By John “Johnny C” Chuidian
One of the things anybody in New Media will say about this modern day entertainment industry equivalent of the Wild West–completely new, full of opportunities, and barely tapped to its complete potential–is that the people who define it best are its fans. For that very reason, on Friday, December 16th in Monterey Park’s AMC Atlantic Times Square 14 theater was where Wong Fu Productions held a special year end screening of their 2011 shorts.
From their collaborations with David Choi and Freddie Wong to their work with Harry Shum Jr. and Wang Lee Hom, it was a great evening to see them on the silver screen with their fans and friends in the two evening screenings, completely packed. Besides the usual Wesley, Ted, and Phillip, people in attendance included Dan Matthews of the band After School Special, composer and frequent Wong Fu collaborator George Shaw, and Sung Kang of the Fast and Furious series.
In addition to an opportunity to watch them in the comfort of a movie theater and chance for fans to meet and greet while getting free posters autographed, everyone was treated to an early preview of their upcoming Christmas short before its official online release. As much as a pleasure for the audience to enjoy Wong Fu live in a movie theater, it was a pleasure for them to not only be welcomed by Monterey Park’s Mayor Pro Tem Mitchell Ing, but to be presented each a copy of the key to the city, which in his words would “open the door to opportunities”. In Ing’s own words, they are “ambassadors for a culture and youth”.
For Wong Fu, it’s a great way to end the year and a sign of another great one to come, but for Wong Fu fans, it’s an indicator that they not only deserve to be on the big screen, but absolutely must make their way there. With the way things are currently going from fan support, critical acclaim, and their endless potential, it is only a matter of time before we inevitably see a major theatrical release with Wong Fu.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John “Johnny C” Chuidian is a graduate student at UCSD’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies and a freelance writer. His writings have appeared in Denizen Magazine, 8Asians.com, Taiwan543.net, and Prospect Journal. You can find some of his work and more about him on his sites johnnycrockstheplanet.
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