Asian Prodcos

[DMNY]

Anyone had dealings with them? Do you know if they would accept queries and scripts in English?

[Slappynipsy]

No offence to the Orientals.

[DMNY]

Yes Holy crap, my bad and I apologize for the wrong use of wording.
I meant Asian.

[Ravenlocks]

Do you know if they would accept queries and scripts in English?
I have absolutely no idea, but I don't see why they should. Do English-language prodcos accept queries and scripts in languages other than English?

(With my luck somebody will now point out a prodco that does. :p)

[mad_r0]

Anyone had dealings with them? Do you know if they would accept queries and scripts in English?

Maybe it depends on what country they're in? You didn't give a mention...

Tried calling them first? Or contacted someone who've dealt with them before?

I'm just fishing, maybe you've tried my suggestions out already maybe you haven't, but you haven't told us much.

[nic.h]

The producer I'm working with is talking to a Singaporean production company about my script. It's an English language script, but includes several Japanese characters (and other Asian characters). It's also set in Japan. Although she sees it as a joint production, she says there's more money in Asia than Australia for this sort of film.

There's currently a big push for local film production in various Asian countries, with a focus on "telling their stories". Government funding is key and has been increased significantly from what I can tell in recent months. Hong Kong and Singapore especially have money, and also, by coincidence, have a significant English language film market. Plus, more broadly, Asian films go right across Asia, and often include an English language element for that reason, as it's still the biggest cross-cultural language. And it's the "official" language in Malaysia.

You should have no problems submitting an English language script to interested prodcos, but the issue is more likely to be relevance of the content.

My producer is going to Singapore on her way to Cannes in May to talk about my script. (They've already read a first draft, and want to see the revisions we've been working on.) I can find out more about what's going on there then. Be happy to pass any info on.

[DMNY]

Raven, Mad and Nic, thank you for the replies.
Nic, it has to do with a supernatural actioneer I had started. if you think your contact can help, please PM me. Cheers.

[BROUGHCUT]

DM,

I've often wondered about this myself (after watching some great writing)--fantastic topic. The Orient--I will probably get canned for that--is home to some of the world's best filmmaking. A shame so many of these films are only seen by mainstream US and European audiences once they are remade.

You have nothing to apologise for, DM. Slappy must be a yank and obviously doesn't understand the difference between your (impeccably correct) usage and defining someone by their ethnic group rather than their country/heritage. [Post-coffee Edit: Found sense of humour... Maybe Slappy is just being funny and making an ironic joke about political correctness and present US usage.] Referring to individuals as "Oriental" could be construed to be offensive, but it depends on context. I can understand why "Oriental-American" is undesirable usage, one reason is the rich diversity of "oriental" cultures and traditions (not to mention political systems) which can vary pointedly from country to country (more so than in Arabia or Europe, for example). Why the word, rather than the sloppy usage, is being eradicated in the US, god only knows.

I think you will only find this hang-up in the USA? Or has it crept north of the border into Canada as well? One of the most prestigious specialist universities in London is SOAS--the School of African and Oriental Studies, http://www.soas.ac.uk/

In my case, Oriental only has romantic connotations.

Anyway, I knew immediately DM was talking (principally) about Korea, Japan and Hong Kong (I release there are burgeoning industries in China and Thailand).

Asian prodcos are in Bollywood. Central and East Asian prodcos are in the Orient.

[BROUGHCUT]

I forgot to say that the odds are probably best in Hong Kong for an English language script. Notice Nic already mentioned that.. I don't think it's a coincidence that they have a strong economy, though, that was down to good governance. :)

I am sure there are filmmakers who want to make films in English so that they can distribute them in the United States and Europe and bypass the remakes. English language pitched at Asian distribution... fascininating, but I am less convinced... sounds like that may be a different class of product.

[nic.h]

I PMed you.

(And, Brough - Good point. :D Less coincidence, more an added bonus.)

[nic.h]

Oh - and one more thing: in Australia/New Zealand (that is, Oceania) there is no such thing as "the Orient", except as a political comment about racism and racialism. Apart from Edward Said, I don't think anyone could seriously call it that again - not in academic or political circles. And that's been entrenched for decades now. It is absolutely and irrevocably "Asia" with occasional distinctions between South East Asia and Asia Minor.

But that's here. Doesn't sound like the case over there. Interesting the different perceptions on the different continents...

[BROUGHCUT]

yeah, referring to "the Orient" would certainly be archaic (unless discussing food or culture etc) but nothing more than that. "Oriental" is still perfectly common and neutral, and political correctness is rampant in this country.

Would the following usage be taboo in Oz and the US?

An oriental dream: Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers, warring fairies and bumbling handymen has been told and re-told over the centuries. The Royal Theatre's new production promises to give a new, Oriental gloss to a popular story....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northamptonshire/stage/dream.shtml

[BROUGHCUT]

Interesting "theory" about a geopolitical agenda:

Anyway, that usage of "Oriental" has survived a long time, and it still frequently carries all of the exotic/foreign/inscrutable/mysterious connotations. These connotations happen to coincide with many of the stereotypes held of Asian Americans. Furthermore, by definition, the word "Oriental" is Eurocentric, referring to things east of Europe. For these reasons, some Asian American activist types decided that "Oriental" was a Bad Word, and that "Asian" was more accurate, less Eurocentric, and less loaded with strange connotations. No big deal, right?
http://www.modelminority.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183

sorry for the thread hijack... I'm going to post a list of HK and Korean prodcos this week to make up for it and see if we can't find something out about the Oriental lit market.

My laptop is from Japan and the keyboard has Kanji characters and it gets ﾊﾅｿﾉﾆﾐｷ ﾁﾐﾐﾗﾝing as hell when I mistype the mystery "kanji on" hot key and can't turn the ﾓﾗｶｸｲｽﾊﾅｿﾉｲｽ kanji back of!!

But I reckon I could be in with an advantage there. :D

I was watching a presumably serious doc about Bollywood UK on BBC2 a few weeks ago. It followed a famous, mainstream (in India) producer/director who was shooting an English language movie in London... it was great fun but he was basically making soft porno. He cast Jason Connery. imdb... Private Moments (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439280/) (like I say, surprised he wasn't sued by a certain European prodco for trademark infringement, pure smut). Quite sad, really. This is the kind of product I was alluding to in my earlier reply--is there any "serious" English-language filmmaking by Asian directors that's specifically targeted at "Asian territories".

[DMNY]

Thanks guys, that's actually what I thought but wanted a confirmation on this.
Well Nic, I will wait for more news on this :)
B-Cup, always a great source. Thanks again for all the clarifications.

[Slappynipsy]

Yes Holy crap, my bad and I apologize for the wrong use of wording.
I meant Asian.

I just love quoting Parcell

[nic.h]

Interesting "theory" about a geopolitical agenda:


http://www.modelminority.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=183

sorry for the thread hijack... I'm going to post a list of HK and Korean prodcos this week to make up for it and see if we can't find something out about the Oriental lit market.

My laptop is from Japan and the keyboard has Kanji characters and it gets ﾊﾅｿﾉﾆﾐｷ ﾁﾐﾐﾗﾝing as hell when I mistype the mystery "kanji on" hot key and can't turn the ﾓﾗｶｸｲｽﾊﾅｿﾉｲｽ kanji back of!!

But I reckon I could be in with an advantage there. :D

I was watching a presumably serious doc about Bollywood UK on BBC2 a few weeks ago. It followed a famous, mainstream (in India) producer/director who was shooting an English language movie in London... it was great fun but he was basically making soft porno. He cast Jason Connery. imdb... Private Moments (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439280/) (like I say, surprised he wasn't sued by a certain European prodco for trademark infringement, pure smut). Quite sad, really. This is the kind of product I was alluding to in my earlier reply--is there any "serious" English-language filmmaking by Asian directors that's specifically targeted at "Asian territories".

After reading that link, I get why it is very passe, and even quaint language. Wouldn't be too surprised to hear someone over 80 using it to describe cultural artefacts or even, at a stretch, a person as being "Oriental". Thing is, it ain't EAST of us! It's north, actually. Probably why the word moved on so early. Once realised that we actually exist, and not every aspect of life, culture and the universe is measured in terms of its distance from Europe (now America), the word went along with referring to England as "the motherland" and the US as "the New World".

I think it's as simple as geography - it's not east of us, so why would we call it "the east"?

Interesting thread, though. Also keen to hear about some of these prodcos as they're my most likely market at the moment.

[TDWoj]

There's a prodco in Thailand called World Media, a partnership between Steven Seagal and Jimmy Moy. They produced Dragon Squad, starring Sammo Hung. Don't have info for it, though, sorry.

[BROUGHCUT]

slappy, I get it now. :o :rolling:

What an Occidental thread.

[nic.h]

I don't get it. :confused: Please explain.

[BROUGHCUT]

Well I don't know, nic, I assume Slappy was poking fun at "political correctness" with that quote. Benefit of the doubt and everything. If not, shame on Slappy for making insinuations and subverting the topic to a discussion about race.

Oriental is only "racist" to Americans and Aussies who don't have passports. Also, I think you will find that Asian is actually somewhat more likely than "Oriental" to cause offense if used as a catch-all term in East Asia. Maybe someone has evidence to the contrary?

[DMNY]

Actually I have heard both from different people when they referred to me (they weren't sure of my decent then) but since I am a mix of different nationalities, some just tend to call me Asian or Oriental. Never really bothered me and didn't think there was any racist connotation to either words.

[BROUGHCUT]

Welcome to America. ;):rolleyes:

I'm working on that list... but what are we going to do with it? Does anyone have scripts that may be of interest to the prodco behind THE EYE, for example? Otherwise, we aren't going to get any feedback on submission policies....

What do people think...? Is this a lost cause or worth putting together?

[TDWoj]

Information is always good, I think. One never knows, right?

[DMNY]

Welcome to America. ;):rolleyes:? errrr...thanks?

I'm working on that list... but what are we going to do with it? Does anyone have scripts that may be of interest to the prodco behind THE EYE, for example? Otherwise, we aren't going to get any feedback on submission policies....

What do people think...? Is this a lost cause or worth putting together?
I have an idea (well ok I have a couple) of ideas in mind so surely your list would help.

[BROUGHCUT]

DM...

Never really bothered me and didn't think there was any racist connotation to either words.

hence...

Welcome to America. ;):rolleyes:

:)

One day, American's will realise the internet is global and not everyone who posts to it in English is speaking American.

[DMNY]

Thanks B-cup :D
Let me know what you find and thanks again.

[Slappynipsy]

In Texas it doesn’t matter where in Asia you're from, we keep our racism nice and simple

We have,

Whites
Blacks
And Mexicans

"I’m from Vietnam"
"Shut up Mexican."

But anyway, Coach Parcell of the Dallas Cowboys once said "We're running what I like to call Jap plays...sneak plays....no offence to the Orientals" and it's one of the funniest quotes ever spoken.

[BROUGHCUT]

:rolling:

[TDWoj]

One day, American's will realise the internet is global and not everyone who posts to it in English is speaking American.

Veering off-topic threadwise, but following on from the foregoing comment, this might amuse: I was thinning out my knitting books and came across this:

"For our American readers, instructions are...."

"For our English-speaking readers, instructions are...."

:D

[Slappynipsy]

Veering off-topic threadwise, but following on from the foregoing comment, this might amuse: I was thinning out my knitting books and came across this:

"For our American readers, instructions are...."

"For our English-speaking readers, instructions are...."

:D


"The Americans are identical to the British in all respects except, of course, language." -Oscar Wilde

[nic.h]

Actually, Brough, re your comment about only non-passport holding Aussies thinking the term is racist... Well, that's just not true. I've had two passports, filled one to the brim with trips throughout Asia (among other places), and can categorically state that the term "Oriental" is virtually never heard here by anyone under the age of 80. I'm not even sure it's used by people over the age of 80. Partly it's a political thing, but mostly it's an age thing. It's just really old fashioned language, not used since the days when "coloured" was considered polite terminology. I am not talking about America. I haven't lived in the US for some years now. I'm talking about here, in Australia. And proximity is a big part of that. But I take your point about "Asian" being too generic and no more helpful than Oriental. It's just a more recent term saying basically the same thing.

I think we're agreeing here - though I wonder if "Oriental" was ever used as a word here, given that, as I said earlier, it isn't East of us at all. North, really. And bit West. :)

As for the list... I would love a list. This is definitely a growing market and I have one script, possibly two that are perfect for Asia, broadly, Japan in particular.