‘We made it’: Asian students discuss representation in film

Asian speaking or named characters only made up 2.3 percent of characters of films in 2016, according University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism report on diversity in entertainment. Graphic by Emma Reith

Leah Sherman-Weiner, a junior film production major, said she was “terrified” about a movie like “Crazy Rich Asians” because it was the first film made in a long time with a majority Asian cast. Sitting in the movie theater, Sherman-Weiner said she was shaking because she was nervous that “Crazy Rich Asians” wouldn’t accurately portray the Asian community.

“The fact that this was coming from Hollywood blew me away. I thought to myself − we made it. I was sitting there, (watching ‘Crazy Rich Asians’), determined and ready to make space for myself,” Sherman-Weiner said. “I was ready to fight the uphill battle as an Asian woman entering the industry. I hadn’t really seen something that told me I could do it until now.”

“Crazy Rich Asians,” “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “Searching,” and “A Simple Favor” are four films released this year with at least one Asian main character.

Asian characters comprised less than five percent of speaking characters in Hollywood films last year, despite making up 5.7 percent of the US population. Last year, there were only four Asian leads in the 100 top-grossing films, according to the The Guardian.

“What I loved about ‘Searching’ and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ was that the characters are Asian, but they didn’t have to be,” Sherman-Weiner said. “They could have worked with any family, but they were Asian families, and this allowed me to relate the films to my own life.”

A film like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” could have been a “white-washed” average role, Sherman-Weiner said, but instead it adds something to the conversation by making the main character Asian.

“I think what’s so incredible about film is that when you see something you relate to, you know you are not alone in this feeling,” she said.

Sherman-Weiner is working on an Advanced Production (AP) film for her major called “Help Wanted,” the story of Hanna Su, a Chinese-American girl who is kicked out of her house after dropping out of college.

“I’m most excited to see what kind of differences I can make even with this little short film,” Sherman-Weiner said. “I want to make a film with diversity without it being a ‘diversity film.’”

Melissa Cho, a sophomore news and documentary and theater studies double major, will play the role of Hanna Su in Sherman-Weiner’s film. Cho saw a post on the Chapman Casting Connection Facebook page looking for an Asian American actress and decided to audition.

“I saw myself finally at an advantage when (the creators of ‘Help Wanted’) were looking for an Asian-American actress,” Cho said. “Dodge projects rarely cast people of color, especially someone like me, so when I saw the casting call said “Asian-American” I thought, ‘Wow, I might actually have a shot at this. What are the chances that I’ll ever get cast in another film?’”

Hanna’s character in “Help Wanted” is complex, and her ethnicity doesn’t determine how relatable she is, Cho said. Hanna is trying to figure out what she wants to do in life − a universal theme that will hopefully resonate with all audience members, she said.

Recent Asian representation on the big screen have also made Cho less anxious about joining the film industry, she said.

“Hollywood producers are finally understanding the positive correlation between a diverse cast and box office success,” Cho said.

Stephanie McAdams, a junior screenwriting major, wrote the script for “Help Wanted.”

“When I write, I don’t write for a certain race or gender, I just leave it up to the director to decide,” McAdams said, “and I’m happy that (‘Help Wanted’) can add to the conversation (about Asian representation).”

Hopefully, when future audiences see an Asian character on screen, it won’t be anything new because they will be in films frequently, Cho said.

“I hope the fight for more Asian representation in the creative fields doesn’t stop at the cultural phenomenon of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’,” Cho said. “It’s definitely a milestone, but there is still so much more to accomplish.”