MEETING GARRETT WANG AT THE VANCOUVER
ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 18, 1998
ROBSON SQUARE CONFERENCE CENTRE - DOWNTOWN
VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA
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I'm writing this RIGHT
after coming home after an incredible evening!
If you see me YELLING!!! with exclamation everywhere, it's because I had too much coffee, an Irish Cream Coffee, tiny but potent, and a Double Mocha after at ~11:30PM. Okay, on with the story. The date was Friday, September 18, 1998. Actually, it started a day earlier. Actually the whole week, I was thinking about this day. On Wednesday I remembered that I needed to make a hard copy of my story and give it to Rigel as partial payment for exchanging some US money so I could pay another online friend for some video tapes of music videos of the UK violinist Vanessa Mae. So, I made up the title page, and then I went to print the story on my lazer printer, which took about 15 minutes. Then I went back to Vancouver (I have 'two homes' one in "Langley, B.C." which is a small town about 40 minutes drive east from Vancouver--30 minutes if you go over the limit :-) Anyway, I went to work, went to class, and then on Thursday evening I remembered that I had forgotten to take to Vancouver, my stuff I wanted Garrett to sign. I thought about it, and then I decided that I had to drive back to Langley on Friday morning to get the stuff, then go to work, then go to class, then meet Rigel at the university (UBC). So, I made it a mission to wake up at 7:30AM, took a lot of time to get ready since I'd have to look presentable all day (which in the end wasn't a total success, but more on that later). I left my apartment at 8:30AM, rushed to Langley and got there at 9:20AM--I don't remember why it took so long--oh, they have construction on the highway, they're putting in an HOV lane, and the morning rush too. But since I was going in the opposite direction of rush hour, it wasn't as bad, but it was still bad at a stretch since 18 wheelers were taking up both lanes--yes our main, Trans-Canada highway only has two lanes in one direction. Anyway, I'm blabbing. It's the caffine, and the adrenaline, or both... Anyway, got to my room, picked up my two Voyager Magazines I wanted Garrett to sign, the one where he's featured, which says "Whos' the Alien?" and the last Voyager magazine which had "Demon" in it. Then I remembered I probably need a pen for him, so I took two glittery pens, but I had a fear that they wouldn't work to well, because ballpoint pens don't work well on 'shiny paper'. But I had nothing else, so I just took it. It would cause some problems, but more on that later. Anyway, I rushed to work at 10AM, in Surrey, B.C. (basically between Langley and Vancouver, but is the largest city. At least twice the size, in terms of landmass, finished at 12PM, then rushed to class at UBC to my 1:30 PM class. We have a big campus, I think it takes about 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other, longer if you include the stadium and fields, and Botanical Gardens, etc.. If you are remotely interested, go to: www.ubc.ca . Anyway, got to class, and went to my three classes. It was finally 4:30PM, and I remembered I had to buy something for a homework project, and bought that, and rushed to the UBC Bookstore where I had last said to Rigel that was a good place to meet. Oh, I forgot about that. Rigel I think called on Tuesday night, which was a complete surprise to me since she had emailed earlier in the day. For her to go from San Fran to Seattle (actually, farther up than Seattle) was amazing. It took me all day just to get from Vancouver to LA. I didn't say this at the time, but I remember that I had a hard time hearing her. Either it was the phone, or maybe it was she was quiet, but I was trying with all my might to hear her. Anyway, she asked where we should meet, and I said "UBC Bookstore" since she mentioned I had class until 4:30, which I mentioned to her in an earlier email. Since I really couldn't give her directions since she'd never been here, and I didn't know exactly where the Bookstore was (I just 'know' how to get there, exactly what streets they are, I haven't a clue). So I gave her the website address, and she obviously got there. So, it was 4:30, and I was scouting for her, but didn't see her. So I decided to go in to the Bookstore and browse, since I still had to buy books. But if anyone knows, beginning the semester, EVERYONE buys books, returns wrong books, sells old books, etc., and it was just chaos in there. So I left. I went out, and I saw someone who I thought looked like Rigel, but I wasn't totally sure. And, some of you may feel the same way, when you look at a stranger, you want to be cautious. But I remembered seeing her in the Garrett picture she had, and seeing no one else remotely like her, I approached her. I was right, and our distant connection was complete. This is the first time I had actually met someone I initially met online, so it was kinda cool :-) Anyway, the only reason why I'm writing every detail is because I know I'm going to forget it when I go to sleep. I want to remember everything before that happens. And since I've got the caffine in me, and AAHHHH!!! I'm going to keep typing. Okay, We chit chatted about things like if it was difficult to get here, and where the other two people were (she came with two of her friends which she met at the Aug 1-2 Convention in San Fran--Jason and Christine). Christine went to find a washroom, which is a miracle she did, since she didn't know where to even look. Apparently she went into a building that even I hadn't gone to, so I really couldn't help... Anyway, she came back, and Rigel introduced us, and the first thing I noticed was how green her eyes were. They are an emerald green, which I didn't mention until we were at the Opening Gala, after having a glass of beer to calm me a bit :-) Okay, we went to Jason's car, and I had a fearful impression of him at first because he looked so out of it. Actually, both Christine and Jason were out of it, but they woke up at 6AM to get to Vancouver and browse around. We didn't leave and end the evening until 12 AM, so it was definatley a long day for them. Anyway, my fears were gone by the evening. I told them where I parked, and to speed up the time, he gave me a ride to my car. Then, he followed me into downtown Vancouver, under the assumption I knew where I was going. Well, I did, sort of. I had a map-book with me, so I didn't want to go the wrong way, but it happened anyway. I had known about the parking at the Robson Conference Centre, but I didn't check out where the entrance was. I only knew it was at the corner of Howe Street and Nelson. So, we were going on Nelson, but the entrance to the parking was on Howe, so we went in a circle around a block and got to the right street. To those who don't know, downtown Vancouver is a network of one way streets, so you have to go to specific streets to go the right direction. Plus there are dedicated transit (bus/taxi) streets, so I had to make sure I didn't get stuck in one of those. We find the parking, get in, and then we went to get our tickets. No I had scoped the general location the day before, but I didn't come in from the parkade, so I wasn't that good at where I was. But it was no biggie. We came really early, and so we got our tickets really quick. Rigel, Christine and Jason had reserved their's a week or so before me, and I just called in to reserve mine. They said they'd call me back, but they didn't, but it was okay, since they had my name and everything. So, I paid for it ($50 Canadian), and Christine and Jason had to go to a bank machine to get Canadian currency. So, Rigel and I sat outside and talked. I gave her my hardcopy of the story, and she let me see her binder of celebrity autographs. Wow, it was impressive. She had met all those people, and THIS WAS MY FIRST EVER MEETING WITH A CELEBRITY! Anyway, after that Christine and Jason got back, we got their tickets, and then we decided to get some coffee, since Jason looked like he needed it. So, we go have a cup of coffee. One restaurant we went to said they didn't have cappaccino (sp?), so we went to the other one across the complex, which was a Greek restaurant. Anyway, I ordered my Irish Cream coffee, Christine ordered a margurita (sp?) and Rigel ordered a 'dackery' ? (sp?). Anyway, we talked about just stuff, for some reason we got into conversation about people packing into cars, but then I noticed that there was a TV reporter I'd seen on TV sitting across the complex, apparently waiting. Then, a camera man came, and started to set up, right beside us! THEN I GOT MY FIRST PERSONAL VIEW OF GARRETT! He was wearing a black suit, with I think a T-shirt like shirt (really descriptive, eh? :-) and boots that had a zipper (looked like Trek uniform boots, but what do I know). Anyway, the reporter sat at a table beside us, in front of me, behind Rigel, and they were obviously preparing for an interview. It was with VTV, which is a Baton station, which is the same company that partially produces Earth: Final Conflict. I thought it was either an interview they were going to tape, but then I asked Jason what time it was, and he said it was 6:45PM, and I knew that it was news time. News is at 6. Then I thought it was going to be a live interview. And it was. But it was a really short one. He talked for maybe 45 seconds and that was it. Anyway, it was my first time seeing a live broadcast, and that in it of itself was so cool. The reporter then thanked Garrett for the opportunity, and said she wished they could talk longer. Anyway, then the producer and the writer/director came out and the producer, Jusak Yang Bernhard, came up and recognized Rigel, Jason and Christine. I was totally surprised, and I was at first a total outsider. But I was so pumped that a big guy of the movie was coming to meet people at my same table! Then the writer came, and we all introduced ourselves (Eric Koyanagi). Anyway, apparently the gang (Rigel, Christine and Jason) had met them at the Napa Valley Wine Festival Showing, which apparently only had a very small turn out. So, they knew them and remembered them. It was so cool. Anyway, Garrett and the producer and Eric went to a table beside us, since Eric wanted to get a drink (I think it was just a pop). So the three of them were talking. And all this time, Jason was standing a little aways smoking, apparently trying to keep the smoke away from 'the big three.' But then Eric started to smoke, and Garrett, after finishing chit chatting with the reporter, went to Eric's table to get a smoke. So, then Jason felt a bit more comfortable, and he joined Garrett and Eric. As for me, Christine and Rigel, we kept talking with the Jusak Yang Bernhard, the producer. I don't remember the whole conversation, but we were talking about where the movie was going to be shown next, and they said Hawaii, and Rigel mentioned that the only way we could go see it was if we saved up. That's what got Rigel to come to Vancouver. Anyway, we talked about the film a bit, and we got to him saying, "I want to hear you laugh." He said that the movie was very important to Asian Americans, and I agreed, and he said, "You haven't seen the movie!" but I already knew the basic story that I had a really good feeling I was still right (and I was after seeing the movie). Anyway, he said you have to laugh, and I said I will, and then he asked me to laugh so he'd make sure he'd hear me, and I gave a really unusual laugh, one that occurs rarely. He didn't seem so impressed, but I was high on the moment :-) Anyway, I kinda merged over to the conversation with Eric and Garrett, and Garrett was just mentioning something about the pronounciation of his last name, and he gave a spelling of it, which was Huang, and Jason mentioned that's exactly what I said before we saw Garrett. Oh, yes, we were talking about that in our initial chit chat while waiting for our coffee, before Garrett's TV interview. I had mentioned that there are a variety of English spellings of Chinese names. In Garrett's case, it's either Wong, Wang, Huang, all with the same pronounciation, just different English spellings. Even my last name Chu, can be spelt Chu, Chiu, Cheu, Chew, etc.. Anyway, the Gala time was coming up, but we didn't want to go down since Garrett was still sitting talking with Eric and Jason. Jusak kept prodding them to get going, so eventually we all did. After all, we went to the Gala just to see Garrett! :-) So, we followed them down. I was consciously trying to differentiate our group from them, making our own conversation, because I didn't want to give the impression that we were really 'following' them, but of course we were :-) But since Jusak knew the gang, it was okay, I thought. At the Gala, people were already filling up. We went over and showed our tickets, and started to mingle. BTW, I'm sorry for all the details. I want to remember them! We slowly started to get at the food, which happen to be sushi and Chinese dim sum. Personally, I didn't think it was that great, but it didn't matter that much. I got a glass of Japanese beer, and was happy with that. Garrett did the rounds talking with a bunch of people. Jason was teasing Christine asking, "So where's Garrett?" and the first time, Christine pointed him out, only proving what her interest was :-) Anyway, we chatted a bit, and started to have a conversation about the difference between Chinatown in Vancouver, and the Chinatown(s) in San Fran, since one historian was there, examining the differences between the two. Okay, then to our surprise, the president of the VAFF (Vancouver Asian Film Festival), started to speak, and we were right beside the speaker, so that blew my ears away. She introduced the festival, then Jusak went up, Eric went up, and the Garrett went up. Garrett teased the president, "she asked if I had anything written down to say, and I didn't, so I decided to wing it." Or something to that effect. So, he gave a basic bio, where he was born, lived, (which you all should know, and if not, check out the First Garrett Wang Page). That got him to talk about the reasons he decided to become an actor, trying to combat in a way the prejudice he faced while growing up, to give those faced with the same prejudice some strong footing to be proud in a sense, with who and what the Asian is. Basically be a role model. I don't remember if there was anything else, but then they started to get people into the theatre to see the movie. I took a couple pictures of the group of people on the small stage, Garrett at the mike, and then I ran out of film. But more on that later. We went into the theatre and we went picking for good seats. We first got to the very front, but decided against it since we were blocked by the projector, so we moved up a bit. Anyway, we saw the
movie.
After that... No, just kidding :-) It was a great movie. It struck me personally, mainly because it took things from an 'American-Asian' perspective of the stereotypical Asian persona. By that I mean, 'bananas'--which by all accounts as a racial term, meaning, yellow on the outside, but white on the inside--do have a hard time with identity. The gang and I had a conversation about it after seeing the movie. Which interested me, but I don't know about the rest of the gang. It was very interesting, though, to get an American perspective on it, because in Canada, particularly in Vancouver, it's so VERY different. Asians, believe it or not, are the dominant group here. 60% of people here don't have English as a first language. Most are Chinese (Cantonese/HK), and then Mandarin (Mainland China, Taiwan), then 'East Indians' Sikhs, Hindus, Punjab, and then every other Asian group. And when I listened to the gang's experience with the whole issue of identity, it was so different. It's very competitive in the States, an 'us vs. them' kind of mentality, but to me at least, it's not so competitive here. I can go into an argument about it, but that's beside the point here!! The movie is great. What can I say? To me, it struck a cord about a person's identity, but it can easily be seen that way by anyone, no matter what 'racial' background. Anyway, after the movie, we had a brief Q&A with the big three and the organizers of the festival. It was kinda quiet, so the president asked the question all of us are wondering: "Will Kim and Seven get together?" I'm glad she asked and not me!! :-) He said, "Not likely," in a casual, good-natured way. He then went into 'convention mode' particular since someone asked whether George Takei allowed his Trek character to be used in the film. Garrett said he wanted to apologize to George since the line in the script wasn't that flattering to Sulu (you have to see the movie to find out what it was ;-). Personally, I thought Garrett was right, since Sulu did have a daughter in Generations, which made him better than Spock (big hint, hint). But, there were certainly a lot of Trek related lines in the movie. As a comment, I think Garrett's character, Troy Tashima is the best character in the movie, mainly I guess because he has the most hardest choices to make. I was really moved by his role, and if people think he can't act, they haven't seen him REALLY do his work. He was just great in Hundred Percent. I don't know if it's personal bias or what, but I think the other viniettes of characters, add to the underlying theme in Garrett's character. And the great thing was, it was funny. The movie had a ton of laughs, on a subject that can get really deep and serious, like the conversation the gang and I had after the gala and film showing. I just cannot believe it's been so hard for Jusak to get a distributor for the film. I mean, in Canada, we can have films like "Crash" made and distributed, about the eroticism of car crashes, and they can't get an awesome film like Hundred Percent to be distributed. Something is really wrong there. Anyways, after the Q&A, we had a chance to meet Garrett again. There was a line of girls wanting an autograph, and I was interested too, as were a bunch of other people. Oh, before that...As the movie finished, I started to leave the theatre to go to the lobby, and there was Garrett sitting just before the door. I took the chance, without even thinking (I think it was the beer working! :-) and told him what great work he did in the movie. It really was. He thanked me and we shook hands (again :-). It kicks ass to what he's given in Voyager. Anyway, I made another bold move and told him that I was working for a UBC Student newspaper, and I was wondering if I could do an interview with him. He said 'yeah, sure,' in an encouraging way. I asked how long he'd be in Vancouver, and when would be a good time. He asked if I had a card so I could contact him, and I said, I could only give him my number, and he took it..a bit later. I went over to my bag and rushed to find a blank piece of paper, BUT I DIDN"T HAVE ANY!!! IT WAS IN THE CAR!!! (I had mentioned to Rigel that Jason seemed like a forgettful person since he went back to the car a couple times to get something, but when the time came THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME!!!) Anyway, the only piece of paper I had was a rough draft print of the title page to my story. I didn't want to give him the whole thing, because I thought he'd get the wrong idea about me, like maybe I was trying to show him a story or script or something, so I just ripped a portion of the title page and put my ph. number on the back of it. I thought it was the MOST unprofessional thing I could give him, so I decided to give him a copy of the student newspaper, and put my number on it too. If any of you are interested, the web site is: www.perspectives.vancouver.bc.ca . Anyway, I gave it to him, asked him again when would be a good time, and he said he'd call me on Sunday, or call me from LA. I hope he calls before then, because the chances of me being home next week is bad, working mornings, school, afternoon. Anyway, I gave him the paper and he was surprised that it was in Chinese. I told him it was an English-Chinese student newspaper. He asked me about my Chinese, I told him I could understand it, but my speaking ability was rather weak. He related saying that Mandarin was his second language too, and then was whisked away by an organizer to do some more signing. Anyway, it was just great to have just a few one-on-one brief moments with him. Anyway, we the gang mingled more, and the crowd started to dissipate. I went over to Eric Koyanagi to get his autograph, and asked him about the movie. How the characters seemed to not have a sense of strong identity, and he realted that to himself, but I related to him as well on the subject. Anyway, went back to 'Garrett's line' and I took a picture for Rigel, and then I got him to sign the festival program. I also took out my two Voyager magazines, and he signed the first one, the one with his big poster inside, and wasn't going to have him sign the second magazine, because I just thought and said to him, that it was just too much to give him to sign, but he did it anyway, which was so cool of him. And, he had to deal with the fact that my pen didn't work too well, but he did his best to make sure it came out right and clear, and that was just great of him. Christine then took a picture of me with Garrett, and then we chatted a bit. He talked about his choice to stay on Voyager, the roles he had to give up to do the show, and how it was a really big choice at the time. There were pros and cons to it, one issue being that being in an ensemble show, usually the 'main actors' get a a broader career. I added in 'defense' of Trek that while a lot of good actors, like Patrick Stewart had Shakespearian background, Trek wasn't that different, in the sense that there were many similarities to both genres, and the abilities an actor needed to be able to do either, or both. He said that was an observation he hadn't thought of, and well, I wouldn't have said it, if I hadn't read it somewhere :-) But, after that, the crowd was basically non-existent, and all the 'big players' were ready to leave. Oh, Rigel asked about the fan club, and Garrett mentioned that he was really wanting to start it up again, but didn't want to face the problem (again) that the people who handled it, would quit and leave him (which apparently happened with the first fan club since the people had so much work). Rigel said she could help with the website stuff, and Garrett seemed interested and asked for Rigels' contact information. Anyway, after that, we said our farewells to Garrett and the big guys, and headed out. Well, we left basically together, the big guys taking one stairwell, and me and the gang going on the other. We left together, and Jusak asked Rigel, Christine and Jason, if they got the pictures and stuff they wanted, and Christine mentioned that Jason didn't get a picture, so Jusak called Garrett back, and they took a picture! After that, we went on our separate ways. We went to the Virgin Megastore to check it out, and since Jason needed his caffine, we went to the cafe in the Megastore. And then we had a long conversation about identity, and the whole problem with race and stuff like that. We walked back, and Rigel, Christine, and eventually Jason were cornered by a street-man who gave a huge schpeel about him being robbed, kicked, punched, a family lost somewhere, blah, blah, blah, and I was urging them to just ignore him, but apparently they couldn't. Anyway, they were able to get rid of him, and we headed to the parkade. There we said our goodbyes, and headed out of town. I went back to my apartment, still feeling the rush of the whole evening, and quickly turned on my computer, and started to type like a mad man. It has been so surreal. Now, two hours after the fact, I feel so disoriented. It's happened. It happened!!! I shook his hand, I got to TALK with him! And I Got the opportunity to have an interview with him for my student newspaper!!!! Whether it will still happen is another thing, but it's just so surreal!!! It's just so cool. I wish I had a video tape of the event, and I should ask the Festival coordinators because there was a guy making a video of the whole event. I want a copy!!! If nothing else happened, I'd still be a very happy man. If more happens, I'll be a VERY VERY HAPPY MAN!!! It's just so wild. Two big dreams have come true. I've seen Hundred Percent. I've met Garrett Wang. IN MY OWN TOWN!!! And now, I'm just blabbing. I still have to pay for the parking, since we stayed rather late. But that's a minor thing. It's so great. I just feel so great, it's indescribible. THE LAST, but MOST IMPORTANT THING is that I have an eternal gratitude for Rigel. I told her, it's the funniest thing that I heard about something that happened in my own town from someone who lives in San Fransisco. It's just WILD!! It's the first time I'd ever met 'Hollywood'/movie people, and it was such an honor, and thrill to have that happen. Garrett was just great, better than great. Eric and Jusak, are just really cool people; cool is such a cliche and understatement, but it's so great. I'm blabbing. Because I don't want it to stop! It will all end when I finish this message, and I don't want it to! :-) Well, I can start thinking up questions to ask Garrett for the interview, which I hope will happen. i don't know for sure, since the paper I work for isn't really 'that' professional. But, we work hard at it, and it is a unique paper, since it's in English and Chinese. The main stories are translated in both, so that's something you don't see often around here, if anywhere. Anyway, that's my evening with Garrett Wang. It's such a blast!!! And it was great meeting Christine and Jason, and especially Rigel. Hey, Rigel, remember, if you need help with the fan club, I'll be there!!! :-) Okay. I have to finish. Thank you for your patience, everyone. Report by: Richard
Chu.
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