Category: LAAPFF - oblivious nerd girlhood chronicles

Walking With Grace WIDE RELEASE!

3/15/2017

A year ago I was on a journey with Grace Chikui. Little Tokyo, a neighborhood I frequent often, became something new. I learned how to navigate Little Tokyo through Grace's shoes. I'm so excited to share this work with everyone. You can all walk with Grace through the video below.

Shot and produced in March 2016, WALKING WITH GRACE is a short 360º video documentary that highlights Little Tokyo places and streets through the perspective of Grace Chikui, a blind woman and long-time resident.

To enrich the 360º experience, the project team recorded the environment with a Soundfield ambisonic microphone and mixed the spatial audio with TwoBigEars' workflow (now Facebook 360's Spatial Workstation).

WALKING WITH GRACE had its world premiere at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival in April 2016; as part of the program, INTERACTIVE LITTLE TOKYO!

WALKING WITH GRACE is a production presented by FORM follows FUNCTION and Visual Communications, with VR Direction and Spatial Audio App/Design by Vicki Huang.

The WALKING WITH GRACE team would like to thank everyone that helped this project; especially our Crowdrise donors:

Amreen Karmali
Angelica Tonatzin
Borlasa Family
Cecille Cervancia
CES
Dodge & Ging
Ed Moy
Eliza Escano
glenn togawa
Jackie Liao
Jeanell Allenegui
Kathie Foley-Meyer
KawaiiSKI
Lindy
Melanie Espinueva+Aure
Nancy Yap
Nicole Miyahara
Pebbles
Robert Shoji
t-kay san juan
Tito Boboy & Tita Myrna
and our donors who preferred to be listed as Anonymous =)

Walking With Grace Update!

4/27/2016

Walking With Grace can be viewed today at CGV CINEMAS in Koreatown! If you are watching GRASS, A COPY OF MY MIND, TEN YEARS, REACH FOR THE SKY, or BAD RAP then you can check out Walking With Grace!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27: 5:30pm - 6:30pm, 8:30pm - 9:30pm
CGV THEATER
621 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
THURSDAY, APRIL 28: 6pm - 7pm, 9pm - 11pm
DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA (DGA)
7920 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90046

Festival attendees checking out #walkingwithgrace #fffinteractivelittletokyo @fffmedia @vconline

A photo posted by Lainey | Oblivious Nerd Girl (@obliviousnerdgrl) on Apr 25, 2016 at 8:37pm PDT

Walking With Grace

4/25/2016

#LAAPFF2016 is in full swing. This weekend was a whirlwind of hosting film screenings, leading q&as, and overall being inspired by the art being created and shared. I can't express how happy we are with the response to WALKING WITH GRACE. Folks have been so receptive to the film. Even Channel 11 talked about it on their newscast! Walk through Little Tokyo in this virtual reality documentary

Folks can still check out Walking With Grace this week! Here is where we will be hosting the film:

MONDAY, APRIL 25: 6pm - 9pm
CGV THEATER
621 S. Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
TUESDAY, APRIL 26: 7pm - 10pm
JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
100 N Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27: 5:30pm - 6:30pm, 8:30pm - 9:30pm
DOWNTOWN INDEPENDENT
251 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
THURSDAY, APRIL 28: 6pm - 7pm, 9pm - 11pm
DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA (DGA)
7920 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90046

A photo posted by Lainey | Oblivious Nerd Girl (@obliviousnerdgrl) on Apr 23, 2016 at 2:07am PDT

Day 2 of #fffinteractivelittletokyo #walkingwithgrace @fffmedia @vconline #laapff2016

A photo posted by Lainey | Oblivious Nerd Girl (@obliviousnerdgrl) on Apr 23, 2016 at 7:45pm PDT

The VR pose □ @waxstyles @un_g @fffmedia @joelquiz @basyang76

A photo posted by Lainey | Oblivious Nerd Girl (@obliviousnerdgrl) on Apr 23, 2016 at 9:01pm PDT

Follow me on instagram for more #laapff2016 updates and gems like this last one of me and Mike being silly in photo booths.

A video posted by Lainey | Oblivious Nerd Girl (@obliviousnerdgrl) on Apr 22, 2016 at 10:39pm PDT

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2016

4/21/2016

This year's LAAPFF is quite special for me since I not only was a features programmer, but I was also an assistant producer on Form follows Function Interactive Little Tokyo: Walking With Grace (VR documentary) and 312 Azusa St (video map projection). These exhibitions are FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

Joel Quizon, Walking With Grace co-director, beautifully explains Form follows Function Interactive Little Tokyo in the piece: Learning To Walk: First Steps In Multiplatform Storytelling

Both exhibitions will be presented in April 2016 at the 32nd Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; it will be a first-time VR presentation for the film festival, and will be the launch of a new VR doc series for FfF focusing on women’s perspectives of places.

EXHIBITION RECEPTION:
FRIDAY, April 22nd, 7-10 PM
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center - JACCC Noguchi Plaza
244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles

Beer & Sake cash bar by JACCC
Music by dublab DJ Rani de Leon
Dinner Specials at Snociety Urban Eatery
Photobooth by Go Little Tokyo
FREE, All Ages

EXHIBITION ON VIEW:
April 22 and April 23, 7-10pm
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center - JACCC Noguchi Plaza
244 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles
FREE, All Ages

Follow @fffmedia on instagram and use #fffinteractivelittletokyo when you check out Walking With Grace and 312 Azusa St.

For some quick how to guides click on these links below.

LAAPFF: HOW TO FEST
LAAPFF: BUY TICKETS HERE

Here are my recommendations for this year's festival!

FEATURES

Breathin': Eddie Zheng Story
- Powerful & moving story of redemption. Also I'll be hosting the encore screening on Monday, April 25th!
Vampariah
- Blood, guts, and gore are mixed in with snark and sass in this monster hunter meets Filipino aswang film. And I'll be hosting the midnight screening on Friday, April 22nd!
Out Run
- Well made documentary about the first LGBT party list in the Philippines. Quite topical, given our current political climate in the US election cycle. And I'll be hosting this screening on Saturday, April 23rd!
The Dog
- Amazing black and white film about China through the eyes of an abandoned puppy. It's simply beautiful.
The Great Sasuke
- As a wrestling fan I was immediately drawn to this film. Seeing this wrestler turned politician run his campaign is amazing.
Loev
- Beautiful & heartbreaking. Bring tissues.
Manang Biring
- Excited to see folks reaction to this rotoscope animated film from the Philippines. I'll be hosting the screening on Tuesday, April 26th!

SHORTS
Throwing some love to my shorts programmers. Numbers wise they watch more films than I did as a features programmer. They have created these programs for you all.

From Vision to Reel
- Visions are turned to reality by exploring the places we come from, and connecting it to who we are becoming. This year's program takes us to the indigenous community in the Philippines to the struggle of being an undocumented Filipino American. We will march the streets alongside Viet Rainbow of Orange County for New Year, and reclaim a Laotian birth name too difficult for teachers to pronounce. We will challenge stigmas of domestic violence and mental illness in South Asian communities, and find joy in the darkness of Guamanian legends. Join us as we explore the imagination and resiliency of emerging Asian American and Pacific Islander storytellers. — June Kaewsith
Generations
- The bonds of our family, whether natured or nurtured, reveal the core of our human soul. These relationships test the limits of our love, the boundaries of our actions, and the depth of our compassion. These films look at humanity through the lens of the people that we love, or should love the most. — Kirby Penafiel
Digital Histories
- The filmmakers’ tools may change but the storytelling principles stay the same. This was my approach in leading the 2016 Digital Histories program. My goal was not to show the group how to use the latest camera gear but to sharpen and harness their innate storytelling skills. In my (ahem) not-so-humble opinion, the results were amazing! — Gary Gabisan
What's In A Name
- Naming is historical and cultural. It is carefully prayed over and researched. However, it’s not etched in stone. Rather a name evolves from experiences. Discover these fictional and documentary stories of people articulating their fate. — Kristen Lee
The Unready Hero
- A nostalgic throwback to weekend action television, this lineup brings together exciting stories of unready heroes. Join them as they embark on journeys armed with bold visual direction, a flair for homage, and just enough determination to take on their challenges…even if they’ve yet to get their lives together. — Quincy Surasmith
See U See Me
- Sense of self is a dynamic journey. Sometimes one can be distracted trying to manage perceptions of others, rather than focusing on their own personal growth. Watch how these characters gracefully stand tall, leaning on inner strength and integrity. — Eseel Borlasa

Follow me on instagram (@obliviousnerdgrl) for posts about LAAPFF and FfF Interactive Little Tokyo!

Share your LAAPFF moments with #LAAPFF2016. Tag the official festival instagram account @vconline

And in great words of Prince (RIP), Let's Go Crazy

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival - Open Call!

9/16/2015

Photo by Lindy Leong

It's that time of year! Visual Communications is accepting submissions for the 32nd annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. The early submission deadline is Friday, October 30th, 2015 at 5pm. The early submission fee is $25. The final submission deadline is Friday, November 27th at 5pm. The fee for the final submission deadline is $35. Don't wait! Get your films in early!
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2016 Open Call

Questions about the festival? Here is a list of handy FAQ's!

I'm excited to be volunteering with the festival again this year. Can't wait to screen and post my festival recommendations!

The festival says it best:

HEY FILMMAKERS! Entries are now being accepted for @AsianFilmFestLA 2016. Click the link, and send us your best! http://t.co/dkllyPwlB0
— LA AsianPac FilmFest (@AsianFilmFestLA) September 8, 2015

LAAPFF: The How To Fest post!

4/23/2015

It's here! The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival starts today with the opening night film EVERYTHING BEFORE US. The film is the feature film debut from Wong Fu Productions.

Here are my festival tips for folks thinking about checking out the festival.

Get Tickets

I honestly can't remember the last time I walked up to a movie theater and bought a ticket for a show. The perpetual planner in me has me buying my tickets ahead of time. Getting tickets ahead of time will make your festival experience so much easier. You won't have to worry if the screening you want to go to is sold out because you'll already have your tickets in hand via email! Check out the LAAPFF Box Office for more ticket info!

Arrive Early

The festival is held in multiple locations in Little Tokyo, Downtown LA, and Koreatown. Arriving early to avoid parking mishaps is a must!

The festival has provided this info about all the venues and parking. A fellow committee member also recommended ParkMe.Com for more parking info!

Ask Questions!

Many films may have a short Q&A session after the screening. Curious about why an director/writer/actor made a specific choice? Ask them!

Become A Member

Memberships start at $40 and you get discount to all screenings and events! Your membership supports Visual Communications and you join a community of filmmakers and film lovers who support Asian American voices in film and media.

#LAAPFF2015

The festival social media game is pretty sweet. You can follow the festival on facebook, twitter, instagram, tumblr, youtube, and flickr.

Oblivious Nerd Girl at LAAPFF

I'll be hosting several screenings and leading a few Q&A's at the festival. If you are so inclined to check out a film and hang out at the festival, here's where I'll be infusing my obliviousness.

Fri, April 24th - Kung Fu Killer
Mon, April 27th - Love Arcadia
Tues, April 28th - Crane-Kick Commentary: Karate Kid Part II
Weds, April 29th - Where I Am King
Weds, April 29th - Ktown Cowboys (Encore Screening)

Enjoy LAAPFF folks. It's going to be awesome! For fun, if you spot me, say "hello hello!" I will gladly say "hello hello!" back at ya.

Stay Oblivious

LAAPFF: Where I Am King (Hari Ng Tondo)

4/20/2015

Where I Am King (Hari Ng Tondo)

Wednesday, April 29th, 6:45pm, CGV1

Imagine you’ve made it in life. You worked your way out of poverty and into millionaire status. You have it made right? WRONG. Because of some shoddy investments you now lose all your assets because you need to sell them off to pay off your debts. Yes this is the main character Ricardo’s back story in HARI NG TONDO. A rich dude loses his money, but retains his former home, an apartment building in Tondo. Ricardo returns to his former home and brings with him his grandchildren in an effort for them to learn how to not be millennial ass millennials. Of course Ricardo’s grandchildren are not the only one who learn lessons in this film. Ricardo must deal with his own issues with Tondo. The place he once knew has moved on without him. It does not need to be saved by him, however Tondo finds a way of saving him and his family.
Click on the picture for ticket info!

LAAPFF: Crane-Kick Commentary - The Karate Kid, Part II

4/19/2015

Crane-Kick Commentary: The Karate Kid, Part II

Tuesday, April 28th, 7pm, JANM

When I think of Karate Kid, Part II, my mind goes to the drum that Mr. Miyagi shows Daniel. I’m not going to lie, every time I see a drum like that in a store I pick it up and imagine myself in that scene. Crane-Kick Commentary’s screening of Karate Kid 2 allows you to go back to that scene in a Mystery Science Theater 3000-esque screening with Phil Yu (Angry Asian Man) and friends.

Crane-Kick Commentary is a special edition of “Big Trouble in Little Tokyo,” a film series that features specially-selected films by and about Asian Americans followed by a discussion with the cast and crew. “Big Trouble in Little Tokyo” is presented by JANM in partnership with Angry Asian Man, First Pond Entertainment, and Visual Communications.

Click on the picture for ticket info!

LAAPFF: NUOC 2030

4/18/2015

Nuoc 2030

Monday, April 27th, 7pm, CGV 2

http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/2030_2015

Vietnamese post-apocalyptic waterworld-esque film? Yes I’m in. NUOC 2030 is all these things. There are several things happening in this absorbing Vietnamese film. It’s a post-apocalyptic movie, but it doesn’t star teens attempting to save the world. Instead Sao, a mother who works on a floating farm, looks for answers into her husband’s murder. Does the chief scientist, who so happens to be Sao’s ex-lover, aboard a floating factory ship have anything to do with it? What whirlpool must she go through to find the truth?

Click on the picture for ticket info!

LAAPFF: Miss India America

4/17/2015

Miss India America

Sunday, April 26th, 6pm, Downtown Independent

Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. Girl plans out their entire future together only to be crushed when plans change because they are only in high school. Sounds simple right? You would think the girl would move on, look back on their relationship as a high school fling. In MISS INDIA AMERICA, Lily Prasad bucks that trend and attempts to win her former boyfriend back and get them back on her future plans by entering the Miss India America beauty pageant. Of course things don’t turn out as she plans, but how else will she learn that you don’t always get what you want, but you get what you need. (Yes I quoted a Rolling Stone song.)

Click on the picture for ticket info!