Hello, internet friends. You know what time it is. It's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Tiffanie Hsu.
Who are you?
Tiffanie Kaneen Hsu.
Completely unbeknownst to my mother, my Chinese name is also the translation for CorningWare, which, according to the transitive property of equality, makes me unbreakable (and chip-resistant).
What are you?
A human being.
Where are you?
In my apartment in Hollywood compiling dance songs for our wedding playlist.
Where are you from?
I grew up biking with my best friend around the woods and quarries of Neenah, Wisconsin (manhole cover capital of the country). Childhood summers were spent sweating in the humidity of Taipei, Taiwan eating mantou dipped in sugar until we moved to Irvine -- aka Asian Pleasantville -- and my parents realized we could get good Chinese food in the states.
I also lived in Asia for a couple years after college (Shanghai, Taipei, Taichung), New York for a year, and now sunny Los Angeles.
What do you do?
Mostly I consume stories: movies, tv, theater, books, graphic novels. Every so often, I create them as well. My latest short film, Wonderland, starring Joan Chen and debuting her daughter, Audrey, was an HBO APA Visionaries winner, and is playing on HBO Go and Now until October!
I write. I take pictures. I animate (stop motion and 3D). I fold paper, I crochet. I travel because it reminds me about what it means to be human. I bike and scoot (Vespa) around Los Angeles because traffic and parking suck. I love to sing and dance, but primarily towel & shower league. I perch/people watch. I collect people's stories. And I try new things.
What are you all about?
Anything and everything Lin Manuel Miranda has ever made or will make. Magical realism. Anything written by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Disney songs from my youth. Most things Pixar. Musicals that make me feel (Les Miserables, Rent, Hamilton, Next to Normal). Scratch that -- anything that makes me feel.
I'm about tackling things that fascinate me versus those that come easily. In school, finishing my pre-med requirements came naturally, but struggling through the uncomfortable beats and awkward resolution of my first film intoxicated me more.
Stories with real people going through real shit captivate me. Stories about kids dealing with issues way beyond their maturity level. Stories about women being strong, complex, creative, and everything that accompanies that. Stories where I can see myself.
What makes you angry?
Bullies. Arrogance and entitlement. Being underestimated and marginalized. When people treat others with judgment and narrow-mindedness, instead of empathy and respect.
Also, when people put animated mouths on babies and animals. And jump scares.
