Summer Session 1

For the first time ever, I am offering two summer classes at WM.  I will be teaching Theatre 317: Playwriting and Theatre 333: Intro to Classical Asian Performance Styles, both GER6.

Why I'm Here/"Passing Through"

Why I'm Here

I've always been passionate about film, both American and foreign, though I particularly enjoy Asian cinema. As an American-born Asian of half-Chinese and half-Vietnamese descent with an interest in Japanese and Korean cultures, it follows that Asian-American history is very much relevant to my interests, as well. (But I have plenty of non-Asian interests, too!!)

"Passing Through" Film Response

Though Nathan Adolfson went to Korea to find out about his past, I wasn't expecting the reunion to actually happen. Nathan was from Minnesota which isn't exactly a hotspot for Asian Americans, let alone Asians, as is California which was the scene for "Bubblehead." It made his identity struggle that much more palpable, though, because he was so different in appearance. Even after meeting his biological family, though, he said his "true family" is still the Adolfsons. Although his Asian heritage greatly influenced him, he grew up with the Adolfsons so he identifies more as an American. The scene when Nathan talks about his girlfriend's family stood out for me because the picture shows the girl and her family horseback riding. Just as one would do with horses, they were evaluating him and objecting to his inadequate bloodline. Despite his blood ties, he has no emotional roots in Korea, he "didn't recognize it at all, it was just another Korean city." This ties in with the title and how he feels as if he is just "passing through," in life, never truly feeling as though he fits in with either family.

4 Articles We Will Work on Next Week: Feb 1, 3, 4

Before anything else, do you know you all are PIONEERS?  While I have taught this course previously as Asian Pacific American History in Action, it was as a special topics course.  You all are the first students of the officially and permanently listed Theatre 340 course.  So whatever you do in the course, will be passed down to the future students who will take this class.  Your essays and creative works will serve as monuments that they can emulate.  I know you will do well.

While I am in DC for my meetings this week, I am tasking you to use the time to read the attached 3 articles, along with the Takaki I emailed you earlier.

You will please do your best to finish the readings by Tuesday when we meet in class, because our session then will evolve on all the material.

There is an order in which to read them as well.

1) Read TAKAKI first.
2) Saussure (Signification)
3) Gabriel (Towards a Critical Theory of Third World Film)
4) Palumbo Liu

In the background of your reading will of course be your experience of Cho's BUBBLEHEAD and Adolfson's PASSING THROUGH.

As you progress in your reading, you will experience INTER TEXTUAL REFLEXIVITY, meaning, the material you are reading will reference or clarify an image or text in a previous reading.  For instance, details in Takaki on Korean Americans will further inform your perception of the films we viewed.  Then when you proceed to Saussure's SIGNIFICATION, you will attain formal vocabulary on SEMIOTICS that will further enhance your now historic and personal experience of the films we viewed with the added visual or semiotic aesthetic theory of Saussure.  In plain language, we are complicating and layering your understanding of history, film theory, sociology, personal history...

When you read Teshome Gabriel, you will be stepping into my late mentor's genius.  Teshome Gabriel was my first ever FAMOUS teacher who changed my life.  His 3rd Film Theory and Aesthetic translates into theatre too as I have done with my own play PURPLE.  Reading Teshome will answer many of you who said or asked, "I did not know film could also be educational.  I thought it was just for entertainment."  Well, maybe it's both :-)

Palumbo Liu's article is an example of what I lectured about regarding the analysis of a single frame of film, or basically a picture.  Your midterm assignment is to write a paper in this format.  We will expand on this in class.

Please feel free to blog your response to this post/email.

Mabuhay!  (Long life and good health)
Prof. Tanglao-Aguas

Response to Why I'm Here? and Passing Through

Why am I here?

Besides my obvious respect and love for Francis, I am here because the class interested me when I first came across it on Banner. It wasn't until the first day of class when Francis emphasized the name of the class and what exactly we would be learning that I was certain I wanted to be in the class for sure. Also when I reviewed over syllabus and I saw the independent project as being one of the main aspects of the class, I was instantly hit with nostalgia, remembering the project I had done in freshman year in Francis's last class (Sex and Race in Plays and Theater) and how great of an experience that had been for me, so I am looking forward to repeat an experience like that.

"Its not right or wrong, its just the way it is"

I had a mix of emotions running through my mind as I watched the film, what is this guys story, does he find his family in the end, what is his deal really?. But it wasn't until he said the last line that I realized, you don't need closure to feel satisfied in a film, sometimes things just are the way they are, and a glamorous Hollywood ending cant make it any better. My thoughts during the film were that I was sad about his life at first and empathetic towards him while he was on his journey to find his family. But then I realized that he turned out alright in the end and seemed accepting/content with the way his situation was, which made me remember: who am I really to be passing judgement on his life?

The way the film was executed and created in my opinion was brilliant; he wasn't overly dramatic about anything and capture the true raw emotions of everyone, including himself. I especially enjoyed how he acknowledged both families, not saying that one was better than the other but that both were prefect in their own way and both helped him grow into the person he is today essentially.

Response to Why Am I Here? and Passing Through

Why am I here?

Besides my obvious respect and love for Francis, I am here because the class interested me when I first came across it on Banner. It wasn't until the first day of class when Francis emphasized the name of the class and what exactly we would be learning that I was certain I wanted to be in the class for sure. Also when I reviewed over syllabus and I saw the independent project as being one of the main aspects of the class, I was instantly hit with nostalgia, remembering the project I had done in freshman year in Francis's last class (Sex and Race in Plays and Theater) and how great of an experience that had been for me, so I am looking forward to repeat an experience like that.

"Its not right or wrong, its just the way it is"

I had a mix of emotions running through my mind as I watched the film, what is this guys story, does he find his family in the end, what is his deal really?. But it wasn't until he said the last line that I realized, you don't need closure to feel satisfied in a film, sometimes things just are the way they are, and a glamorous Hollywood ending cant make it any better. My thoughts during the film were that I was sad about his life at first and empathetic towards him while he was on his journey to find his family. But then I realized that he turned out alright in the end and seemed accepting/content with the way his situation was, which made me remember: who am I really to be passing judgements on his life?

Passing Through

At first I didn't know where the film was going but despite the lack in production quality the emotional heart and struggle of the main character shone through. Especially in the final 10 minutes, which were completely unexpected and highlight the possibilities that can happen when humans persevere and stay strong. What was captured on this film was nothing short of a miracle

I am here for...

I am here to be exposed to the history of asian americans, as depicted through film and literature. I want to leave not only with knowledge but also a taste of emotion and learn a little bit more about myself. If this happens, I will truly be grateful.

Response to Passing Through

Response to “Passing Through”
I feel like any Asian American growing up in a traditionally white area of America can identify with Nathan’s journey. The whole process of becoming American is like being adopted into a culture—it’s all about eschewing ties to your past in favor of a life for a future. I know virtually nothing about my family, because there’s such a huge history of immigration behind it. My parents are Chinese via the Philippines, and other than my maternal grandfather, all the rest of my family was also born in the Philippines.

Being an immigrant of any kind is all about choosing one thing over the other. What struck me most was the idea that one can never completely become something different. Nathan would never be completely Adolfson, but he's never going to be able to return to his Korean roots.

Another thing that struck me was the idea that other adopted Korean children didn't realize they looked different. I feel like I've always felt different, and I've always been aware of being Asian. I feel like you can't help it when you're an American kid, particularly a little girl--you're just blasted with images from Disney movies and TV. I grew up wanting to have long red hair like Ariel, and blue eyes like Barbie. Ironically, I found "minority" Disney Princesses (Like Pocahontas and Jasmine) to be physically inferior in some way. And nobody else looked like that. It wasn't just about blending in, it was about being the prettiest that also blended in. Every little girl wants to be pretty, but nobody wants to be the "exotic" one.

I just can't understand not realizing how different you look. Maybe it's a difference in culture between Danish and American? Maybe Americans are just way more obsessed with their physical appearance, and maybe the sect of America (as in, the social class) I grew up in and around was the most self-absorbed of all.

Passing Through

This film was extremely thought provoking and allowed the point of view of the author to spin a web of uncertainty and emotion concerning his heritage and lost/misplaced original family. Through reflexivity, the creator reflects on Koreans within his portrayal of Korea and every other Asian he meets thus removing himself from the situation in a feeling of disconnect which is adamantly shown throughout the film.

The editing, music and scenes portrayed throughout the film allowed the audience a look at the power of indecision and confusion that comes with an identity that split between old and new cultures.

As an American I see the author in a great spot for opportunity to find himself and his purpose in life by finding his family and perhaps understanding his own personal history. Although through his commentary, his trip to Korea did not connect him as he thought it would I can see from my perspective that that journey was important in his overall search of self-discovery.

Passing Through

I like documentaries so I was able to appreciate this raw, un-inhibitive film. I enjoyed the candid, personal, revealing nature of the film.
The camera seemed to take a very unobtrusive scope into Nathan's life and background. It is very interesting to think about the role that one's background does and does not play in our lives. I would like to know more about what happened to Nathan. I checked IMDB and he is currently working on a project with the following summary:
"Orlando's a salesman and an alcoholic. All he wants is to be left alone with his booze and pet hermit crab. Unfortunately his self-imposed isolation is interrupted when he's woken one morning by Jean Luc, an annoyingly chatty Frenchman who happens to be a voice in Orlando's head. In his attempt to figure out what the hell is going on, Orlando lands in the midst of a bizarre love quadrangle between him, his ex, Jean Luc, and Jean Luc's former flame, Chloe. It also appears that the Frenchman is taking over Orlando's body, sense by sense (by sense by sense by sense)."
After seeing the introscopic

Why I am here...

I am here because Francis is the best professor I have ever had the pleasure of taking a course from. I learned more in the one class I've taken with him (sexy racy - sex and race in films and plays) than I have in entire semesters here at wm. I have greatly missed him the last 18 months and our school is definitely a different place without his presence.
Francis has a gift and I am thankful I get to take one last class with him before I graduate; to once again stretch my imagination, my limits and grow as a person.

Existing/Passing Through/Pioneer

I am taking Asian Pacific American History in Theatre & Film because I am interested in Asian American studies, Theatre and Film. I believe that Asians actually have to struggle for representation in theatre and film (without the usual stereotypes-nerd, immigrant, kung fu master) and since I'm more familiar with Hollywood and mainstream cinema, I'm hoping this class will show me other films I may not have seen that portray Asians differently.


I remember when I told a friend that I was taking this class and she said "oh, I bet you'll watch a lot of Bruce Lee movies, that's cool." Yeah...but, I'm hoping to expand my horizons.


The film we watched in class, Passing Through, is exactly how I felt last semester when I studied abroad in Singapore. I chose Singapore because it is an English-speaking country in Asia and I thought I would blend in, but I didn't realize my American accent and attitude would be so prominent. I'm guessing that's how Nathan felt in Korea and he knew his experience was different from the other adoptees who went to Denmark. The sense of alienation that Nathan feels is something I can relate to as an Asian American and not knowing which culture to belong to. I also wonder: will his "American" family ever travel with him to Korea and how do they feel about kimchi?

It feels good to be a pioneer, that way I'm not being compared to others before me.
As for the articles - Takaki's stories about Asians being seen as "transient labor" can now be shifted to today's view of globalization and how in a sense we're all transient in terms of careers and the ability to travel around the world. Gabriel made me wonder about camera angles and whether we should compare films based on artistic style. Saussure's article was really hard for me to understand, all I got was that denotation is the film and connotation is the way the film is made. Palumbo-Liu's article was interesting because he focused on just one frame/photograph to encapsulate the 1992 L.A. riots and whether the media was enflaming the situation by turning minorities against each other (blacks and Koreans).

Why Am I Here?

I am here to learn about Asian American culture, by trying to rid myself of my general stereotypes to get to the heart of the issues and associations within the general population of Americans. I also want to learn about film and the symbology behind every image that we see and react to-this portion of pop culture has always intrigued me.

Reaction to Bubblehead and First Day of Class

Before showing us a short film titled "Bubblehead", Professor Francis asked us to think about why he would choose to name this course "Asian American History In Film & Theater". I hoped that the film would be openly insightful about the content of this course, and realized immediately after we started the movie that it was not going to be that simple! When we were later told to note down our reflections, I found the task of collecting my thoughts to be quite challenging and surprisingly a little frustrating. As a student who has little experience with film analysis, I believe it is going to take me some time to get a handle on how to think and write about film in a scholarly way. I rarely watch non-mainstream films and therefore still find the concept that film can serve a purpose beyond entertainment to be a little foreign. After our discussion of some film terminology, I now realize that this is something I should take into account in order to understand my positionality as a viewer.

Positionality is something I find to be especially fascinating; it was clear as soon as we began our discussion of "Bubblehead" that my classmates and I were completely influenced by our own unique experiences and stances. While watching the film I happened to be most interested by how I could relate to the young protagonist Cyrus. I imagined myself to be experiencing the boredom and frustration I believed Cyrus was feeling as he interacted with parents, teachers, and classmates. I explained in class that I could sense Cyrus' discomfort, and I realize now that the director probably intended the viewers to feel this way. The director was very subtle in her approach and exploration of the Asian American experience and I feel her portrayal was quite accurate. As an Asian American myself, I face situations everyday during which I become suddenly aware of my Asian heritage; usually seemingly insignificant instances which I can't necessarily classify as positive or negative.

I think I am slowly beginning to understand the answer to Francis' question about the name of this course. I believe he chose to name it "Asian American History in Film & Theater" because we are exploring specifically how screenwriters, playwrights, and directors choose to portray the Asian American experience in this particular artistic medium. While we may not have learned anything specific about events that have shaped Asian American history by watching "Bubblehead" we have certainly begun to dive into the realm of what it means to be Asian American, and I'm sure as we study more and more works we will slowly begin to gain a better understanding of the experiences that shape the identity of such a vast and diverse group of people. The possibilities we can explore are endless.

Bursting Bubblehead

Our society values the innocence of children, but when is it time to grow up? In the film Bubblehead, we see a little boy who at first is obsessed with time: he constantly looks at his wristwatch and tells his mother they're late (could be seen as trying to conform to reality). But at the end of the film, the child decides to make up his own time and returns to fantasy (remaining in a bubble).

The idea of fantasy versus reality is also played out in the story read out loud by the fill-in teacher (a story within a story/film). The story is about a bear waking up and finding the forest gone-replaced by factories and he's told he has to work and that "being a bear is not an excuse not to work." This bear story also ties into the bear flag of California. I guess that's my question for this post: how does the bear story relate to the bear flag of California, if everything/symbols in films all have meanings?

When it comes to my position concerning the film, I related to the little boy because my mother was always late picking me up for school and I was always late to school. But no one ever asked me if my constant tardiness was "cultural."

As for the contribution of Bubblehead in a class called Asian American History in Theatre & Film, I believe the film documents a certain experience of being the Other from the perspective of a child, which makes the experience that much more vulnerable and really draws in the audience.

Reaction to Bubblehead and First Day of Class

Before showing us a short film titled "Bubblehead", Professor Francis asked us to consider why he would choose to name our course "Asian American History In Film & Theater". Accordingly I expected the film to be openly insightful regarding the content of this class. Instead, but instead found myself a little frustrated when we were told later to note down our reflections. The director was very subtle in her approach towards Asian American issues, and chose to mesh together snippets of the everyday life of a young Asian American child that I quite frankly found to be a little boring.
Thinking about Francis' original question, I After we began our discussion things slowly started to make sense in my mind, and I found myself a surprised by how much we all had to say about such a short film. I realized almost immediately that I probably need to do a little background research on how to study film.

Reaction to Bubblehead

Watching Bubblehead by

Bubblehead Response

My initial and immediate reaction to Bubblehead after it ended was, "Thats it?" I was expecting much more in terms of length and story development. I was shocked at how it ended so soon and was thinking that there was going to be much more to it, as if what I had just seen was only a build up. That however was from the perspective of a movie-goer whose only expectation from films is entertainment and story.

However it wasn't until I actually started writing my thoughts about the movie that I started to reflect on all its aspects and the deeper meaning that laid in the message of the film. It was then that I realized all the different layers that existed in the film and all the intentional things the director had done in order to create the "world" in the film to further the film's purpose. The film is perhaps so layered that I wont even be able to touch on the intended meanings, however I want to discuss and journal on a particular aspect of the film which did touch me personally.

The themes of conformity and individualism rang out louder to me from watching the film more than anything else probably only because of how they went hand in hand and how well they were shown. An example of this would be when the teacher corrected the students in how to properly make the sound of an animal, which is quite subjective I would assume. And after a while, when the children persisted to repeatedly say their own version of the noises, she began to reprimand them as if to drive the point home that they were in the wrong. It was interesting though because the child had no "Asian American" attributes about him besides his superficial physical appearance, yet he was being defined and labeled as that throughout the film by all his surroundings, (i.e. his parents, teacher referencing the "western ways" as opposed to his culture, the alarm clock, etc...); so he retained his individualism. The teacher, although desiring conformity from the students would single him out through blame on his identity, thus the clash between individualism and conformity could be seen interwoven through the film.

Besides that, other small things I wanted to just journal down was the impressive cinematography which gave it a very realistic feeling and I wanted to commend the actor who portrayed Cyrus, because even though he was only a child, he was very talented and his expressions made you feel what he was feeling.

Bubblehead & Asian American History

From the very first frame, Bubblehead is filmed in a surreal manner. Although nothing that is filmed is purely imaginative, it definitely walks the line between the real and surreal. Many times, the way shots are filmed is almost dreamlike. Although the event may actually be happening.

The film addresses many issues:
* The role of race in a modern day society
* The perception of race in a modern day society
* Being an individual, again in a modern day society

I felt that the overarching meaning was the third point. In the past, human beings have identified themselves though their race and history as well as their culture. However, race always defined or at least was a major part of who they were. Now, children born in a modern day society are often brought up very similarly regardless of race. They are also exposed to many cultures. Society has always tried to tame humans into the ideal man or woman. I felt that this film was suggesting that although race may not be a decisive factor in shaping a person, that hole can be filled through following your passions and giving in to your imagination from time to time.

Bubblehead

The film Bubblehead took on several dynamics as I watched it. I felt as if the differences between cultures were shown in a similar context to the similarities such as in the ballroom dancing differentiating the parents from their cultural roots and pointing towards a European tradition. Likewise the preschool scenes articulated that life among children is not much different throughout the age group and that every child handles stress and assignments similarly, perhaps taking on the point of view of the creator-allowing the audience to make a conclusion that while every person has a different lineage, we are all somewhat similar, simplified into the human element.

Q: History of Asian Americans relates to this film by showing a snap shot of time in the life of one little boy who is thrown into a world of Caucasian mentality, language, and habits that associate themselves with America rather than Asian culture. This course is Asian American History in Film and Theatre, which articulates within this film the associations between boundaries and cultures in post WWII era.

In later introspection I find that the piece Bubblehead was illustrating the political and social tension within the state of California as the history of Asian Americans is being written. The relatively new population of Asians within the United States has both affected the culture of America and added to the “melting pot” of cultural differences while also changing itself to fit better into the mold of Americans.

“Bubblehead” film response

At first glance, “Bubblehead” deals with the differences in social rules regarding time. The director’s focus on time is especially evident in her depiction of the mother’s car: the mother is quick to leave, her car peeling out of the driveway as if being chased, but she is always late to return. The theme of cultural differences is explicitly revealed by the teacher in her lecture to Cyrus. However, the film is also particularly subtle in revealing other, deeper differences such as how Cyrus attempted to smother his Korean-speaking alarm clock as if trying to cover his heritage.

Furthermore, I found it interesting that Cyrus never speaks in class except to say, “wan wan.” He speaks only to his parents and in voice-overs representing his thoughts. I interpreted the silence to be a manifestation of his alienation and confusion over the two different customs by which he is taught to live. Growing up as an American-born Asian, I was taught never to wear my shoes inside the house, and yet when I go to a friend’s house I am told to keep them on. I always feel a bit guilty as I tread carpets with my sneakers, and I imagine Cyrus may be feeling the same dilemma. His mother lives by her own time and never apologizes for being late, so it must not be wrong. And yet at the regimented and scheduled life of pre-school/day care, he is taught that there is only one way: the Western way. It is not, “wan wan,” the teacher chides, but “bow wow.” The strict teacher explains how in the West it is customary to be “punctual,” while the mother lives, as noted by her son Cyrus, without a watch.

If “an apple is an apple, but also more than an apple,” then “Bubblehead” is also more than just a story of a busy mother who’s always late to pick up her son. Through this short film the viewers get a glimpse into Cyrus’ predicament of which standard he is supposed to adopt, and whether following the Western customs means forsaking those of his family’s or vice versa.

bubblehead

Cool short film about a preschool aged boy's experiences of disconnect.

Film was very good at evoking emotion. Very easy to relate to the boy and share his feelings. This was done effectively through editing, sound and the content shown. I particularly liked the repetitive montages that would play out between episodes, often reusing the same images/clips throughout the film. I would like to learn more about the possible symbology associated with certain images and themes within the short, definitely could use a second or third viewing.

On some level, film is representative of the culture and society in the world it originates. Why is this so? We, by nature, are a product of the world we inhibit.

Bubblehead

Cool short film about a preschool aged boy's experiences of disconnect.

Film was very good at evoking emotion. Very easy to relate to the boy and share his feelings. This was done effectively through editing, sound and the content shown. I particularly liked the repetitive montages that would play out between episodes, often reusing the same images/clips throughout the film. I would like to learn more about the possible symbology associated with certain images and themes within the short, definitely could use a second or third viewing.

On some level, film is representative of the culture and society in the world it originates. Why is this so? We, by nature, are a product of the world we inhibit.

Welcome!

Welcome to APA Tribe of the College of William and Mary.  Here we document our experience of exploring the history of Asian Pacific Americans while studying at the College of William and Mary.

What you will see, read, watch, and listen to here are the works of our students and faculty.  I began this project not only to document our experience but also to contribute to our efforts in sustainability.  We need to save paper, in addition to our ideas.

Thank you for visiting.  Please come again.
Francis Tanglao-Aguas