Importing Animals to Hawaii

It's a snake...it's a plane...it's snakes on a plane!

Here's a still from Samuel L. Jackson thriller "Snakes on a Plane" (thanks, BlackFilm.com!), part of which is filming here in Hawaii. (The flick is also known by the the much more boring title, "Pacific Air Flight 121"). Jackson plays an FBI agent transporting a murder witness from Hawaii to L.A. On the way there, 500 poisonous snakes are suddenly released on the plane, leaving Jackson and his fellow passengers battling for their lives.

Excuse me while I wax pedantic for a bit.

According to the WriteCraft Writers Resource Center, a "high concept" script is one whose premise:

• is universal (Who isn't afraid of poisonous snakes?)
• has a fresh twist (The snakes...are on...a plane!)
• involves an empathetic hero who is dealing with a BIG problem (Affable hepcat Sam Jackson is fighting poisonous snakes!)
• can be summed up in a 25-word log line that gives a good picture of the entire movie (Snakes on a plane--only 4 words needed.)

OK, back to the snakes. Though the snakes scenes aren't being shot here, you should know that Hawaii is a snake-free and rabies-free state that requires the quarantine of imported animals to protect local residents and animals from potentially serious health problems. The Board of Agriculture Chair can approve short-term permits for performing animals that have health certificates from vets if productions can guarantee they will be safeguarded under professional trainers or handlers. More details through the link below.

>> Hawaii Film Office: Importation of Performing Animals

RELATED PREVIOUS POSTS:
>> Permits, Hawaiian Style
>> Forbidden Shoot
>> IATSE Local 665, Unions
>> Meet the Hawaii Film Office!
>> Meet the County Film Offices