University of Massachusetts, Boston Screening Recap and Photos

On Friday, we had a great time at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where we participated in several seminars before our screening of Autumn Gem at 4:00 pm.

At most of the screenings on this trip, we don’t have too much time to wander around the school and talk with the students. We have typically arrived at the venue an hour before the screening in order to test the projector, screen and speakers. Following the screenings, we return to the road to reach the next venue. This is why Rae says, “It feels like we’re in a band… minus the roadies!” At UMass Boston, however, we had scheduled two additional events before the screening, giving us time to connect with the faculty and students. Kudos go to Shirley Tang, Professor of Asian American Studies and American Studies at UMass Boston, for organizing these extra events. It’s something that we’ll definitely suggest to other schools that we show Autumn Gem at in the future.

At noon, Rae and I conducted a martial arts demonstration at the Campus Center. Rae performed her mantis form and taught wushu basics, whereas I went through the first few steps of the Tai Chi 24 form. Here’s a video of the two of us performing and teaching, along with student reactions following the workshop:

Afterwards, we visited a core set of Asian American Studies students and talked about our background and how we got to where we are today. These students had all completed their own short films, many of which tackled very personal topics. I hope that Rae and I were able to inspire the students to continue their media projects and create their own feature-length documentaries on the subjects they care deeply about! Shirley was saying that the program encourages students to create media more than they consume media; I heartedly agree with that!

The screening was well received, with over 65 people in attendance. Like at Whitewater, the room had dual projectors, so everyone in the long classroom had a good view of the film. The crowd asked some good questions that were well-documented by Professor Peter Kiang; we’ll try to get these up in the future (and add to our growing FAQ list).

Today, we have a final screening in Massachusetts at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center; after that, we’ll be returning to New Jersey for the final leg of our four-week trip.

WP-SmugMug Plugin: http://tow.com/projects/wordpress/*[[](/batch.download.php?aid=6765761)Inside the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#6900385085k9Kp-L-LB) *[In-between classes, sleeping is a common sight.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038467sp2VG-L-LB) *[Shirley and Rae share a laugh.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038409qyXgW-L-LB) *[Molly and Casanova.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038373EWkXU-L-LB) *[Tai-Chi Master and Shirley.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038330AKrs5-L-LB) *[Is Rae nervous about the wushu demo she is about to give?](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038286Azu7P-L-LB) *[You wouldn’t she’s nervous with that smile!](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038235roGTk-L-LB) *[Shirley introduces Rae to the assembled students for the wushu demonstration.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038205HKduc-L-LB) *[Rae begins her front stretch kick.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038153mNqaz-L-LB) *[Rae is careful not to kick her own face during the front stretch kick.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038105d2usZ-L-LB) *[Students watch Rae perform wushu basics at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038058NQYzU-L-LB) *[UMass-Autumn-Gem-Video.mov](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690767667T9vQ4-L-LB) *[Rae is very flexible.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690038013rLQHS-L-LB) *[Looking on during the wushu demonstration.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037968FowfV-L-LB) *[Rae teaches the students how to perform the salute.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037897ZwXfH-L-LB) *[This is how it’s done.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037837FBhw8-L-LB) *[Student prepare to punch.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037798TQbaA-L-LB) *[UMass students punching during wushu basics demonstration.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037739dw9Ho-L-LB) *[This punching scene looks like it’s straight out of Autumn Gem!](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037673QXwLv-L-LB) *[Rae smiles as she demonstrates her punching technique.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037627DX7WB-L-LB) *[Horse stance.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037572njgo5-L-LB) *[Rae and the class learn horse stance.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037505upBUC-L-LB) *[Rae demonstrates her cat stance.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#6900374368aJiE-L-LB) *[The class tries to do a cat stance.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037400acCqP-L-LB) *[Now it’s time to practice kicking.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037344RQ9hd-L-LB) *[Adam demonstrates how to brush the wild horse’s mane… or Adam’s ponytail!](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037251voQxx-L-LB) *[Holding the ball and transitioning to brushing the horse’s mane.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037192jcU3B-L-LB) *[Think of brushing Adam’s ponytail instead!](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#6900371445TUF5-L-LB) *[The class repeats Adam’s moves.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037087cCa3J-L-LB) *[Adam demonstrates Tai-Chi to the assembled UMass students.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690037040qiTqQ-L-LB) *[Tai-Chi inside the UMass, Boston Campus Center.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#6900369836fLgQ-L-LB) *[Students were excited to learn wushu and tai-chi.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036927wPmp4-L-LB) *[UMass students express their thoughts after learning some basic wushu and tai-chi moves.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036875rVxet-L-LB) *[Being interviewed about the martial arts demonstration.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036817Y2EM8-L-LB) *[Inside the Asian American Student Center.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036753D4gfa-L-LB) *[Inside Healey Library, where we screened Autumn Gem.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036661QxFad-L-LB) *[Materials to take home.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036574t7nCA-L-LB) *[Rae and Shirley](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036495xHRQ8-L-LB) *[Peter and Rae](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036422rGJwB-L-LB) *[Autumn Gem at UMass, Boston.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036349hUqkm-L-LB) *[Talking with John Eng-Wong.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036300rTQDY-L-LB) *[Professor John Eng-Wong talks about his next project with Rae.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036230xcThH-L-LB) *[Rae listens to Professor John Eng-Wong.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#6900361467NxFh-L-LB) *[Waiting for the screening to begin.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690036078BYv73-L-LB) *[Waiting for the screening to begin.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035993r3Jxu-L-LB) *[Microphone.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035885GHbNh-L-LB) *[Shirley introduces the film to the UMass community.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035811Pi2WK-L-LB) *[Reading.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035730fa3ev-L-LB) *[Thanking the helpers who made this screening possible!](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035680cDj5b-L-LB) *[Rae answers questions from the crowd following the screening of Autumn Gem at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035628sppKN-L-LB) *[Vu and Matt.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035583HSPLG-L-LB) *[Frances.](http://photos.tow.com/Autumn-Gem/Screenings/University-of-Massachusetts/10062326Ad6DA#690035541_gWmYF-L-LB)