Spring Break
The Daily OrangeTypecast
Kal Penn discusses playing typical Indian roles, media's view on minorities
By Abram Brown
Posted: 11/17/08, 1:25 AM EST Section: Feature
Penn remembers three friends in college working odd jobs while making small independent short films on the side. The trio struggled to get going.
But after they put their material on different Web sites, they were noticed, Penn said. Now the three write for "Saturday Night Live."
Penn encouraged the audience to put their own work online because they'll get instant feedback on what works and doesn't work.
"You have the ability to mold the mass media," Penn said.
When Penn opened the lecture to questions, the audience quizzed him on various issues. One student asked Penn if he would consider marrying her sister. Penn's response showcased his keen comedic timing.
"Hit me up on MySpace," Penn said.
Penn was later asked about the characters he's played. In addition to Taj and Kumar, he also appeared on "24" as Ahmed Amar, a terrorist who takes a family hostage.
"I loved working on '24'," Penn said. "That was so awesome to play, honestly."
Penn said the ethnicity of Ahmed Amar didn't faze him. Penn, who said he had never fired a gun before, was more concerned about how he was going to pull off the action scenes.
Penn warned the audience of reading too much into movies and other parts of the media.
"I think ultimately, 'Harold and Kumar' is just about hamburgers and french fries."
Adbrow03@syr.edu
But after they put their material on different Web sites, they were noticed, Penn said. Now the three write for "Saturday Night Live."
Penn encouraged the audience to put their own work online because they'll get instant feedback on what works and doesn't work.
"You have the ability to mold the mass media," Penn said.
When Penn opened the lecture to questions, the audience quizzed him on various issues. One student asked Penn if he would consider marrying her sister. Penn's response showcased his keen comedic timing.
"Hit me up on MySpace," Penn said.
Penn was later asked about the characters he's played. In addition to Taj and Kumar, he also appeared on "24" as Ahmed Amar, a terrorist who takes a family hostage.
"I loved working on '24'," Penn said. "That was so awesome to play, honestly."
Penn said the ethnicity of Ahmed Amar didn't faze him. Penn, who said he had never fired a gun before, was more concerned about how he was going to pull off the action scenes.
Penn warned the audience of reading too much into movies and other parts of the media.
"I think ultimately, 'Harold and Kumar' is just about hamburgers and french fries."
Adbrow03@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Raj
posted 11/17/08 @ 3:44 PM EST
Unimpressive talk. Penn spent far too long on things that he didn't seem to realize were of minimal importance to Asian Americans when it comes to prejudice. (Continued…)
Sanjeev Kumar
posted 11/17/08 @ 10:39 PM EST
Kalpen spent too much time reading those letters. He should've talked about the main points of the letters. He also looked unprofessional by keeping on looking at his watch and drinking water every two seconds. (Continued…)
Tanush Sincar
posted 11/18/08 @ 2:11 AM EST
he totally should have done that.
Post a Comment