We-Penguins.com
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Ethnic Character, Background & Story Development
With America being such a melting pot of people and opportunities, there are more and more stories being written with an ethnic flare. The protesting among minority actors / actresses who were being passed up for roles due to their ethnic background stirred a push for writers to develop stories specifically for the ethnic in mind. The booming Independent film maker also helped the industry. Even with writers, actors, film makers doing their part to bring more cultural awareness into film today, there still is a call for the 'authenticity' of the characters and story. We are here to help with that area. This area of We-penguins, Inc. was developed with not just the screenwriter in mind, but writers of other areas, actors, teachers and the general public. To have a 'cultural awareness' of your surroundings will enhance performance and product. We wish to encourage the education and pass on what materials necessary to assist in this area. A set of links will be set up for your areas of research. If there is something that you wish to locate, please contact us and we will try to assist. A section for articles will be available in the near future. (See below for our first article) If you wish to submit an article for posting, please email the article in the body of the email to: JadeKingSF@aol.com All articles will be subject to discretion prior to posting. Also, include your name, email address.
Blacks (coming soon) Native Americans (coming soon) * NOTE: The sites listed are only suggestions of where to obtain information regarding ethnic and related areas. They are not sponsored by We-penguins.com.
Why should we care about the authenticity of ethnic characters? by Lauren Ann Gee As you view movies, read books, surf the web you will see the standard 'stereotyped ethnic character.' We, as writers of any medium should be aware that it is up to us to educated and inform the public as to the 'real thing.' How many of you like to eat veggie burgers? Not to say that are not good in taste or good for you, but many of us do not like substitutes. We want the 'real thing' which should apply also to characters in our stories. Take a look around you at all there is in America. Then the world. What a melting pot of ingredients to gather from. We need to bring out the differences and show the assortment of cultures we have at hand on this earth. Why are Mexicans different from Cubans? Why are Russian Jews different from American Jews? Why are Brazilians and Portuguese different, but speak Portuguese? What is the difference between Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese? Who are the blacks of America and those of Somalia? Why do you question a 'white' person if they say they are South African? These and many more questions rise in some people's minds and it is up to us to bring answers to them in our writing. Where do we look for information? There is a myriad of sources these days starting with the internet. Don't forget to get back into the 'old fashioned' ways with a library. The larger the library the more information. Try a library in a university or large city. Research, interviews, read, read and do more reading. A never ending task, but worth the information it holds.
Hispanic Education & Media Group, Inc. (HEMG) Promoting the education of Hispanic culture and way of life. An education into the Hispanic life and assimilation into the American world brings about an open mind for the present and future of Latino individuals of America. The Hispanic Education & Media Group, Inc. is a non-profit organization bringing education nationwide as part of their service to the Hispanic communities. Their service to society over the past many years has been acknowledged by many in the political and entertainment fields with Carlos Santana, Rita Moreno and Edward James Olmos to name a few. Along with HEMG, these individuals have given their time & efforts to encourage the Hispanic youth of America for a better future for themselves and others. For more information regarding Hispanic Education & Media Group please send your request to: Margot Segura or Marine Dominguez at Moviemaking@Qwest.net or JadeKingSF@aol.com HEMG:
PO Box 1329, Las Vegas, NM 87701
We would encourage any ideas about what you would like to see in this area. * If you have a favorite screenwriting related link you wish to share with our viewers or comments on those listed, please email us your information.
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