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DENNIS:
Also, screening at Sundance is another film that you were part
of titled "The Quest for Length". First, what was the experience
to work with the director, Gene Rhee?
ROGER:
Gene and I have been good friends for eight years. Working with
Gene on our penis comedy, "The Quest For Length" was kind of
like working on a mini BLT. We had no budget, etc. All we had
was a concept, determination, and love. Gene is a really good
director. Technically sound and is a good people person. Because
we had so little money we pretty much had a crew of 2: Gene
and myself. This basically meant that Gene was the director,
sound guy, camera guy, writer, editor, producer, etc. and I
was the actor, writer, producer, editor, grip, best boy, etc.
It was crazy. Gene looked like one of those one-man circus bands.
He was just totally covered in a sea of wires and gizmos, etc.
It was harder than crap to make this film. There were times
Gene and I were going to kill each other but we both kept our
eye on the prize and actually had a fun, fun time making this
film. Come on, what's not to like about a taboo subject like
the penis.
 |
| "QUEST
FOR LENGTH" actor Roger Fan and actress Bree
Turner. |
|
DENNIS:
What was like to work with actress, Bree Turner?
ROGER: As
for Bree Turner, what a cool girl! I don't think there are
too many female actors out there that are as beautiful and
accomplished as Bree that would be willing to go on such
a grass roots and daring journey like "The Quest For Length".
All she did was give love and support, which is rare. She
gave me, Gene and the project the benefit of the doubt and
never looked back. I respect her hugely for that and will
never forget her sacrifice for the project. Plus she did
a great job and really added that extra real punch to the
film. Bree rocks! |
DENNIS:
You worked with Bree in another film titled "Backyard Dogs"
ROGER:
Ah yes, "Backyard Dogs". That's actually where Bree and I met.
That was three years ago. It was an Artisan movie that went
straight to video. It was about two guys that were backyard
wrestlers who, though the assistance of Internet biz wiz's Bree
and myself, we turn them into wrestling champs. Plenty of fighting,
action and a cheesy love storyline. The greatest part about
the film was becoming friends with Bree. As for the film, well,
it is what it is. You know what I'm saying?
DENNIS:
Many articles I've read for "The Quest For Length" have been
positive and many people applaud you for doing for doing a really
daring role. Tell me if this is right though. You actually made
a mold of your penis and you showed it to people to get their
feelings about the size of it?
ROGER:
Your damn right that's my dick! We molded my member at the office
of a good dentist buddy of mine. We used quick-setting dental
alginate and warm water and proceeded to make a hard copy of
my hard copy. I know this sounds kind of porno but the film
itself really has some deep social commentary and some really
funky visuals. Plus, now I have my penis mold sitting on my
desk as a paperweight.
DENNIS:
Have your parents seen this movie or they won't see it? If so,
what was their reaction?
ROGER:
I literally could not be in the screening room when my parents
saw "The Quest For Length" up at Sundance. In all honesty, I
probably would have passed out or barfed or a combo of both.
It's kind of the same feeling you get when you think of your
mom and dad having hot passionate sex. It's just not right.
But my parents saw it and they actually came up and hugged me
and said that they were really proud. Thank god my parents saw
the film on a huge screen. Perhaps their opinion of my member
and my movie would have been different if they saw it on a "little"
screen. Kind of weird but I'm not surprised. I have the coolest
parents in the world. They're like those parents you've met
who were flower children from the 60's. But since my parents
grew up in Taiwan, I may have to attribute their coolness to
opium use.
DENNIS:
If there was one thing you learned from making this short
film and the ongoing discussions if a big or small penis
size is really important, what have you learned?
ROGER:
Men have no idea what women think about penis size. Women
have no idea what men think about penis size. Whether you're
straight, gay, or bi, there is this huge misunderstanding
and confusion over penis size. It's a big, big source of
anxiety for men because what the media portrays…mainly in
porno… is something way, way beyond reality. |
 |
And plus, the darn thing has to grow in order to perform its
duty. Basically what Gene and I wanted to let the world know
is not to take this stuff to seriously and to just love yourself
for who you are. Love thy penis and hence the penis shall love
thee.
DENNIS:
Let's talk about this online project called "Karaoke Nights"
which you did with the Asian-American Media Development TV Writing
Workshop 2000. How long did it take to make all these episodes?
ROGER:
About a month.
DENNIS:
So, you worked in big budget and Indie films. Which do you enjoy
working in?
ROGER:
I prefer independent films like BLT or "The Quest For Length"
cause they are much more intimate and I feel like I have a much
greater impact on the creative direction. But I guess that's
a matter of time. I suppose when Gene and Justin and my other
film buddies are all working on a big-budget Hollywood movie
together we will have that same sense of family. That's it.
It's that sense of family. On a big Hollywood movie, you don't
really know a lot of people. It's a lot more fun to climb a
mountain with friends. Movie making is hard work and really
can't be done alone.
DENNIS:
You also appeared in movies such as "Corky Romano" and "Rush
Hour". What was the experience to work on these films?
ROGER:
Big studio films are cool in their own right. They are big,
exciting, lots of people, glamorous, trailers, and actually
pay money. It's really a dream come true to work on bigger,
studio films. On the flip side is there there are a lot of egos
you have to deal with. It's kind of like junior high locker
room politics and pecking order stuff. For me, that's too bad.
Sometimes I wish it was purely about the work. I think it makes
for a better film.
 |
| Photo:
Roger Fan and Chris Kattan from the movie "Corky
Romano". Photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures. |
|
DENNIS:
How was the experience to work with Chris Kattan. Is he
also weird off screen?
ROGER: Chris
was the coolest dude. He really made me feel supported
and included in the making of "Corky Romano". Strangely
enough, when I was hanging out with him, not once did
Mr. Peepers of The Mango come out. He was really just
a normal, kick back kind of guy.
DENNIS:
You have worked in theatre for notable theatre companies.
Do you still participate in theatre or is film or television
your main focus at this moment?
|
ROGER:
I think theatre is so important for any actor. I love the stage.
Some day I hope to do a play on London's West End. It would
be really cool to just do a play there for six months and hang
out with the Brits and The Pet Shop Boy". As for whether or
not I still participate in theatre... Absolutely!
The
theatre community in Los Angeles especially the Asian American
theatre community. It really provides an important home for
many Asian American actors. It
provides a place where they can learn and grow and also find
a sense of community and family. For me, theatre represents
community. It will always be there for you. But, you have to
respect and nurture that community. A TV and film career can
skyrocket at any moment and seemingly "take" you away from that
community. However, I think one must keep returning and giving
back to the community while one is blowing up. Because sooner
or later that skyrocketing career will fall back to earth. And
in this climate and the way Hollywood is structured, the only
people who will catch you and allow you to sustain a career
in Hollywood for the long run, are your own people.
DENNIS:
Do you like to watch yourself on screen?
ROGER:
The first time I watch something that I do, it's kind of strange.
You're not able to enjoy the story and you just focus on yourself.
But after the first time I watch something I've done and I've
finished barfing, I'll see it again so I can just enjoy the
story.
DENNIS:
If there is one actor or actress you would like to work with,
who would that be and why?
ROGER:
I would love to work with Jim Carrey in a movie where I played
his estranged twin. Why? Cause I would request that both of
us be able to come out of a rhino's ass like Carrey did in Ace
Ventura. What would that be called, "a double rhino"?
DENNIS:
What is the most satisfying aspect of being an Asian American
actor in the entertainment industry?
ROGER:
Being a pioneer.
DENNIS:
What is the most frustrating aspect of being an Asian American
actor in the entertainment industry?
ROGER:
Being a pioneer.
 |
| Photo:
Roger Fan and Sung Kang looking for trouble in 'Better
Luck Tomorrow' |
|
DENNIS:
As an Asian American actor, when you go out for roles…and
I know how competitive it is. Many Asian American actors
and actresses always bring up how catty things can get
when going out for a role. Due to the amount of roles
available for Asian Americans, do things get kind of catty?
ROGER:
I think if you're not careful, Hollywood can very easily
make you lose focus of who you are and what's really important
in life. The way Hollywood is set up and the fact that
there are so few roles for Asian American actors, it really
feels like you're the hundreds of peasants around the
bread cart trying to fight for the minor, minor breadcrumbs
that are being thrown to you.
|
As a whole, your success as an actor is really determined by
someone else's decision. If you are not aware of that, that
dynamic will drive you batty. It will make you bitter, catty,
and just plain pissed off. This really isn't just an Asian American
thing. It really is an actor thing…pretty universal amongst
performers. It's really hard to keep your perspective in Hollywood.
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