"Drinking Alone With the Moon" is a renowned poem by 8th century Tang Dynasty poet, Li Bai, considered one of the greatest poets to ever have lived. Recited here by Daniel Dae Kim, this film embraces the theme of circularity. It's about celebrating our traditions, arts and culture as Asians, paying homage to our ancestors and where we've come from, yet never allowing that to hold us back from pushing into new frontiers. There is no beginning and no end to who we are or what makes us -- it's a continuous, never-ending flow-state of energy, strength and pride -- we are both the old and the new.
The film closes on the images of the narration we've heard in English, written out in full traditional Chinese calligraphy, followed by every AAPI face shown in the film as part of a huge street graffiti-style mural -- a symbol of past and present together as one.
This is a love letter to my Asian American heritage and my desire to push our culture forward.
Client: MTV
Project: AAPI Heritage Month "Drinking Alone With the Moon"
Production Company: Hound
TALENT
Voice-Over: Daniel Dae Kim
Taiko Team: Bryan Yamami, Jen Baik, Jenny Mimura
Stunt Rider: Alfred Hsing
Car Model: Justin Mascorro
Car Model: Helen Vanle
Car Model: Kiki Wongo
Tai Chi Master: Gene Chen
Dancer: Trishna Malick
Dancer: Nicholas “Kapua” Arrivas
Graffiti Artist: Sei Shimura
Calligrapher: Gan Fu Zhong
MTV ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Jason White: CMO, MTV Entertainment Group
Amy Campbell: EVP, Brand Creative
Deva Newman: SVP, Brand Creative Editorial
Joyeux Noel: VP & Executive Producer, Brand Creative Editorial
Christopher Williams: Executive Creative Director, Brand Creative Editorial
Rosa White: Creative Director, Brand Creative Editorial
Sundi Lofty: Creative Director, Brand Creative Editorial
Suzana Ognjanovic: Senior Producer, Brand Creative Editorial
Thomas Berger: SVP, Brand Creative Design
Pamela Brill: VP, Design Production, Brand Creative Design
Tim Livezey: VP, Motion Design, Brand Creative Design
Carli Malec: Creative Director, Brand Creative Design
Kelly McCrossin: Producer, Brand Creative Design
Kate Lee: Motion Designer, Brand Creative Design
Director: Nicholas Lam
EP’s: Missy Galinda, Isaac Rice
Producer: Andrea Saavedra
Production Manager: Nataly Arroyo
1st AD: Jason Lombardo
2nd AD: Ray Harper
Director Shadow: Jensen Vinca
Director of Photography: Kai Saul
1st AC: Nicolas "Nico" Martin
2nd AC: Alan Certeza
Camera PA: Brendan Yoo
Steadicam: Jun Li
DIT: Skylar Smith
Drone Pilots: Travis Geske, Mike Grambush
Gaffer: Drew Moe
BBE: Matt Hill
Electric: Kari Swanson
Electric: Monique Fernandez-Castro
Key Grip: Sergio Silva
BBG: Robby Dulany
Grip: Daniel Kreuziger
Grip Intern: Uriel Uribe
Production Designer: Francesca Maldonado
Art Director: Justin Bohorquez
Casting Director & Culture Consultant: Xiao Liu Winter
Stylist: Kentaro Kameyama
HMU: Tilomai Hill
Craft Service: Whitney Smith
Stunt Coordinator: Heather Bonomo
Safety Consultant: Adam Atalla
Truck PA: Kevin Pilar
Set PA: Ryan Davis
Set PA: Damian Arroyo
Set PA: Robert Blair
Set PA: Dalton Skalla
Editor/Online: Nicholas Lam
Music Composer: Christopher Tin
Music Producer: Alex Williamson
SFX Design/Mix: Denis Kilty
ADR Producer: Andrew Lane
ADR Engineer: Paris Shenae
ADR Assistant: Ricky Stokes
VFX House: The Frender
VFX Supervisor: Max Colt
Color House: Company 3
Color Producer: Matt Moran
Colorist: Stephen Nakamura
Special Thanks To: Chris Lee, Michelle Sugihara, Kenji Sumino, Greddy Performance, Ernie Fixmer, Sam Mitani, Eddie Kim, Blake Rice, CEEC, LXVWA