Category Archives: business

Children of Invention on YouTube Rentals

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We love the way that Children of Invention has been breaking the mold on how films are distributed. They’ve been selling DVD while their film is on the film festival circuit. (We had a recent update on their endeavors with the film.) In one of his Vlogs, director Tze Chun says that about 10% of audience are buying DVDs after seeing the film. The percentage jumps to 20% for Asian American film festivals. (Do these numbers mean that the article by Justin Lin about losing a crap load of money making Asian American films is changing?) Now, Children of Invention is playing with yet another innovative way to distribute their film.

Tze Chun‘s CHILDREN OF INVENTION , one of the most-awarded and best-reviewed festival films of 2009 will be among the five Sundance features to launch YouTube Rentals, the company’s new foray into online video-on-demand rentals. The film, about two young children left to fend for themselves when their mother gets embroiled in an illegal pyramid scheme, will be available for rental exclusively at YouTube during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, which runs January 22 to 31. Additionally, in the tradition of a post-screening Q&A, Chun will be posting video blogs to answer some of the questions that viewers ask in the “Comments” section.

“We’re very excited to be taking part in this initiative,” said Chun. “YouTube gives us exposure to the largest online video audience in the world, and allows us to engage directly with the community of people interested in our film. CHILDREN OF INVENTION isn’t the type of film YouTube is traditionally known for; it’s a heartfelt family drama that’s built not only to entertain, but also to move the viewer. And at 86 minutes long, it’s probably 85 minutes longer than most videos YouTube users log on to watch. But we’re hoping that the YouTube audience, as well as viewers new to YouTube, will see this as a paradigm shift–we hope that they will come to the site to get immersed in a film for an hour and a half, and have the type of experience that one usually reserves for the theaters.”

Starting with their first festival after Sundance last year, the filmmakers have been utilizing the film’s critical acclaim and press attention to self-distribute DVDs while on the festival circuit. “Our goal has always been a release strategy that embraces the exciting shifts in audience behavior,” Chun said. “And we cannot think of a more perfect partner than the freethinkers at YouTube and Google. After premiering at Sundance last year and playing over 40 festivals, we are happy to come full circle back to Sundance for our online VOD premiere. We hope that this new YouTube platform will bring filmmakers one step closer to reaching their audiences, and let audiences see what truly independent film is capable of!”

Producer Mynette Louie added, “This Sundance-YouTube partnership is totally in line with our hybrid distribution philosophy for this film: capitalize on festival publicity, retain as many rights as possible, and challenge the existing release windows in the hopes of establishing better, more flexible distribution options for indie films.” Louie and Chun were recently named in Ted Hope’s list of “21 Brave Thinkers Of Truly Free Film.”

In yet another example of shifting distribution windows, CHILDREN OF INVENTION will be self-released theatrically in Boston on February 26, and in New York and Los Angeles on March 12. The New York release, facilitated by Variance Films, is a joint, or “DIWO” (“Do It With Others”), release with Dave Boyle’s comedy WHITE ON RICE, another festival darling of 2009.

CHILDREN OF INVENTION is available for rent on YouTube from January 22-31 at http://www.youtube.com/childrenofinvention. For more information about the upcoming theatrical release in Boston, New York, and Los Angeles, or to purchase a DVD.

Tze Chun Q&A Vlogs about Children of invention

Thank You from Wong Fu Productions

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Wong Fu Productions had a great 2009. Now they’re starting off 2010 by thanking all their supporters and fans from the past, present, and future. Without their fans, the guys wouldn’t be successful. If you’re a fan, Wong Fu Productions is starting off 2010 with a busy lineup. Here’s a sample of what you can expect:

-Many more short films, music videos, and video blogs

-Spring and Autumn Tours

-More ISA concerts

-New toys, tees, and cool stuff in our store

-A new WEEKLY online show “Wong Fu Weekends”

-Begin working on our next full length feature

BTW – Thanks Wong Fu for your tweet.

Thank You from Wong Fu Productions

2010 Asian Pacific Male Calendar

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Looking for a holiday gift for the ladies? Check out the 2010 Asian Pacific Male Calendar.

At a time when Asian males continue to be either under-represented or stereotyped in the mainstream media, the 2010 Asian Pacific Male Calendar offers a rare look at a diverse group of Asian-American men who are fast becoming the newest “objects of affection” in American mainstream culture. The calendar features some of the most popular Asian Pacific American male actors and models showcasing their physical side. See the sexy side of Asian men from the likes of:

* “Mr. December” features Yul Kwon, the first Asian American SURVIVOR winner and People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in the World (2006); currently Deputy Chief of FCC Consumer Affairs

* Summer heats up with “Mr. August” a.k.a. Daniel Ichikawa, a Japanese American working actor from Costa Mesa who has appeared in Heroes, SWAT and The Last Samurai;

* “Mr. May” is Frank Chan, a decorated Chinese American war veteran who served two tours with the 82nd Airborne in Iraq and Afghanistan

“This project is important because it showcases and glamorizes Asian American males in a light that they are not often portrayed in; models in this calendar show the more masculine and intense face of the Asian American male,” said Darren Domingo (“Mr. March”).

The calendar’s creators say the reaction to the project has been extremely
positive, with orders coming from 25 states, D.C., and seven other countries
on four continents. “It was incredible to see such an enormous grassroots fan base build up during the production of the calendar,” said Jeff Sheng, the calendar’s internationally renowned photographer and one of its three creators, along with Nareth Chuon and Jason Peers. “People we didn’t even know quickly promoted us on their social networking sites and the buzz and excitement over the release really encouraged us and gave us confidence. This calendar is a great way to increase the visibility of Asian American men’s bodies in a society that disproportionally focuses on “white” beauty, or Asian American women.”

However, the 2010 APM Calendar goes beyond just skin deep. 100% of the production profits from the sale of the 2010 APM Calendar go to the Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, a non-profit community health center that provides low cost medicine to the working poor and uninsured in over ten languages.

Get your 2010 Asian Pacific Male Calendar here.

2010 Asian Pacific Male Calendar (Behind the scenes)

Warren Buffet wears suits from China’s Dayang Trands

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Investor Warren Buffet only wears suits from China’s Dayang Trands. He’s got nine already and threw away his other suits. Check out this letter he wrote to the owner of the company here. The stock in Dayang Trands shot up after Buffet made his statements. Other people wearing the suits include Chinese President Hu Jintao, Buffet’s business partner Charlie Munger and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates. In case you were wondering, the cheapest suit is $1,000 USD. It only goes up from there.

The woman behind Dayang Trands is Li Guilian aka “Madame Li”. She come a long way from being a farmer’s daughter making suits on a single sewing machine 30 years ago to running a mini empire with 20 stores and cranking out about 5 millions suits a year. Dayang Trands manufactures and markets its own men’s wear brand “Trands”. It also sells to clothing comapies like BCBG, Banana Republic, DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Macy’s.

Warren Buffet wears Chinese suits from Dayang Trands

US vs Chinese economies

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Check out this report from ABC. The ever growing global economies are getting more intertwined. As the US racks up more debt, China just buys more. US owes China $800 billion. Chinese investors own stakes in Hummer, IBM, banks, private equity firm, even the Cleveland Cavaliers.

US and Chinese economies growing together

Although US owes China huge amounts of cash, China can’t really collect. See why.