The Mechanics of Storytelling

How Nancy became interested in sociology, racial justice, and more equitable racial representation in Hollywood (3:10)Nancy’s first experience seeing positive Asian representation in film (5:55)Importance of racial representation and  mental health amongst youth (8:33)Asians perpetually  being portrayed as the outsider and "noble immigrant" (10:15)Becoming creators of our own storytellers, creators and content producers (16:25)The role of regulation and policy in improving diversity and representation in TV and film (25:15)Why the current system in Hollywood is difficult to change (29:30)“What encouragements would you offer to Asian/BIPOC actors and creatives in the industry now?” (31:00)Spiritual question: “How do the spiritual and moral dimensions come together in your work, research, and fight for racial justice in Hollywood?” (34:10)You can connect with Nancy:Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancywyuenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancywyuenConnect with us or drop us a line on Instagram (@mostpodcast): http://instagram.com/mostpodcast

ORIGIN STORY: "How did you get started with storyboarding for animation?" (2:29)Bobby talks about his creative process. (12:30)Taking feedback from others but staying true to your story’s vision. (14:44)Thinking about Asian heritage when Assistant Director for “Avatar: The Last Airbender”. (23:10)“How do you access or experience the divine?”(30:05)

ORIGIN STORY: How Patrick and his college friends started Rotten Tomatoes (0:30)When creating a start-up company, how do you deal with discouragement at the onset--or even before you get started? (5:19)Patrick’s experience as Executive Producer of a film (16:30)As an Asian American in a very white space (i.e. Hollywood) did you encounter any racism in Hollywood and in your professional experience with Rotten Tomatoes? (20:50)Experience transitioning from computer science/engineering to the world of business and movies (26:40)What do you think is the meaning of life? (28:55)Life legacy (32:20)To connect with our podcast, check out our Instagram: http://instagram.com/mostpodcast This is the final episode of Season 2. Thank you for supporting our podcast! We aren't sure when Season 3 will be coming out, but if/when it does, we hope to see you then. Please take care during these tentative times. And if you're able to, please VOTE! 

ORIGIN STORY: How Ross got into storytelling, screenwriting, etc. (3:50)Combining TECH AND STORYTELLING: How writers can use tech to enable better writing or overcoming writer’s block (5:35)How to make a story interesting (drama) and meaningful (theme)? (12:30)What makes a great story? (13:50)Using “dramatic questions” — or questions that make the audience want to know what the answer is— to retain audience interest and to push forward a story (18:30)Importance of theme (24:00)Is exploration of moral questions necessary for a great story? (31:20)What is your process of getting your ideas to paper — how you actually start writing the script itself?(43:10)Snowflake method of writing (46:00)Ross, what is the meaning of life?! (51:30)Preorder Ross's upcoming book "The Structure of Story" here: https://kiingo.co/preorderMore about Kiingo here: https://kiingo.com/Connect with Kiingo on Instagram  here: instagram.com/kiingocreative/Connect with Ross on Instagram: instagram.com/ross_hartmann  

How Donald got into improvisational (“improv”) comedy and acting (1:15)Improv as a way to break out of his shell (4:00)How you become the producer for the Asian AF show at Upright Citizens Brigade New York? (7:25)Do you improv differently when your audience is mostly Asian? (11:45)Basic technique to improv comedy (14:20)As an improv actor/partner, what are you trying to achieve in each improv skit? (20:15)How you know when the skit is over/ending! (20:50)What goes through Donald’s mind as he performs improv (23:35)Even in improv, audiences want to see interesting relationships between people (25:00)Being afraid of being yourself and improv as a way for repressed adults to return to a place of childhood playfulness (26:30)What NOT to do when doing improv(29:00)How improv will help you in your life (33:40)Doing improv in a way where you’re not worrying about saying the wrong (even if morally wrong) thing (34:11)Why do you think there’s suffering in the world? (36:45) Connect with Donald Chang's Instagram at http://instagram.com/donaldkchangLearn more about UCB's Asian AF show (and about upcoming performances) at https://www.asianafshow.com/  

Youngmi grows up in Korea and Saipan (1:00)Feeling like an outsider as a white person in Korea (5:00)How feeling like an outsider has influenced Youngmi’s comedy (9:00)Complexities of biracial upbringing (10:45)Youngmi retraces her history with starting Mission Chinese restaurant (14:30)Working through co-dependency issues (17:58)How Youngmi was able to assert her own creative desires and goals, working through baggage of Asian American upbringing and depression (19:15)Doing the scary thing of pursuing creative endeavors and honestly facing the possibility of failure (24:40)The challenge of living transparently emotionally and being vulnerable (25:30)Processing and healing from repressive Asian upbringing (26:50)“Was it scary to get into stand-up comedy?” (28:20)Coming up with stand-up jokes and practicing them (31:00)Power dynamics: Commanding the room as a stand-up comedian while also being vulnerable (36:30)Stand-up comedy as means of self-healing and talking about personal history on stage as comedy (38:25)“Do you think you could handle fame/celebrity?” (40:05)Youngmi answers a spiritual question: “Why is there suffering in the world?” (42:55)You can check out Youngmi's podcast "Feeling Asian with Youngmi Mayer and Brian Park" here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/feeling-asian/id1481891689Connect with Youngmi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ymmayer

How Eddie got into drawing comics (1:00)Eddie talks about his previous zine/comic book “Sidewalk Empire” (4:30)Comic strips vs. Zines/Comic books (7:10)Learning to draw as a kid up until now (11:30)Eddie talks about his latest comic book based on his life as a lawyer in non-profit work (16:25)How to work within the comic book panel form? (22:25)Crafting the ending of the story first or develop the story as you go? (24:00)Ezra talk about what he liked in Eddie’s previous comic book “Wish the World” (31:00)How to create storylines, fictional universes, and characters for a zine/comic book? (36:20)Eddie answers a spiritual question: “What is the meaning of life?” (38:55)Find Eddie's comics and drawings here: https://www.instagram.com/ehacomics/We talk about Eddie's latest comic book release (which he published on Instagram)--to check it out, you can start at this IG post here: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9KA-7ZB_0s/More of Eddie's zines, comics, and drawings: ehacomics.com

Luba’s YouTube Channel “Life of Luba” (3:05)“You don’t need to know a lot about opera to enjoy opera” (5:00)How Luba got into singing opera (6:00)Why Luba wants to share opera with everyone (9:16)Stereotypes of opera singers (14:35)Thinking of singing technically and with the story/character of the opera in mind (17:45)Luba sings for us! (23:28)Luba helps Ezra sing (25:25)Dealing with negative comments on social media (27:14)“What is the meaning of life?” (30:45)Connect with Luba's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflubaaYou can also check out Luba's YT channel/opera videos--here's a great one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKGYps-BTx8

Using sounds to effect emotional response in trailers (3:45)“What is a ‘marketing campaign’ and ‘creative marketing’?” (9:30)How Eric started at HBO (10:55)Configuring the story of a trailer (19:50)How to navigate Hollywood as someone from underrepresented background (29:00)Check out Eric’s trailers here: https://vimeo.com/ericobutler 

Kobe Bryant’s death and legacy (1:00)How Jonathan became a Lakers fan (10:53)How Jonathan got idea for podcast (18:02)Logistics of setting up a podcast (18:50)Building podcast’s legitimacy and brand image (28:28)Marketing for his podcast (35:45)Preparing for a podcast episode (38:20)“Has being a Lakers fan taught you anything about spirituality or faith?” (45:45)Connect with Jonathan at his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jhun88/The Lakers Legacy podcast at https://twitter.com/LakersLegacyPodListen to Lakers Legacy podcast on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/show/2ykVwciCmU7wdkrGofobvYFind more of Mark Dragicevic's music (composed one of the interlude songs) at https://soundcloud.com/cactusbloom

How Matt got into writing and storytelling in high school (1:40)Storytelling as means of self-exploration and meaning (10:30)Matt’s process in crafting a story to tell (16:35)“What is a story?” (17:15)Workshop: Matt crafts a story for us in real-time (26:50)Contrast makes things interesting (42:00)Scenes: placing stories in physical locations, avoiding exposition (46:39)“Where do you think we go after we die?” (67:00)Find Matt's books, podcasts, and everything else at matthewdicks.comFind Matt's book on storytelling, "Storyworthy" at http://www.matthewdicks.com/storyworthyFind more of Mark Dragicevic's music (composed one of the interlude songs) at https://soundcloud.com/cactusbloomAnd thanks to Tape Works in Hartford, CT for the recording space and sound engineering help: https://www.tapeworksinc.com/

Edwin’s origin story (1:50)Edwin pitches his short film story (15:35)Coming up with the idea for “Wind” (17:45)Inviting coworker feedback to improve the story (27:26)Reworking story per critical feedback (35:45)How Edwin pitched his story (39:40)Edwin helps Clara and Ezra craft story for a hypothetical short film (42:26)Edwin shares generic story structure we can use to craft our story (55:19)Connect with Edwin’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/edwinwchang/Watch “Wind” on Disney Plus: www.disneyplus.com/movies/wind/1EvvZOeiTFGb

Origin: Why/how Ann started into stand-up comedy (1:30)On Failing: How do you push through the failures? (6:15)Coming up with New Ideas: And on importance of knowing who you are. (9:54)Crafting the joke: Establishing subtext (12:25)Joke structure: premise, subtext, reveal/surprise (13:45)Excerpt/Sound Clip from Ann's recent set (15:24)Breaking down the mechanics behind jokes from Ann's set (17:22)Sharing personal material, learning about yourself (25:45)Connect with Ann on IG here! (IG: @ann_chun)

Daniel talks about the “Untitled Goose Game” he’s playing on Nintendo Switch (1:30) Origin: Daniel’s upbringing and origin story (2:40) On fame: Is it difficult to be well-known? (10:00) Daniel talks about his transition and how it’s influenced his work (11:20) Technique: Daniel discusses his technique in comedy and writing (18:20) Drawing unexpected but feasible associations/comparisons for comedic effect (23:48) Comedy as natural talent vs. learned skill/technique (26:06) Daniel’s upcoming book (29:25) Random personal question time: “Where do you go after you die?” (31:50) Ezra’s happiest moment and the movie Melancholia (33:30) Pre-order Daniel’s upcoming book Something That May Shock and Discredit You  here.   See Daniel’s Instagram here!You can also subscribe to Daniel’s hilarious and fun newsletter The Shatner Chatner and/or check out The Toast  (which Daniel co-founded).

Origin: Why/how Hannah started into art and illustration (2:00)Making her book of zines, comics, and drawings (11:12)Cultural expectations & Mental health, and their relationship with Hannah’s work (12:30)Becoming an art director at The New York Times (14:35)More on mental health and its influence on Hannah’s process and work (15:32)Dealing with addiction and recovery (19:15)Hannah finds her Chastity Ring (21:43)“What is your general process from beginning to end (for illustration)?” (26:05)Approach to doing illustrations for The New York Times (31:24)Advice for budding artists (33:00) Check out Hannah's book Language Barrier here!