Emphasizing the importance of South Asian representation in the larger Asian American conversation, this week David talks with director, writer, and actress, Sujata Day. They discuss how her debut feature film “Definition Please” came to be, how groundbreaking “Bend It Like Beckham” was, the realities of creating an indie film, and the continuous journey of building your table in Hollywood.
Podcast Show Notes
Guest Title: Sujata Day
Recording Date: 2021-06-23
Episode Title: Building The Table w/ Sujata Day
Topics Discussed:
Topic 1 - Combining both academic and creative endeavors
Topic 2 - Family support and the influence of culture on Sujata’s career
Topic 3 - The journey of “Definition Please”
Topic 4 - Creating short films and gathering her team
Topic 5 - Struggles of financing indie projects
Topic 6 - Incorporating her Indian American heritage into the movie
Topic 7 - Actors of color and secondary characters
Topic 8 - Bengali and South Asian representation in Hollywood
Topic 9 - Studios and agencies need to back BIPOC actors
Topic 10 - The dynamics of the writer’s room
Topic 11 - Building your table
Links:
Handles:
Sujata’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sujataday/
Sujata’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/sujataday
Definition Please Website - https://www.sujataday.com/definition-please
Definition Please Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/definitionplease/
Definition Please Twitter - https://twitter.com/DefnPlease
David's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidmoriya/
Mentioned Notes:
“7th Heaven” (TV Series)
Case Western University
“Awkward Black Girl” (Web Series)
Rabindranath Tagore
“Gook” (Film, Justin Chon)
“Ms. Purple” (Film, Justin Chon)
“Cowboy and Indian” (Short Film, Sujata Day)
LA Asian Film Festival
CAAM Fest
Austin Asian American Film Festival
Tina Mayberry
Debbie Allen
Dino Ray-Ramos
E Film/Company 3
Skywalker Ranch
Masala Lay’s Chips
Thumbs Up Soda
Bend It Like Beckham
Kim Saira & “Spill Your Guts” Petition
“Blowing Up Right Now”
#OscarsSoWhite #EmmysSoWhite
Issa Rae
Matthew Cherry (“Nine Rides”)
Justin Chon
Tanuj Chopra
SAL Links:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/strongasianlead_ /
Crowdfunding - https://strongasianlead.com/crowdfunding
SAL’s Feature in Feedspot’s Top 20 Asian Film Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/asian_movies_podcasts/
SAL Podcast Team:
Project Manager - Sanjana DeSilva (www.theangryelephantproductions.com)
Audio Editor - Ravi Lad (www.itsravilad.com and @itsravilad on Instagram)
Podcast Producer - Kenna Tanouye (Connect with her on LinkedIn)
Podcast Volunteer Intern - Sadia Hussain
Episode Transcript: Transcript of the episode’s audio.
Calls to Action: Join the movement, stay tuned and follow us on Instagram!
