Visions - Winter/Spring 2018 - 20

CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW

Chris Tashima
Actor, Producer, Director

C

hris Tashima has been producing,
directing and acting in Asian American
cinema and theater projects since the
1980s. His dedication and hard work have
helped him build a career that earned him an
Academy Award for Best Short Film along the
way. He is co-founder of the entertainment
company Cedar Grove Productions and artistic
director of its associated theatre company
Cedar Grove OnStage, both of which are
furthering the Asian-American experience and
accessibility in film and theater.

How did you become interested in film and theater?
Somewhat by accident. My initial interests, going
back to high school, were in making films - but
strictly behind the camera. However, I didn't get
into any film schools and I dropped out of college.
I started working as a movie extra just to hang out
on film shoots and watch, but discovered I enjoyed
the performance aspect of it. I auditioned for student
films, and low budget films. I did some small speaking roles. I slowly gained confidence and I ended up
auditioning for East West Players (EWP), then (mid80s) a small Asian American theatre company in Los
Angeles. There, I got my first exposure to theatre-
not only acting but to playwrights, design and tech...
I loved the artists, the process, the experience. I was
bitten by the bug.
What would you say has been the highlight of your
career so far?
Of course, it's hard to top winning an Oscar. That
was hugely rewarding not just for myself as a
director, but for all of us who made the film, and in
the importance of the story we were telling-of Mr.
Sugihara's heroic risks and sacrifices. However,
separate from this, as an actor, I am grateful for having had the opportunity to play the starring role in a
movie, in Eric Byler's "Americanese," in 2005. As an
actor, you start out with the dream that you can do
this, and work your career towards it, and think you
have what it takes-but it's something you will never
truly know unless or until it happens. And not everyone gets to take that shot. Especially people of color.
And, as an Asian American male, to be able to play
the romantic lead has been almost an impossible
dream. Thankfully, Eric gave me this chance and I
feel we were able to achieve something special, and
be successful. Unfortunately, the film had only limited
festival showings, but hopefully may yet become
available thanks to all the new streaming platforms.
20

visions

Winter | Spring

2018

Above: Chris Tashima and Chris Donahue, Live Action Short Film winners
("Visas and Virtue") at the 70th Academy Awards® - March 23, 1998 ©AMPAS

®

What does it mean to you to have this opportunity to bring this
particular culture to the Asian Pacific American community?
Something else that EWP exposed me to was the value of having our
stories told -of seeing yourself onstage or onscreen, and how important that is, especially in having been denied being represented for
so long. It's important, as artists, that we are allowed to fully express
ourselves. And, it's important, not only for our community, but for all of
America, to see and know who we are-to see our history, to know
our value and contributions, to inspire our future. It's become much
more important to me than the initial glitz and glamour that got me
excited about movies in the beginning.
You won an Academy Award for your short film Visas & Virtue.
What was the Oscar experience like for you?
Affirmation and validation. I had been
pursuing acting for over 10 years prior,
with limited successes onstage, but
much less in films. I was aware it would
be tougher as an Asian American, but
at some point you also start to wonder if you're cut out for it. Part of my
wanting to make "Visas and Virtue"
was just to show I could do it. But I
also felt, from the beginning, that this
project had potential to compete for
the Live Action Short Film Oscar. It was
a targeted goal from the very start, for
me, though, I didn't tell anyone. People
ask me if I was surprised. No, it was my
plan-which in retrospect, I was naively
confident about. I've since learned to
appreciate that we had a lot of good
Above: Chris Tashima and
fortune with us which I had no control
Susan Fukuda as Chiune and
over. Nothing is a sure thing. On a perYukiko Sugihara, in Academy
sonal note, it was especially gratifying
Award® winner "Visas and
and memorable that my parents were
Virtue" (1997)
able to attend the Academy Awards
ceremony, and that I remembered
to thank them in my speech!
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas



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