Hold the dates ladies and gentlemen - JUNE 22-25, 2007, The Fourth Annual 72 Hr Film Shootout is nearly upon us…

http://www.72hourshootout.com

Presented by The AAFIlmLab, AZN and Asian CineVision.

Time & Location:
Tuesday, May 8th, 7pm
19 West 26th Street, 5th floor
(b/w Broadway and 6th Ave)

Tonight we'll be reading Myra Velasquez's "Kung Fu Granny" and Sunah
Kim Schultz's "The Puddle"

Please come if you are interested in:
* helping our screenwriters workshop their scripts
* participating in the reading
* submitting your own short film screenplay
* would like to be considered for casting

There is no fee for non-members tonight, so come by and introduce yourself!

The Asian American FilmLab presents…


“Welcome Home: An Evening with Director and Writers of West 32nd”


With the upcoming world premiere of “West 32nd” at the Tribeca Film
Festival, director Michael Kang and screenwriter Edmund Lee will join
us for a special evening to discuss the trials and tribulations of
bringing “West 32nd” to life.


Tuesday, April 24th
@ 7:00 p.m.

19 West 26th Street, 5th floor
(b/w Broadway and 6th Ave)


6:45 - 7:00 Attendees arrive
7:00 - 7:30 Challenges facing emerging filmmakers, The Motel
7:30 - 8:00 Challenges facing the emerging writer
8:00 - 8:30 The making of West 32nd
8:30 - ?  Q and A

ALL ATTENDEES, please RSVP to with “West 32nd”
in the Subject Heading and your First and Last name only in the Body
of your email.  No other text is necessary.  No Guests or (+1’s) allowed,
everyone must individually RSVP. This event is limited to the first 50 p
eople, so please RSVP as soon as possible.


*This is a free event for AAFL members and $5 for Non-Members.  You
will have the option to have your fee go towards your membership dues
should you be interested in joining.


Regarding Membership:  Dues are only $30/year.  Dues go towards
helping us put on more programs like this, it will also help us
administer this year’s 72 Hour Shootout.  Speaking of which,
membership gives you $30 off the entry fee this year!  So if you
compete it’s basically paid for.  Also, you get discounted movie
tickets, magazine subscription and a hug from our management team.
We will have a membership rep at the meeting, just ask for them.  Cash
or check accepted.


Making the Indy Feature - “West 32nd” & “The Motel”
with Michael Kang & Edmund Lee


Michael Kang, Director
“Ever since moving to New York City in 1989, I have been interested
in the Korean American community and my relationship to it. I grew up
in the suburbs of New England and my exposure to the Korean community
was mainly through the church and through the scattered amount of
Korean friends of my parents. When I moved to New York, I found a
rich Korean community that both attracted me and alienated me. West
32nd came from wanting to explore this relationship.”


Edmund Lee, Screenwriter
As a reporter for the Village Voice in the late Nineties, Edmund Lee
investigated the rise of Korean crime groups in New York that emerged
in the wake of the Chinese Tongs that fell in the Eighties. But the
larger story behind these crime groups would find further exposure on
screen in West 32nd. Inspired by the true-life workings of this
hidden subculture, he wrote the script with Michael Kang. It is a New
York drama about acceptance and betrayal, ultimately, a needful tale
about Korean American life.

The Asian American FilmLab presents

“Casting Workshop with Susan Shopmaker”

Tuesday, April 10th
@ 7:00 p.m.

19 West 26th Street, 5th floor
(b/w Broadway and 6th Ave)

You’ve probably heard that casting is 75% of the work in film production.  Our upcoming Casting Director Workshop is directed to both filmmakers and actors as we will be holding a Semi-Mock casting session with Susan Shopmaker.  Susan Shopmaker has made her mark by casting films such as Party Monster, Short Bus, West 32nd, Red Doors, and The Motel.  There is no other Casting Director who has had more experience casting Asian American feature films that have made it to market than Susan Shopmaker, so we are very excited about having her.  Please don’t miss out. 

6:45 to 7:00 pm: Attendees arrive
7:15 to 8:00 pm: Semi-Mock Casting Session
8:00 to 8:45 pm: Question and Answer with Susan

So what is this Semi-Mock Casting Session?
The AAFilmLab is proud to announce our newest film production “Gimme”, a short film by Son Tran.  Although Son’s script didn’t make the cut for the Writer X Project, the AAFL has decided to use his script for the first of what we hope to be a series of AAFL Internal Development Projects (IDPs).  Nothing fancy, just projects AAFL members can all get behind from pre to post production.  David Hou, our programming Director will be making an announcement at the meeting and will also be seeking people for key production roles.

We will be using the Casting Workshop as an opportunity to begin casting for “Gimme.” Susan Shopmaker will advise and share her process with us as we try to cast the three lead roles.  We are seeking the following:

Jerry - Young male, early twenties, slightly built. Jerry is a student with a part time job, balancing the different pressures in his life. Still trying to make it in the world he is naïve but resourceful. He is still trying to find the confidence that maturity and experience bring.


Annie - Mid twenties, natural attractiveness. Annie is a native New Yorker with a hard edge, honed through years living in the city and a natural competitiveness. Never one to back down from a situation she has fully entered adulthood but still enjoys being young and single with money.


Marshall - Late twenties, early thirties. Taller, with a good build, handsome in a put together kind of way. Marshall has established himself in the business world. He hates his job but enjoys the privileges that the salary and position brings. He carries himself with an air of bored arrogance and entitlement.

ACTORS, please email headshot and resume to .  No hardcopies accepted and email files over 1MB will be deleted.  Type the Name of the Role (Jerry, Annie or Marshall) in the Subject Heading.  A few selected actors will be chosen to read for Susan Shopmaker, although preference will be given to AAFL members (See membership details below).  Not being selected for the Workshop does not mean you will not be considered for the production.  For the workshop we can only see at most 2 to 3 people per role, so we will be holding another casting call in the near future.  Note: If you think you’d also like to attend this meeting you must RSVP as well, just type that you would like to attend in the body of your email.  ALL ACTORS, please bring a hardcopy of your headshot to the event, we will be collecting them to give to Susan.

ALL OTHER ATTENDEES, please RSVP to with “Susan Shopmaker” in the Subject Heading and your First and Last name only in the Body of your email.  No other text is necessary.  No guests or (+1’s) allowed.  Individuals must RSVP for themselves.

This event is limited to the first 50 people, so please RSVP as soon as possible.  Actors are really quick about RSVPing, so you Writers, Directors, and others, make sure you don’t drag your feet!

*This is a free event for AAFL members and $5 for Non-Members.  You will have the option to have your fee go towards your membership dues should you be interested in joining.

Regarding Membership:  Dues are only $30/year.  Dues go towards helping us put on more programs like this, it will also help us administer this year’s 72 Hour Shootout.  Speaking of which, membership gives you $30 off the entry fee this year!  So if you compete it’s basically paid for.  Also, you get discounted movie tickets, magazine subscription and a hug from our management team.  We will have a membership rep at the meeting, just ask for them.  Cash or check accepted.

Calling all actors for this Tuesday’s AAFL meeting.  We will be
reading the submissions for the Writer X Project that launched a month
ago.  Screenwriters were given one month to come up with a short
screenplay which will ultimately become an AAFL film production.  We
will also be featuring “Ana’s Time” a short film by Alice Cox.  Hope
to see you all there!


Script Reading Series:Writer “X” Project Submissions…
Featuring scripts by Son Tran and Myra Velasquez


Tuesday, March 13th @ 7:00 p.m.
19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor


RSVP to .


In *Subject* Heading include:
Script Reading RSVP (Actors interested in reading please type “ACTOR
for Script Reading")


In *Body* of your email:
Your First and Last Name (No other text is necessary)


Title: Ana’s Time
Format: Super 16mm, 16mm, HDV
Screening format: miniDV or DVD
Running time: 15 min screening

Synopsis:
In Ana’s Time, a young Asian-American writer attempts to direct a
film based on a script her domineering, Caucasian step-father wrote, in
order to make sense of her abusive past in the isolated environs of rural
Texas. Thematic oppositions, based on the step-daughter/step-father
relationship, their racial differences, and the locales of Texas and
Boston provide the basis for Ana’s story as she struggles with
self-assimilation. Her relationships with various men also provides
the backdrop for her sense of closure as she begins constructing the film
after her step-father’s death.


**2007 Membership Drive:  Like to become an AAFL member?  Benefits
include FREE admission to our quarterly workshops, discounted tickets
at the Imaginasian Theater, $30 discount off of the 72 Hour Shootout
Entry Fee, and much more!  Membership dues are only $30 per year.  You
get a fun AAFL ID card designed by members Elliot Gerard and Nayon
Cho, as well as a hug from all of the AAFL management team.**


*Note hugs are limited to fully clothed double arm grab with
simultaneous pat on the back and not to exceed 5 seconds in duration.

We will kick of this meeting with film screenings…

“5; 55” and “Untitled” by Tony Chen and “Papa’s Branch” by Gregory Singer


Then, time permitting, we will have actor monologues performed by Actors Carl Ka-Ho Li, Sung Cho and Tana Sarnt

At our temporary home…


Maxim Lounge
Inside the Hotel Stanford in K-Town
43 West 32nd St.


This Tuesday, February 27th @ 7 pm


Please RSVP to with “Film Screening” in the Subject Heading and your First and Last name only in the Body of your email. No other text is necessary. This is a free event.


Announcement: We will begin the 2007 AAFL Membership Drive...become a full fledged member of the Asian American Film Lab! If you like what we do and want to support our programs by becoming a member, dues are a lowly $30 per year (12 months). Members will be able to attend workshops and meetings for free and also receive discounts with local vendors. Come to the meeting to find out more…


“5; 55”
Directed by Tony Chen
DV, Sony Handicam
Running Time: 5 min
Synopsis:
Office workers try to escape their overbearing boss.


“Untitled”
Directed by Tony Chen
Mini DV, Panasonic DVX
Running Time: 6 min
Synopsis:
A retired civil rights activist experiences racism in 2006.


“Papa’s Branch”
Directed by Gregory Singer
Video
Running Time: 22 min.
Synopsis:
Singer Marlon Saunders learns about his great great grandfather, a freed slave.

Asian American Film Lab eNewsletter Featured Articles: 1. This Tuesday's AAFL Meeting Details - Short Film Screening 2. Taaza: The High Rollers @ The ImaginAsian - Special Discount 3. Writer X Screenwriting Project Underway 4. Seeking Secretary and Treasurer for AAFL 1. Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 13th - Seeking Films for Screening 1. This Tuesday's AAFL Meeting Details - Short Film Screening Join us for our next meeting featuring the works of three of our members. We hope to get a good turnout to this next meeting, particularly filmmakers who have an opinion and aren't afraid to express it. Feedback is so important and I hope we can do that for these guys. Scroll down for more information about the featured films this week. Note our new meeting location which has food and booze! I'm very glad to see the same faces at our meetings, hopefully we will continue to see that. As always, if you would like to have a reading, screening, workshop your script or have an idea for a meeting, just send an email to AAFL Member Film Screening featuring... "Compulsory Exercise, No.1" by Matte Chi "Waqt"by Hyunsuk Kim "Within Limits" by Eubin Kim Maxim Lounge Inside the Hotel Stanford in K-Town 43 West 32nd St. This Tuesday, February 13th @ 7 pm Please RSVP to with "Film Screening" in the Subject Heading and your First and Last name only in the Body of your email. No other text is necessary. * This is a free event. Stay tuned for details regarding membership dues in the coming weeks. Compulsory Exercises, No. 1 [rough cut] Directed by Matte Chi Shot on PXL2000 transferred to minDV, Approx 3min Synopsis: New Years Eve. Participants are repeatedly asked two questions: "Do you have any regrets?" "How many times do you wash your hands?" Participants repeat the question and answer it. The results are assembled and set to music. "Waqt" Directed by Hyunsuk Kim Video, Approx 5 min. Synopsis: A story of a man defining his life metaphorically, struggling to exist, live and mean himself. "Within Limits" Directed by Eubin Kim Digital Video, 12:08 min. Synopsis: Steve is searching for a sense of belonging in the world. School wasn't for him, and corporate America made him feel like an underachiever. The only place where he feels a sense of inclusion is the underworld of Koreatown, where outsiders have a sense of camraderie. But loyalties run deep, and uncontrolled, leads to violence. One night after an altercation, Steve finds himself too deep in the scene. When Kyung Min unexpectedly shows up to "help" him out with his situation, the stakes are heightened and he must make a decision that will change his life. What's up NEXT: Tuesday, February 27th: Member Film Screening: Gregory Singer's "Papa's Branch" and Tony Chen "Untitled" Tuesday, March 13th: MOVIE NIGHT with the AAFL - "Taste of Tea" @ The Imaginasian Tuesday, March 27th: Member Film Screening: Mark Cheng's "Deployment Strategy" 2. TAZZA: THE HIGH ROLLERS @ The ImaginAsian Tazza: The High Rollers is playing at The ImaginAsian through February 15th. Print out a copy of this newsletter and present it at the box office for a $7 ticket and for $1 popcorn. Limit one per customer, valid through February 15, 2007. For show times, visit http://www.theimaginasian.com 3. Writer X Project Screenwriting Project Underway It's not too late to join in the fun. For more information about this competition, go to http://www.aafilmlab.com/index.php/weblog/writer_x_project_details_announced/ Winner of this competition gets their film produced with a minimum budget of $500! Scripts from all over the US accepted. 4. Seeking Secretary and Treasurer for AAFL As we grow we are in need of more humans. Please be that human. Seeking Secretary and Treasurer. Descriptions below. Secretary: Will assist in record keeping of all regular meetings and special events. Responsible for meeting minutes and follow up items for the group. Will own the AAFL eNewsletter which is released every two weeks. As part of the core group will be involved with steering committee for the AAFL and will have input into all AAFL decisions. Treasurer: Manage all monetary transactions for the group, including workshop fees, membership dues etc. Maintain files for tracking all income and expenditures. Help calculate costs for certain events including Event Fees, Membership Fees etc to make sure the AAFL is financially sound. Responsible for keeping track of tax related issues. As part of the core group will be involved with steering committee for the AAFL and will have input into all AAFL decisions.

Thanks to Linda, Natalie and John for sharing their scripts with us last Tuesday.  Hopefully will see them progress into films soon.  Now, on to our next meeting!  Remember, we meet every other Tuesday. 

One our our active members, Son Tran, recommended a Screening of our films.  A great idea and long overdue.  If you have a film you have completed or are working on, and want to test it with the group, please participate in this next meeting.  Rough cuts, trailers, commercial work, completed shorts etc. are all accepted.  The only requirement is that the film have been completed no more than one year ago.  An important aspect that we have neglected somehat is the ‘workshop’ aspect of our meetings, meaning constructive criticism for each other regarding the work.  This won’t be about seeing the film, we all clap, then on to the next.  This will be more about what we liked and what we thought needed help in all aspects including story, production, performances....

Anyone who wants to screen their film for the group, please email with “Film Screening” in the Subject line.  Include the Title, Type (short, feature etc.), Format (Film, DV), and Run Time.  Anyone interested WILL get screened, however depending on volume of submissions may have to spread over a few meetings.

Please email us ASAP to help us with planning the Feb. 13th meeting.  Being the eve of Valentines Day, I can’t promise that those films dealing with love, lust and heartache won’t get priority.  : )

The first running of the AAFL Writer X Project
commenced January 30, 2007 with the announcement of
Writer X story theme and constraints. AAFL member
Kaushik Shridharani is the Executive Producer of this
iteration.

Members submitting a script treatment or screenplay in
the story competition portion of the Writer X project
should:

1. Incorporate this theme: “Taking back what has
already been given,” or some close variant. The
interpretation is up to you! The less literal is
likely to be more interesting.

2. Include at least one female character, as lead or
co-lead.

3. Target a film length of 6-10 minutes.

Submissions are due on 27 February 2006.

FAQ:

Q: What is the cost?
There is no entry fee.

Q: Who decides the winner? What other factors are
involved in the selection?
A: The Executive Producer will make the ultimate
decision and may consult with non-participants. One
other significant factor in the selection process will
be its “producability” as a low-budget film. In other
words, smaller casts, fewer locations, fewer special
effects are all better.

Q: How “Asian-American” should the submission be?
The degree to which the story or characters are Asian
or Asian-American will NOT be a factor in this
iteration of the Writer X project.

Q: What form do I submit in? Does it need to be
properly formatted?
A: Submissions may be either the form of a script
treatment or screenplay. Keep in mind that the story
will proceed through a script development process.
What is most important is that the story should be
completely though.

Q: Who owns the story? Will the writer be compensated?
A: The writer retains ownership of his or her story or
screenplay. However, by submitting an entry, the
writer agrees to permit the production of a film based
on his or her story or screenplay without any
compensation beyond the appropriate credit.

Q: What if I have other questions:
A: Any other questions about the first running of the
Writer X projecct can be directed to Kaushik
Shridharani (). Please mention
“Writer X” in the subject header.

About the Writer X Project

The “Writer X Project” is a collaboration between AAFL
and a member who will be Executive Producer of a short
film project that seeks a writer. The Executive
Producer commits to the film’s prompt production. AAFL
hosts a competition among members for the winning
script treatment or screenplay as well as a workshop
during that script’s development. The winning writer
gets an opportunity to gain a writing credit as well
as experience the script development process.

The Executive Producer in this first run of Writer X
is member Kaushik Shridharani, who will also act as
the film’s Director and Producer.

Any member who wishes to make a commitment as the
Executive Producer in the next running of the Writer X
Project should send an email to
with “Next Writer X Project” in the header.

Call For Entries: Asian American International Film Festival

30TH ASIAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Now accepting entries!

Deadline (postmarked): Feb 9, 2007

Calling all filmmakers of Asian descent! The 30th AAIFF — running from July 19-28, 2007 — is now accepting film and video works, for both features and shorts. Narrative, documentary, new media, animation, experimental, music video—we consider all. We accept works produced, written and/or directed by media makers of Asian descent from any nationality. Deadline is Feb 9, 2007 (postmarked).

Submit your film online here, http://www.withoutabox.com/login/5751

Or you can also download the entry form here, http://www.asiancinevision.org/pdf/07AAIFF_CFE.pdf.

Founded in 1978, the AAIFF is proudly known as the “First Home to Asian American Cinema.” It was the nation’s first festival dedicated to screening works by media artists of Asian descent and, 30 years later, the festival continues to be a leading showcase for Asian and Asian American film and video.

The festival has many showcase categories, including Features, Shorts, Screenplay, Music Video, Works-in-Progress and For Youth By Youth. The call for entries for Screenplay, Music Video, Works-in-Progress and For Youth By Youth will go out later in February 2007. Watch http://www.asiancinevision.org/festival.html for updates.

For more about the festival and call for entries, go to http://www.asiancinevision.org/festival.html#cfe

Looking for 1 general PA, 1 Director’s Assistant for three day shoot
Jan 26-28 for a mostly night shoot.  Also looking for 1 lighting team
electrician/grip/gaffer type.  The project is a short film based on a
Chinese horror fable called Aunt Tigress.

Director is a working television producer and director with credits in
MTV, A&E, ABC, VH1 etc.  No pay but will provide recommendation &
references if all goes well.  Meals and transportation provided.  Must
have good attitude, be smart and flexible.  Ideally, the lighting PA
will have some experience with lighting equipment and be interested in
cinematography.  This will be a great experience for someone who’s
starting out or looking to get into the
film/tv industry or want to work with great people and have great fun!

Please email resume and at least 2 references to
ASAP and indicate which PA position you are interested in.  Thank you.

We would like to invite you to the last Asian American FilmLab meeting for 2006. It's been a great year, thank you all. This last meeting will be all about *Feature Film Production*, featuring James Bai, Eric Byler, Karin Chien, Stann Nakazono, and Greg Pak. See program information below. Don't miss this! AAFILMLAB FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION PANEL Tuesday, December 5th @ 7:00 p.m. 19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor Since this will be a very popular program, please follow the RSVP guidelines. RSVP to . In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Feature Film Panel RSVP In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name (No other text is necessary) Only ONE RSVP per email, no "guests" or +1's allowed. If you would like a friend or colleague to attend, they must RSVP for themselves. Attendence is on a first come, first served basis. Only fifty (50) slots are available. We will be accepting a suggested donation of $5 per person to help pay for food and drinks. 6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees arrive 7:00 - 7:05 - Introduce Panel members 7:05 - 7:45 - Feature Film Production Discussion 1) Provide practical advice for filmmakers interested in their first feature 2) Share any lessons learned from their own feature projects 3) Advice on scriptwriting/fundraising/preproduction/production/post - (in brief) 4) Thoughts on the future of Asian American films including the Asian American Market 7:45 - 8:30 - Question and Answer 8:30 - 9:30 - Networking Mixer with Food and Wine About our Panel: JAMES BAI Born in Columbia, Missouri and raised in Southern California, James Bai studied business management as an undergraduate while playing lead guitar in various rock bands dating back to jr. high. It was as an accountant that he made his first film, a short animation on 10 stacks of Post-Its(c) called *Bonin': A Dog's Life*. After confirmation from his younger brother, who at that time was attending NYU's undergraduate film program, that the short was indeed as funny as he thought, James applied to graduate film schools and was accepted by Columbia University. It was there that he spent 4 years developing his quirky and and intense visual story-telling style. His student short films went on to garner numerous awards while screening internationally and broadcasting domestically. After graduating, a calling to go "into the shed" caught hold of James and he spent the next 6 months in Alaska, where he taught himself to play the piano by ear at a nearby church, as research for his new film. James returned to New York City, and settled in the borough of Brooklyn where he embarked on the production of the mesmerizing tale of *Puzzlehead*. *Puzzlehead* made its world premiere at the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival and was the grand prize winner at the Scienceplusfiction Film Festival. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1842522/ ERIC BYLER Bi-racial writer-director was nominated for an Independant Spirit Award in 2003 for his first feature CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES, which also earned nominations for producer Marc Ambrose and actress Jacqueline Kim. Eric's second feature AMERICANese was purchased for theatrical distribution by IFC Films, after premiering at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March of 2006 where it won the Audience Award, and Special Jury Award for Outstanding Ensemble Cast. Eric directed the Asian American TV Pilot MY LIFE DISORIENTED which premieres on PBS on Dec. 26th, and has a CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES sequel called TRE in post production. In 1995, Eric's student film KENJI'S FAITH premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won six other festival awards, and was nominated for a Student Academy Award. Eric's father is of European descent and his mother is Chinese American. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0818611/ KARIN CHIEN Karin Chien is an independent film producer based in New York City and Los Angeles. Ms. Chien recently wrapped post-production on UNDOING, which premiered at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival, and is currently in post-production on FOLLOWING ROSA, which filmed in the Philippines in Fall 2005. Ms. Chien also produced THE MOTEL (winner of the Sundance/NHK Filmmakers Award, the Humanitas Prize, and 3 Best Narrative Feature Film Festival Awards), currently in theatrical release by Palm Pictures. Ms. Chien has produced the feature-length films MVP, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and ROBOT STORIES, winner of 35 film festival awards and self-distributed theatrically to over 50 cities nationwide. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0157313/ STANN NAKAZONO Stann Nakazono is a sansei (third-generation Japanese-American) filmmaker who has been making films since high school (his Super-8 short, Life of a Samurai, got an A+ in an Asian American Studies class). He shot, produced, directed and edited the 1984 documentary short, E-Z Rock: Asian American Breakdancer, the story of a breakdancing 14-year-old who is at odds with his traditional Asian father. It won critical acclaim at Asian American film festivals in New York and in Los Angeles. In 1997, he produced his first feature film, Hang Your Dog in the Wind, which had its world premiere at the '97 Slumdance Experience (which he co-founded) at Park City, Utah, the alternative to the alternative of the Sundance Film Festival. Hang Your Dog in the Wind was featured in other film festivals in New York, Chicago, Orlando and Europe. It won the Special Jury Prize at the 1997 Florida Film Festival. After co-directing his independently-funded feature film, Much Adobo About Nothing , he produced the acclaimed live action/animated short An I Within, which won the Best Cinematography Award at the 1999 Florida Film Festival, Special Achievement Award at the USA Film Festival and Best American Short at the L.A. Short Film Festival. http://www.traaxproduction.com/index.html GREG PAK Greg Pak is an award-winning writer and director whose feature film, "Robot Stories,"starring Tamlyn Tomita and Sab Shimono, played in 75 festivals, won 35 awards, screened theatrically across the country, and is now available on DVD from Kino International. Pak's feature screenplay "Rio Chino" won the Pipedream Screenwriting Award at the IFP Market and a Rockefeller Media Arts Fellowship. Pak wrote the screenplay for the feature film "MVP," which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Pak is now writing comic books. Projects include "Incredible Hulk" and "X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong" for Marvel and "Battlestar Galactica" for Dynamite. http://www.pakbuzz.com http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0657062/

We are proud to present our third workshop of this year. Many thanks to our Directors, Natalie Kim, Son Tran and Matte Chi and our adventurous Actors who participated in our script reading last month. We would like our monthly meetings to be a place where actors, writers, directors, and others can come to re-connect with the rest of the world. Too often we are in our own bubble and it's only through collaboration can anything be accomplished, especially for film and theater. Our next meeting will be a doozie. For the first hour we will focus on Acting Managers. Makalina Abalos from Jadin Wong Talent Management will be joining us. This will be a great opportunity to get to know their group and for them to get to know you if you are not represented or are looking to change managers. For the second hour we will hang out and network as we have done in the past, but this time will will be announcing the new AAFL management team and give you an opportunity to get to know us and vice versa. *AAFilmLab Actor Series Part II: The Acting Manager* Tuesday, October. 24th @ 7:00 19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor Please follow the RSVP guidelines. RSVP to . In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Acting Manager Workshop In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name Only ONE RSVP per email, no "guests" or +1's allowed. If you would like a friend or colleague to attend, they must RSVP for themselves. Attendence is on a first come, first served basis. Only forty (40) slots are available. PLEASE BRING 2 COPIES OF YOUR HEADSHOT TO THE WORKSHOP; one for the AAFilmLab, the other for Makelina. She is very interested in finding new talent. 6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees Arrive 7:00 - 7:15 - AAFilmLab Questions 7:15 - 8:00 - Open Q & A 8:00 - 9:00 - AAFL Management Team Intro's and Mingling, Networking, Drinking, Snacking During the Acting Manager workshop we aim to addresses the following: 1. Current status of the Asian American actor 2. Agent vs. Manager, also the working relationship 3. Commercial vs. Legit work; why don't I get sent out on more legit things? 4. What can I do to best work with my manager and vice versa 5. How do I get represented if I don't have representation? We will have a suggested donation of $5.00/person to help us with administrative costs for this workshop. Thanks for your support! Makalina has worked at Babrara Claman Casting, BCI Casting, ASI (Talent Payment), Godlove, Serow and Sindlinger Casting (now Godlove Casting). She has freelanced as an agent for her performing company submitting her entertainers for special projects. As a performer, she has toured nationally and internationally, appeared on television, movies and film. She is the Talent Associate at Jadin Wong Management and has been since the summer of 2004. Jadin Wong manages over 700 Asian clients including actors, models and singers. Jadin Wong Talent Management represents all Asian and minority clients. Clients Jadin nurtured or placed including Bai Ling (Star Trek 2005), David Henry Hwang (M Butterfly) , John Lone, Joan Chen (The Last Emperor), B.D. Wong, Welly Yang, Ford Models Jade and other Hollywood and Broadway Asian American actors, singers and dancers. For more info visit http://www.jadinwongmanagement.com

Eli Stone- ABC pilot

Character: Dr. Chen- Male, Asian- American From 38 to 50. An Asian acupuncturist, complete with a Chinese accent, he treats the central character Eli after Eli begins having some bizarre hallucinations. After Eli confesses he's been diagnosed with a brain lesion, Dr. Chen DROPS HIS ZEN ACT AND ACCENT and reveals that he's just a surfer dude at heart who got in the acupuncture game with a fake identity because no one would come to an American acupuncturist named Frank Lebokowski. Formerly a philosophy student at Berkeley, Dr. Chen has some surprisingly astute spiritual insights on the cause of Eli's delusions. Series regular

Please send submissions ASAP TO:

Rosalie Joseph
ABC Casting
157 Columbus Ave.
2nd floor
NYC, NY 10023
Please write on envelope: DR. CHEN

CALLING ALL ACTORS: AAFILMLAB SCRIPT READING Tuesday, September 26th @ 6:30 p.m. 19 West 26th Street, 5th Floor FREE Please RSVP, and If you're interested in reading for a particular role please send us a Head / Resume attached to your email plus the role(s) you'd like to read. RSVP to . In *Subject* Heading include: AAFilmLab Script Reading In *Body* of your email: Your First and Last Name *Script Reading* 6:30 - 7:00 - Attendees Arrive 7:00 - 7:35 - Introductions 7:35 - 9:00 - Script Reading Begins 9:00 - 10:00 - Chill We thank the writers for allowing the Workshop to read their work. The writers are incredibly excited to be able to have actors come and read their scripts. We're asking all actors who are looking for projects or want to come and flex their skills for a few hours with fellow Asian American actors and filmmakers to come and read. We will be reading from the following scripts: TITLE: "Tripping" - Son Tran SYNOPSIS: Tripping is loosely based on a true story about four good friends who find themselves on a road trip no gas, no luck and even less common sense. CHARACTERS: Sean - Vietnamese, mid 20's, average build, has a quick wit and and even quicker tongue. He isn't as loud as the others but is sense of humour is dry and cutting. Radu - Romanian, mid 20's, tall and broad shouldered, is loud and enthusiastic in his conversations, a little juvenile but is a stickler for following rules. Tony - Italian, late 20s, not as outgoing as Radu but also not afraid to engage his friends, around strangers he is polite and considerate if not outright shy. Ted - Chinese, mid 20s, he is the most aggressive of the group and is focussed on networking, getting ahead and making money, not afraid to bend the rules if it suits him. TITLE: "Felix Awards" - Natalie Kim SYNOPSIS In the spirt of "Waiting for Gelfman", "Felix Awards" is a quirky comedy which introduces us to Grace Park, a 24 year old financial analyst moonlighting as an actor. She works in student films to field her passion while she maintains her Park Avenue lifestyle. She tells herself that performing is not practical and only does it "for fun". Things change dramatically when Grace is nominated for a Felix Award, the awards given to the best Student Films. Suddenly Grace's notion of doing acting just for fun is tested. Should she listen to her boyfriend, Eddie, who tells her that she has no chance whatsoever? Should she listen to the talent agent who has over 26 years of experience who says she has no talent whatsoever? OTHER CHARACTERS Eddie Agent Director of documentary (within the documentary) Student Film students (3 or 4) Gina Marcesso A List actor Security Guard TITLE: AAFilmLab Mockumentary Series - Matte Chi Episode 1: Casting the Podcast SYNOPSIS New York City. Splitting time between their workaday jobs and at night, attending a small workshop, a ragtag group of Asian American Actors and Filmmakers try to make their way in the big city. Bereft of any grand ideas, the workshop decides to chase fame by producing a podcast series online. CHARACTERS The Clueless Director The Soft Spoken Assistant Director The Bulldog Producer The Artistic Art Director The Colorblind DP / Gaffer The Hungry Key Grip The Skinny Sound Guy Auditioning Actors Auditioning Actresses *This Workshop Produced series is always looking for new characters to develop into the storyline. In other words, we're looking for real actors to fold into the story for the future. So come and make your mark.