What Did I Miss?: October 2021

Published Works

Official Trailer for Netflix’s ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ Has Arrived – For The Nerds of Color, I announce the trailer for this upcoming film adaptation of an early work from the late Jonathan Larson.

Emma Mieko Candon on Continuing ‘Star Wars: Visions’ in New ‘Ronin’ Novel – For The Nerds of Color, I speak with the author of the continuation of this fan-favorite short film from the “Star Wars: Visions” anthology.

Thoughts and Reactions to Watching ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ for the First Time – For The Nerds of Color, I break down what was going through my mind as I watched the third installment of this renowned sci-fi franchise.

From Star Wars to Trese: The Kiner Brothers on Composing Music for Today’s TV Landscape – For Mixed Asian Media, I speak with this dynamic, music-making duo about growing up mixed-race Filipino American, becoming composers for the TV industry, and making music for shows like “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” and “Trese.”

“Larry: A New Musical” Will Bring the Story of Filipino Labor Activist Larry Itliong to the Stage – For the Center for Asian American Media, I dive into the genesis and development of a musical-in-the-works about the life of activist Larry Itliong.

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What Did I Miss?: June 2021

Published Works

Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner and the Wild Year of Her Dreams Coming True – For the newly rebranded Mixed Asian Media, I have the honor and pleasure of doing the feature story about the latest projects from this musician and newly minted New York Times Bestselling author.

Netflix’s ‘Trese’ Spotlights Filipino Folklore Through Binge-able Storytelling – For The Nerds of Color, I share my impressions of the anime adaptation of this beloved Filipino horror comic book series.

Ming-Na Wen on Exploring Fennec Shand in ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ – For The Nerds of Color, I had the honor and pleasure of getting to talk to this renowned voice and live-action actor about bringing her “Mandalorian” character into the animated world of “Star Wars.”

Review of Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon – For Goodreads, I give my take on the long anticipated third novel of this beloved YA author.

Feeling It In the Air Tonight: Recommended Reading and Listening

Obviously, it’s been one hell of a first week of the new year here in the U.S. Following the white supremacist mob attack on Capitol Building back on Wednesday, I’ve been trying to think of a good way to talk about it on here, while still staying true to what this blog is all about. What’s been said about it already? What lens has it been explored through? And then I remembered that this month marks 40 years since the release of “In the Air Tonight;” Phil Collins’ solo debut single.

What Did I Miss?: October 2020

Published Works

‘Song Exploder’ Host Hrishikesh Hirway Breaks Down the Making of the New Netflix Series – For The Nerds of Color, I speak with the voice and brains behind an acclaimed podcast, and piece by piece, breaks down how adapting it for a documentary series came to be.

Ruby Ibarra Aspires to Inspire Through Her Roots-Ingrained Raps – For the Center for Asian American Media, I spotlight this highly celebrated rapper and filmmaker about sharing her perspective and stories as a first-generation Filipina American.

Review of Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse – For Goodreads, I give a short but sweet review of this new novel from this mega-talented fantasy writer.

Appearances

The So Weird Podcast: Halloween Edition – I am one of many fans who contribute to this Halloween-themed episode of The So Weird Podcast, by naming characters and moments we find spooky from the daring Disney Channel Original series. (Full version of the episode can be viewed here.)

Other News

2021 ScreenCraft TV Pilot Script Competition – My screenplay, “Time and Time Again,” is announced as one of the quarterfinalists for this screenplay competition from ScreenCraft.

The Red List – Top Rated Sci-fi Television (Half-hour) Screenplays This Month – My screenplay, “Time and Time Again,” is one of the top 20 of this list on Coverfly.

 

“Stargirl”: A Movie Adaptation 20 Years in the Making

Every now and then, I expand my dialogue about storytelling by going beyond the boundaries of books and out into the mediums of TV and film. I do so by doing these analysis pieces once in a while about a TV show or film that has reached a significant time in its history (i.e. series premiere, series finale, film release, anniversary of a release, etc.). Previously, I marked the end of an era with a look back on the ABC series, “Fresh Off the Boat.” Today, to mark its premiere from yesterday, I dive into the world of Disney+ original content for the first time, as I provide my thoughts on the film, “Stargirl.”

(WARNING: There will be spoilers from the film, not so much on the plot specifically, but more so on the changes and additions that have been made from the book it is based on.)

What Did I Miss?: July 2019

Published Works

Review of Unsung Heroine by Sarah Kuhn – For Goodreads, I provide my impressions on this novella companion to this author’s beloved super heroine trilogy.

Director Lulu Wang Explores Telling a Story Based on an Actual Lie in “The Farewell” – For the Center for Asian American Media, I sat down with this thoughtful director on the making of this very moving film.

From Fan to Writer: F.C. Yee on Developing the Story of Avatar Kyoshi – For The Nerds of Color, I got deep and geeky with this author/Avatar fan about the honor (*wink*) of writing the first YA novel in the Avatar universe.

The Circle of Life of “He Lives in You” from ‘The Lion King’ – For The Nerds of Color, I give an overview of the different iterations over the years of this underrated yet powerful song from “The Lion King” repertoire.

Review of The Rise of Kyoshi by F.C. Yee – For Goodreads, I explain why fans of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” will relish in this novel about one of the most incredible avatars prior to Aang.

‘Cobra Kai’ Has Got to Step Up Its Representation Game in Season 3 – For The Nerds of Color, I address a flaw this YouTube series has had over the course of its first two seasons, in the midst of a recent reveal about what’s to come in the new season.

Appearances

Lauren (San Francisco Bay Area, California) – I recently shared my experience for Mixed (Me)dia about being a mixed race person, by explaining a little bit about who I am, my thoughts about being mixed race, and advice for those who’re navigating their own mixed race journeys.

Writers’ Spotlight: Summer 2019 – Asienne Magazine gives previews to two separate interviews that were done with two California-based Filipino American writers (I being one of them).

Other News

CAAM Production of Wayne Wang’s “Coming Home Again” to World Premiere at TIFF – A film I briefly worked on last year, “Coming Home Again,” will be having its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

Two Worlds, One Family: 20 Years of “Tarzan”

Every now and then, I expand my dialogue about storytelling by going beyond the boundaries of books and out into the mediums of TV and film. I do so by doing these analysis pieces once a while about a TV show or film that has reached a significant time in its history (i.e. series premiere, series finale, film release, anniversary of a release, etc.). Previously, I wrote at length about the Disney Channel series, “So Weird.” Today, similar to “So Weird,” I look to another Disney property that has also reached its 20th anniversary this year; the one that ended the Disney Renaissance with a bang. Today, I’m talking about Disney’s “Tarzan.”

What Did I Miss?: March 2019

Published Works

Playwright Lauren Yee on New Worlds and Inspirations – For the Center for Asian American Media, I interview this rising prolific playwright on how she gets her ideas for her wide variety of plays, the origin story of “The Great Leap,” and her thoughts about what it’s like to be a working playwright where diversity in the performing arts is no longer just lip service.

Review of I am Jake by Jake Zyrus – For Goodreads, I go over my shell shock and praise for this very honest memoir from one of the Philippines’ (and the world’s) best music artists.

What Did I Miss? (July 29th-August 4th)

Appearances

Understanding the Asian American Divide – I am one of several interviewees quoted in this new article from April Magazine writer J. Maraan regarding the outlook and representation of Southeast Asians.

Published Works

Auli’i Cravalho Sings Out Encouragement in “Live Your Story” -For YOMYOMF, I shed light on a new song by the beloved “Moana” voice actor.

What Did I Miss?: The One Day Early Edition… Again (May 13th-19th)

This past week has been even busier than the week before, having me swamped this way and that. So once again, I had to put another pause on my weekly Saturday blog post. But things should be back to normal by this time next week, and so therefore, I look forward to returning to the usual routine of things on this blog then. In the mean time, here is what you missed: