Join filmmaker Jon M. Chu, known for hits like 'Crazy Rich Asians' and the upcoming 'Wicked' adaptation, as he dives into creativity shaped by challenges. He shares personal anecdotes illustrating how family influences fuel artistic vision. Discover his insights on balancing family life with creative endeavors, navigating post-pandemic challenges, and the intricacies of adapting Broadway to film. He also talks about the interplay between AI and human creativity, emphasizing collaboration with actors to enrich storytelling.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Focus amidst pressure
Jon M. Chu, despite professional pressures, feels focused on his upcoming film Wicked.
He prioritizes creating something relevant, entertaining, and celebratory.
insights INSIGHT
Viewfinder's Purpose
Chu's memoir, Viewfinder, explores the changing landscape of technology, culture, identity, and entertainment.
He aims to provide guidance for those pursuing ambitious dreams.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Leadership Lessons
Chu shares leadership insights gleaned from filmmaking and his parents' restaurant business.
He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and empowering team creativity.
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How L. Frank Baum Discovered the Great American Story
Evan I. Schwartz
This book delves into the life of L. Frank Baum, tracing his journey from a series of failed careers to the creation of 'The Wizard of Oz'. Evan Schwartz draws on original research to debunk popular misconceptions and highlight how people, places, and events in Baum's life inspired his characters and settings. The book reveals that elements like the Yellow Brick Road and the Emerald City were influenced by real-life experiences, such as Baum's attendance at the Chicago World's Fair of 1893 and his time at the Peekskill Military Academy. It also explores the significant influence of Baum's mother-in-law, Matilda Joslyn Gage, a radical women's rights leader, on his portrayal of witches. The narrative is a comprehensive and entertaining look at how Baum's life shaped the 'Great American Story' that is 'The Wizard of Oz'.
Viewfinder
Afzal Ballim
ViewFinder is a framework designed to represent, ascribe, and maintain nested beliefs of interacting agents. It is part of Afzal Ballim's research in artificial intelligence, focusing on belief ascription and agent modeling. The framework is detailed in his dissertation and is associated with tools like ViewGen, which implements belief ascription algorithms.
Filmmaker Jon M. Chu has enjoyed an incredible run of success, directing films like "Crazy Rich Asians," "In the Heights" and the highly anticipated adaptation of "Wicked" in theaters soon. But he wasn't always sure he'd make it big. In a wide-ranging conversation, Chu gives his thoughts on nurturing creativity, embracing failure and finding inspiration in your upbringing — as well as some key leadership lessons from his new memoir, "Viewfinder." (This live conversation was hosted by TED's Whitney Pennington Rodgers. Visit ted.com/membership to support TED today and join more exclusive events like this one.)
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