Miss Saigon on Track for Film Treatment- Page 4

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 4:27pm

that girl in Hawaii you guys are referring to is Chloe Stewart who did eventually play the role on Broadway (as an alternate)... she was also in the ensemble for the 2NT... can't quite remember if she played KIM full time, but she definitely did do it on Broadway...

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 5:39pm

Again, if they can find a talented non-Filipina singer/actress, that'd be great. It's just the people we know the most about tend to be Filipino for the reasons someone else listed earlier.

Wow, Charice looks a lot older in that photo. Now she's back to being my favorite choice for Kim.

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 6:18pm

Charice will have the same problem that Lea did in the beggining. To get the passion of love and love making out at such a young age from a very conservative country like the Philippines.

Lea has a benefit of having months and months of training that fortunately the Miss Saigon staff in West End were able to bring up out of Lea. They have the patience to wait for Lea's passion to show up before her first performance in West End.

Like Lea, Charice has never had any experience in Love let alone love making on screen.

And regarding other Asian artists, you will be suprised how many non fils are out there that are equally talented. The only advantage Fils i see is our diction in the English language.

[BWNUT]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 7:05pm

"Like Lea, Charice has never had any experience in Love let alone love making on screen. "

...and unlike the stage, love scenes can be a lot more graphic on the screen. But then, film has the advantage of body doubles and editing. But how do you know Charice is "inexperienced?"

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 7:08pm

...and unlike the stage, love scenes can be a lot more graphic on the screen. But then, film has the advantage of body doubles and editing. But how do you know Charice is "inexperienced?"

Because i know our culture.

Here is Lea explaining about the problem of love and love making in British TV when she was 17 years old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tolmg-iCZsg

[BWNUT]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 7:36pm

Lea and Charice have completely different upbringing. They cannot be more polar opposites. They might have been born and grew up in the same country but culturally, environmentally and geographically, they are night and day. So, I think Charice will be coming from a completely different place in playing Kim, if ever, than Lea did.
Updated On: 10/28/09 at 07:36 PM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 9:30pm

If you can think of non-Filipina Asian girls who could play Kim, by all means suggest them. I've already mentioned Jenna Ushkowitz.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:04pm

I still don't see Charice in the role because she's not camera friendly.

I would not mind one bit if they found a new girl - from whatever region of Asia or the world - who's roughly 20 years old (the age Kim died) to play the role.

And I want the film to retain the original keys for the songs. Those are my only wish lists for now.

[new2broadway02]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:37pm

Why would casting have to be in Asia? There are a lot of Asians from the US. With Sarah Geronimo and Charice, there's the problem of their accents. I would prefer that Kim spoke American English, even though a Vietnamese girl in the 1970s probably didn't. As an Asian-American, I've always been bothered by Asians in film with accents because it perpetuates the stereotype that Asians can't speak English well.

On a related note, that's a big reason I'm such a big fan of Lea Salonga, a native Filipino, who spoke great English even at a young age. I don't think there is another native born Asian, even in the Philippines, who can speak with as little an accent as Lea. Not saying that Lea should be Kim, just that casting should be in America.

Updated On: 10/28/09 at 10:37 PM

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:38pm

Ok Vietnamese are of Han Chinese stock, Lea's look if that's the basis of what we are trying to imagine is of Malay stock. Charice although looks Chinese is of Song Chinese stock with Malay (she's darker than the chinese and vietnamese but fairer in complexion than Lea).

True look of Kim should be of Han Chinese so here is some of what I'm thinking off.

Cát Tiên - Vietnamese-American pop singer
Sandara Park - of Girls Power in Korea
Natalise - Burmese-Chinese-American

Cat and Natalise are American and Sandara is Korean born
All have command of English naturally for the 2 and Sandara learned english in the Philippines (grew up there from 6-17) so her english is much like Lea's

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:42pm

I don't think anyone said the girl had to come from Asia, just that the girl clearly has to be Asian. If there's an Asian-American chick who can do the role, then great. If not, then look for that lucky girl elsewhere around the world.

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:49pm

"On a related note, that's a big reason I'm such a big fan of Lea Salonga, a native Filipino, who spoke great English even at a young age. I don't think there is another native born Asian, even in the Philippines, who can speak with as little an accent as Lea. Not saying that Lea should be Kim, just that casting should be in America."

You will be suprised...Lea was already in College where the professors REALLY FORCES you to speak in English when she was discovered, same with Monique Wilson. Charice was barely out of highschool when she was discovered but if you look at this vid you wouldnt think that she's a non american born asian.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtk0xaY4DyY (Korea Interview)

Also Lea and Charice has the benefit of education in a private school. Lea is from Montesorri School where english only is the norm and Charice is from Gulod National a semi-private school that has only 1 subject taught in Tagalog and that's the Pilipino language everything else is taught in English.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:50pm

Cat Tien would be perfect, actually. I'd have to hear her sing Broadway-style, though, without the auto-tune that I'm hearing on YT.

Edit: Oh, she sounds good here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMMnOi1zus0&feature=related But like I said, would have to make sure she can sing Broadway-style.

Listening to Sandara Park, I don't think her voice is good enough. And Natalise doesn't look innocent enough to me.

Updated On: 10/28/09 at 10:50 PM

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:54pm

Actually, Lea was raised speaking English because her parents spoke different dialects of Filipino. Lea's Tagalog (the main Filipino dialect) is far from perfect, and she'll be the first to admit it. She is most comfortable with English, always has been. In fact, that's part of the criticism she's had to face as a performer because it was viewed that she was being elitist by speaking English all the time in the Philippines instead of Tagalog. She even got slammed for picking up the British accent when she did SAIGON in London.

Now, when you see her on TV in the Philippines, she makes an effort to speak in English with a slightly forced accent so as to make her more accessible to the masses.

No judgments. That's just how Lea rolls. Always has.

[chino]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 10:55pm

I don't think Charice can act the same way Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson can. She can be trained, yes. I guess we'll see. Sarah Geronimo can hit high notes if need be, and she can really act.

[new2broadway02]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:10pm

Dshar, just because you are taught in English in school doesn't mean you can speak English without an accent. Even Monique Wilson didn't speak as well as Lea. And sorry, I can tell Charice isn't American in that video.

jsg03jd, I knew she grew up speaking mainly English, but I never knew the reason. Thanks, I always wanted to find out why.
Updated On: 10/28/09 at 11:10 PM

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:14pm

You're welcome.

Ironically, Monique Wilson is 1/4 American yet she speaks better Tagalog than Lea! LOL!

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:22pm

Yah im sure Sarah can act although i havent seen any Filipino fims for a long long time.

Ill give you a aqoute from another commentator here:

Why would casting have to be in Asia? There are a lot of Asians from the US.

Why indeed? there are more than 50 Million Asian-Americans here in the USA and basically there are also good singers and actress of Asian heritage that have not been given opportunity.

Charice is very talented coupled with all aces on her side, that's why she got known here in the USA.

Now to get Sarah who is already an established artist in the Philippines? That's a great injustice to Asian-Americans here.

Here chino why don't you read this article about how the Asian Americans see the current state of US entertainment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/world/americas/04iht-singer.4787848.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2

A lot of people supports charice who are non filipino cause she might be the breakthrough artist that will open up pop to Asian-Americans in the US.

And you are correct in your assumption lea and Monique have 10 years of play/acting/showbiz experience before they got discovered. Its also the reason why as a supporter of charice I dont include her on the list for kim cause her acting ability is untested.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:25pm

I have to admit that I'm pretty enamored with the idea of a Vietnamese girl playing Kim. So right now Cat Tien would be my favorite, even though I dunno if she can act or sing Broadway-style.

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:32pm

Sorry that explanation doesnt hold water cause even me my parents speak different dialects. In fact a lot of Filipino parents are from different regions hence different dialects. It is the Education you recieve like I said...Monique Wilson yeah 1/4 American but she did not came from the same school as Lea did in Highschool.

@new2broadway02 Can you name one Filipino that came from Montessori that doesnt speak like Lea?

Lea got flak cause she was speaking in Taglish which isnt the norm back in the day. It is now the norm in Manila at least more so than any other place in the Philippines.
Updated On: 10/28/09 at 11:32 PM

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:35pm

See we have our own homegown in the USA talents of Asian heritage. How do i know Cat? I saw her perform One Moment in Time in Orange county when I went with my Vietnamese friend.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:44pm

Dshar, if you're referring to my explanation, that's not something I am generalizing for all Filipinos or is it a story I concocted: Lea has talked about this in the past and her issues with English and Tagalog/Filipino is specific to her. Her mother, Ligaya Salonga, grew up speaking the Ilonggo dialect and didn't even learn Tagalog until later in life. The father spoke Tagalog, so there was that dialect difference so English was the compromise for Lea and Gerard.

Clearly, your situation is different from Lea's and only you can speak of your experience.

And you're making a generalization about all O.B. Montesorri students as well. I'm sure there are graduates from that place that don't speak English with American accents. For every rule, after all, there is indeed an exception.

[Dshar]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:55pm

Ok i love Lea too but that explanation if indeed came from Lea doesnt even hold water to us Filipinos.

Its an explanation for people who doesnt know the demographics of the Philippines. After all we have 120 dialects which are very different from 1 another. BTW illongo is a mix of the Visayan language and Old Pre hispanic Tagalog Language. Just thought i should mention that.

Is there any published interview of Lea discussing that? Cause im pretty sure that would have been heard already in the Philippines if it were published.

[new2broadway02]

Posted: 10/28/09 at 11:58pm

Dshar, Carla Abellana

Lea speaking good English is probably because she grew up speaking English more than she did Tagalog. jsg03jd is right. Lea has admitted that speaking Tagalog is not something she's good at. If a school is responsible for a Filipino speaking English without an accent, there should be more Filipinos that speak like Lea. But it's not easy to find.

[new2broadway02]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 12:04am

Dshar, Lea talked about her Tagalog in her Backstory article about starring in a Filipino film.

"Second, I couldnâ??t hurdle the huge language barrier. I was very fluent in English, but extremely poor in Tagalog. I had no idea what possessed me to say YES to this! I was absolutely terrible! I kept mixing up namin and natin, and heaven only knows how much of the dialogue I could actually comprehend."

http://afleasalonga.multiply.com/journal/item/195/Backstory_Out_of_my_comfort_zone
Updated On: 10/29/09 at 12:04 AM