Rachel Michiko Whitney - Sundance Collab

Growing up I was the shy math and science girl who also loved performing and making short films. In college that translated to a Mechanical Engineering major and Theater Studies minor. What I became most passionate about though was a theater group I started, Duke Asian American Theater (DAAT). After graduation, I moved to LA to pursue a career in acting. I became inspired by people like Brit Marling who have been able to create their own stories. I began writing.

My focus has been on stories about Asian American women and women engineers. I’m so grateful for the feedback and support the Sundance Online Screenwriting program has given and proceeds to give me as I continue on my journey.

My work:

Document

All American Girl

With: Rachel Michiko Whitney

All American Girl

With: Rachel Michiko Whitney

My goal with this feature is to get it to a place where I can send it to independent producers who would be interested enough in the story to work with me on the more minor issues. Something I struggle with is dialogue being too on the nose. I then hope to attach a director and actors (I also plan on acting in it), find financing, and make the film! I expect to face challenges during all those steps. This is a Japanese American story inspired by my mom. It takes place in the 80s, which is another challenge I anticipate I will have to overcome. I parallel the story to “The Sea Gull” and I quote from the play in the first and last scene. I’m wondering if that will bring up legal issues. One specific story question is: should Brenda’s goal to play Nina in “The Sea Gull” get brought up more? If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and this paragraph!!