Skip to main content

"Dear Asian Girls" - Documentary

A Short Documentary Film dedicated to artists, Immigrant artists and AAPI community. And those who are creating their own path.

$9,400
pledged of$8,000 goal
100
0Days Left

Project Description

 We are cheerleader for artists & creatives. We create an award winning documentary series and help people understand the inside of Creative Industry. Bringing people together one story at a time.

This film is dedicated to all Artists and people with dreams who create their own path.

We are making... 

A Documentary Film about the life of three Asian Female Theatre artists of international backgrounds who moved to NYC to pursue their dream to be on the Broadway stage.

We are making..
 
This documentary addresses 

* Lack of API representation on Broadway (Commercial Theatre)
* Path of immigrant artists
* Creating sustainable Theatre Industry

[ Watch Teaser ]

 

Why does this matter?  

The number of arts and culture jobs across the United States is 5.2 Million.

Since the pandemic...

1) 63% of Arts Workers experienced unemployment & 95% lost creative income.

2) BIPOC Arts Workers had higher rates of unemployment than white artists.

3) Anti-Asian hate crime rate increased by 339%.

 

2018-19 theater season (the last full season prior to the pandemic shutdown)

1) White narratives were centered with white actors playing 80% of the lead roles in musicals and 89.7% of lead roles in play.

2) Actor’ Equity Association (AEA) had membership restrictions for performers who are not U.S. citizens or do not have a green card. (It was removed in April 2021)

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO GO BACK to "Normal". Let's build back better Creative Industry.

 

Who We Are... 

Creative Team

 

"Dear Asian girls" is produced by Yuko Kudo and Untapped Storytellers. 

Untapped Storytellers is a cheerleader for artists & creatives. We create an award winning documentary series and help people understand the inside of Creative Industry. Bringing people together one story at a time.

[Cast]

Shino Frances (She/Her, They/Them), Cinderella Mayo (She/Her),  Jessica Wu (She/Her) 

[Creative Team] 

Yuko Kudo (She/Her) -  Producer, Director, Editor

Michael Cutrone (He/Him) - Post Production Consultant

Ko Tanaka (He/Him) - Music Arrangement 

 

Yuko's Story... 

I move to the United States in 2003, when I was 19 years old as an immigrant. I am 4'10", Japanese and an Actress who look like 12 on stage. I was casted often for stereotype Asian characters like Harajuku girl, tech hacker or one of the Asian people in the background to set up the scene. I felt like I wasn’t really seen for who I am. But every job felt like a privilege for me even when it was little or no pay. Because that was still opportunities that I could add to my Visa application or “exposure” could possibly get me somewhere in the future. I took it because I was a part of “paying the due” And I did that for over a decade and while I was juggling survival jobs.

I quit auditioning in 2017 and I've been curating space for artists and developing my own work. I self-produced three sold out solo shows, including during the Pandemic. In February 2021 a group of us produced the digital hybrid theatre called ”I Came Here To Be Love". that was 100% community funded and all creative team were paid equitably. I am an advocate for artists and human centered culture building. I want to live in the world where people feel seen and heard. I want to make sure that people that I work with are getting paid for their labor and their time is respected as an artist. I want us to see that artists are people first just like you and I. We are all artists in our unique way. And when we come together, we can all heal together. And we need healing right now. Big time.

 

WHAT WE NEED 

Essential Goal  $8,000  WE DID IT!!!!

To Complete the Film & Submit Film Festivals

This will cover Artist's Fees, Post Productions, Festival Submission Fees. 

 

Stretch Goal $10,000

To Complete the Film + Music Video & Submit Film Festivals 

This will cover Artist Fees,  Post Production, Film Festival Submissions

Music Video "Just Be You" (Original Theme Song) will give us the chance to spread love for artists and AAPI community. 

 

Risk and Challenges

  • Artists continue to work for “labor of love” or reduced rate
  • Lack of awareness for anti-AAPI hate continues 
  • Lack of awareness and support for creators of color. 
  • There won’t be a music video!

 

Thank you! 

Thank you for helping us make the creative industry where artists get paid properly, more people of color are recognized as makers of art and a world where hate-crime doesn’t exist. This film will remind you that we are all people with dreams and passions.Whether that is you sharing this campaign, or donation of $5 or $5000, thank you for helping us spread love and support artists.

Looking forward to sharing this film with you.

Love and light xoxo 

 

Contact Us 

[email protected] 

www.UntapptedStorytellers.com 

The Campaign FAQs

How & When do I receive the rewards? 

  •  
    • For digital download of Music and PDF Lyrics  & “I Came Here to Be Love” 
      • You will receive the email with the link to download your reward within 7 days of when the campaign is completed. 
    • For “Dear Asian Girls” Early screening pass & Digital Download, 
      • Upon finishing this campaign, you will receive updates from our team. Our goal is to get this to you by fall 2022. Screening would be held both virtually and in-person in NYC area. If you are based outside of NYC area and want to plan a local screening, we can definitely discuss further! 
    • For consulting 
      • You will get an email from us to set up the time that works the Best for you. 
    • For Producer/Executive Producer Credit 
      • You will get an email from us to confirm all the details so that your name can be added to correctly. 

 

I can’t contribute right now, but can I do it in the future? and how can I support for now? 

  • Of course! And thank you for your love. 
  • For now, the best way you can support us is by sharing the link for this campaign with your community. 
  • For the Future.  You can reach out to us at [email protected] or support via our Patreon www.patreon.com/UntappedStorytellers when the time is right for you. 

 

I live outside of the United States, can I still support this? *Just Added*

  • Absolutely! 
  • You can complete the contribution process and skipping the address section altogether. This includes expanding the section to reveal any address information (clicking edit etc included). 

    The reason why, is because in this section, the United States is listed as the default location which will prevent funders from outside of the US from providing their address successfully. If a funder that is outside of the US wishes to include their address, they can do so in the 'Message to Entrepreneur' section before completing checkout. 

 

If I just contribute monetary, can I still watch the documentary when it complete? 

  • Absolutely. We will be submitting to many film festivals with screening opportunities. And we will be making it available public on our Untapped Storytellers youtube channel. 

 

Why music video for stretch goal? And what happens if you don’t meet the stretch goal? 

  • We have another story that we want to share to love up on you and people around the world that we couldn’t do it in that documentary itself. 

 

I want to ask more questions!

And we wanna hear from YOU!  Send us email [email protected] 

Yuko’s Biggest Fan <3
03/26/2022
Monetary Contribution
$77
Ebony
03/26/2022
Dreamer's Care Package
$50
Frances Gonzalez
03/26/2022
Monetary Contribution
$25
Takako Ishikawa
03/26/2022
Dreamer's Care Package
$50
Ariel Estrada
03/26/2022
Monetary Contribution
$25
工藤恵子
03/26/2022
Monetary Contribution
$888
Jacqueline Nieves-DeLaPaz
03/25/2022
Dreamer's Care Package
$50
Azanyah Yisrael
03/25/2022
Music to cheer you on❤️
$10
03/25/2022
Dreamer'S TLC package
$100
Michelle Feza Kuchuk
03/25/2022
Music & handwritten LOVE NOTES ❤️
$25
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

16 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Music to cheer you on❤️

Original Music - “Just be you” digital download

10 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Music & handwritten LOVE NOTES ❤️

Original Music - “Just Be you” - Digital Download 

& Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

 

27 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Dreamer's Care Package

Original Music - “Just Be you” and Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

Documentary “Dear Asian Girls” - Early Screening pass & Digital Download 

31 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Dreamer'S TLC package

Original Music - “Just Be you” and Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

Documentary - “Dear Dreamers” - Early Screening pass & Digital Download 

Original Show - “I Came Here to be Love” - about being different, and why that’s ok, told through the lens of a person who’s still figuring that out. Digital Download 

 

10 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Dreamer's Ultimate TLC Package

Original Music - “Just Be you” and Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

Documentary - “Dear Dreamers” - Early Screening pass & Digital Download 

Original Show - “I Came Here to be Love” - about being different, and why that’s ok, told through the lens of a person who’s still figuring that out. 

Creative Consultation - 60min Creative Idea session to expand on your creative project and visions.  

6 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Producer Credit

Dreamer's TLC Package + 

Your name will get a Producer Credit for Dear Dreamers and imdb page! 

 

2 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Executive Producer Credit

Dreamers TLC Package + 

Your name will get an Executive Producer for "Dear Asian Girls" and season 2 of Untapped Storytellers, an award winning documentary series. 

 

2 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

16 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Music to cheer you on❤️

Original Music - “Just be you” digital download

10 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Music & handwritten LOVE NOTES ❤️

Original Music - “Just Be you” - Digital Download 

& Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

 

27 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Dreamer's Care Package

Original Music - “Just Be you” and Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

Documentary “Dear Asian Girls” - Early Screening pass & Digital Download 

31 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Dreamer'S TLC package

Original Music - “Just Be you” and Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

Documentary - “Dear Dreamers” - Early Screening pass & Digital Download 

Original Show - “I Came Here to be Love” - about being different, and why that’s ok, told through the lens of a person who’s still figuring that out. Digital Download 

 

10 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Dreamer's Ultimate TLC Package

Original Music - “Just Be you” and Handwritten PDF Lyrics with your name  

Documentary - “Dear Dreamers” - Early Screening pass & Digital Download 

Original Show - “I Came Here to be Love” - about being different, and why that’s ok, told through the lens of a person who’s still figuring that out. 

Creative Consultation - 60min Creative Idea session to expand on your creative project and visions.  

6 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Producer Credit

Dreamer's TLC Package + 

Your name will get a Producer Credit for Dear Dreamers and imdb page! 

 

2 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Executive Producer Credit

Dreamers TLC Package + 

Your name will get an Executive Producer for "Dear Asian Girls" and season 2 of Untapped Storytellers, an award winning documentary series. 

 

2 Supporters
Select this reward