest artists and those that love and support them can share their latest work, discover new artists, enter into a dialog with each other, and make direct donations (of any size, all of which are tax deductible) to new projects created by each artist. This is the first website that allows direct public donations between art patrons and accredited artists on the Internet.

For more information about Chink, visit: http://www.unitedstatesartists.org/project/chink

Because You Want To Be In Politics: Warren Furutani

Who knows - maybe after helping out with the Furutani campaign you too will be asking for volunteers for you own political efforts.

JOIN API'S FOR WARREN FURUTANI FOR LA CITY COUNCIL!

Congratulations to Warren Furutani for making the Jan 17 Runoff Election for Council District 15! But the Runoff Election will be a TOUGH RACE and we still have a lot more work to do! Face-to-face voter contact will make a CRITICAL DIFFERENCE for this special election, so let’s give Warren all the support we have!!!
Warren is the only officially endorsed candidate of the Democratic Party and KADC and the ONLY remaining candidate with political experience. If elected, Warren Furutani would be the only API on the LA City Council and the second API City Council in LA's history. We cannot lose this opportunity! PLEASE MAKE THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER!

Co-hosted by the Korean American Democratic Committee, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance – Los Angeles, and Local API Leaders

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

9:00 – 12:00 AM
12:00 – 1:00 (lunch)
1:00 – 3:00 PM
(phone-banking available for those who cannot walk)
395 W 7th St, San Pedro, CA 90731‐3336

Questions? Contact Diane Ujiiye at 323 833 3228; dianeuji@gmail.com or Jan Tokumaru at jantee66@gmail.com
Sign up with MIGUEL CORDOVA: 424.204.2423;miguelacordova@ymail.com
or with Diane through Andrew Ma at: andrewma08@yahoo.com

Home:Word Deluxe Edition In Stores Now + Trailer

Magnetic North & Taiyo Na release their new album Home:Word [Deluxe Edition] today Tuesday, November 29, 2011 to all online US retailers. This correlates with the release of Home:Word [Japan Edition], which was released on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 to all major retailers in Japan and debuted at #3 on their iTunes Hip-Hop Charts.

Home:Word [Deluxe Edition] is a rerelease of their 2010 US album Home:Word. Remastered, resequenced, repackaged with an exclusive lyric booklet and 6 new, additional tracks, the album was inspired by their recent single and album deal with Japanese hip-hop label Goon Trax (Media Factory). The title song “Home:Word” was featured on one of Goon Trax’s popular compilation albums In Ya Mellow Tone 6, released March 2011. Within a week the song shot up to #2 on iTunes Japan’s Hip-Hop charts and became a song of solace for many who were afflicted by the ongoing Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear crisis. Further moved by this course of events, one of their new songs on Home:Word [Deluxe Edition] is “Fukushima.” Released as a lyric video on September 11, 2011, “Fukushima” is a song dedicated to the victims of the tragedy in Japan as well as others.

Home:Word [Deluxe Edition] is a culmination of 3 years of creative partnership between artists Magnetic North and Taiyo Na. Without devaluing the albums, concert tours, music videos or newfound international success, Magnetic North & Taiyo are proudest of their Holla Benefit Concert Series (2009′s Home for the Holla’Days, 2010′s Home for the Holla’Days II and 2011′s Holla For Japan) which have collectively raised over $35,000 in charity. Collaborating with other like-minded musicians to put on concerts to aid urgent causes have brought their passions for music and social responsibility together in the most fulfilling of ways.

The new songs on Home:Word [Deluxe Edition] feature many of the other artists who have shared the stage with Magnetic North & Taiyo Na at their Holla Benefit Concerts such as singer/songwriters Sam Kang, Cynthia Lin, Scooter Oyama and Ruth Cho, producers Jaron Lum and Chucky Kim and saxophonist Jonathan Lee.

A Search For One's Past + Nisha Grayson

Got this sent in and wanted to make sure and post it on up as it sounds like a cool project. Check out the video above, the information below, and then help them fund their project down at IndieGoGo.

You Follow A Search for Ones Past is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the purposes of You Follow A Search for Ones Past must be made payable to Fractured Atlas and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Our Story

YOU FOLLOW: A Search for One's Past is a documentary film that follows Nisha Grayson back to India to begin her search for her birth mother. Yes, her birth mother. Nisha was adopted from Goa 28 years ago into a beautiful American family. Since then, she has always dreamed about visiting India, who she physically resembled, and if she would ever get the chance to meet, thank, and hug the woman who gave birth to her.

Before she left to begin her search in 2009, she had no information except her mothers name and the village she was from. You would probably think those details were enough to find someone, but with keeping her safety and privacy a number one priority, Nisha was beginning her search from scratch. After a month of keeping Nisha's identity and purpose for searching disclosed from the the public, meeting with adoption lawyers, exchanging emails with former owner of the orphanage, historians, and artists, Nisha did not make any promising leads until the last couple of weeks when she met met a special family who offered their help with her search. It was then, Nisha released her anxiety and control and felt she was doing the right thing.

Now it is time to travel back to Goa to find out what has happened since Nisha left and to continue to follow the clues to finding her birth mother.

This documentary is not only following Nisha's search and personal journey back to India and the individuals met on this journey, but it is also going to touch on other adoption stories and perspectives.

The Impact

This film will not only share Nisha's personal story, but it will hopefully inspire other adoptees to explore their birth right to find their birth parents and/or birth stories. There is a lot of debate about open records in this country and whether or not adoptees have the right to know their birth families, so hopefully Nisha's personal story will give another perspective on how important it can be for one to have the tools to search for their heritage, birth story, birth families, and medical records.

With adoption awareness on the rise in the last few years, many stories have been told via films, books, and adoption conferences around the US. It is a crucial time for this film to be completed because Nisha's story touches on international adoption that took place in the early 1980's, when the adoption process, laws, education, and views were much different than they are now in the 21st century. Nisha wants to share her story at this time because it is not common for international adoptees to travel back to search.

Even if viewers are not apart of the adoption triad (adoptees, birth parents, adopting parents/families), this film can encourage those to still research their own family lineage and story to pass along to their future generations.

Since this film is a passion project for Nisha and Sharmila Ray http://cargocollective.com/saywhatfoo, this film needs to be completed one way or another. If this campaign does not meet the goal, then the producers will have a tight budget to work with. If all else fails, Nisha and Sharmila will continue to put in personal funds to complete this film. To be honest, the film will take a lot longer to finish if it is only funded with personal income.

What We Need & What You Get

The goal is to raise 20,000 dollars. Why so much you ask, well here is the deal...
The crew will consist of four talented and frugal team members that will capture the best images/footage for the film.

As of now, the American dollar is worth about 49 Rupees (Rs). As a local, that is a lot of money, but since the crew will be tourist, then they will be charged tourist rates for their hotel and transportation, which can come out to be the equivalent of American rates. Prices/estimates are based on the last trip to Goa, India in 2009.

The film crew needs help with their flight cost to the other side of the world in order to follow Nisha back to Goa. Once they are there, then they will need a safe and clean place to rest their heads and set up home base with all of their equipment. Not only that, but the film crew will need to keep their bellies full with the tastiest food. Now keep in mind that, each person can stay full with as little as five dollars a day. For transportation, the crew will rent mopeds/scooters because it will be cheaper and more convenient than renting two rickshaws everyday.

As for the equipment, what is needed to complete the most beautiful film...

Canon 7D with lens and batteries
Lighting Kit
Sound- renting vs purchasing- which ever is more cost effective
Storage- Fantom Drives/ Green Drives Pro 2TB
32 GB CF cards(3)
Film/Photo Development
Final Post Edits - Color Corrections/ Sound Mixing
Marketing - Website/ Film Festival Submission/ Misc

Please keep in mind that Brad is currently working on fiscal sponsorship so this film project will have another platform to raise money if this campaign does not reach its goal of 20,000 dollars. Every little bit helps, as a donator, you are not only putting into the production of the film, but you are also receiving special gifts in return. It is a Win, Win situation!

As you will see to your right, the gifts are AWESOME. Depending on how much you can give, you can receive a unique 5x7 photo of Goa, a stylish t-shirt you could wear everyday, a hand screened poster to hang in your livingroom, a CD to play at all of your house parties, a special edition copy of the film to share with your friends. You can also receive credit for helping the film get completed. Who wouldn't want their name viewed on a popular website or during the credits of a film that will be shown around the world? More than the physical gifts, you will receive the deepest gratitude from each and everyone of the team members. Many thank you's are sent in advanced for your time and support.

Watch Now (Maybe): Chanel Iman

Well, if you're into things like the Victoria's Secret Fashion show you're probably already watching, so I guess there's not much more to say except 1/2 Korean on your mom's side is better than no Korean at all.

Vacations Are Good

Not that anyone reads this thing anymore (well, thousands do check in for porn, and my dear grandmama also checks in to see if I've done that post on ass licking yet) but just a quick note that I'm off for the week, or at least that's my game plan (but that shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone since I've been 1/2 time blogging this year which is actually more like 1/4 blogging).

Happy Turkeys. Time Off. Self Love. Self Destructive Family Dinners. Black Friday. Naked People Dancing For Money. Playing In The Snow. Playing In The Sand. Playing Under The Covers. Peeping Out The Window. Drinking Hot Chocolate. Loving Everything About Nothing. Sitting On The Porcelain God With Too Much Time On Your Hands. Checking Out The Louvre. Bad Movies. Even Worse Turkey.

Or Just Sleeping For Four Days Straight.

Stephen Colbert + Forever 21

Jump to 4.32 to see the footage.

On one hand you know what he's doing and it's great that he's making people aware of racist fashion in the mainstream - at the same time - I can't help but wonder how many people don't get that he's actually making a mockery of it all...

2 Years: Beatrock Music