As I applied to study 1 at the University of Illinois in 1978, my father 2 objected, and quoted me a 3 . "Every year, 4 performers compete for 200 available roles on Broadway." Some years later, when I graduated from film school, I came to 5 my father’s concern. It was nearly unheard of for a Chinese newcomer to make it in the American film industry. I struggled 6 six years of 7 , hopeless uncertainty. Much of the time, I was helping film 8 with their equipment or working as editor’s assistant. My most painful experience involved touting a 9 at more than 30 production companies and meeting with 10 rejection each time. That year, I 11 30. Yet, I couldn’t even support myself. What could I do Give up my dream My wife gave me 12 support. She worked at a small 13 research lab after graduation and her income was terribly 14 . To 15 my own feelings of 16 , I took on cooking, cleaning, taking care of our son—in addition to reading, 17 films and writing scripts, which was rather 18 for a man. Afterward, I enrolled in a computer course at a nearby community 19 . For the days that followed, I descended into malaise. So my wife said, "Ang, don’t forget your dream." And today, I’ve finally won that golden statue. I think my own perseverance and my wife’s immeasurable 20 have finally met their reward.