May 15, 2006

• Travelin’ Man – Part II

  
  

  April 28 – University of Minnesota.  Things didn’t start off well.  My layover in Denver was delayed because of mechanical problems.  Then the backup plane had computer problems.  And by the time I hopped on the third plane, I was already scheduled to speak.  But even though I arrived an hour late, a good crowd had still stayed behind for the program. 

  
  

  Interesting tidbit: Minnesota has the largest concentrated Hmong population in the country — almost everyone I met there was Hmong! 

  
  

  April 29-30 – Tribeca Film Festival.   The next day, I flew into NYC to catch the second and third screenings of “HATCHET“. 

  
  

  The Q&A’s were very interesting because I was definitely reminded that this was a genre film. 

  
  

  During the “BLT” Q&A’s, I usually got asked questions about character development, etc.  But at the “Hatchet” screenings, the fans were solely looking to get into the twisted mind behind the movie – director Adam Green.  But in the middle of the frenzied dialogue about “the kills” in the movie, Adam did a very cool thing and addressed the whole “accent” issue of my character in the film to the audience – publicly giving me props for the adjustment.      

  
  

  As of writing this entry, it’s gotten great reviews (Review 1, Review 2, Review 3) and all the major studios have got their hat in the ring.  Now it’s a matter of finding the perfect “fit” for the film.  Here’s an excerpt of the review I wrote on the “Hatchet” site:    

  
  

  The tag line on our Tribeca poster: “Old School American Horror” perfectly encapsulates the film.

  
  

  There’s really no words or review I could write that would do the movie justice. All I can say is that at the start of the film, I happened to be sitting next to this 40 year-old grumpy and leery horror purist. And as the film progressed, I watched him practically achieve orgasm upon orgasm after each and every kill — just staring at the screen like a wide-eyed kid.

  
  

  I think that pretty much says it all.

  
  

   

  
  

  By the end of the movie, it was like his “faith” was restored and that everything in the world was right again.

  
  

   

  
  

  May 2 – Siena College (I count this as being in April because I never got to go home since Minnesota)  Being that this was a conservative, Catholic University of 3,000 students, the turnout was proportionally smaller — like 8 people. 

  
  

   

  
  

  However, I give a lot of respect to the group that did attend because they had to go so much against the existing grain and culture of the campus.  The fact this group wanted to implement change in spite of the dominating campus’ status quo was admirable and not as easy to do without the large membership/support group of say a UCLA, UT Austin or Ohio State (which I’ll be speaking at on May 31). 

  
  

   

  
  

  Fun tidbit:  In the middle of Siena’s campus, they’ve got a pink/skin toned, heart-shaped marble boulder that is dubbed “the warm heart”.  However without knowing that, it basically looks like… a huge rear-end.  

  
  

   

  
  

  One summer, a few students crammed dirt and toilet paper in the “crack” of the heart — hence enhancing the image of the derriere.    Now, I’m not condoning their actions but hey, you’re just asking for trouble when you’ve got a big, honkin’ rock ass in the middle of campus! 

  
  

  So that was my April. 

  
  

  I’ve always held the Dennis Rodman belief that: I never set out or wanted to be a “role model”.

  
  

  But having been asked to speak at so many schools over the past 3 years and meeting thousands of folks across the country face-to-face that were moved and inspired by the “BLT” movement…  I’ve just come to embrace it. 

  
  

  I totally understand when people comment on this site, “Dude, the movie came out 3 years ago — let it go!“  Hey, I hear you and I’ve tried.  I’ve gone onto other things and projects but I think there’s something to be said for folks still wanting to hear about its struggle/journey and how it might apply to their future.  I actually think it’s an unfortunate commentary that after 3 years, nothing thus far has come along to elicit the same level of excitement and hope amongst the Asian American community. 

  
  

  So I’ve changed my outlook on the whole situation as:  If my “BLT” past allows me an outlet or forum to make some positive connection/empowerment for the future generation until the next thing comes along… then hey – that’s not necessarily a bad thing and who am I to mess with that?

  • 9:40 am
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