Meet a VC Intern: Hailey C.

Learn more about one of our 2021 VC Summer Interns Hailey C., our Getty MUI Programs Associate!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello, my name is Hailey (she/her), and I am a Senior majoring in film and media at UC Berkeley. I am currently residing in Los Angeles, where I enjoy the summer breeze of Southern California. As a woman of color, I’ve always dreamed of being a film producer who empowers Asian & Pacific Islander filmmakers and stands for solidarity between minority groups. Thus, interning at VC was a perfect opportunity to meet talented media artists from various communities and get hands-on experience with industry professionals. An ongoing passion of mine is writing reviews and critiques about East Asian films on my personal blog. In my spare time, I try to improve my Photoshop and illustration skills to make my blog more impressive and fancier.

How did you hear about VC and what drew you to apply?

I heard about VC through the Getty Multicultural Internship. When I was scrolling down the list of internship opportunities from different museums and organizations, VC grabbed my attention the most because the job description perfectly matched my passion and skills. As VC is the first Asian American media arts organization, I wanted to learn everything I could do to support API media artists. Moreover, my intellectual curiosity was drawn to the fact that VC has the largest photographic and moving image archives about Asian Pacific American communities, known as the VC Archives.

What are your intern duties at VC? Which part do you find interesting?

My internship duties mostly focus on programming for the upcoming 37th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. I work closely with the Operations Director Eseel to provide administrative support that includes researching venues, organizing submission databases, reaching out to filmmakers, updating programming information, and watching films. As a cinephile, I feel fortunate to be able to watch a lot of films and track the trajectory of filmmakers. Before working at VC, I had clear preferences for film genres. Now, as I interact with a wide range of content, I have become more open-minded and am eager to explore more films.

What is your favorite thing about working here? Any memorable moments?

There are many great things about working at VC, but I am truly grateful to have met industry professionals who are walking down the same career path that I have always desired. They have reignited my passion for films and entertainment. I’ve also learned the various ways that API artists have used their voices through film and media arts. One of my memorable moments was when I got to watch projects by the Armed With a Camera Fellows. I watched SOFT SOUNDS OF PEELING FRUIT by So Young Shelly Yo (AWC Class of 2020), and I was astonished by its beautiful and strong cinematography and slow-paced nuance. The narrative honestly portrays first-generation Korean immigrants, which resonates with my personal background. It’s been an eye-opening experience to watch short films from these passionate and talented filmmakers.

Tell us something that most people would be surprised to learn about you.

One of my hobbies is collecting vinyl records. I know it does not sound like a “common” hobby for a Millennial, but I believe vinyl records are not only unique and personal but also provide better sound quality. I am also a big coffee enthusiast. I just love to learn about the history of coffee and explore new coffee shops in town. Fun fact: I’ve worked as a coffee barista for one year and a boba barista for another year.

My favorite vinyl: Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish

Who is Hailey?

Hailey or Hazel? I debated this for months before moving to the United States. As a first-generation immigrant, I had to arrange all the little things by myself, including choosing my “English” name. I finally decided to go with Hailey for no specific reason. 

When I was 17, I moved from South Korea to Koreatown, Los Angeles. Racial taunts were common in my school in LA, and I got used to the whispers behind me. I would often hear random and rude questions from my classmates: “Does your country speak English?” “Why aren’t you good at math?” I’ve been mocked for speaking Korean with my friend at a restaurant. I did not complain or fight back because I did not want to make things worse. Instead, I kept my head down and stayed quiet. However, it did not take too long for me to realize that this was not just my story. Many of my friends had the same story as me. One of them, who was even born in America, still hears silly questions from random people like “Where do you come from?” Now, I’ve realized that this is our story, and I must find a way to deliver it to a broader audience. 

I grew up watching mostly Korean films and television shows. Upon being exposed to American films and TV shows, I’ve had issues about the way mainstream media treats Asian Americans. First, Asians are invisible. Second, Asians are stereotyped as either the super-rich or nerds. I especially hate when media hypersexualizes and fetishizes Asian women. In order to dismantle these stereotypes and change the perspectives of Asians in media, I decided that I had to start with learning about how media works, which is why I chose Film and Media as my major. Through my coursework, I’ve gained fruitful knowledge about the power of media and entertainment. However, theories are not enough, and I crave hands-on experience, which is what I get through working with VC. It has fueled my passion and ambition. I am learning more about the actions that I should take in order to empower our community. Through film and media, I will stand up against the structural inequality that oppresses not only the Asian community but also other minorities. 

It has been ten years since I got the name Hailey. I sometimes miss my Korean name and am still confused with my double identity. Being part of different geographical and cultural backgrounds (United States and South Korea) has brought me a great amount of stress. I’ve always felt excluded as a minority in America. Last year, I finally went back to South Korea for the first time in eight years. Many things have changed, and I saw myself struggling to adapt to the new environment. I felt like an alien even though I came from this country, and I’m realizing that there might not be a place on earth that could bring me an ultimate comfort as “home.” However, I am at least clear and confident about what I want to do and hope to achieve. I can’t guarantee that my future journey will be a smooth road, but I would rather conquer the struggles than accept the limitations.

A screenshot of my film blog

My favorite coffee place: blue bottle

I drove all the way to San Francisco from Berkeley for a cup of iced latte