By Ken
When the director discussed her vision for the Goo Goo Dolls video Home, alarms went off left and right: she wanted Asians to make up a surrealistic world to drop the band in, one in which the Goo Goo Dolls would feel alienated. I immediately called my friend and asked if the band was known for being racist — she couldn’t recall anything. That quelled some concern for stepping into an anti-Asian project, even though I was also concerned about it being non-union (SAG).
So I woke up agonizingly early for a shoot in Little Tokyo. The best thing about the whole day was the made-to-order omelets. The day made me appreciate AFTRA jobs so much more; I’m not sure how film shoots can go beyond 8 hours and not pay additional money, but there I was, for 13 hours.
Upon seeing the vid, my observations: What’s the point? Why Asian? And also: “Good. I got cut.” But what are your thoughts?
ABOUT KEN: Ken Choy is an actor, writer, community organizer, and producer of Breaking the Bow. He is gay, green, and gluten-free.
