By: Tyler
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In today’s media, Asian-American’s lack a voice, leaders, and top celebrities. Asians in America comprise approximately 4.2% (11.9 million) (US Census 2000) of the US and in my estimation, that’s a large enough number to show the media that there’s actual reason to involve this section of the population.
When I was growing up, I didn’t have any Asian-American celebrities to look up to, unless I was to idolize the occasional Asian extra in a movie or quintessential “Asian man with accent” in a minor role. Caucasians in America have numerous people to admire, as do African-Americans. To Hollywood: We don’t all walk around with hats made of bamboo. Some of us do, but that doesn’t mean we want to idolize bamboo.
John Cho (actor, White Castle), Margaret Cho (comedian), Michelle Kwan (gold medal winning figure skater), Yo-Yo-Ma (internationally renowned cellist), Jerry Yang (CEO, Yahoo), Rick Yune (actor, Die Another Day), Amy Tan (author, The Joy Luck Club), Tia Carrere (actress, model), and Lucy Liu (actress, Kill Bill 1) are prominent Asian-Americans in the US spotlight. Did you know that Keanu Reeves is part Hawaiian, part-Chinese, part-English? Michelle Branch is part French/Dutch/Indonesian. Even Rob Schneider is half-Filipino. Seem like a lot? Well, it is, but to list the number of mainstream celebrities within other ethnicities would be ridiculous. Does this seem like whining? It is, but deservingly so. Asians have been under-represented for so long in the US media and mainstream that by listing the above, twelve suddenly seems like a lot.
Here’s the problem: to the major media outlets there aren’t, apparently, enough Asian’s or Asian-American’s spending enough money to warrant producing more feature films with an Asian actor or actress in a leading role. However, as of August, Hero, prominently featuring an Asian cast, when released in the US, grossed $53,710,019, with a production budget of $31 million. Rush Hour 1, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker (production $33 million) grossed $244,386,864 internationally, and Rush Hour 2 (production $90 million) grossed $347,325,802 internationally. I’m not just talking about Asian-American’s in Hollywood films; it’s about the upper-handedness of Hollywood. If you listen closely you can hear fat Caucasian producers gasp in horror at the thought of backing a predominantly Asian motion picture. I’m talking to you fat balding guy. Oh, that was stereotyping. Not all Hollywood producers are in their fifties, overweight and balding right? Want me to stop stereotyping you? Me too.
According to an August 18, 2005 article from the Associated Press, “The majority of residents in Texas, California, New Mexico, Hawaii and Washington, D.C., are some ethnicity other than non-Hispanic whites, according to Census Bureau population estimates released last week. Five other states, including New York and Georgia, could make that shift by 2010.” When you look at the numbers, in the short term, catering to the largest, most proven demographic is easiest, but in doing so they will easily get into a rut. Hollywood studios are crying because their terrible movies aren’t making enough money. Why whine when you use the same damn formula over and over again? Produce something original!
Let’s, however put this into perspective: while Asians are becoming more prominent within US borders, they are not by any means the driving force behind the GDP. They have a large contributing role, but are still a “minority.” As a result, the mainstream media might deem (and rightfully so) this portion of their demographic less possible to bring in the big money. I’ll explain. It’s about the bottom line, right? If Asians aren’t producing the dollar figure hoped for, why market to them?
In a movie theatre, the theatre company itself makes most of its profits from concessions. The company only gets a small portion of the actual cost of a ticket. Asians, just like other ethnicities, go in, buy the ticket, and then in turn purchase popcorn that costs five-hundred dollars (if you want a soda, sell your car and walk to the theatre.)
Is Hollywood afraid of the Asian demographic? Are they unwilling to allow Asians in because, perhaps, they’ll bring in more money? Conversely: Is there enough solid Asian talent in the vast pool of wannabe actors and actresses? Let’s take a quick glace at the current US box office as of mid-August, 2005.
| Total Films | 203 |
| Asian Market Share (Films In Theatre and Coming Soon) |
4.93% |
| Total Independent Studios Films |
70 |
| Total Major Studios Films |
133 |
| Independent Studios (Films w/ Asians) |
11.43% |
| Major Studios (Films w/ Asians) |
1.50% |
Based upon this information, if the independent film companies are included, the numbers add up remarkably well with the US Census report. However, look at the number when it’s necessary to utilize a more independent film company or branch. Those numbers do not add up; why would the big Hollywood film companies offer up more than 275% less than the US Asian population?
I have a feeling it will take a very strong Asian-American actor or actress to break into the Hollywood ethnicity vault. Emphasis on American though. That’s not meant to be derogatory; it’s simply how much of the US operates. While America is a country based on opportunity and dreams, it’s also a country which, in the beginning separated from England, and most likely does not want to be invaded anytime in the near future, be it economically or culturally.
Here’s a revelation of sorts for you, Hollywood: If you stop churning out absolute rubbish movies that require an IQ of 2.5, and stop dumbing-down America, then perhaps you might find that the numbers can and will work to your favour. The American film industry is pumping out movie after movie about a monkey who can’t find his way with a quirky Lemur sidekick. This, in itself wouldn’t be terrible but, for the love of film, push your limits. Create something new and innovative. Everyone needs heroes, idols, and impossible feats to live up to, even Asians. Mr. Hollywood, tear down this wall. And while you’re at it, make popcorn free. 
Tyler is the Halfway Editor-in-Chief
* Numbers are based upon a sample conducted in mid-August, from the respective company’s website listings.
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September 2nd, 2005 at 4:30 am
The Asian American male in the media can almost always be equated as the socially retarded or the academically successful uber nerd. Sure there are a couple of overtly racists roles in films the Asian male plays (the key maker in the matrix, the convenience store owner in the Pepsi commercial, Harry Kim in Star Trek, the highly trained martial artist that can’t speak English, Harvey Park from House MD addicted to a dominatrix, etc…). Even amongst your list of actors in the media – the Asian male seem to reiterate one characteristic whereas the Asian females have various character types (You forget Sophia Choi from CNN who is almost always on). Is it society (Hollywood) telling us as a population – this is what you are? Perhaps – but if we want to change Hollywood, nay, change the perspectives of all America about who we are – we must ourselves personally bring about a new perspective on what the Asian Male is. Your anger, Mr. Tyler, about the under representation of Asians maybe just – but greater injustices of the media typifying, defining and devaluing what Asian “male-ness” is. We can all wait for that one strong actor that “will break the vault” or we can all demonstrate to society that we are not the estranged academically focused work-a-holics who lack the social ability to even remotely connect on any emotional level with another human being that they think we are.
September 27th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
It appears that both of you (Asian Male and Tyler) are buying into the stereotype of the Asian male by accepting the social stigma of “nerdiness” and “social retardation” that you both claim to resent. Just look around you at your fellow Asian males and you will see that they are everywhere, in blue collar jobs, professional careers, business, art, acting, and yes in the homeless. The point that you are missing is that this is not about the break through actor/actress or changing ourselves as a community. We already have had break through Asian-American actors/actresses and changed ourselves as a ethnic group to “fit in.” To tear down the media blanket that covers us we need the will and financing to create our own media outlets as well as a charismatic leader to catalyze this movement. It is easy to spot examples of this in the African-American and Latino-American ethnic communities.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:01 am
This question has already been answered and I’m sad to say that it’s almost entirely the Asian American community’s fault.
Here’s why:
I have two friends who work in the entertainment and media industry. During a meeting, there was a pie chart about the percentage of ethnicity that watch their shows. Someone chimed in and asked why aren’t Asian Americans on the chart?
They responded that Asian Americans consume media and everything else *exactly* like white people so there is no reason to change and take on more risk that whites might not watch it. Long story short, white casts are safe with both races while Asian casts are risky with white people…maybe even Asian people themselves.
Justin Lin’s movie, Better Luck Tomorrow, only 5% of the ticket sales came from Asian Americans while 95% came from whites.
Asians don’t even support their own media.
Doctor, heal thyself.