I respectfully disagree with encouraging Asians to raise a huge stink about Cameron Crowe’s movie “Aloha” staring Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone.
Before you criticize Francine Maisler for casting Emma Stone as an Asian character (Allison Ng) in the movie “Aloha,” you have to understand that the casting process is strongly influenced by the distributors that want certain actors in the movie to help them sell the movie.
Emma Stone has generated $1,947,619,189 worldwide aggregate box office for an average of $278,231,313 per film. Compare this to someone like Zhang Ziyi (one of the best international recognized Chinese actors “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Rush Hour 2″ and “Memoirs of a Geisha.”) Zhang has generated $677,528,335 worldwide aggregate box office for an average of $112,921,389 per film. (Source: www.the-numbers.com)
Selecting the actors really comes down to a business decision. Also, understand that the company that produced and distributed “Aloha” is Sony (an Asian company).
I do agree that part of the problem with Asians not being equally represented in the media rests on our own shoulders. This is one thing we can control. Yes, it is important to do well in school and have a successful profession and business, but as Asians, we need to support the art of film making to allow people to connect more deeply with the world around them, which can result in stronger social bonds and community engagement.
If you want to have the media devote more time to Asian perspectives, then this is what we need to do:
1) Help fund independent movies written, directed, and/ or produced by Asians.
a. If an Asian writes a screenplay with Asians in it, then there will be more Asians in a movie / TV show.
b. If an Asian directs a movie, then the movie will have an Asian perspective.
c. If an Asian produces a movie (raises the money), then they can determine the story and casting.
“Never venture, never win!” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
2) Take the first step.
a. Support a fellow Asian trying to raise money for an independent movie. You can find projects on indiegogo or Kickstart. Every dollar counts.
i. www.indiegogo.com/explore/film
ii. www.kickstarter.com/about/film
b. Buy a transferable tax credits at a 10% discount from an Asian movie producer in your state or country. You will lower your taxes and help support an Asian film maker.
c. Invest in a private placement to fund a movie. Although a risky investment, you may get a tax credit (Check with your CPA); in addition you may get a residual return for a number of years depending on the deal (Check with your attorney to review all deals). However, you will be helping Asian filmmakers and will get to go on the set, meet the stars, and go to the VIP movie premiers.
“First lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
3) Put your money where your mouth is. If you really want to have media companies devote more time to Asian perspectives then you have to fund and support Asian writers, directors, and producers. The biggest challenge with making movies and TV programs is financing the projects. The golden rule in Hollywood is the one that has the gold rules. If Asians finance the movies and TV programs, they will determine the rules.