Why Us? Why Now?

This is a deeply personal story for me to tell as it draws a lot upon personal experiences. It reflects the often contradictory things about the opportunities presented to immigrants and first generation Americans by living and working in the United States. This film, in part, is also paying respect to my mother who has given everything for me to be able to pursue my passions. Apart from that, now more than ever is a time for authentic Asian American stories to be told.

Visual References

The color palettes and realism of films such as Short Term 12 and Lady Bird are what has inspired the visual style that we are aiming for.

We also are looking to create some feelings of discomfort and disconnect created by certain aspects of the unconventional framing of Mr. Robot.

The Team

Ashley Chan: Director

Ashley Chan, born and raised in Queens, New York, began her life in the arts at five years old when she was cast in the North American Tour of Miss Saigon. She went on to attend LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts where she majored in Visual Art. Marking the final year of her time in NYU’s Film & Television program, she has had a role in producing a number of student films.

Peter Mancuso: Producer

Peter Mancuso is a senior majoring in Film & Television in NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, with minors in both Producing and Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technologies.

Peter has served many roles on almost two dozen projects during his time at school, including director, assistant director, and producer. These various perspectives help give him a broad view of production, enhancing what he can offer as a producer. He spent last semester interning at RadicalMedia, a production company specializing in documentaries, music videos, and commercial production.

Eli Kravetz: Director of Photography

Eli Kravetz is a student DP graduating this semester specializing in commercial cinematography. He's gotten a lot of hands on experience with professional camera and lighting equipment from shooting student and independent shorts, previously interning at BuzzFeed and currently at CNN. He likes to shoot off-kilter with unique and consistent composition to emphasize major themes in whatever he's shooting.

Sam Stuart: Assistant Director

Sam Stuart is a Chinese, Japanese, Scotch-Irish filmmaker pursuing their BFA in Film and Television with a minor in Business and Entertainment Management Technologies.

Sam loves working as an assistant director due to the nature of collaborating, organizing, and problem solving as much in advance, as well as on the spot.

They have already served as the Assistant Director on two Advanced Narrative projects, and nine Intermediate films.

How your contributions help us!

Through NYU's support for the Advanced Production classes, they are able to give us a standard financial allotment and access to equipment and insurance, but there is still a lot to be accounted for! And we are counting on you to help us take this story off the page and onto the screen!

Please remember that anything and everything counts! Spreading the word to friends and family is incredibly helpful -- and the support of family is what this film is all about!

Timeline

The YOTO team already has this project well into the works with production happening in late February. We can't wait to update you on the process of this film and are excited for you come on the ride with us!

Questions? Comments? Just wanna say hey? Contact us in the FAQ!