Goldie Blogs You Better!

For all of you film and TV buffs out there, HBO is planning to film a new show called “Gentlemen of Leisure.” From what I can tell, it’s a story about a retiring pimp who lives in Oakland, and I’m sure, colorful characters and crime.

So what’s the issue?

Oakland is currently refusing to support the TV series. The points that they make are valid : Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, and District 2 Councilmember Pat Kernighan all want to keep the image of Oakland less-crime filled.

The irony here is that they will STILL FILM THE SERIES! They will just put it on a sound stage in LA or Long Beach if they can’t film on location in Oakland. So WHY would you NOT just take the opportunity given to you and simply invest the money in anti-crime procedures?? Other locals are speaking out against the decision, including many in the film and tv community.

Having grown up around Oakland (and mentioning it in passing when asked), I personally know that Oakland’s reputation is well, bad and scary. Refusing to allow a TV show that uses this image will not HELP Oakland’s image - once again, it’ll just be filmed on a sound stage in LA. Use the money and help realistically change the image and provide local businesses with new invigorating business.

So Oakland city council, please grow a pair, and let a decent project through for once.

On the eve of this new year, with such wonderful things to look forward to like Obama’s presidency, I can’t help but think about the future of Asian American media.

One big announcement that was a bit of a shock is that AsianWeek, the longest running Asian American newspaper in the US, is shutting down shop (on their paper side). They’ll continue to run the website and hopefully grow.

I also saw some interesting article on the state of Asian American media in 2008…here’s some excerpts…

The good news is that more films are coming out of both Hollywood and the independent world that prominently feature Asian American talent. In previous years, it was difficult to find material for my columns; sometimes there just wasn’t anything interesting out there. In 2008, I never had that problem.

Hollywood also brought us some very worthy films that put Asians front and center: Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, Gran Torino, Slumdog Millionaire, Kung Fu Panda and even The Forbidden Kingdom. I can’t think of another year when mainstream Hollywood has made as much of an effort to present Asian characters with genuine depth.

Still, I have mixed feelings about the fact that none of these movies were written or directed by Asian filmmakers. We finally have consistently high-quality Asian films coming out of Hollywood, but why do they all have to be made by Caucasian men?

But a good number of these films were very well made, and I would argue that the overall craft of our filmmakers is improving. Some of these films even starred well-known non-Asian actors like Meryl Streep and Forrest Whitaker. So why couldn’t they get any traction?

One of the reasons may have to do with the way the film industry itself is shifting. As the cost of making and releasing films continues to increase and more independent films find themselves struggling at the box office (witness the shutting down this year of Warner Independent Pictures and massive cut-backs at other companies focusing on indie products), the market for “challenging” independent films, which most of these Asian American films would fall under, is now close to non-existent. If Justin Lin were to come along with Better Luck Tomorrow today, it’s very possible there would be no takers.

Sigh, bleak bleak bleak. But still I can’t help but think that when the economy rises again, so will the opportunities for Asian and Asian American actors.

Hi everyone!

Wheeh! I know I’ve been out of touch, when I see that the last thing I posted on here was my photoshoot with Herman! Since then I’ve been filming my talking headshot, auditioning up a storm and generally, keeping busy!

And just because, I got back these picture and absolutely adored them, here are (some of) my lovely photos from a shoot I did with Mike from IGP Photography in Emeryville! I think I’m on the front page of his website, pretty exciting stuff! I was so cold I asked him to make sure to photoshop out my goosebumps! @.@

Some of you who have access to some of my pictures elsewhere may have been wondering who the cute guy that I’m hanging out with is in all those cheery shots. No, it’s not my adorable Chendi, it’s Herman - one of the most popular and hard-working commercial models in SF/Sacramento! And no, despite his last name, I’m pretty sure we’re not related… I think.

Here’s one of him and me enjoying some Mexican food:

Cute!

He’s also a bit better at yoga then I am…

Well, here’s to more exciting updates and news as we head (fast!) towards the holiday craziness. Good luck

Woohoo!  Just finished filming a Red Hawk Casino Commercial and possible billboard.  Much thanks to Everett at Media Casting for setting it up! After two grueling days (not all of this is glamorous), we’re done!

Here’s some shots of the almost finished interior…

And because y’all want to see like a real set looks like:

Yep, it was about 45 degrees, 4 am and I was wearing some party dress. BRRrRRrrrr!

Steakhouse. Nuff said!

Finally, the obligatory picture of me and a new friend, Sierra!