Written by Precious Ringor
“Someone hit the pause button, like when you’re on a movie set and someone says, ‘hold for sound.’ You don’t know when things will resume and go back to the norm,” says director Angela Paviera. “Many of us are in isolation dealing with financial hardships and mental health issues. Personally, I’ve had quite a difficult time adjusting.”
2020 would have been a good year for Asian Americans in the entertainment industry, with films like 2018’s Crazy Rich Asians and last year’s Parasite garnering world-wide attention and praise. But with the world coming to a standstill from COVID-19, it seems not only do these artists have to fight against potential economic downturn – they also face Xenophobia and racist attacks. Since January, cases of harassment against Asian American individuals have significantly increased. Too often, the AAPI community has been used as a scapegoat for the pandemic.
Working in the industry at this time is hard enough; being Asian presents its own challenges. Take for example, director/producer Michael Faner’s opinion on Asian American indie films:
“Many don’t get the recognition or platform to be featured on. I am in pre-production for my Asian American indie film and it’s very difficult to get off the ground. I have a team of highly motivated individuals from very diverse backgrounds and we are pulling our resources together to get this film made.”
Michael Faner on the set of Lost in the Moment (2015), a film he wrote and directed
Faner was on his way to shoot a film in Ireland when all international travel was banned. “That was my first job postponed. Slowly, all the jobs started cancelling/postponing indefinitely and my first thoughts were ‘how will this affect others?’ All the other jobs I was on (feature films, commercials, online contents) are postponed without any [future] dates in mind.”
Asian representation is still limited in the industry, whether it’s in indie films or Hollywood blockbusters. In light of recent events, it’s important more than ever to encourage diversity through the arts. Though lockdown guidelines make it virtually impossible to create content, there is a silver lining in the horizon.
“We will find a way. Indie filmmakers are incredibly creative when it comes to finding solutions,” says renowned indie film director Roxy Shih. “From these experiences, there will be a huge resurgence of creative voices and content. Humans have the incredible ability to rise out of hardship and tell their stories.”
So What Now?! Hosted by Roxy Shih and Anthony Ma. All episodes can be viewed on their YouTube channel.
Shih was also in pre-production for two projects that have been postponed until further notice. In the meantime, she has been collaborating with LAAPFF, Taiwanese American Film Festival, and TAP-LA (Taiwanese American Professionals) on So What Now?! – an hour-long variety show where she and her co-host, Anthony Ma, invite special guests to unblock their creativity during quarantine. Previous guests of the show include Sherry Cola, Leonard Wu, and Randall Park.
Besides being a filmmaker, Angela Paviera also works as a content creator and photographer.
Loss of work opportunities and postponed/cancelled shows are only a few effects of COVID-19 on the film industry. However, Asian Americans have always had a strong sense of community. Those working in this industry know the importance of self-care and unity during this time. Paviera, in particular, advises other artists to not only stay healthy but also focus on self-investments.
“Surround yourself with positive people because that will help you focus on your goals and make the best content. Invest in a hobby that allows you to express your creativity. Make a short video, dance, draw, paint… stay inspired and keep creating!”
Follow the Filmmakers:
Michael Faner, Angela Paviera, and Roxy Shih are only a few Asian American indie filmmakers making their mark in the film industry. To support these artists, please consider attending virtual film festivals highlighting and supporting films that feature Asian American work.
To see more of Roxy Shih’s work, visit www.RoxyShih.com or @roxyshih
Follow Michael Faner’s work at https://hearthis.at/djreel/36qmix/ or @mfaner
Support indie filmmaker Angela Rose Paviera, visit https://www.arosefilms.com
About the Writer:
Precious Ringor is a Filipino-American singer/actress/writer residing in Los Angeles, California. Ringor graduated from Cal State University Fullerton with a degree in Human Communication Studies where most of her research is focused on Asian-American socio-cultural communication norms. Her scholarly work has contributed to preliminary information on Filipino-American culture.
Besides performing in theatre shows and indie film sets, Ringor writes poetry (pen name: I.P.F.C.R.) and is ecstatic to be part of the Film Fest Magazine staff. Since the lockdown, Ringor has also been raising funds for various non-profits like Feeding America, RAINN, SoCal Vocalist Relief Fund, and more recently the Black Lives Matter Movement.
To view more of her work, visit https://ieshaprecious.wixsite.com/precious,