Held in the heart of Hollywood at the historic Roosevelt Hotel, members of Manaa (Media Action Network for Asian Americans) came together to honor members of the entertainment field at the 8th Annual Media Achievement Awards. We I first walked into the lobby with wife Maya in tow I thought I had walked into the wrong dinner as a gaggle of costumed characters from the cult film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was having their annual convention in the downstairs ballroom.
Once we got our bearings straight and a jaunt upstairs we felt more at home after we checked in and met up with Ken Kwok the organization's Vice President. He was gracious enough to invite us and let us partake in the evenings festivities, the rest of the board members also made us feel welcomed. We then perused the silent auction and mingled at the cocktail party and after catching the vip's arrivals we adjourned to the ballroom for dinner.
After dinner we were entertained by comic Henry Cho who is always funny but one of the oddest things to hear is that Country twang that comes out of his mouth. It turns out that he hails from Nashville! The show went quick as plaques were awarded clips were shown and speeches were kept to a minimum, not that's the kind of award show I like!
After the show I took both honorees and board members up on the stage for a group shot and after show schmoozing. Although still in its' infant stage I would like to see this event grow larger and become more widely covered by the media, so you here that corporate sponsors put up some cash and take it to television!
Honored:
SHANGHAI NOON's writers Al Gough & Miles Millar & actor Owen Wilson for
Contributing Sensitive Story Elements
CHARLIE'S ANGELS's director McG, producers, Nancy Joven & Leonard Goldberg, actress/producer Drew Barrymore
For Casting Lucy Liu
V.I.P. Columbia/Tristar's President of Programming and Productions/Television Distribution Russ Krasnoff
For Creating a Regular Role for Dustin Nguyen
BIG BROTHER Evolution Film & Tape and Paul Romer of Endemol Entertainment
for Casting Curtis Kin
CBS Entertainment/News
for Casting Jule Chen as host
MANAA is the only organization dedicated to monitoring all facets of the media; television, motion pictures, print, advertising, radio, etc. and advocating balanced, sensitive and positive coverage and portrayals of Asian Americans.
Screenwriter Al Gough and Miles Millar hold up their award for their work on the Jackie Chan flick "Shanghai Noon", Owen Wilson was too busy filming to accept his plaque
Director McG represented his film "Charlie's Angels."
Presenter Clyde Kusatsu did a mean impression of "The Duke" in his introduction as a sample of how anglo actor used to play Asian roles in old Hollywood.
Getting chummy were fellow contestants Curtis Kin and Brittany Petros of CBS' "Big Brother".
Playing Master of Ceremonies was ABC anchor David Ono.
Getting a thumbs up from "V.I.P."'s Dustin Nguyen for getting a regular paycheck!
Oh my! "Star Trek's" George Takei, who serves as the organization's Co-Chair gets sandwiched in between "V.I.P. stars Dustin Nguyen, Shaun Baker and Natalie Raitano.
Southern comic Henry Cho admits to just relocating to the Southland
The evenings honorees complete with President Guy Aoki, Christine Ku and Vice President Ken Kwok in the front row seated
Lending her support to Dustin Nguyen was the gorgeous Natalie Raitano
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