Motivational Mondays Interview Series
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![]() Jennifer Betit Yen Selected as a Panelist for the 2015 Socially Relevant Film Festival in New York
Jennifer to appear as a panelist on a Casting Panel, moderated by Adam Moore, National Director of EEO & Diversity for SAG-AFTRA, regarding today’s media landscape, what is driving the seemingly increased levels of inclusion and diverse stories on our screens and, most importantly, what creators and audiences alike can do to ensure lasting and positive change. http://www.ratedsrfilms.org/#!spotlights--keynote/c1v90 |

Jennifer Betit Yen Performs in a Public Reading of Celena Cipriaso's "SOBER CITY"
Jennifer Betit Yen performed the roles of an overly dramatic Southern author, a non-nonsense nurse and a hard-hitting attorney in the public reading of a single screenplay in Manhattan in August.
Press release here.
Jennifer Betit Yen performed the roles of an overly dramatic Southern author, a non-nonsense nurse and a hard-hitting attorney in the public reading of a single screenplay in Manhattan in August.
Press release here.

Jennifer Betit Yen Hosts World Premiere of Tenth Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition
Celebrating diverse filmmakers across the globe, Betit Yen introduced the world premiere of the award winning films by thanking fans, supporters and artists. She shared a quote from Juno Diaz regarding the reason diversity in media is so critical:
“You guys know about vampires?” Diaz asked. “You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves.
And growing up, I felt like a monster in some ways. I didn’t see myself reflected at all. I was like, “Yo, is something wrong with me? That the whole society seems to think that people like me don’t exist?
And part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make a couple of mirrors. That I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might seem themselves reflected back and might not feel so monstrous for it.”
-Juno Diaz
Press Release here
Footage here
Celebrating diverse filmmakers across the globe, Betit Yen introduced the world premiere of the award winning films by thanking fans, supporters and artists. She shared a quote from Juno Diaz regarding the reason diversity in media is so critical:
“You guys know about vampires?” Diaz asked. “You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There’s this idea that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. And what I’ve always thought isn’t that monsters don’t have reflections in a mirror. It’s that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves.
And growing up, I felt like a monster in some ways. I didn’t see myself reflected at all. I was like, “Yo, is something wrong with me? That the whole society seems to think that people like me don’t exist?
And part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make a couple of mirrors. That I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might seem themselves reflected back and might not feel so monstrous for it.”
-Juno Diaz
Press Release here
Footage here

Is Colorblind Casting/Writing/Producing Possible?
“One of the reasons that I and the Film Lab advocate film and television celebrating, through diverse casts and crews, the diversity of the US is because perception becomes reality,” Betit Yen stated. “Perception is important. When mainstream media portrays Asian American men as only asexual wimps and Asian American women only as Geisha girls or dragon ladies; African American men as thugs and criminals, Latina women as loud, promiscuous and unable to control their emotions; Middle Easterners as terrorists, and so on, it creates a widespread perception that, at some level, those characterizations are actually true, are actually real. That makes it that much more important for people like you and me to create positive perceptions of diversity and people of color for the mainstream; in doing so, we reinforce a perception that color is good; that color is American.”
-AsianinNewYork Online
-PRLog, quoting Jennifer Betit Yen's June 6, 2014, 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition Launch Party speech.
Watch it here.
“One of the reasons that I and the Film Lab advocate film and television celebrating, through diverse casts and crews, the diversity of the US is because perception becomes reality,” Betit Yen stated. “Perception is important. When mainstream media portrays Asian American men as only asexual wimps and Asian American women only as Geisha girls or dragon ladies; African American men as thugs and criminals, Latina women as loud, promiscuous and unable to control their emotions; Middle Easterners as terrorists, and so on, it creates a widespread perception that, at some level, those characterizations are actually true, are actually real. That makes it that much more important for people like you and me to create positive perceptions of diversity and people of color for the mainstream; in doing so, we reinforce a perception that color is good; that color is American.”
-AsianinNewYork Online
-PRLog, quoting Jennifer Betit Yen's June 6, 2014, 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition Launch Party speech.
Watch it here.

Actress Jennifer Betit Yen Speaks Out About Acting, Books for Children and AAFL TV, the New Innovative, Bold and Deliciously Diverse Production Company!
Asiance Magazine May 2014
http://www.asiancemagazine.com/2014/05/22/actress-jennifer-betit-yen
Asiance Magazine May 2014
http://www.asiancemagazine.com/2014/05/22/actress-jennifer-betit-yen

Jennifer Betit Yen profiled by the Maynard Institute for Journalism
For Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 2014, the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education website celebrates 31 individuals. One for each day of May. The Institute selected Betit Yen for May 11th.
"The lives of these Americans are worthy of celebration and further study, which our short profiles hope to encourage. The women and men included are writers, editors, journalists, publishers, trailblazers and change makers. They remind us of the rich contributions Asian-Pacific Americans make and have made in the world of words. This is by no means a definitive or exhaustive listing. It's a starting point for learning, comment & discussion during Asian Pacific Heritage Month - May 2014 when our nation pays a little more attention to issues of diversity. Be heard. Tell us what you think & what we can learn! You can also visit previous year's features here: Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 2013, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 2012 - A collaboration between the Asian American Journalists Association and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education; Asian-Pacific Heritage Month 2011."
- Maynard Institute for Journalism, May 11, 2014, http://mije.org/features/asian-pacific-heritage-month-2014?page=1
For Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 2014, the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education website celebrates 31 individuals. One for each day of May. The Institute selected Betit Yen for May 11th.
"The lives of these Americans are worthy of celebration and further study, which our short profiles hope to encourage. The women and men included are writers, editors, journalists, publishers, trailblazers and change makers. They remind us of the rich contributions Asian-Pacific Americans make and have made in the world of words. This is by no means a definitive or exhaustive listing. It's a starting point for learning, comment & discussion during Asian Pacific Heritage Month - May 2014 when our nation pays a little more attention to issues of diversity. Be heard. Tell us what you think & what we can learn! You can also visit previous year's features here: Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 2013, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 2012 - A collaboration between the Asian American Journalists Association and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education; Asian-Pacific Heritage Month 2011."
- Maynard Institute for Journalism, May 11, 2014, http://mije.org/features/asian-pacific-heritage-month-2014?page=1

Jennifer Betit Yen to Appear on Panel on Diversity in Casting by the New York Indian Film Festival 2014
http://www.iaac.us/nyiff2014/panels.htm
http://www.iaac.us/nyiff2014/panels.htm

Jennifer Betit Yen Hosts New Television Series, Film Lab Presents
Wednesdays at 10pm EST on NYCLife
Series Premiere March 5, 2014
"Film Lab Presents, hosted by actor Jennifer Betit Yen, consists of a series of “Film Lab Mash Ups,” ranging from comedy to drama. The consistent underlying theme is one of definition – what does it mean to be a minority member of a society? The issue will be examined through positive, non-academic, easily accessible, and creative original stories."
Free Mobile App Download to watch on Video on Demand
Invitation
Commercial
Teasers
http://www.nyc.gov/html/media/html/tv/nyctv_life_aafl.shtml
Wednesdays at 10pm EST on NYCLife
Series Premiere March 5, 2014
"Film Lab Presents, hosted by actor Jennifer Betit Yen, consists of a series of “Film Lab Mash Ups,” ranging from comedy to drama. The consistent underlying theme is one of definition – what does it mean to be a minority member of a society? The issue will be examined through positive, non-academic, easily accessible, and creative original stories."
Free Mobile App Download to watch on Video on Demand
Invitation
Commercial
Teasers
http://www.nyc.gov/html/media/html/tv/nyctv_life_aafl.shtml

Jennifer Betit Yen Cast as Judy in Upcoming Film THE AVIATRIX
Jennifer Betit Yen has been cast as Judy, the granddaughter of probably the first Asian female aviatrix, in what is sure to be a stunning story taking us back in time through the eyes of the granddaughters of Katherine Sui Fun Cheung. The short film will be shot documentary style and is written by journalist Ed Moy.
Watch the trailer here!
2014
Jennifer Betit Yen has been cast as Judy, the granddaughter of probably the first Asian female aviatrix, in what is sure to be a stunning story taking us back in time through the eyes of the granddaughters of Katherine Sui Fun Cheung. The short film will be shot documentary style and is written by journalist Ed Moy.
Watch the trailer here!
2014

The Astonishing Journey First Table Read (A Play by Myra Sito Velasquez)
Jan 25, 2014 First Table Read Cast: Henry Yuk *:Lord Ba Tha Za/Donkey, Doctor, Cindy Cheung *:Su Yin/Ghost Jade Fang/Samson, David Shih *:Winston Caw, Rich Gent, Jennifer Betit Yen:Ugh/Mabel Li/ Iron Lotus, Jan Mizushima:Mei Ling, Lady Servant to Iron Lotus, Celestial Genii Street Seller 3, Wife of Street Seller 2, W Kam Lee:Ah Yut, Talent Agent Chi, Radio Reporter/Radio, InterviewerJo Jo Gonzales *:Bing, Neighbor Han, Agnes, ChangSiho Ellsmore:Molly, Bo, Jen, Passerby, Villager, Celestial GeniiAlexis Camins:FuFu, Wayne Goh/Lin Liwei, Street Seller One/ Villager One, PolicemanHansel Tan:Ma, Talent Agent Chow, Street Seller 2, Villager 2, Chester PolpotinoNicole Franklin:Narrator, Stage Directions, Voice of Winston's Mama
In a world of vengeful ghosts, roving sex bandits and scheming vixens, what's a poor peasant girl to do?
http://www.myravee.com/astonishing.html
Jan 25, 2014 First Table Read Cast: Henry Yuk *:Lord Ba Tha Za/Donkey, Doctor, Cindy Cheung *:Su Yin/Ghost Jade Fang/Samson, David Shih *:Winston Caw, Rich Gent, Jennifer Betit Yen:Ugh/Mabel Li/ Iron Lotus, Jan Mizushima:Mei Ling, Lady Servant to Iron Lotus, Celestial Genii Street Seller 3, Wife of Street Seller 2, W Kam Lee:Ah Yut, Talent Agent Chi, Radio Reporter/Radio, InterviewerJo Jo Gonzales *:Bing, Neighbor Han, Agnes, ChangSiho Ellsmore:Molly, Bo, Jen, Passerby, Villager, Celestial GeniiAlexis Camins:FuFu, Wayne Goh/Lin Liwei, Street Seller One/ Villager One, PolicemanHansel Tan:Ma, Talent Agent Chow, Street Seller 2, Villager 2, Chester PolpotinoNicole Franklin:Narrator, Stage Directions, Voice of Winston's Mama
In a world of vengeful ghosts, roving sex bandits and scheming vixens, what's a poor peasant girl to do?
http://www.myravee.com/astonishing.html

The Paper Dragon
Manhattan Theatre Source
177 MacDougal Street, NYC
In this "comedy-drama about the social dynamics of a group of 20-something friends living in Manhattan's Chelsea district," including "Bot, Ronnie's drop-dead-gorgeous Asian passing fancy who is temporarily living in the apartment because the woman she really loves is in a green-card marriage with a gay man" ... "[T]he talented cast provides adept character portraits" and "Jennifer Betit Yen creates a feisty good-time-girl Bot."
Review by Erik Haagensen, Backstage Magazine
http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-theater/off-off-broadway/paper-dragon/
New York Times Mention: http://www.nytimes.com/theater/show/25872/Paper-Dragon/overview
Manhattan Theatre Source
177 MacDougal Street, NYC
In this "comedy-drama about the social dynamics of a group of 20-something friends living in Manhattan's Chelsea district," including "Bot, Ronnie's drop-dead-gorgeous Asian passing fancy who is temporarily living in the apartment because the woman she really loves is in a green-card marriage with a gay man" ... "[T]he talented cast provides adept character portraits" and "Jennifer Betit Yen creates a feisty good-time-girl Bot."
Review by Erik Haagensen, Backstage Magazine
http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-theater/off-off-broadway/paper-dragon/
New York Times Mention: http://www.nytimes.com/theater/show/25872/Paper-Dragon/overview

SAG-AFTRA Host Asian American Filmmakers Luncheon
SAG-AFTRA NY
Fall 2013, Volume 2, No. 2
On August 3, 2013, the SAG-AFTRA Equal Employment Opportunities & Diversity Department, along with the National Asian Pacific American Media Committee, hosted a filmmakers luncheon as part of the 36th Annual Asian American International Film Festival ("AAIFF"). Guest speaker, SAG-AFTRA actor and Film Lab President, Jennifer Betit Yen, addressed how the union's involvement increased the number and quality of films in the 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition, an integral part of the AAIFF, in a discussion moderated by SAG-AFTRA National Director of EEO & Diversity, Adam Moore.
SAG-AFTRA NY
Fall 2013, Volume 2, No. 2
On August 3, 2013, the SAG-AFTRA Equal Employment Opportunities & Diversity Department, along with the National Asian Pacific American Media Committee, hosted a filmmakers luncheon as part of the 36th Annual Asian American International Film Festival ("AAIFF"). Guest speaker, SAG-AFTRA actor and Film Lab President, Jennifer Betit Yen, addressed how the union's involvement increased the number and quality of films in the 72 Hour Shootout filmmaking competition, an integral part of the AAIFF, in a discussion moderated by SAG-AFTRA National Director of EEO & Diversity, Adam Moore.

Jennifer Betit Yen interviewed on CUNY TV: Asian Americans in Arts and Entertainment
CUNY TV journalist Paul Lin interviewed Jennifer Betit Yen, President of the Asian American Film Lab, and other successful Asian Americans who are forging new identities in business, politics and the arts. Asian American Life is reaching new frontiers in the quest for understanding and acknowledgment among tri-state Asian Americans.
http://www.cuny.tv/bio/jennifer_betit_yen

Actors Katherine Kine (left) and Jennifer Betit Yen (right) perform in the comedic staged reading of "Marriage Made in Hell."
"Marriage Made in Hell" is a supernatural romantic comedy in which a carefree slacker thinks he's found the perfect wife to foil his marriage-minded mother's plans - until his bride's spirt (played by Jennifer Betit Yen) shows up to prove sh's dead wrong for him!
New York City, 2013
"Marriage Made in Hell" is a supernatural romantic comedy in which a carefree slacker thinks he's found the perfect wife to foil his marriage-minded mother's plans - until his bride's spirt (played by Jennifer Betit Yen) shows up to prove sh's dead wrong for him!
New York City, 2013

Accolade Award Winner
Leading actress in a television pilot
La La Land, starring Jennifer Betit Yen, wins an Accolade Award for best television pilot.
"Jennifer was an great driving force for the project LA LA Land. from Day 1 to the wrap, she was alway moving forward,organizing, fixing any problems as a good producer should and also, she managed to perform very well in front of the camera as the Main actor should.
I am looking forward to work with her again."
--Rodolphe Portier, Director of Photography at Rod Portier Photography
Leading actress in a television pilot
La La Land, starring Jennifer Betit Yen, wins an Accolade Award for best television pilot.
"Jennifer was an great driving force for the project LA LA Land. from Day 1 to the wrap, she was alway moving forward,organizing, fixing any problems as a good producer should and also, she managed to perform very well in front of the camera as the Main actor should.
I am looking forward to work with her again."
--Rodolphe Portier, Director of Photography at Rod Portier Photography

Yut Ho
East West Players
Los Angeles, California
"Jennifer Betit Yen played the lead role of Yut Ho, in my played titled YUT HO, which was read at the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute at East West Players in December 13, 2009. She was a very unique Eurasian actress who deftly played the range of the teenage Yut Ho's characters from escaping sadness at home, living happily at Cameron House, having arranged marriage, and finally to commiting suicide in an opium den and brothel in San Francisco Chinatown at the start of the 20th century. Jennifer has the right temperament and surviving wit to play Yut Ho, whose mother was then about to sell her to pay off her late father's gambling debts. But in the end, the innocently arranged marriage by Cameron House's Gweiloh Moo soon led her being dragged back into the very opium den and brothel that she once lived with her mother years earlier. I would definitely use Jennifer in future plays and movies, for she has the tenacity and the intuitive talent to play roles with wide ranges."
--Howard Fong, Independent Arts and Entertainment Professional
East West Players
Los Angeles, California
"Jennifer Betit Yen played the lead role of Yut Ho, in my played titled YUT HO, which was read at the David Henry Hwang Writers Institute at East West Players in December 13, 2009. She was a very unique Eurasian actress who deftly played the range of the teenage Yut Ho's characters from escaping sadness at home, living happily at Cameron House, having arranged marriage, and finally to commiting suicide in an opium den and brothel in San Francisco Chinatown at the start of the 20th century. Jennifer has the right temperament and surviving wit to play Yut Ho, whose mother was then about to sell her to pay off her late father's gambling debts. But in the end, the innocently arranged marriage by Cameron House's Gweiloh Moo soon led her being dragged back into the very opium den and brothel that she once lived with her mother years earlier. I would definitely use Jennifer in future plays and movies, for she has the tenacity and the intuitive talent to play roles with wide ranges."
--Howard Fong, Independent Arts and Entertainment Professional

Voice Over Actress Jennifer Betit Yen on Running Asian American Film Lab
"Jennifer Betit Yen is an actress and voiceover artist, an attorney, the President of the Asian American Film Lab, and the CEO of MyJennyBook.com. As an actress, Jennifer has performed theatrically, including performing onstage at the Manhattan Source Theatre in NY and at the East West Players in LA. She also provides voiceover for Random House and Reading Rainbow, among others, including voicing the character of Avery in the series The Beacon Street Girls. Ms. Betit Yen attended Cornell University undergraduate and got her JD from Boston Law. "
--Yahoo! Voices

Jennifer Betit Yen to Star in New Asian American Web Channel Set To Launch With New Series September 30
"[AAFL TV] is set to launch its new web television channel on September 30th"..."Jennifer Betit Yen (pictured left on the set of the upcoming series My Not So SubConscious) recently answered the following questions from AsAmNews...."
--AsAmNews
"[AAFL TV] is set to launch its new web television channel on September 30th"..."Jennifer Betit Yen (pictured left on the set of the upcoming series My Not So SubConscious) recently answered the following questions from AsAmNews...."
--AsAmNews

The Chinese Delivery Man
Staged Reading
A/P/A Institute at New York University, part of the 36th Annual Asian American International Film Festival
Jen Yen played an intrepid young social activist in the reading of Isaac Ho's feature screenplay, "The Chinese Delivery Man," which won the 2013 Asian American International Film Festival Screenplay Competition.
-- http://www.scriptenabler.com/isaachowriter/?p=921
Staged Reading
A/P/A Institute at New York University, part of the 36th Annual Asian American International Film Festival
Jen Yen played an intrepid young social activist in the reading of Isaac Ho's feature screenplay, "The Chinese Delivery Man," which won the 2013 Asian American International Film Festival Screenplay Competition.
-- http://www.scriptenabler.com/isaachowriter/?p=921

Cinema Beyond Boundaries Kicks Off With Much Fanfare"...[S]eakers from the west who would grace the event in the next two days include"..."[D]ylan Marchetti of Variance films and Elliott Kanbar, president of the Quad Media in New York, producer, director and editor Vishesh Sharma," and "president of the Asian American Film Lab, an actor, attorney and the CEO of MyJennyBook.com Jennifer Betit Yen."
--Page3Bollywood

Jennifer Betit Yen performs in the staged reading of Aimi Negbenebor Sela's film, "A Day in the Life of Who" at The Korea Society in New York City.
Pictured here with filmmaker Jae-Ho Chang (left) and AsAmFilmLab Unfinished Works Coordinator Lorna Nowve (right).