northWESsed

So long, northWESsed 1.0...hello, northWESsed 2.0...

2007-03-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hey, all three of my blog readers,

Just wanted to let you know that I've re-architected my blog so that it's based completely on twitter. There's a link to the new RSS feed at weskim.com/blogs. Or you can just go straight to the source at twitter.com/weskimcom and subscribe from there.

Anyway, thanks for your interest. Maybe you can join twitter too and we can all be twitter pals. (Twitterers? Twits?)

Best,
Wes

My next film -- starring...your house?

2006-11-21T01:41:00.000-08:00

WANTED: Suburban-style house for film shoot, Dec. 2-3

I'm shooting a short film for Northwest Film Forum the weekend of Dec. 2-3 (that's a week from this Saturday and Sunday), and I need a house location that meets these characteristics:

* Nothing too special -- a typical suburban tract home in the Spielberg/Burton mold. (Which is ironically not that easy to find in Seattle.)
* A modestly-sized home -- no McMansions.
* A front door at street level, or at most, a few steps up. And on the front of the house, not to the side.
* A relatively low-traffic street to accommodate a small amount of vehicle action.
* A front door with a security peephole is ideal.
* Mostly exteriors and the area just inside the front door.
* Extra credit:
o An in-ground sprinkler system that you're willing to fire up. (If this is all you have, let's still talk.)
o Any additional interior availability -- kitchen, living room, etc.
o Availability for test footage during this Sat-Sun Thanksgiving weekend (yup, this Saturday and Sunday).

FYI, this is for a program called Signature Shorts -- I was one of four artists invited to create a 2-3 minute short film to run before features at Northwest Film Forum and other regional movie theaters. It's a very exciting project for me -- we've got a great cast and crew lined up -- and if we can just find a suitable location, we'll all be breathing a lot easier. (Getting the weather to cooperate is another issue...) For your information, the film concerns a girl scout trying to unload her last box of cookies on a grumpy neighbor. Trust me, hilarity ensues.

Compensation consists of inclusion in the "Special Thanks" section of the credits, DVD copy of the film, and invitation to a cast/crew screening TBD.

Feel free to spread the word -- and be sure to email me if you have any leads -- digital pics of your home a plus. Thanks in advance for your help!

NWAAFF 2007 - Call for Entries Closes September 30

2006-09-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

NWAAFF 2007 CALL FOR ENTRIES DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Northwest Asian American Film Festival, Washington State's largest showcase for Asian American films and videos, currently seeks entries for our 2007 festival. NOTE: For this year's festival, we are only accepting Asian American short film and videos (60 min. or less) in the following categories:

Films produced by artists working or living in the Northwest (including but not limited to Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia).
Films intended for children and produced by artists working or living anywhere in North America.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION:

Complete and send the entry form to NWAAFF 2007:
- By email to info@nwaaff.org.
- By fax to 309-424-9731.
- By mail to Theatre Off Jackson, Attn: NWAAFF 2007, 409 7th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104.
Send your film to NWAAFF 2007:
- By mail on 1/2" VHS NTSC or DVD NTSC to Theatre Off Jackson, Attn: NWAAFF 2007, 409 7th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104. Please indicate the film's title and contact information on the tape/disc.
- As a URL where your film may be viewed online (e.g. YouTube, Google Video, etc.).

Please do not include additional promotional materials.

EXHIBITION FORMATS: Betacam SP NTSC, DVCAM/MiniDV NTSC, and VHS NTSC.

DEADLINES: Mailed entries must be postmarked and electronic entries must be sent no later than SEPTEMBER 30, 2006. Receipt of entries will be confirmed via email. Final selections will be announced in November 2007.

ENTRY FEE: There is no entry fee for this year's festival.

Entry forms can be downloaded at www.nwaaff.org. Email questions to info@nwaaff.org.

Karaoke Challenge: "You Ignite My Life"

2006-08-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

Northwest Film Forum and Three Dollar Bill Cinema are hosting a "Karaoke Challenge" (http://www.nwfilmforum.org/cinemas/calendar.php -- see listing for August 14). Filmmakers have been asked to create their very own karaoke music videos to be screened -- and sung -- at a karaoke party this Monday, August 14, at NWFF.

I'm very proud to announce that I will be presenting my filmed interpretation of the Debby Boone classic "You Light Up My Life." It is also an hommage to melodramatic Korean pop music videos which means that it's probably the only filmic treatment of "You Light Up My Life" to feature significant amounts of gunplay.

WARNING!!! Depending on how adventurous I'm feeling, the song may be performed as a duet with myself on harmony. I know it's a solo piece -- but we're doing it as a duet. Deal.

For those of you who are unable to attend this karaoke event, this video will be posted to YouTube on or near the 14th. I'll put a link on my website when it's ready for viewing.

Also, since karaoke videos usually don't have credits, I'll list my cast and crew here: Khanh Doan (lead), Jeong Yi (lead), S. Joe Downing (supporting), Roger Tang (supporting), Frank Fu (supporting, also associate producer), Kelly Ogilvie, and Bao Tran. The song will be performed live by Toni Rose Joaquin.

// tags: me film karaoke seattle screening

Plug: AARDVARKS ON A TANK

2006-08-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX, is sponsoring the "Blanks on a Blank" challenge wherein competitors must create a parody of the upcoming film SNAKES ON A PLANE based on a randomly assigned animal and vehicle.

I'm very proud to announce that the film "Aardvarks on a Tank" is now available for viewing online at www.blanksonablank.com.

"When belligerent aardvarks commandeer a tank, the military calls the one man who can defuse the crisis. But can our hero overcome personal demons to do what must be done? A story of terror, suspense, love...and aardvarks. On a tank."

Please take note: The films rated most highly by viewers will win prizes -- third prize is $250, second prize is $500, and first prize is an expenses-paid trip to LA to attend the premiere of SNAKES ON A PLANE.

Now it would be unethical for me to blanketly suggest that you VISIT WWW.BLANKSONABLANK.COM AND GIVE A SCORE OF 100 TO "AARDVARKS ON A TANK" BY AUGUST 10!!! Instead, I will simply suggest that you visit site, watch the films for yourself, and apportion scores to them as your conscience dictates.

*** WARNING! The film is rated R for language, per the rules of the contest. I'll be creating a PG version and posting it to YouTube later for those of you who prefer not to hear strong cuss words. ***

Extra silly note: In a Shyamalan-esque move, I myself play a key role in the film. But there are no narfs, scrunts, or any other nonsensical creatures in the film. Just aardvarks. Who dance to Kool and the Gang.

// tags: me film humor aardvarksonatank snakesonaplane contest

Watched: MATCH POINT, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, LOST season finale

2006-05-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

MATCH POINT (via Netflix): Surprisingly satisfying. Damned if he still doesn't have it.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (via library): Wanted to like it more than I did -- Dahl's tone is really hard to carry off on screen, and more FX doesn't necessarily help. Still, some great moments/images/songs.

LOST (season finale): At the very end of the episode, Jess and I turned to one another and screamed "What??!!" Reminded me strongly of another great ending from a TV episode: Special Agent Dale Cooper wakes up after seeing The Man From Another Place dancing in his dreams, picks up the phone, and calls Sheriff Truman to tell him that he knows who killed Laura Palmer. Oh, but the heartbreak that followed when that series lost its way and ended in suckitude. I hope LOST doesn't do the same...

// tags: reviews tv film

VideoSift.com voting coming to a close on May 31

2006-05-25T21:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, "Profiles in Science" is currently neck-in-neck with another video for first place. If you have a moment, please consider throwing me a vote in this close race. Voting closes at the end of the month!

Read earlier blog entry about the site and how to vote.

Go straight to VideoSift site:
VideoSift SiftOff

// tags: me profilesinscience film web

Encore broadcasts: "Seattle: Fremont" (aka "Monsruang") on KCTS

2006-05-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

My SIFF Fly Film from 2004 is getting another couple of airings via the series "About Us" on KCTS Channel 9 -- Thursday, June 1st at 10:00pm and Monday, June 5 at 3:00am. Set your Tivos...

More at:
http://www.kcts.org/seriesdetail.asp?N1=ABUS

// tags: monsruang film tv me seattle

SIFF-apalooza!

2006-05-12T00:36:00.000-07:00

Every year SIFF rolls around, I get a struck by a little movie madness. Oh, if only we had the wherewithal to watch as much as we wanted. Barring unlimited time/wealth, here's a selection of what I hope to catch this year:

May 26
Boy Culture - New feature from Filipino American filmmaker Q. Allan Brocka (EATING OUT). Based on the novel by Matthew Rettenmund and produced in Seattle. A "Gay"-la presentation with a big party afterwards.

May 27
Asian Pacific American Community Stories - Okay, just kidding -- this isn't a SIFF presentation, but I'll be there with kids in tow.

May 28
The Great Debate - Seattle's more or less annual navel-gazing discussion to try and figure out why we keep coming back year after year to ask why there still isn't a way to make a living as a filmmaker in this city. Although with the success this year of films like POLICE BEAT, WE GO WAY BACK, IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS, and THE HEART OF THE GAME, there may be a case to be made after all for the emergence of a Seattle filmmaking voice that's actually being heard by the rest of the world.

May 29
Fly Filmmaking Challenge - SIFF's annual filmmaking shoot-'em-up. Looking forward to seeing the films by Kris, Doug, Virginia, and Brad. Also hoping that the "Spawned in Seattle" reception will be happening afterwards as has been the case the last couple of years. Also hoping to be on the guest list for said party again. Hmm...maybe I better email James...

June 3 and June 4
The Producers School Series, Session 1
and
The Producers School Series, Session 2
I probably won't make it to these since Jess is going to be out-of-town, but you never know.

June 10
Screenwriters Salon
Yeah, probably won't make it to this either.

June 12
Sentenced Home - Do want to see this one. Producer Nicole Malarkey expected to attend the screening.

June 13
Eve and the Fire Horse - Coming-of-age tale from Canadian filmmaker Julia Kwan. Official selection at Toronto and prize-winner at Sundance and Vancouver. Lots of good buzz.

June 14 and June 17
Americanese - Oh yeah, definitely catching this one, although not sure whether I'll see it on the 14th or the 17th. Eric will be in town, but I have to find out which screening(s) he'll be at.

June 17
Seattle Summit - As much of a true film industry event as you'll get around here short of going to LA. These actually tend to be somewhat sobering assessments of the indie/foreign film business, but still good to hear it from the horses' mouths. Not that I'm calling the panelists horses -- they've generally been quite friendly and informative.

June 18
I Wake Up Screening - Laura Kim (no relation, unfortunately) of Warner Independent and journalist/critic John Anderson (Variety, Newsday, New York Times) come to Seattle to discuss their new book I WAKE UP SCREENING. Just read the book myself -- good stuff. Was a very pleasant surprise to see them on the schedule.

May also go to the closing night gala for The Science of Sleep if I'm lucky enough to score us some tickets.

For an Asian American film lover's guide to SIFF, check out the cheat sheet here.

// tags: film festivals seattle

The VideoSift is on!

2006-05-12T00:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, the game is on. Votes are being tallied from now until the end of May for VideoSift.com's first-ever "SiftOff." And hey, I'm winning! But the counts are very close. Because very few people have voted so far. In fact, my lead is quite slim right now -- a mighty 5 votes vs. a couple of contenders with 4 votes each.

You can review the instructions for registering/voting here:
http://www.weskim.com/blogs/2006/05/vote-for-me-part-ii.html
It's truly easier than falling off a log to register at this site, trust me. Stay tuned for updates in this gripping electoral drama.

// tags: me profilesinscience film web

Screening and talk at Shoreline Community College

2006-05-12T00:25:00.000-07:00

For what it's worth, I was invited to screen some films and do some Q&A earlier this week as part of a lecture series to celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month at Shoreline Community College. Thought it went reasonably well for a 9:30am screening. There's more events to come -- check it out if you're interested.

MULTICULTURAL & DIVERSITY CENTER
ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

SPEAKER SERIES
All Staff, Faculty, and Students are welcome!!!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2006
WES KIM

Where: PUB Canteen
When: 9:30-10:20 am
What: Kim is an Asian American local writer/director. His presentation will include showing his award-winning short films Profiles in Science and Vision Test. He will also share how his cultural experiences have influenced and inspired his work.

More at:
Shoreline Community College

// tags: me screenings profilesinscience visiontest education asianamerican film

Screening at Seattle Public Library on May 27th

2006-05-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

Sure, SIFF will have opened, and it'll be Memorial Day weekend, but what you really want to do on Saturday at 3pm on May 27th is come to the downtown Seattle Public Library to watch short documentaries that celebrate Asian/Pacific American History Month. The shorts include my latest doc, "Aquarium Kids."

The Seattle Public Library, Seattle Channel, and Northwest Asian American Film Festival present "Asian Pacific American Community Stories," a series of short films showcasing Seattle´s diverse APA community.

Films include:
"Blue Scholars"
"Uncle Jimmy"
"From Yoomee to Deborah"
"Aquarium Kids"

More at:
The Seattle Public Library Calendar of Events & Classes

// tags: me film screenings seattle asianamerican aquariumkids

Public service announcement: Free Hao Wu

2006-05-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

Chinese filmmaker Hao Wu has been detained by the Chinese government on unspecified charges. I met him at SDAFF last fall -- here's a link to a blog about his current status:

http://ethanzuckerman.com/haowu/?page_id=2

And here's a link to an online petition for Hao:

http://www.gopetition.com/region/237/8389.html

// tags: politics world

Public service announcement: Save a life...

2006-05-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

[Please consider this worthy cause.]

==================================

Hello Everyone,

Many of you may have heard about or received my previous email about Christine Pechera, a Filipina filmmaker, who is battling cancer (for the second time around). She is currently in the hospital undergoing 24/7 chemo treatment and the doctors tell her she only has a few more weeks to find her perfect life-saving bone marrow match!! Please take a few minutes to read the email below to see how you or someone you know might be able to help save a life! And please spread the word.

Much Appreciation,
Debbie Fan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jacob Krueger <savechristine@gmail.com>
Subject: A quick new way to register as a donor!

Hello All,

Sorry to keep barraging you with emails, but this is very exciting news. You and your friends can now join the marrow registry without even leaving your home. Just click the following link

http://christine.site.ph/selfreg.html

Fill out the form to request a free cheek swab test kit, which will be mailed to you within 2 business days. You can take the test at home, and simply mail it back to Christine's hospital, City of Hope. The test is painless, safe, quick and easy, and it's free to all minorities.

So please, if you have not registered, order the test today.

More importantly, help us spread the word. Contact Filipino organizations, churches, clubs etc, and ask them to forward the information to their membership. Or if you're a member of a Filipino organization, make an announcement and send people to Christine's website.

www.savechristine.com

Tell them to click the "NEWSFLASH! Signing up for the Registry Just Got Easier" link at the top of the page to order a self test kit.

We only have a few more weeks to find a donor for Christine-- and this just might be our last chance to save her life. So please, help out today.

More information about Christine and the marrow donation process is available on her website and forum: www.savechristine.com

UPDATE ON DONOR SEARCH IN THE PHILIPPINES

Thanks to all of you who have made donations, our search for a donor in the Philippines is already underway. But we are still thousands of dollars short of raising the money we need to test all of Christine's family members there. So if you haven't given, please consider making a financial contribution today. It's tax deductible, and it just may save Christine's life. You can make a contribution online by clicking the following link:

https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/?EventUUID=59B857F6

Please note that the mailing address for check donations has been changed. The new address is:

The Christine Pechera Foundation
PO Box 190415
Atlanta, GA 31119

Thank you again for everything you have done and are doing to help Christine.

Jake

// tags: asianamerican

Public service announcement: Save the Internet...

2006-05-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

To all newcomers: Welcome to my blog! Right -- I'll be off now...

2006-05-04T02:04:00.000-07:00

To friends and fans stopping by for the first time, thanks for coming. Perhaps a recap of my crazy-busy life is in order so that you can be caught up on the current state of affairs.

In the last few months, I have...

...directed a film festival...
...curated (and ultimately killed) a monthly film series...
...lost a job...
...gotten a new job...
...made a trailer for a film festival...
...taught a kids' filmmaking class where we made another trailer...
...and directed a short documentary for television.

In the next few months, I'm going to be...

...directing a short film for the local cinematheque...
...directing another short film that's been in the works for a few years now...
...finishing a feature script to submit to a screenwriting lab (specifically geared towards Korean/Korean American projects)...
...presenting some of my short films as part of a community college lecture series...
...helping to present another collection of short films at the public library...
...and otherwise trying to get my life in order.

Given all the hoopla I'm dealing with, I'd like to apologize in advance for a) not being a very good email correspondent and b) not doing a lot to keep this blog updated, but I've really gotta buckle down and do some serious writing. That said, I will try my best not to be a total black hole of unanswered communication. With any luck, I'll be somewhat less frazzled in the months ahead while still getting stuff done.

If nothing else, my family is doing quite nicely, and I hope that you and yours are as well. Keep in touch and I'll try to do likewise.

(Oh, and to top it all off, it's my birthday today. You'll find a link to my wish list at the bottom of the sidebar to the right. Don't worry if anything you send arrives late -- I don't mind, honest.)

// tags: me miscellaneous

Vote for me, part II

2006-05-04T01:51:00.000-07:00

There's this cool new site called VideoSift.com that lets people tag and submit videos hosted at either YouTube or Google Video. It's a very clean, simple way for people to recommend videos to one another. And right now, they're holding the first-ever "SiftOff" in which submitted videos will duke it out against one another for a crack at being prominently featured by the site with all the associated plugging of one's films, website, etc.

How can you help? By first registering at VideoSift (very simple registration process, I swear) and then going to the page where I've submitted "Profiles in Science" for your consideration. At the moment, I think you can only enter comments with the real voting to come later. But I'll let you know once it happens.

And while you're there, check out this amazing ukulele video featuring Hawaii's Jake Shimabukuro. I swear, I might actually try to check out his show when he comes to Seattle in July.

// tags: me film profilesinscience web

Vote for me, part I

2006-05-04T01:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know filmmakers are always asking their friends for votes at some site or another promising fame and fortune, but in this case, I want to appeal to your sense of justice against some unscrupulous types.

IFC is hosting short films at their site with the possibility of highly-rated films getting a shot at being aired on the channel. It's the usual drill -- upload a film, wait for votes, and let the cream rise to the top. Will there be ballot-stuffing? Quite possibly, but that's how these things go.

However, after uploading two of my films (and giving myself a 10 out of 10 just to get the ball rolling), my score had plummeted down to the 2-3 point range within minutes. The only conclusion I could reach is that some lowlifes were systematically entering scores of zero for any new films that popped up on the site. Now that just isn't cricket!

This is where you come in -- help me fight back against these fraudulent votes. First, register at the IFC Medialab site (drag, I know). Then go to these two pages:

Watch the films, of course, and then vote your hearts out. Will it work? Who knows? But at least you can do your part to increase fairness in the world.

// tags: me film profilesinscience visiontest web

4/30: End of Washington State quarter poll

2006-04-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday is the last day to vote on the design of the new Washington State quarter. The poll closed for a while because someone was electronically stuffing the ballot box, but apparently, they figured out a way to prevent it from happening again.

Of course, the online vote won't actually decide the final design -- it'll be just one of the factors considered by the powers-that-be. Hopefully, the folks in charge will come up with something that doesn't cause as much headscratching as the new state tourism slogan, "SayWA." (Or as I prefer to think of it, "WATF?")

// tags: washington society culture politics

[NWAAFF news] April 26, 2006 update

2006-04-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

[From the NWAAFF mailing list.]

Friends of NWAAFF:

Quick updates from NWAAFF-land:

1) Upcoming screening -- save the date! On May 27, 2006, we'll be co-presenting a special screening to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (aka "May"). Details coming soon.

2) Latest blog entries! Are you keeping up with the festival blog? If not, you're missing out on event announcements, calls for entries, and more. Just visit www.nwaaff.org/blogs for all the details. Here's a sampling of recent posts:

3) Win admission to a free sneak preview of Chen Kaige's THE PROMISE (WU JI)! The first three mailing list members to send email to rsvp@nwaaff.org with the secret password will each win admission for two to a free screening of THE PROMISE at 7pm on May 3, 2006 at the Guild Theater in Wallingford. How do you get the secret password? You'll have to look at the NWAAFF blog ( www.nwaaff.org/blogs) for the answer to that question. Winners will be notified -- everyone else, try again next time. [NOTE: These tickets are gone already!]

Best,
NWAAFF
--
Northwest Asian American Film Festival
c/o Northwest Asian American Theatre
409 7th Ave. S
Seattle, WA 98104
206-340-1445 office | 309-424-9731 fax | info@nwaaff.org
Visit site: nwaaff.org
Read blog: nwaaff.org/blogs
Add to MySpace: myspace.com/nwaaff
Join mailing list: subscribe@nwaaff.org
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~

Northwest Asian American Film Festival is a production of Northwest Asian American Theatre.
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---

// tags: seattle asianamerican film festivals

"Aquarium Kids" in heavy rotation

2006-04-25T01:15:00.000-07:00

The TV premiere of my latest short documentary "Aquarium Kids" for Seattle Channel's "Community Stories" series has come and gone, but the program is still airing a few more times between now and the end of May. You can view the complete broadcast schedule here.

Of course, the program is also streaming from Seattle Channel's website. And there'll be a free screening of "Aquarium Kids" plus some other Asian American-themed episodes of "Community Stories" at the end of May at the downtown Seattle Public Library. More on that later.

// tags: me seattle tv asianamerican aquariumkids film kids

kristinasherylwong.com: Want to see why Los Angeles keeps me here?

2006-04-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

A funny blog entry by my friend Kristina about the dream that is living in LA. And I think I see this damn TV ad everywhere I go.

"Watch what makes my parents so proud. What makes every hellish day in Los Angeles living so worth it."

More at:
kristinasherylwong.com

// tags: friends tv ads humor

Review of Hi/Lo Film Festival

2006-04-25T00:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you who missed the screening of "Profiles in Science" at the Hi/Lo Film Festival in San Francisco earlier this month, you can read a recap here. Perhaps not the most impartial review, but I'm not complaning.

"Really good, in fact according to K.C. 'I think it was probably the best one in the whole Program' and he didn't even have to say that because he doesn't even know Wes."

More at:
Hi/Lo Film Festival

// tags: film festivals screenings reviews friends asianamerican profilesinscience me

Get on a preview screening mailing list

2006-04-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

Nancy Locke, crack film publicist and lovely human being, is expanding her mailing list for news about free preview screenings of films in Seattle. She also happens to represent some of the cooler distributors, so if you're into seeing upcoming indie/foreign/whatever films for free, you definitely want to get on her list.

Just send your email address to nlocke5820(at)aol[dot]com and you'll be on your way. (Does disguising email addresses like that work against spammers? Who knows?)

// tags: film seattle screenings

Watched: THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

2006-04-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

Bastard! Clever bastard!*

* refer to earlier blog entry regarding my movie rating system

// tags: film reviews