hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 1
2 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE ONE 2016 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE ONE 2016
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 3
'328)287 [[[ LE[EMM½PQERHZMHIS GSQ [[[ LE[EMM½PQ GSQ PUBLISHER
James Baker
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Katie Sauro ksauro@media-inc.com SALES MANAGER
Katie Higgins
GENERAL MANAGER
John Rusnak
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Sonjia Kells
DESIGNERS
Sam Rockwell, Jake Weipert WEBMASTER
Jon Hines
OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTING
Audra Higgins
INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER
Lois Sanborn
ON THE COVER
24
The cast of Go For Broke prepares to shoot a scene on King Street. Go For Broke QEOIW MXW [SVPH TVIQMIVI EW XLI GPSWMRK RMKLX ½PQ SJ ,E[EMM -RXIVREXMSREP *MPQ *IWXMZEP TVIWIRXIH F] ,EPIOYPERM 4LSXS F] /EPIRI 7EOEQSXS
7 Legislature Grants Extension to Film Tax Credit Program through 2025 9 Kauai’s Bright Future 11 Hawaii Island Production Heats Up 15 Maui County Film Report
4 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
HIFF Highlights 20 Hawaii International *MPQ *IWXMZEP 4VIWIRXIH by Halekulani 22 Introducing the Inaugural “Made In Hawaii” Competition 24 Go for Broke 28 Kuleana Premieres on Oahu
17 Flying High with Hawaii Media Inc. ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Moronai Kanekoa and Vene Chun (of Maui) on the set of Kuleana.The Maui-shot ½PQ [MPP WGVIIR EX XLMW year’s Hawaii International *MPQ *IWXMZEP TVIWIRXIH F] Halekulani. Photo by Jack Grace.
30 Female Filmmakers in the Spotlight
MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP (800) 332-1736 media@media-inc.com
(MWTPE] %HZIVXMWMRK 'EPP 1IHME -RHI\ 4YFPMWLMRK Group for a current rate card. Discounts for freUYIRG] EHZIVXMWMRK %PP WYFQMXXIH QEXIVMEPW FIGSQI the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Subscriptions, call (800) 3321736 for information and rates. Copyright © 2017 Media Index Publishing Group. %PP 6MKLXW 6IWIVZIH 2S TEVX SJ XLMW TYFPMGEXMSR QE] be used for solicitation or copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or VIGSVHMRK F] ER] MRJSVQEXMSR WXSVEKI SV VIXVMIZEP system, without the express written permission of XLI TYFPMWLIV 46-28)( -2 8,) 97%
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE ONE 2016
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 5
6 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Legislature Grants Extension to Film Tax Credit Program through 2025 BY DONNE DAWSON Hawaii State Film Commissioner
I
n late April the film industry was extremely pleased to see that the Hawaii State Legislature voted to give the Motion Picture, Digital Media and Film Production Income Tax Credit (Section 235-17 Hawaii Revised Statutes) an extension of seven years to December 31, 2025. Governor Ige showed his support of the film and digital media industry by signing the bill into law on July 12, 2017. To say we are grateful is a major understatement. As industry leaders, we know that Hawaii is up against the fiercest competition on a global level and without a stable, dependable and predictable tax credit program that production can rely upon, Hawaii’s film industry cannot thrive to its fullest potential. There is a significant new aspect in the new law that needs to be addressed during the 2018 Legislative Session. For the first time since the inception of the program in 2006, more than a decade ago, a cap on the amount of total rebates paid out to qualifying productions has been set at $35 million per year. Although there is the opportunity for productions to claim credits in the subsequent year, in essence rolling over the liability into the following year, this will impact and further reduce the potential number of productions able to claim the credit in future years—which could have a cumulative effect of reducing production activity in the state. Now one might think at first glance that a spending ceiling is a good thing, a responsible way to predict the amount of taxpayer dollars that are spent every year on this important program that
is building a clean industry for Hawaii and one which will continue to provide well-paying jobs in the creative arena for our residents. Unfortunately the industry does not work that way. Given the extreme global competition and the fact that studios have billions to spend in various jurisdictions around the world, there are simply too many choices in the way of competitive incentive programs. Anything that makes a tax incentive program less attractive, less predictable, is going to mean studios will likely make decisions to go places where the tax credit programs are stable and more attractive: where there is no spending ceiling; where there is no sunset date; where the program is streamlined and easy to access; and where they can plan and execute their productions without question of whether they will get the full credit they have banked on. A great example is the state of Louisiana, which for years was one of the top production centers in the country with a solid tax incentive program attracting hundreds of millions of dollars of production from all over the world. Under former Governor Bobby Jindal, a spending ceiling
of $180 million was put into place and had a dramatic impact on new production. Rather than generate new film business for all the newly developed infrastructure in Louisiana, business dropped off dramatically by more than 80%. Louisiana elected officials have been working hard ever since to reverse that devastating trend. The state of Georgia, on the other hand, with no sunset date and no spending ceiling in place, is now the top production center in the country. Every major production now films at least in part in Georgia. The same can be said about New York and places like Ohio and Pennsylvania, all of which have increased their credit programs, in an effort to attract new business. We need to be mindful that we do not inadvertently hurt Hawaii’s industry, which currently holds such great potential to create quality jobs and provide the impetus to pursue new infrastructure development. HFV
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 7
8 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Kauai’s Bright Future
NEW FILMMAKING PROGRAMS AND MARKETING STRATEGIES SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON THE GARDEN ISLAND BY RANDY FRANCISCO, Creative Industries (Film) Specialist, County of Kauai
G
overnor David Ige signed into law HB423 HD2 SD2 CD1 on July 12. Mahalo to everyone for contributing your valuable time and input during the legislative session and afterwards, prior to the signing of the bill. Everyone from throughout the industry, including film studios, unions and film commissions, came forward and together to support this legislation that demonstrates our state’s recognition of the industry as an important contributor to our economy and creative industries sector, and most of all, of Hawaii as a key film location-destination.
Hawaiian blessing with Kumu Kauka Sabra and movie crew prior to the start of production at a state location in Lihue.
This law helps decisionmakers to be able to make timely and strategic decisions regarding planning for productions and budgets over the next seven years. A key question asked at the annual Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI) Conference & Trade Show is: “What is your tax credit?” This important credit also helps to promote Kauai as a competitive location despite some of the higher costs of doing business in the neighbor islands.
‘elevator pitch’ and, most of all, share and learn about what each of their counterparts are doing, including any concerns and/or challenges they may be experiencing as a business on Kauai. The third meeting was a workshop focused on drones and marketing. A panel session was comprised of Keltie Clevenger (Hokulele Drones) and Tyler Navarro (Fly UAS Hawaii), who shared their knowledge and experiences as business owners who use drones/UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) as a tool for their business. Hawaii State Film CommisKauai Industry Meet & Greet Meetings sioner Donne Dawson rounded out the panel and Since the start of 2017, there have been three meetings. provided an update from the Hawaii Film Office The first meeting was in February, co-hosted by Kauai and information to help clarify the use of drones. Community College (KCC). Chancellor Helen Cox Sandy Ichihara-Abe, also from the Hawaii Film Ofwelcomed the 60 attendees to the college. This meeting fice, assisted the panel with drones/UAS, in addition focused on the first Department of Business & Ecoto addressing her responsibilities with the Hawaii nomic Development – Creative Lab Hawaii Transmedia Pete Berg, producer (Adventures of Film Studio at Diamond Head. The Kauai Film Office is also working with the Ideation Kauai weekend and the recently approved KCC Dr. Buckeye Bottoms) speaking to Associate of Science degree in Creative Media launched KCC Creative Media Consortium stu- Hawaii Film Office to establish guidelines that will dents, Stephen Watkins (KCC instruchelp clarify the use of drones in Kauai County. In in the fall of 2017. Applications continue to be accepted tor) and Edison Erorita (student). today’s business world, drones are another imfor this program. New faculty member and coordinator portant tool for doing business and many are already using or wanting Stephen Watkins was introduced, in addition to lecturers Serge Marcil to know the proper use of drones/UAS, as it continues to be a growing and Gary Ellwood. After the meeting, participants took a tour of the trend for all, both in business and for hobbyists. The next meeting is in new Creative Media lab and classroom. A marketing survey was also November and will continue about drones/UAS and other topics. distributed to get input on how Kauai can improve its efforts in attracting productions. Throughout the fall term, a regular KCC Creative MeFilm Familiarization Tour dia Consortium meets on Fridays and is open to both students and the From the AFCI Cineposium website: “One of the greatest tools of any public from 11am to 12pm in ART 103. The next generation of Kauai film commission is the familiarization (or FAM) tour. Borrowed from and locally based production the tourism industry, FAM Tours give commissions an opportunity to crews and filmmakers are realizhost a number of location professionals, show off your best locations, and ing their dreams through KCC’s introduce them to both local film professionals and community leaders.” A.S. degree program conveniently taught on-island! From October 25-29, the County of Kauai, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Courtyard Marriott Kauai and Koloa Landing Resort co-hosted a FAM The next meeting in May tour that brought six key decisionmakers to the island to visit various was an update on the tax credit Kauai Made Films co-producers locations, geography and climates that provided them a better idea of extension, the AFCI Trade Show Edwin Sawyer (left) and Elliott Lucas the island for their next project. Most of the participants invited were in April, and ideas for marketing. (right) at the reception and presendue to connections made at this year’s AFCI tradeshow. HFV A roundtable session followed the tation about upcoming Kauai-made meeting and provided attendees movie Too Much Life, which starts production in fall 2017. an opportunity to present their Visit www.filmkauai.com for more information. hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 9
10 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Hawaii Island Production
Heats Up BY JUSTIN FINESTONE, Hawaii Island Film Commissioner
F
eaturing 11 of the world’s 13 climate zones, Hawaii Island can double for almost anywhere on Earth. Apparently, it can also double for Avatar’s moon of Pandora. Last September, the cast of the upcoming Avatar sequels spent a week on the island doing performance capture rehearsals ahead of the film’s production. hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 11
The actors spent time in the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, the jungle near Hawi, and diving and snorkeling off the Kona coast. Avatar 2 is scheduled for release in December 2020, with three other sequels expected in 2021, 2024 and 2025. Three additional feature films extensively scouted on Hawaii Island over the summer. No final location decisions have been made, but all three are scheduled for production sometime in 2018. This news kicks off a promising new fiscal year for production in Hawaii County, as we closed out a strong 2016/17 fiscal year on June 30. The county film office issued over 100 permits last fiscal year, which translated into millions of dollars spent by productions on the island. Highlights included two feature films that shot in the county. In November 2016, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle spent a weekend shooting at a waterfall north of Hilo. At the same time, independent feature Jo, the Medicine Runner—starring Matt Dillon and Jim
The Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary hosted the cast of the upcoming Avatar sequels.
With 11 climate zones spread over 4,028 square miles, the
perfect locations await you on Hawai‘i Island.
hawaiiislandfilm.com (808) 961-8366
hawaiiislandfilm
12 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
On the set of Jo, The Medicine Runner, filmed on Hawaii Island.
Caviezel—shot on location in both east and west Hawaii, as well as at Kona’s Honua Studios. That production created a total of 175 jobs and supported an estimated 875 more. The Nickelodeon show Paradise Run returned to the Hilton Waikoloa Village for its third season. The show produced 30 episodes, 10 more than in Seasons 1 and 2. The production also left the Hilton property for the first time, shooting part of an episode at Hapuna Beach on the Kohala Coast. In addition, Hawaii Island hosted an episode of AMC’s Ride with Norman Reedus, which features the Walking Dead star touring the island on his motorcycle. The show is scheduled to air in November 2017. The Hawaii Island Film Office is also involved in workforce development partnerships for 2018. Workshops are being planned on screenwriting, acting, producing and becoming a production assistant. Dates and locations are being finalized. Additional information and updates will be posted at www.hawaiiislandfilm.com, and on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. HFV
With 11 climate zones spread over 4,028 square miles, the
perfect locations await you on Hawai‘i Island.
hawaiiislandfilm.com (808) 961-8366
hawaiiislandfilm
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 13
14 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Maui County
Film Report BY TRACY BENNETT Maui County Film Commissioner
I
t’s been a busy 2017 with roughly 44 productions making their way into Maui County. Commercials and reality-based television continue to be the driving force to keep our crews working. Food Network and Citizen Pictures highlight Maui’s amazing food scene, as well as commercial production companies that we visit at
AICP events in New York and around various cities on the mainland. Partnerships with the Island Film Group and the other Film Offices of the Hawaiian Islands prove fruitful for the state and film/TV production in general in marketing Hawaii as a film destination. In other news, Brian Kohne’s Kuleana preps for its Maui and Hawaii release and continues to garner awards at film festivals around the world (see page 28 for more on this film). Also, two reality shows highlighting the Maui Police Department and Maui lifeguards are currently in the works.
Hawaii Rescue filmed episodes at Maui’s popular beaches and surf spots and is currently in post-production. Maui PD is in development and finishing legal terms, with NBC/Universal producer and Maui resident Jackie DeCrinis (USA Network’s Mr. Robot, Chrisley Knows Best) producing an original idea, refreshingly not at all related to Cops. Finally, a few feature-length films and TV series remain in development for Maui, as does another epic documentary from Molokai filmmaker Matt Yamashita. HFV Visit www.filmmaui.com for more.
BETTY OR VERONICA?
RED Dragon 6K ARRI Alexa Mini
808.383.4374 www.edgecityfilms.com hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 15
16 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Flying High with
Hawaii Media Inc.
Hawaii Media Inc. demonstrating their state-of-the-art drone services.
H
awaii Media Inc. now offers state-of-the-art drone service to producers in Hawaii. With the acquisition of a DJI Matrice 600 Pro drone, a Ronin MX gimbal, and the RED EPIC-W camera, photographers now have the complete equipment package needed to capture still and motion images in 8K resolution. The Matrice 600 is loaded with the latest technologies from DJI. It features the A3
Flight Controller with triple redundancy systems, which enable precise control and stable flight performance. Flight parameters are automatically adjusted based upon the weight of the payload. The Lightbridge 2 HD transmission system allows real-time live streaming of images at up to 1080p/60 fps or 720p/59.94 fps. Line of sight signals can be received at distances up to 5 kilometers. The Intelligent Battery and Management system continuously monitors all six batteries during the extended flight time. Maximum payload has been increased so that the Matrice 600 effortlessly supports the Ronin MX gimbal, DJI Focus
system, and the RED EPIC-W camera. The sensor on the RED EPIC has more than 35 million pixels, which deliver four times the resolution of 4K and 17 times the resolution of HD images. More resolution boils down to the ability to do more with your images in production, including reframing, VFX, image stabilization and sampling without having to reshoot. Hawaii Media Inc.’s drone pilots are FAA-certified to file flight plans and permit applications. A camera operator and visual observer complete the flight team. HFV Contact Hawaii Media Inc. at www.hawaiimedia.com.
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 17
Photo by AndrewShoemakerPhotography.com
G E T
T H E
D E TA I L S
AT
FILMOFFICE.HAWAII.GOV
18 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
F I L M
O F F I C E S
H A W A I I A N
O F
T H E
I S L A N D S
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 19
H
HIGHLIGHTS
Hawaii International Film Festival
Presented by Halekulani 37TH EDITION FEATURES FILMS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE PHOTOS COURTESY OF HIFF
T
aking place November 2 - 12 on Oahu and November 16 - 19 on Hawaii Island and Kauai, the Hawaii International Film Festival presented by Halekulani is truly an event not to be missed.
HIFF is packed with narrative and documentary film screenings, special programs and panel discussions, offering something for everyone. This year’s event features 160 films from 45 countries — ranging from festival favorites from Sundance, Cannes, Director Tobias Reeuwijk, along with and Toronto (Gala Presentathe Princess of Bhutan and Robert Lambeth (former HIFF Executive Ditions), special sidebars on the rector), at the Hawaii premiere of 1000 environment (Green Screen), Hands Of The Guru. culinary cinema (Eat.Drink. Film.), Asian genre cinema (Fantastic Asia), and new animated features from Japan (Planet Anime). The festival will also feature
(L-R) Peter Shaindlin of Halekulani; HIFF Co-Director of Programming Anna Page; HIFF Co-Director of Programming Anderson Le; former HIFF Executive Director Robert Lambeth at the 2016 HIFF Press Conference. 20 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
(L-R) Anderson Le (HIFF Co-Director of Programming), Chuck Boller (HIFF Director Emeritus), Jeannette Paulsen-Hereniko (Founding Director of HIFF), Beckie Stocchetti (HIFF Executive Director), Anna Page (HIFF Co-Director of Programming), Robert Lambeth (former HIFF Executive Director). Photo credit: Kaveh Kardan.
new works from Pacific Islander cinema artists (Pacific Showcase), and a newly minted competition section for locally-based films (Made in Hawaii, see page 22). “We have three new sidebars this year,” said Anderson Le, Co-Director of Programming. “Eat.Drink.Film., our culinary film section, which will be fronted by Okinawan foodie film Jimami Tofu. “Green Screen showcases timeChinese screen legend Cheng ly films about climate change and Pei Pei, Queen of Martial Arts, the environment. One film of note at the Taiwan Film Reception. is Blue from Australia, a striking documentary featuring passionate advocates for ocean preservation. Blue will be a provocative mix of scientific essay, investigative journalism and arresting imagery. “Pacific Showcase presents the best and latest in Pacific Islander films including One Thousand Ropes and Poi E, both from New Zealand.” In addition to the myriad film screenings, HIFF also features a
Blue
Jimami Tofu
number of panels and special events, such as Hometown Heroes: The State of 808 Indie Filmmaking. This free panel features local filmmakers discussing the current climate of indie filmmaking in Hawaii. In keeping with the local theme, this year’s closing night film is the world premiere of Go for Broke, a historic dramatization of Japanese Americans living in Hawaii who enlisted into the military and formed the most decorated regime in American history. HFV For the full schedule of films and events and to purchase tickets, visit www.hiff.org. Poi E
One Thousand Ropes
Go For Broke
HIFF IN THE NEIGHBOR ISLANDS This year’s festival branches out to Hawaii Island and Kauai with screenings and other special events, running November 16 - 19. On Hawaii Island, Hilo Palace Theater will host, opening with an encore screening of Brian Kohne’s Maui-shot film, Kuleana. Other highlights include Out of State, Jimami Tofu and a block of Hawaii-made short films. On Kauai, screenings will be held at Waimea Theater. The opening night film is Go for Broke, and additional screenings throughout the weekend include Poi E, The Villainess and closing night film Kuleana. Visit www.hiff.org for tickets.
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 21
H
Introducing the Inaugural
HIGHLIGHTS
“Made in Hawaii” Competition
T
he 37th edition of the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) presented by Halekulani is proud to present the inaugural Made in Hawaii competition film awards. Presented by the Hawaii Film Office led by Donne Dawson, these awards celebrate the dynamic and flourishing local independent film scene that strives onward here in the Hawaiian Islands. Fiction, non-fiction and short films that are made by locally-based filmmakers or involve locally-based stories are eligible for the following awards: Best Made in Hawaii Feature and Best Made in Hawaii Short Film. “HIFF’s legacy has always been to both provide a forum for independent and international cinema to our local audiences, while also showcasing and supporting
Hawaii filmmakers. The staff at HIFF has been following local filmmakers for over a decade, and are truly impressed with the progress of new stories and break-
through talent at home,” says HIFF Executive Director Beckie Stocchetti. “HIFF is proud to restructure our competition program to shine a brighter spotlight Kuleana
Proof Of Loyalty
Ottomaticake
Out Of State
Go For Broke
MADE IN HAWAII FEATURE FILM AWARD NOMINEES: GO FOR BROKE: AN ORIGINS STORY (Director: Alexander Bocchieri) - World Premiere - Closing Night Film OUT OF STATE (Director: Ciara Lacy) PROOF OF LOYALTY: KAZUO YAMANE AND THE NISEI SOLDIERS OF HAWAII (Director: Lucy Ostrander, Don Sellers) OTTOMATICAKE (Director: Gemma Cubero del Barrio) - World Premiere CORRIDOR FOUR (Director: Stephen Tringali) KULEANA (Director: Brian Kohne) - Advance Screening 22 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Corridor Four
MADE IN HAWAII SHORT FILM AWARD NOMINEES: JUVENTUD (Director: Austin Everett) KEEP YOU FLOAT (Directors: Alika Maikau, Jonah Okano) LADY EVA (Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson)
Juventud
Lady Eva
U (Director: Alejandra Alexander) KA PIKO (Director: Bryson Chun) WILDER PALMS (Director: Bradley Tangonan) I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE (Director: Stefan Schaefer)
U
Archives Of Extinction
ARCHIVES OF EXTINCTION (Director: Alyse Takayesu) PRAISE SONG FOR OCEANIA (Director: Justyn Ah Chong)
on Hawaii’s unique and important way of life with these authentic and entertaining stories. HIFF is driven to further strengthen and cultivate Hawaii-based filmmaking by establishing our first Made in Hawaii competition to focus sharply on the powerful films being produced in our own backyard, and to showcase this next generation of filmmakers and storytellers to the world. These films capture the multi-ethnic communities that are the foundation of what makes Hawaii one of the most diverse, desired and layered places in the world.” This year’s Made In Hawaii Features are listed on the previous page. Jurors are screenwriter/producer Jordan Kandell (Moana, upcoming Adrift), filmmaker Ty Sanga (Stones, Visions in the Dark, Family Ingredients), and editor/publisher Tim Rhys of Moviemaker Magazine. This year’s Made In Hawaii Short Films are above. Jurors are filmmaker Kimberlee Bassford (Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority, Winning Girl), Gerard Elmore (festival director, Ohina Short Film Showcase) and filmmaker Lisette Marie Flanary (Na Kamalei: Man of Hula, One Voice).
Visit www.hiff.org for more information.
Wilder Palms
Ka Piko
I Am Because You Are
Praise Song For Oceania
Keep You Float hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 23
H
HIGHLIGHTS
Hundreds of volunteer extras wait patiently to march down King Street as the newly formed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Photo by Kalene Sakamoto
Hawaii residents came out in full force to help tell the story of the origins of the legendary 100th Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most highly decorated unit in U.S. Military history for its size and time in combat. Photo by Kalene Sakamoto 24 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiiďŹ lmandvideo.com
Go for Broke Local indie film hopes to inspire others to think about what being an American really means BY WALEA CONSTANTINAU Honolulu Film Commissioner
“
I
t’s the origin story most of the world has never seen or heard,” says Stacey Hayashi, the writer and executive producer of the upcoming independent Hawaii film, Go for Broke, in a meeting with city officials.
The real photos of the 442nd RCT from March 28, 1943, courtesy of Honolulu Star Bulletin and Hawaii State Archives. Note: The Varsity Victory Volunteers are in the front rows.
Hayashi was talking about the most decorated unit of its size and length of service in the history of the United States, the World War II 100th Battalion, 442nd Combat Regiment, which was comprised of Japanese-Americans from Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Hayashi and Dean Sensui, a producer on the film, were asking the City and County of Honolulu for assistance to help shoot a vitally important scene that involved closing King Street for a day in front of the Iolani Palace to be able to shoot their final and poignant scene of the regiment marching onto the palace grounds. For a small film with limited resources, it looked like a daunting, unattainable task. But officials from the City’s Street Usage section and the Honolulu Film Office were eager to help. As locals, everyone was familiar with the story and agreed, it was an important story of Hawaii’s history that needed to be told. It was that sentiment that attracted the likes of Oscar-winning actor Chris Tashima, Peter Shinkoda (Daredevil), Ban Daisuke (Kikaida) and ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, whose music is featured in the film. Set in 1941, the film follows ROTC students from the University of Hawaii in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor whose response was to fight against the wave of distrust at home while proudly serving and defending their country as a part of the 442nd unit. Obtaining the permit to close King Street required a high-level coordinator who was seasoned at major street closures. Hawaii Five-0 technical advisor Mike Cho was tapped to assist and, like so many involved, did so as a volunteer to help the story get made. The next hurdle was to see if the minimum 20 officers necessary to make the closure happen could be found on April 16, 2017, which was Easter Sunday. To everyone’s great surprise, more than 30 officers donated their time on the holiday to make the closure a success. hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 25
The hardworking crew of Go for Broke finally gets a chance to sit down at the end of a long, hot and grueling day of shooting on King Street and at Iolani Palace. All the production assistants are students at the University of Hawaii Academy of Creative Media, Manoa Campus.
The old adage of ‘it takes a village’ is true in any independent film and that was certainly the case for Go for Broke. In an interview with NBC News, Hayashi said that “it’s my hope that [this film] will create a dialog that helps heal old wounds in survivors, and that later generations such as my own, as well as Americans of other ethnicities, will stop and think about what being American really means. I hope we can all better appreciate that our strength 26 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
lies in our diversity, and the unity of our beliefs in freedom and equality for all. Fear and racism aren’t good for anyone or any country, but they really have no place in America, a nation of immigrants.” Go for Broke will be the closing night film at the Hawaii International Film Festival, but a fortune few were given the chance to see the film at a cast and crew screening in early October and what can only be described as a true ‘chicken skin’ moment.
A selfie on King Street with the VVV: Brandon Marc Higa (Shadow Hirai), Michael Hsia (Ted Tsukiyama), John Ishikawa (Yoshimi “Hash” Hayashi), Chad Yazawa (Akira Otani). Photo by John Ishikawa
Production volunteers and extras Kalene and Karl Sakamoto pose with their son Kyler, who portrays 442 vet John Tsukano. Incredibly tired but exhilarated nonetheless, writer/ producer Stacey Hayashi, flanked by equally tired VVV cast Chad Yazawa and John Ishikawa, sit in the crosswalk on King Street, too tired to walk to a chair. Photo by Kalene Sakamoto
The VVV: Higa (Hirai), Hsia (Tsukiyama), Yazawa (Otani), Ishikawa (Hayashi). Photo by Kalene Sakamoto
A moving program started the evening when the colors of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment were posted by the current 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment, which is headquartered at Fort Shafter to this day. The program came to a close with a special gift for Hayashi. Jake Shimabukuru, whose music is used throughout the film, presented Hayashi with a rare 1928 Kamaka ukulele. Hayashi, who has
Producer Dean Sensui doubles as the Star Bulletin photographer who snaps the iconic photo of the 442 from the palace steps landing. Photo by Kalene Sakamoto
been friends with Shimabukuro since they met at a high school leadership camp, called him to see if he knew where she could get her hands on one for a scene in the film. Amazingly, just such a ukulele had been given to Shimabukuro years before. What made the gift even more special was its circumstances: it had originally been given to a Japanese person by a Hawaiian soldier during the occupation of Japan as a gift of friendship. HFV hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 27
The Lua Warriors of Kuleana. Photo by Jack Grace
H
HIGHLIGHTS
Kuleana Premieres on Oahu AFTER RECEIVING PRAISE AT FILM FESTIVALS AROUND THE COUNTRY, MAUI-SHOT FEATURE MAKES OAHU DEBUT
M
aui-made feature film Kuleana is set to make its long-awaited Oahu premiere on Friday, November 3, as part of the Hawaii International Film Festival’s opening weekend. The deeply cultural work will hold an encore screening on Sunday, November 5.
Kuleana is written and directed by Brian Kohne, and produced by Stefan Schaefer. Set on Maui in 1971, a disabled Vietnam vet must rediscover the Hawaiian warrior within to protect his family, defend their
Brian Kohne’s film Kuleana won a Best of Fest award at the Guam International Film Festival. 28 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Kohne signs autographs for fans.
land, and clear his father’s name. The unrated 95-minute mystery/drama stars native Hawaiian Moronai Kanekoa, Sonya Balmores of Marvel’s TV series Inhumans, Kristina Anapau of True Blood, and Island entertainers Marlene Sai, Augie T, and Branscombe Richmond. The legendary Willie K provides an original score with Johnny Wilson. This is a homecoming of sorts for Kuleana, which made its world premiere at the Maui Film Festival in June and then traveled around the country screening at multiple film festivals.
Kuleana star Sonya Balmores. Photo by Jack Grace
Brian Kohne accepts an award at the Guam International Film Festival.
Most recently, Kuleana screened at the Santa Cruz Film Festival and the Guam International Film Festival, earning “Best of Fest” at the latter. This award adds to a long list of accolades for the film, which also earned an “Audience Choice” award at the Maui Film Festival, an “Audience Choice Narrative Feature” award at the San Antonio Film Festival, and “Best Feature” in Oklahoma’s Tribal Film Festival. The critically acclaimed, crowd-pleasing motion picture will open in Hawaii theaters in early 2018. HFV For more information, visit www.hawaiicinema.com.
Visit Us Online!
we’s
Cameron Cro
A L O H A ers attte a ea e Theaters its The Hits
:RUOG -XUDVVisLF open ... the park Spotlight On
VALLEY ISLE
l Inside Maui Film Festiva
so: llsso Also A
tion ro ction Produ nd Produc Island Big Isla ts Up ats ea e Heats H s Pilots ai Pilot a Kai nii K an Maka Makan e-0 Team e-0 ve Fiv The Five-0
www.hawaiifilmandvideo.com hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 29
H
Female Filmmakers
HIGHLIGHTS
in the Spotlight
H
awaii Women in Filmmaking is a nonprofit feminist organization committed to achieving gender equity in filmmaking and other creative media arts. One of the ways they do so is by producing filmmaking camps to ensure all young girls have the tools and resources they need to fulfill their creative vision through film and animation. Recent camps have spawned four short films that have been accepted into the Student Showcase at this year’s Hawaii International Film Festival presented by Halekulani. Pretty Good Start, The Replacements, Heaven’s Tears, and Tralculus have all been officially invited to the 37th annual festival.
Heaven’s Tears // Produced during the 2017 Summer Reel Camp for Girls (Stop Motion): Join Wai (a water droplet) on this timeless odyssey of the water cycle as you are taken through Hawaii, past the farming fields of lo’i kalo to the moist clouds of the sky. Pretty Good Start // Produced during the 2017 Summer Reel Camp for Girls: Erin may look like your typical teenage girl. Yet, unlike her peers, she understands the toll a mental illness like depression takes on one’s academic and personal life.
Tralculus // Produced during the 2017 Making Media That Matters: Math classes are some people’s worst enemy and having to take a test named Tralculus makes it sound even more terrible. HFV
The Replacements // Produced during the 2016 Spooky Reel Camp for Girls: Will clones from a parallel universe take over? 30 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE TWO 2017 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com
Registration is open for HWF’s fall filmmaking and animation camps. Visit www. hawaiiwomeninfilmmaking.org for more information.
hawaiifilmandvideo.com • ISSUE TWO 2017
HAWAII FILM & VIDEO 31
32 HAWAII FILM & VIDEO
ISSUE ONE 2016 • hawaiifilmandvideo.com