Are You Privileged?

I've been using the word, privileged, a lot lately. The word is significant to understanding others and ourselves. While in some ways many of us can be underprivileged, by other definitions we can be extremely privileged. The word involves more than race. Anything involving reception of innate power, inclusion of the in-group, and or effortless abilities because of attractiveness, status, class, height, able-body, religion, gender, and even intelligence, passion, creativity, and faith can give a person an advantage or disadvantage. (Not to say one cannot prevail.)

Here's the part where I feel guilty:

Reps. Tammy Duckworth

Playing Devil's advocate, I argued with Taki Dempsey when he said he saw me as multicultural, in the sense, that I was a minority on all accounts: short, young, Asian female. I was quick to remind him that I was significantly privileged in another way.

Although I rarely ask my parents for money, my parent's class is a huge advantage compared to those who were not as lucky. My mother is a dental hygienist in the even wealthier town next door. By referring me to my future boss, she got me one of my first jobs as a bank teller. When I entered college, I consistently came back as a seasonal in the summer and winter breaks. When I left and moved to New York, it gave me the freedom from 6 years worth of savings to intern on multiple film projects as I finally went head on in my career. Unfortunately, unpaid jobs are necessary unless you know someone and can jump right in. It took me about four months working 12+ hour days, 5-6 days a week, before getting paid gigs. After that and consistent offers, I was able to forsake no pay positions, so that I could start getting recommendations for paid gigs that reflected my talent and skills, rather than "Oh, she'll do it for free" work.  There isn't a whole lot of time for other long-term part-time jobs, so many post grads could go broke taking that risk.

Furthermore, despite the in-frequencies of freelancing forcing me to make my savings my minimal living expenses, I can certainly avoid selling myself on the streets. If all else fails, I can move back home with my mom and she'll take care of me.  When people say I can technically go on food stamps or apply for low living-wage housing or anything that involves helping out the poor, I refuse. That government money does not need to go to me simply because I chose a risky career while I can still rely on my parents. The more people getting funded by the government, the more money the government must budget for the program, which means the money has to be taken from somewhere else like our taxes. And if that budget gets too large, it risks getting cut. I'd rather that money go to families and people who have no help. 

Being privileged means society is structured around the needs and wants of your in-group.  From laws to advertising, from media to story telling, from building construction to opportunities... those who are underprivileged are left out and unconsidered. This is not a guilt trip. It is meant for awareness and understanding. After reading Transformative Justice Law Project of Illinois's Checking Your Privilege 101, I realized I was more privileged than I thought.

Checking Your Privilege:

• Citizenship
• Class: A person with financial stability and financial safety nets through family or other assets.
• Race
• Education: A person with access to higher education, which is sometimes, but not always, a result of other privileges such as race and class privilege.
• Gender
• Gender Identity: A person having a gender presentation that correlates with the dominant group’s expected gender “norms.”
• Age: Access afforded to people who are considered “adults,” although those who are elderly are acknowledged to having limited privileges due to age and health.
• Body Size: Those born with a body type that is celebrated and considered “beautiful” by the dominant group as reflected in the media, advertisements, social norms, etc.
• Able-Bodied:the ability to physically participate in society because society was made to accommodate only the “dominant” group.
• Side note: I once saw a man in the subway with a sign around his neck asking for money. He lost both his hands from war. I thought, he seems like a rather clean, attractive man.  He shouldn't have too much trouble in society: being accepted, being attracted to, but then I missed the obvious.  He was asking for money. Can you imagine how difficult it is to find a job that does not involve using your hands?
• Life on the Outside: A person who has never been or currently is not incarcerated.
• "Passing": The ability to “pass” as a more privileged group. For example: a light-skinned person passing as White, a disabled person passing as able-bodied, etc.
• Religion: A member of the dominant religion in the United States – Christianity.
• Sexuality: A person who is heterosexual and/or is not labeled a sexual "deviant."

Here's the part where I feel downtrodden:

To out myself (or call attention to), I consider shortness and daintiness a disadvantage in the average workforce. I was watching an interview with Penn Jillette who said he came from a household where no one raised their voices unless in jest. He found anger screaming and fights "unpleasant." I thought to myself, that's an interesting and calming way to think of things. Perhaps we do yell too much. We argue too often with emotion that the other does not understand what we are saying finding our complaints irrational. (This is why we have sociological terms: to keep us sane.) Then I'm reminded of the times fighting with my father where the rule of the household is that the parents are always always right. I'd find my voice shrieking, wishing to be heard. Penn Jillette doesn't have to do that. He's an intelligent, confident, tall, big guy. When he walks in the room, he won't notice? If he says, "May I say something?" Who will ignore him? When he says "I have the answer," who won't give him a chance?

Do you know how filmmakers show power visually? From the viewpoint of a taller person. 

Being Chinese does not prevent me from getting jobs, if anything I would bet it was a plus. However, it is no secret that Asian people are commonly taken advantage of despite their supposed intelligence and great work ethic. The combo of being a short Asian Woman with great self-doubt has forced me to work harder to be looked at as a leader rather than someone to keep at the bottom of the totem pole.   Many Chinese people are raised in a similar mindset as their parents or grand parents or great grandparents were in China.  The communist society was about working together and though down trodden with a common enemy, the government, each man's role is to take care of his family.  I asked my dad what his dream career was as a kid.  Most kids say actor, doctor, president, lawyer, basketball player, singer...  My dad said matter-a-factually, "An engineer."

"Really, dad?  When you were ten years old, you wanted to be an engineer?"

He laughed, "It is not like how when you grew up!" At ten years old, little Oliver knew his role in society was to have a family, be a father, and give them greater opportunities than those that were available to himself.  Because of this, he chose a logical and stable career as an Engineer.  No, it wasn't glamorous or immediately self-fulfilling, but he sacrificed himself for his kids, future kids even.  He kept his head low to keep his job and with a sigh, accepted a minimal forced promotion that gave him slightly higher pay for much more work and responsibilities.  If his underlings messed up, it was his butt on the line.  He was not interested in climbing the ladder or risking his stability.  It was simply about having enough income to take care of his family.

While the Chinese culture may seem cold and distant, it is all about your role in society.  Don't give me a thanks, because it is my duty.  It should be expected.  Now, when Chinese people come to America where its all about money, competition, and celebrating individualism and self-fame... they're taken advantage of.  Now the assumed responsibilities graciously accepted by Chinese workers are... assumed responsibilities for graciously accepting Chinese workers.

"I'm telling you, those Asian guys love crunching numbers! You probably just made his weekend!"  Notice how the movie fools you into thinking the story is going to be about the two white guys and their crazy weekend.  They even have you empathize with the fake male lead, who just got dumped. They leave the office with punk rock playing ready for their adventure.  Hold up. This movie is called "Harold and Kumar." Wait. Is there an Indian guy in the duo? Yes. Harold... Harold. Isn't he the "work horse...the quiet Asian guy in the office"?  That's who we're watching? This is different.

When a child watches TV, they look for themselves.  They look for someone they want to be.  So what happens when they don't see themselves? They feel lost... confused... An Asian girl finds herself wanting to be the white girl, rather than the nerdy Asian girl... which let's face it, why is she so awkward?   You get white kids wanting to be president and minority children sticking to something more "plausible."  There's a 30 Rock bit when Tracy Jordan decides to coach a little league from the poorest neighborhood in New York.  He introduces them to Jack, GE CEO.  He asks the kids, "What are your dreams?"

 Jack is appalled that their goals do not reach higher. I mean, those were their "dream" jobs. When I was a kid, I had seen a handful of Asian actors in the media, but zero politicians. For some reason, being an Actress seemed far more likely to me.  I couldn't imagine an Asian-American president.

I went to Rockafeller Center and did the silly photo ops in the White House sets.  I wanted to take other people's posted photos and make a collection of various minorities in "office." The representation of minorities in positions of power is low, despite population and expected intelligence.  But now I don't have to!

Here's the part where I celebrate:

On Election night, the country made history on multiple accounts. Of course, we re-elected our first Black President, Barack Obama. We broke the last record of 17 and now there are 20 women in the U.S. Senate! (Check out Washington Post's slideshow of each current female senator and what they've done.)

I predict in 50 years, we will surely have had a woman president.

Never mind my personal beliefs and politics, here are some minorities that also made history last Tuesday.

Senator Mazie Hirono became the first on many accounts.
Hawaii, (D)
First Asian-American woman in the U.S. Senate
First Female Senator of Hawaii
First Senator born in Japan
First Buddhist Senator

Senator Tammy Baldwin 
Wisconsin, (D)
First Openly Lesbian in Senate.

Elizabeth Warren
Massachusetts, (D)
First Female Senator of Massachusetts. 

Senator Angus King
Maine, (I)
Okay, perhaps not historical.  But he defeated the Democratic and Republican candidates and took the state as an Independent.

Congressman Mark Takano 
California, (D)
First LBGT Person of Color in Congress
First Openly Gay Member of California Congress

Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema
Arizona, (D)
First Openly Bisexual member of Congress

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
Hawaii, (D)
First Hindu-American to elected in Congress.

Govenor Maggie Hassan (D) 
Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (D)
Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (D)
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D)
Senator Kelly Ayotte (R)
New Hampshire
First All-Female Delegation State.

I'd rather be sexy because I'm awesome, than sexy with a sorry excuse for a costume.

Halloween is coming up and you don't have to spend a lot to make a kick ass Halloween costume! Being cheap can make you creative ...or you can spend at least $60 on one of these...

Clown Fish $59.95, Dolphin $69.95, Shark $119.95, Scuba Diver $69.96, Frog $149.95 on Yandy.com

Imagine you're at a party and you saw one of these girls.  You go up to her and ask, "What are you dressed up as?" She responds, "A clownfish, duh!"

Okay, I'll give the scuba diver credit (it even comes with a tank), maybe the furry frog.  Honestly, these costumes aren't even that slutty, but the sole purpose of the costume is to look sexy... not to be a dolphin or a shark.  I'm sick of these unnecessarily sexed-up costumes and I'm not the only one.  Check out this tumblr: Fuck No Sexist Halloween Costumes, which received 300+ followers in its first day.  That was only four days ago.  They like to compare the generally more accurate and de-sexualized, goofy men's costume to the terrible sexy female costumes.

I'm Oscar the Grouch, because he was my favorite character as a kid!
It only cost me $61.95!

These costumes come from Yandy.com. And by the way, it looks unsurprisingly, but totally amusingly, like a porn site. 

There are product videos, like the above, for every item. If you need help, you can chat with someone live. There are categories for lingerie and "sexy Halloween costumes" as if they're not all like this.  Their other categories are Group Costumes, Couple Costumes, Animal Costumes... but no matter what, almost all the costumes are described as "Sexy _____" in their title.  I don't think they know how to categorize either.  Ironically, these are costumes for (mostly) women to wear, but the website is geared towards men.  Are we supposed to want to buy these costumes, because men like them?  ...Yeah, I think that's what they're getting at.

I refuse to wear a tube dress and leg warmers and call it a costume.  ...Unless I dress up as a Typical Halloween Costume... somehow...

It took me awhile to accept the lack of costume options for Asian girls.  I dressed up as Christina Aguilera when I was in Jr. High obtaining a blonde wig.  I'm scared to see the pictures.  We all know, I didn't look like Christina (pre Xtina), no matter how much eye make up I put on.  I since resolved this problem by excluding myself to costumes of only Asian characters or putting more emphasis on the visual concepts than looking like the real person.  It started with Sally.

Sally "Nightmare Before Christmas"

Character:  Sally's from one of my favorite artistically-dark kids movies... you know, just one of them.  (I was a strange kid.) She is a rebellious, sneaky, daring, and sly rag doll yearning for adventure. But she is still caring and tender.  She saves the lead, Jack Skeleton, just as he saves her. 
Costume: My mom and I made a black and white patched dress. I made some of my own patches as well, using white fabric and black sharpies to create abstract designs.  Then I simply took black lipstick and drew rag doll scars on my arms, legs, and my mouth.  The most I spent was on the fabric.

Go-Go Yubari "Kill Bill" 

Character: Being O'Ren's body guard, this seemingly sweet innocent girl in a catholic school girl outfit is actually insane. Go-go battles the lead, Black Mamba, with her weapon of choice, a spiked metal ball on chain. Go-go swings the ball over her head and into the wall and traps Black Mamba with the chain. She twists it around her neck.  Nearly choked to death, Black Mamba finds a piece of wood with a rusty nail and stabs her foot then wacks it in her head. Go-go drops the chain, blood tears pour from her eyes, and she falls to the ground. 
Costume: I bought the jacket and skirt from Salvation Army.  I used a nerf ball, foam clay, and a real chain (from Home Depot) to make the spiked ball and chain. Finally, I bought the fake blood.

In Senior year, I literally dressed up as a prostitute.  Okay, well, not your typical one. 

Female "Sin City"

Character: Most of the females in Frank Miller's graphic novel turned feature film, Sin City were damn-the-man prostitutes.  They were each equipped with weapons and chains.  The cops left them alone as long as there was peace between the two, keeping the pimps and the mobs out of the system.  But when a disgustingly horny and chauvinistic pushy off-duty cop takes it too far with a prostitute, he gets killed.  The girls worry, "It'll be the bad old days, all over again.  The pimps, the beatings, the drugs, the rapes..."
Costume: Mimicking the mostly black and white film's visual motif, I dressed up in grey-scale, put white make up on my face, and wore red lipstick as the classic accent mark.  Makes we want to throw a Sin City party.
Side note: I was at the Cinder Clause parade last year, seeing hundreds of people in red and white Santa Clause costumes... but then I saw a guy wearing what I thought was a dark grey Santa costume and I thought I went color blind for a second.  I felt like Jonah in the Giver ...except instead of being in a black and white world, I was in a color world.

In 2009, my friends and I went to the Misfits concert.  I had to choose something I could feasibly wear at a punk rock concert without dying of sweat, knocking people down with fairy wings or something, and could safely riot in the mosh pit.

Handmade/Voodoo Doll

Costume: So, I dressed up as a hand-made/voodoo doll. I bought a pair of white tights and made a mask out of it. I took my large button earrings and sewed them in for the eyes. I cut out a mouth and then took thick black string and sewed the lips. I cut the back of the mask so my hair could come out the back. I wore the legs of the tights on my arms and hands, taking away my fingers. And then finally, I wore a black top and black tutu skirt to parties and jeans to the show.  I ended up taking on and off the mask, but it worked.  Some random dude took a photo of me in the subway.  I was also told at a party, "I both love and hate your costume, because it scares the hell out of me!" Excellent.

Mal "Inception"

Character: In 2010, I dressed as the lover and femme-fatal, Mal, from Inception.  Exotic and beautiful, she was the love of Cobb's life in one world and, racked with guilt, the enemy in his dream world. 
Costume: It certainly was not my greatest attempt.  I drew a maze on myself like the Inception logo, drew Cobb's totem on my hand, and walked around with one shoe as if it had fallen off when I was sitting outside on a window sill convinced reality was a dream.

Doll "Dollhouse"

Character: Last year, I dressed up as a doll from Joss Whedon's show, Dollhouse. The show features around this underground corporation that takes "volunteers" and programs them into human dolls in exchange for 5 unconscious years of their lives and money that would set them for life. They partake in engagements with clients that usually are looking for a love interest (again, I dressed up as a partial prostitute.) But sometimes they were asked to be spies or investigators in crime. They were programmed with amazing fighting and analytical skills. In one sense they can fend for themselves as dolls, and another they're trapped. When they're in a "sleep state," having zero personality chips and skills, they're in a daze. They're like children with less energy and intelligence. So, when a serial killer, Alpha, gets loose and slashes the dolls faces, they're left traumatized, confused and helpless poking dead bodies, telling their bodyguards, "They won't wake up."
Costume: Fake fresh scars, mainstream make up, lacy tank top, skinny jeans, and healed boots.  I was working on a film set that day, so I kept it minimal.  I wanted to look attractive, but creepy, and ready to kick butt.  Because of my scars, I'd actually get people asking me, "What happened to you?" "Bad weekend..." And then I'd walk away with their mouths gaped.  My friends would have to reassure them that it was just make up.

I'm not sure what I'm going to dress up as this year. Thinking of the Girl with the Green Ribbon from the same book of scary stories for kids as "In a dark dark house..."

Who inspires you? Halloween is about being someone else for a day.  Don't be lame.  Transform.  I'm saying this more as a creative.  There's nothing wrong with looking sexy, but have a real costume, damnit!  At least make an attempt, man.

From Start to

In my mind, I had done nothing wrong.

That was the teacher's prompt to the beginning of a lavish story that would never be completed because of a premature bell. I never did re-enter that world. Instead, after school, I logged on to facebook.

Like it, Re-mix it, on Joseph Gordon Levitt's hitRECord.

What Are Your Gut Reactions?

Five unexpected movies I'm not ashamed to say "made me cry."

I think we forget the importance of how a movie makes us feel during the process of analysis.

The caliber of a film is initiated not only by visual intrigue, technical talents, acting believability, twists, wit, inspiring story or the director's ability to communicate with the audience, but also the understated gut reaction.  We say a movie is amazing and a must-see, but after a couple of weeks and everyone... everyone is talking about how much they loved or hated it, the personal experience you feel with a movie is cheapened.  In order to keep your passion for the film, you must come up with reasons why you initially loved it.  If you can't come to a conclusion, the emotions the movie made you feel get lost.  Despite this, we each have our own personal reasons for why we relate to a film.   There is usually an intimate pattern that can be traced apart from technical gifts in a movie.  Sometimes they are on a surface level, such as loving anything that comes out of your home state.  Other times its on a deeper level, like a fear or past experience.

There are only five movies/TV shows where I've cried.

#1 I Am Sam: the story of a mentally challenged man fighting for custody of his intelligent 8 year old daughter.
#2 Lilo and Stitch: a Disney cartoon about a destructive alien created in a lab who crashes on earth and is incidentally adopted by a young girl as her pet.
#3 Pieces of April: a rebellious daughter trying to make amends with her faithless family by making them Thanksgiving dinner in her run down apartment.
#4 Waiting for Superman: a documentary about children in poor education systems depending on lotteries to get into esteemed Jr. High and High Schools.
#5 The X Factor: a reality singing competition TV show with no age limit for the contestants.

Sound like an odd collection of movies/tv shows to cry at?  The thing those moments all have in common is futility.

#1 I Am Sam

When I teared up at I Am Sam, the lawyers accused Sam and each character witness of being bad parents as well. They brought up every time they themselves screwed up with their child. It led to the argument that their testimonies were invalid, because they were failures as parents.  Being parents racked with guilt and insecurities, a large part of them believed them.  Whenever they attempted to explain themselves the lawyers would coldly cut them off, "Just answer the question.  Did you or did you not do this?" They slowly gulped, "...yes..." There was nothing they could say or do. "No further questions, your honor."

 #2 Lilo and Stitch

Oddly enough, I am not the only one that has included Lilo and Stitch in my limited "crying" list.  Stitch, a destructive but cuddly koala-bear-like alien, leaves his owner, young Lilo, after she solemnly reveals, "I know why you break things and push me. I hear you cry at night. Is it because you miss your family?" Suddenly, Stitch feels vulnerable. Having been created out of test tubes and chemicals merely a few weeks ago and grown to full maturity, he is confused. He decides he doesn't belong there and leaves her to search for his family... but he realizes he has no one. He doesn't have a family.  His creator looks on and thinks aloud, "What must it be like to not even have memories to visit in the middle of the night?"  Stitch looks around trying to find his community, his home, someone to relate to, and he finds no one. He simply doesn't belong. He whimpers, "I'm lost," hoping his nonexistent family will find him. They don't.


#3 Pieces of April

In Pieces of April, the moment April's mother sees a young girl get yelled at by her mom in the restroom is where I teared up.  We don't see the context of the fight, but the girl's mom impatiently stomps out of the bathroom stall leaving her daughter with tights still around the ankles pleading, "Mom!" The little girl and April's mom meet eyes and she embarrassingly pulls up her tights and runs out the door to catch her mother hoping she hasn't left the restaurant.  As April's mother watches, she recognizes this moment.  It was the same impatience she had towards April's childish faults.  Whether it drove April to be the "screw up," she is today or not, she is still her daughter and she finally realizes that she has given up on her when she never should have.

#4 Waiting For Superman

During Waiting for Superman, I teared up at the same part as I did during the trailer.  The documentary was filmed in the past five years.  The five children they focused on, roughly 8-14 years old, at their young age, each contained the heavy understanding that their future was dependent on the quality of their education.  They tried their best to get high grades in their school, but their education hardly met their needs.  They feared that they would never get out of the ghetto and would always have to struggle.  They held all of their hope in the possibility of getting into these charter schools, but they were not chosen by any sort of merit or high grades. They were chosen by a ticket with a number on it.  Lotto balls were picked at random and only a select few were picked.  Children were frustrated and crying as it seemed less and less likely they would be chosen.  The elementary school kids watched their futures fall apart before their eyes and felt condemned to a life they were trying to escape.

#5 X Factor

In the X Factor, during the audition process and boot camp we followed Dexter Haygood.  He said that he had been a musician previously, but hadn't had his big break yet.  He was 49 years old.  He auditioned for the celebrity judges and with a crowd-pleasing, but unoriginal Jackson Brown impression, they were not impressed.  For some reason, Simon gave him another chance.  "Dexter, you know what? ...15 seconds acapella. All you. Go." Its revealed that Dexter is currently homeless.  He's living out of his car. The only thing that he has is his passion for performing.  He puts up the mic and opens his mouth. With raw emotion and broken soul, he sings.  The crowd stands up cheering him on.  On the condition that he comes as himself and not Jackson Brown, he gets four yeses.

The part I teared up happened at the end of "boot camp."  Yes, he made it through the initial audition process, but now the judges filter the contestants in the "Over 30s age" group again slimming the number from the hundreds to only fifteen. If he got through, this would be his chance to be mentored by one of the four industry judges in their personal homes. We're reminded of his trials. As they announce the last few names of the people who made it in the 30 year old or older group, their eyes are a mix of futility, last hope, and acceptance. They try to keep cool and as the camera zooms into each, only their eyes read. The judges take their time to say the last name. Dexter's eyes are furrowed, trying to look tough and indifferent. They announce it... "Dexter Haygood!" His legs collapse and he falls onto someone else's shoulder. His face breaks down with uncontrollable crying. Paula Abdul walks right up to him. The moment she wraps her arms around him they start bawling together. He made it.

Anyone can tell me that these movies or tv shows are dumb, okay, or simply disappointing, but no matter what I have to give the directors and producers some credit: For at least one solid moment, they got me.

"Youth is not a period of time. It is a state of mind..." -Douglas MacArthur

...a result of the will, a quality of the imagination, a victory of courage over timidity, of the taste for adventure over the love of comfort. A man doesn't grow old because he has lived a certain number of years. A man grows old when he deserts his ideal. The years may wrinkle his skin, but deserting his ideal wrinkles his soul. Preoccupations, fears, doubts, and despair are the enemies which slowly bow us toward earth and turn us into dust before death. You will remain young as long as you are open to what is beautiful, good, and great; Receptive to the messages of other men and women, of nature, and of God. If one day you should become bitter, pessimistic, and gnawed by despair, may God have mercy on your old man's soul."

As referenced in Brennan Manning's Ragamuffin Gospel.

How to spend an absolutely marvelous Audrey Hepburn Day in New York City

She was beautiful, lovely, and fabulous, and not just because of her first name!  The classy, lovable, and quirky actress was born on May 4th, 1929.  Do you know what day tomorrow is?

My flatmate is obsessed with Audrey Hepburn (hm...), so she said, "what about breakfast at Tiffany's!" And I said... "I have a marvelous idea!"  I suppose if we were in Paris, we'd do a Funny Face.  And if we were in Rome, we'd have a Roman Holiday!  But we're in New York.  And if you are too, this is how you can have a delightful Audrey Hepburn day a la Holly Golightly!  This is your chance to be a real phony... well, I mean... pretend to be a real phony... Is that just a phony?  This is getting confusing.

#1 Sleep glamorously.

 

Sometime after 12am, go to bed wearing nothing but earplugs that look like dangling earrings and a sleep mask with fake eyelashes and gold eyebrows.

Five “Reel” Tips: How to Turn a Film Internship into a Career

Published by NYCreativeInterns.com
By Audrey Zao

Being a freelance filmmaker is not easy. We aspire to be directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, production designers, etc. But how do we get there?

Read the article here.


For more blatant advice on becoming a professional filmmaker, check the "Latest News" section for the latest updates on my upcoming eBook

What Your Film Professors Never Clarified: Getting Started in the Film Industry.

Capitol Fashion and What Fans Wore to the "Hunger Games" Midnight Premiere

Roll out the red carpet, the fans have arrived!  The Hunger Games feature film premiered on Friday, March 23rd, 2012, at midnight.  At the New York City AMC Lincoln Plaza theater, fans arrived in style from their stretch underground, commuter limousines.  They printed their pre-ordered invitations to one of twelve showings and entered early to take the best seats in the house and, to no surprise, many came in costume, including myself.  But of course, the dolled-up fans attended without seeing the movie prior.  They came up with their ideas from the trailers, clips, articles, promotional screen shots and photographs, and from their own visions developed when reading the Hunger Game novels.  It involved a lot of creativity... So I thought it would be fun to hang out in the lobby and see how others dressed for the reaping.  I mean, we did have time to kill.  The star players were Katniss, Effie Trinket, and residents of the Capitol.

Validation is an underrated neccessisty.

"Girl at Mirror" by Norman Rockwell

 As hard as we try to understand our place in the world from our own perspective we need to understand our peers' perception of us as well, but how?  Verbal (and nonverbal) communication of (loving) constructive criticism, like validation is key.  It isn't sugar coating or dishonest compliments saying, "That is hilarious," when it really isn't; That gives a person a false sense of validation.  And now, you're stuck with someone who proudly continually makes terrible jokes one after another.  You would have been better off giving her a polite smile.

When you're fighting with your significant other, validation can be saying, "Although my motives are not what you perceived from my actions, I understand why you thought that or why it upsets you."  In lamest terms and an example?  "When I was talking to my ex, I didn't mean to come off as flirting, but I can see why you're worried."  Validation is saying, "You don't need to be worried.  I left that person for a reason.  I want to be with you."  Validation is also honest.  If the ex is a threat, then its a false sense of validation.  So an honest and scary validation would be saying, "I do have feelings for that person still. But... [Insert solution if applicable.]" 

Without emotional validation, "Psh, she's just my ex.  Don't you trust me," it can make people afraid to share their irrational feelings, because that's what they think they are.  They think they shouldn't be feeling what they feel.  It's called "gas lighting": tricking someone into believing their emotions are not valid. (source)  But either way, without having emotional validation, it can make a person feel lost.  It can lead to the same fight repeating over and over, instead of growth.  And that can be really "fun."

We need validation in our careers, as well.  We need to know what we're good at, because if we're not good at our profession, we need to know how we can improve ...or what we should be doing instead.  Career validation can be, "Wow, you know how to make things happen."  Validation can even be seeing your own progress.  How you've made so much from scratch.

"Ladies, we are not against each other. Let's stop thinking only one of us can make it, while the rest of the employees are men." - Audrey Zao

We are stronger when we support each other.  Let's have more Female Camaraderie!  Happy International Women's Day!  Wo/Men, let the females you respect, appreciate and admire know that you do and why.

"The first step to understanding and wisdom is ask questions. The second is be open to the answers." - Audrey Zao

Why You Should Think of Networking as Making Friends

Published by NYCreativeInterns.com 
By Audrey Zao

This article is about the anniversary of my experience on the feature film, Petunia staring Thora Birch, Christine Lahti, Brittany Snow, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Michael Urie, and Tobias Segal.  It was a "networking snowball." I was the first to be referred and the production just kept asking for more and more interns... so I brought on the people I knew who deserved the opportunity and could get the job done.  Yes, I call them friends.  And yes, we all went to college together.

Read the article: here

I think in order to be a great photographer, you must have a special perspective and an ability to compose a frame that shows your audience what you see and what they might have missed.

A great photographer might actually make you jealous of the way they see the world.
But a great photographer will also make you blessed that he or she has given you a glimpse into it.

Olivia Chow,

Photo by Humans of New York

As some of you probably already know, yesterday, I went through the "Humans of New York" blog all day.  (Thanks a lot, Facebook, for alienating my privacy!)  My sister, Olivia Chow, a fashion designer and stylist was stopped recently by them to take a photo of her.

The photographer, Brandon Stanton, liked her outfit and posted it with the caption, "Look at this radiant peacock I found."  At the end of the day, she had more than 300 likes and 15+ comments.  I hadn't heard of this blog beforehand, but as I went through each photo clicking, "next... next.... Hahaha! Next..." my boyfriend left me online to do things.  I got so wrapped up in it that all of a sudden he returned asking, "How was your day?"

Stanton goes around New York City taking photos of different people and animals he spots.  He updates his photo blog frequently making me feel as if interesting things and beauty is happening all around us everyday.  He's a sucker for old people in love, matching colors, defined color, skull tattoos, cute kids, interesting fashion, crazy mustaches, and people who match the walls near them.  Sometimes the photos themselves are not the best, but the captions that go along side are what makes me click "like."  Their quotations will often add another element to the photo.  Its a glimpse into their lives and of who they are.

Here are some of my favorites:

I look like God. Don't I?

 

"Why do you want to take my photo?"

"You have a great face."

"I look like God. Don't I?"

On dark days I tend to focus on bright things.

Didn't feel a thing.