Summaries of Film Bills

Here are some quick summaries of the pending film legislation for all you people who are allergic to legalese:

15-20% Refundable Production Tax Credit (SB2570 & HB3080)

• Revises this existing law: Motion Picture and Film Production Income Tax Credit
• Temporarily increases existing Motion Picture & Film Production Tax Credit from 4% to 15% on Oahu and to 20% on neighbor islands
• Deletes 7.25% hotel room tax credit
• Lowers minimum spending requirement to $200K
• Forbids "double dipping" with high-tech business investment tax credit
• Allows additional categories of film & TV projects to qualify for credit, including commercials, music videos, and print photography
• Requires productions to provide evidence of contributions to educational or workforce development
• Caps claims per production at $8 million
• Sets effective dates of 7/1/06 to 12/31/15

Investment Tax Credit 20% Buy-Back Program (SB2384 & HB2421)

• Revises this existing law: High Technology Business Investment Tax Credit (a.k.a. "Act 221" / "Act 215")
• Allows the state to buy back investment tax credits of performing arts qualified high-tech businesses (QTHBs) at $.20 on the dollar, to be paid over 5 years
• In a given year, a performing arts QHTB can only sell back all or none of its credits to the state; it cannot sell back only a portion of its credits
• Forbids "double dipping" with refundable production tax credit, hotel room tax credit, and capital goods excise tax credit
• Requires performing arts QHTBs to contribute .5% of its aggregate investments per year to the Hawaii TV & film development special fund
• Caps entire state buy-back program at $25 million per year

Right of Publicity (SB2740)

• Creates a "right of publicity" law to allow media celebrities to control the use of their identity for commercial uses during their life and after their death
• Holds liable anyone who uses another person's name or likeness in a commercial manner without the latter's written consent
• Sets liability in the amount of the greater of $1,500 or actual damages suffered, plus possible punitive damages and attorney's fees

All of these bills are being heard and voted on this Thursday and Friday. Make sure to get your testimonies in before they are voted on. More info here.

Film Bill Hearings Thursday & Friday

Are your testimonies ready? I told you the hearings would be coming fast down the pipeline. There's a Senate hearing this Thursday, 2/2, and two House hearings this Friday, 2/3, on the bills below. Note that the bills will be voted on, so make sure to officially log your opinions of them via testimony before their fates are decided.

1. Senate MAT Hearing on:

• SB2384 (20% investment tax credit buy-back program)
• SB2570 (15-20% refundable production tax credit)
• SB2740 (right of publicity for celebrities)

Date: Thursday, Feb 2, 2006
Time: 1:15pm
Place: Conference Room 225, State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY:
By tomorrow, Wed, 2/1, at 1:15pm, submit your testimony using only one of the following methods:

1. Hand deliver 20 3-hole punched copies to the MAT committee clerk, Room 216, State Capitol

2. Fax (if less than 5 pages) to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands). When faxing, please include the following information:
* Submitting to: Senate MAT committee clerk, Rm 216
* Hearing Date/Time: Thursday, 2/2, 1:15pm
* Required Copies for Submission: 20

See the full hearing notice. For more information, please call the MAT committee clerk at 586-6673.


2. House EDB-TAC Hearing on:

• HB2421 (20% investment tax credit buy-back program)

Date: Friday, Feb 3, 2006
Time: 8:30am
Place: Conference Room 325, State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY:
By Thursday, 2/3 at 8:30am, submit your testimony using only one of the following methods:

1. Hand deliver 40 copies to the EDB committee vice chair's office in Room 316, State Capitol or to the House Sergeant-at-Arms Testimony Drop-Off Box in the Turnaround Ares of the Capitol Basement Parking Lot.

2. Fax (if less than 5 pages) to the House Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6501 or 1-800-535-3859 (toll free for neighbor islands). When faxing, please include the following information:
* Submitting to: EDB committee clerk, Rm 316
* Hearing Date/Time: Friday, 2/3, 8:30am
* Required Copies for Submission: 40

See the full hearing notice. For more information, please call the EDB committee clerk at 586-8490.

3. House TAC Hearing on:

• HB3080 (15-20% refundable production tax credit)

Date: Friday, Feb 3, 2006
Time: 8:45am
Place: Conference Room 325, State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania St.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR TESTIMONY:
By Thursday, 2/3 at 8:45am, submit your testimony using only one of the following methods:

1. Hand deliver 35 copies to the TAC committee vice chair's office in Room 442, State Capitol or to the House Sergeant-at-Arms Testimony Drop-Off Box in the Turnaround Ares of the Capitol Basement Parking Lot.

2. Fax (if less than 5 pages) to the House Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6501 or 1-800-535-3859 (toll free for neighbor islands). When faxing, please include the following information:
* Submitting to: TAC committee clerk, Rm 442
* Hearing Date/Time: Friday, 2/3, 8:45am
* Required Copies for Submission: 35

See the full hearing notice. For more information, please call the TAC committee clerk at 586-6120.

"Lost" Cast Nabs SAG Award for Best Ensemble

"Lost" wins again. (Photo: AP /Reed Saxon)

The cast of "Lost" took home the SAG Award for "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series." Terry O'Quinn spoke for the group, giving a big "mahalo" to everyone in Hawaii.

Referring to "Lost"'s Daniel Dae Kim, Yunjin Kim, and herself backstage, Sandra Oh, who won the award for Best Actress in a TV Drama said, "Three Korean American actors won a SAG today. I take that seriously, and it means a lot." In her speech, Oh said, "To all my fellow Asian-American actors out there, I share this with you, and be encouraged and keep shining." (And she said it in perfect English, Adam Carolla!)

>> Oh my, Sandra wins another [AP via Globe & Mail, 1/29/06]
>> Movie, TV actors honor their own [USA Today, 1/30/06]
>> 'Lost,' 'Housewives' take top actor honors [Reuters, 1/29/06]
>> Official List of SAG Award Winners

RELATED POSTS:
>> Adam Carolla Wreaks Racism Again
>> AZN TV's "2006 Asian Excellence Awards"
>> "Lost" Wins Best Drama Golden Globe
>> Naveen & DDK: Best Male Entertainers of 2005
>> Three Kims a Charm
>> Big Emmy Wins for "Lost"

Adam Carolla Wreaks Racism Again

Racist CBS radio host Adam Carolla is at it again. It wasn't enough that two years ago, Carolla called Hawaiians "the world's dumbest people....They're retarded people. They stay on the island. They're in-bred, obviously. They're the dumbest people we have."

Now, Carolla is mouthing his racism against Asian Americans as well. Last week, he mocked the Asian Excellence Awards by featuring a "clip" from the ceremony in which the "Best Asian Male Actor in a TV Show" accepts his award by saying, "Ching-chong, ching-chong, ching-chong, ching-chong, ching-chong, ching-chong, etc." Mind you, the real awardee was "Lost"'s Daniel Dae Kim, who speaks English way better than he speaks Korean. Here's the actual audio clip.

According to Angry Asian Man, CBS Radio's VP of Communications Karen Mateo defended Carolla's racism by saying, "The segment was meant to be humorous and was not meant to offend anyone." Karen, honey, close your eyes and imagine if Carolla was just "being humourous" about African Americans by invoking the coon caricature. If that's not OK (and it's clearly not), then why is it OK to invoke the analogous caricature of the non-English speaking FOB Asian?

Angering, no? Well then, give these people an earful (thx Angry):

Adam Carolla: adam@adamcarolla.com
Dave Dameshek: dave@adamcarolla.com
Rachel Perry: rachel@adamcarolla.com
Ozzie Castillo: ozzie@adamcarolla.com

CBS RADIO
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
212-846-3939

Joel Hollander
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Radio
212-846-3939
joel.hollander@infinitybroadcasting.com

Dana L. McClintock
Senior Vice President, CBS Communications Group
212-975-1077
dlmcclintock@cbs.com

And check out the letter from the Asian American Journalists Association and the press release from the Asian American Justice Center.

>> AAJC Demands that CBS Reprimands Radio Host for Mocking Asian Americans [Press Release 1/27/06]
>> Adam Carolla's Racist Audio Clip [1/24/06]
>> KPOI, listeners cry foul [Honolulu Advertiser, 12/23/03]

UPDATE: Carolla issues on-air apology on Feb 22, but it's too little too late. APA organizations and legislators are calling for a big L.A. meeting with CBS radio execs. (Click on previous links to AsianWeek articles for more info.)

RELATED POSTS:
>> AZN TV's "2006 Asian Excellence Awards"
>> "I Have a Dream..."
>> Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>> Kudos to "Lost" on Asian American Representation
>> Cultural Insensitivity

Leg '06: Here Come the Film Bills

The first of this year's film bills have been posted on the state legislature's website. Here they are (click on bill # for full bill text):

15-20% Production Tax Credit
The following are "companion" bills, which start out as the same exact bill, but one is introduced in the House ("HB"=House bill) and one in the Senate ("SB"=Senate bill).

• HB3080, RELATING TO DIGITAL MEDIA.
  Introduced by: KARAMATSU, CHANG, Abinsay, Chong, Magaoay, Tsuji, Yamashita
  Summary: Temporarily replaces the motion picture and film production tax credit with the motion picture, digital media, and film production tax credit which provides an income tax credit amounting to 15% of qualified production costs incurred, in any county of Hawaii with a population over 700,000, and 20% in any county of Hawaii with a population under 700,000; establishes criteria to qualify for the tax credit; caps credit at $8,000,000 per production.
• SB2570, RELATING TO DIGITAL MEDIA.
  Introduced by: TANIGUCHI, FUKUNAGA
  Summary: (same as above)
  

Investment Tax Credit 20% Buy-Back Program for Performing Arts
Companion bills:

• HB2421, RELATING TO PERFORMING ARTS BUSINESSES.
  Introduced by: SAY
  Summary: Allows for the transfer of high technology business investment tax credits for performing arts qualified high technology businesses (QHTBs). Establishes a program by which the state could buy back tax credits from these QHTBs at deeply discounted rate: 20% of the face value of the credits distributed over 5 years. Requires performing arts QHTBs using this program to contribute .5 percent of their aggregate qualified investments per year to the Hawaii television and film development special fund.
• SB2384, RELATING TO PERFORMING ARTS BUSINESSES.
  Introduced by: BUNDA
  Summary: (same as above)
  

So what now? Read the bills and see what you think. Start preparing your written testimonies for them, and check back to see when the public hearings on these bills will occur (and when your testimonies are due). Remember that hearings are organized by subject committee, and the following committees are the ones that will probably hear these particular bills: EDB, TAC, and FIN in the House, and MAT and WAM in the Senate. Stay tuned...

RELATED POSTS:
>> Leg '06: Hear, Hear on Hearings
>> Brush Up Your Legislature!
>> So That's How Bills Get Passed!

Chris Lee to Stay in Hawaii

Variety already reported that Chris Lee was walking away from his post as the creative chief of Legendary Pictures, but it did not report that Lee was planning to stay in Hawaii to further develop the film school that he started. The Honolulu Advertiser reports that Lee has many aspirations for the fledgling Academy for Creative Media under UH Manoa, as well as for indigenous filmmaking and the local film and video game industries. Lee, who is currently producing "Superman Returns," will also continue to produce or executive produce films on a freelance basis.

>> See ya, Hollywood: Chris Lee chooses Hawai'i [Hnl Advertiser, 1/26/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Chris Lee Chooses "Superman" Over Legendary
>> Oops, Chris Lee has NOT resigned from UH...yet
>> Lee Stepping Down at ACM
>> Chris Lee to Make Legendary Pictures
>> Hawaii's "Digital Revolution" Continues

$40 Million to Hawaii From the Lords

The late Jack & Marie Lord (Photo: Honolulu Advertiser)

Look what else the film and television industry has brought (indirectly) to Hawaii: $40 million, courtesy of the late "Hawaii Five-O" star Jack Lord and his wife Marie. The Honolulu Advertiser reported that the couple had invested their earnings wisely, growing them to $40 million--an amount that will be disbursed among twelve different Hawaii charities.

The $40 million Jack and Marie Lord Fund is expected to generate about $2 million a year to be divided among Hawaii charities including Hospice Hawaii, St. Francis Hospice Care Center, the Salvation Army's Hawai'i division, Eye of the Pacific Guide Dogs Inc., The Association for Retarded Citizens in Hawaii, the Bishop Museum, Variety Club of Honolulu, the Hawaiian Humane Society, the United Service Organizations, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii Public Television and the Hawaii Lions Eye Foundation.

In addition to the $40 million, the couple also left their Kahala condo, clothing designed by Marie Lord, and Jack Lord's collection of "Five-O" memorabilia, paintings, and gifts from pals Sammy Davis Jr. and Elvis. The collection is expected to be auctioned off.

The Lords are a stellar example of how actors and filmmakers who shoot in Hawaii often fall in love with it (who wouldn't?) and become entrenched in our community. If it weren't for CBS's "Hawaii Five-O," which brought the Lords here in the first place, some of Hawaii's neediest people and arts organizations would be $40 million poorer. Thanks, Jack and Marie.

>> From Jack and Marie Lord, a parting gift of $40 million [Hnl Advertiser, 1/22/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Marie Lord, Widow of Jack, Dies
>> Ah, the Days of Five-O...
>> "Hawaii Five-O" in Fiji?!
>> The Transplantification of Hawaii

Leg. '06: Public Testimonies Have Clout

So it turns out I was right (as usual): public testimonies do have clout! A story by Treena Shapiro in Sunday's Honolulu Advertiser backs me up:

In a political arena where some of the biggest stakeholders hire professional lobbyists to advance their positions, the average person, especially one with a full-time job, might be overwhelmed at the thought of competing for lawmakers' attention.

It is worth the effort, legislators say.

Whether it's testifying at a public hearing, visiting a lawmaker's office or simply attending a rally, the very fact that a person has taken the time to express his or her views speaks volumes.

When large numbers turn out, "it makes a visible point," said Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku).

During last year's legislative session, for example, about 70 farmers from Waiahole turned up at a public hearing and chose a few among themselves to give targeted testimonies against a measure they felt would endanger their community. Testimonies like these put a human face on legislative issues.

There is, however, a downside to public oral testimonies: there may be so many for legislators to hear that they don't have enough time to vote on a bill by the deadline. It is therefore very important to submit written testimonies a few days before a hearing to allow more time for legislators to review them.

If you're still confused about how to submit written testimony or testify at a public hearing, then you haven't been reading this blog very carefully! But seriously, you can go to the Public Access Room (Rm. 401) on the fourth floor of the State Capitol, where you will find helpful workshops and assistance every day.

>> Success stories show public testimony's clout [Hnl Advertiser, 1/22/06]

RELATED POSTS/LINKS:
>> So That's How Bills Get Passed!
>> Brush Up Your Legislature!
>> How to Submit Testimony
>> "Widespread Support"

"Magnum P.I." Film Gets Writer-Director

Mustachioed macho man Tom Selleck as Magnum P.I.

The Hollywood Reporter reported today that Universal Pictures has hired Rawson Marshall Thurber to write and direct the feature film version of popular Hawaii-based CBS series "Magnum P.I." Brian Grazer will produce and original creators Glen Larson and Don Bellisario will executive produce. Thurber is best known for his feature writing-directing debut, "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story."

"Magnum P.I." the TV series ran from 1980 to 1988, and told the story of Tom Selleck...I mean...Thomas Magnum, a Navy officer-turned-private investigator hired by a rich guy to be in charge of security at his huge Hawaii estate.

According to THR, Thurber "is not making a spoof but rather something akin to the tone of the show, which mixed humor and danger. The story line for the film sees Magnum, with the help of his former military pals, searching for a missing buddy."

>> Thurber pulls Uni's trigger to 'Magnum' [THR, 1/24/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Emmys & Hawaii
>> Films Set in Hawaii Make Big Bucks
>> "Hawaii Five-O" in Fiji?!

What To Do This Weekend

• Kamehameha Schools 3rd Annual 'Ohana Film Festival
  WHAT: 10 films including a 45-min documentary and short public service announcements, followed by a reception.
  WHO: Kamehameha students or graduates were involved in making these films.
  WHEN: Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, 6:30pm
  WHERE: Ke'elikolani Auditorium, Kapalama Campus
  HOW MUCH: Free and open to the public
• The 2-Day Film School
  WHAT: Learn how to conceive, make, package, market, and sell your film in just 2 days.
  WHO: Dov S-S Simens brings his well known crash course in film to Hawaii
  WHEN: Sat-Sun, Jan. 28-29, 2006, 9am-6pm
  WHERE: UH Manoa Art Auditorium
  HOW MUCH: $389 plus tax
• Celebrate Chinese New Year!

"Lost" Cast To Get $80K Per Episode Each

The original principal cast members of ABC's hit show "Lost" are finally getting raises next season. Currently, they are each paid between $20-40K per episode, but next season, this will jump to $80K. Matthew Fox is said to have recently gotten a $250K bonus. While these figures may seem ridiculous to you, just think about how much ABC/Disney is raking in from the show. This is just their way of spreading the wealth (created and perpetuated, mind you, in large part by these actors).

>> 'Lost' cast members find big pay rises [Reuters, 1/23/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> "Lost" Wins Best Drama Golden Globe
>> "Lost" Series Finale Will Suck
>> "Lost" is Fab, But Will It Last?
>> Paranoia + Hard Work + Ratings = "Lost"
>> "Lost" Feature Film?
>> Hawaii (oh, and Matthew Fox) on Oprah
>> Actors Get Reality Check

Hawaii's Market for Movies

Artsy films come to Hawaii theaters a lot later than one might expect given the fact that we're a pretty cosmopolitan, progressive, and some say "hip," state. An article by Mary Kaye Ritz in yesterday's Honolulu Advertiser, explains that this is because Hawaii has a low-ranking designated market area, or DMA, which is a measure used by distributors to decide which movies to release where and when. But the way a location's DMA is determined is not an appropriate indicator of Hawaii box office habits. (We're below Dayton, Jacksonville, Tulsa, and Toledo, for chrissakes!)

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like this will change anytime soon, so in the meantime, we'll have to rely on programmers like Konrad Ng at the Academy of Arts, Don Brown at the UHM Cinema Series, and wait around for film fests like the two Hawaii International Film Festivals (April & October), Cinema Paradise (June), the Maui Film Festival (June), and the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (May).

>> Not playing in a theater near you [Hnl Advertiser, 1/22/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> US Indies at LVHIFF
>> Honolulu: Hipster Haven
>> Hawaii Newbies, Read This
>> Asian American Film Festivals

AZN TV's "2006 Asian Excellence Awards"

Daniel Dae Kim & Yunjin Kim: Shining examples of "Asian Excellence"

Last night, Asian American television network AZN hosted the 5th annual "Asian Excellence Awards" to honor outstanding achievements by Asian Americans in various fields. Here are the winners:

• Film: "Kung Fu Hustle"
• Film Performance: Stephen Chow ("Kung Fu Hustle")
• Female TV Performance: Yunjin Kim ("Lost")
• Male TV Performance: Daniel Dae Kim ("Lost")
• Live Performance: Linkin Park
• Stylemaker: Kimora Lee Simmons (Baby Phat)
• Newcomer: Lynn Chen ("Saving Face")

Special honorary awards were also given:

• Inspiration Award: Dr. David Ho, AIDS Researcher and former Time Man of the Year
• Visibility Award: Lucy Liu
• Bridge Award (for bridging cultures): Quentin Tarantino
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Ismail Merchant, late producer and half of Merchant Ivory
• Memoriam: Pat Morita

Presenters included Hawaii born-and-raised Jason Scott Lee and Keiko Agena, and "Lost" actor Harold Perrineau. The event was co-hosted by Hawaii born-and-raised Kelly Hu.

Notable moments include: the infinitely amusing and inebriated Bai Ling announcing that Sandra Oh had won the "Outstanding Female TV Performance" Award and then saying, "Oops, it's Yunjin Kim"; Ralph Macchio recounting that when Pat Morita met his family, he said, "Darn Italians, you all look alike"; Magic Johnson introducing David Ho as the man who "saved my life and the lives of countless others, and I love him"; and Lucy Liu saying, "I look forward to the day when it's not considered a risk, and doesn't draw media attention, to cast across color lines.”

You can catch the full broadcast of the event on Sunday, Jan. 29, 8pm EST/PST on the AZN Network.

>> 'Kung Fu Hustle' and 'Lost' Stars Top The Winners' List at AZN Television's '2006 Asian Excellence Awards Featuring the Remy Martin X.O Honors' [PR Newswire, 1/19/06]
>> At The 2006 Asian Excellence Awards [L.A. Daily News, 1/20/06]
>> 'Kung Fu Hustle' Top Film at Asian Awards [AP via Forbes.com, 1/20/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>> Kudos to "Lost" on Asian American Representation
>> Naveen & DDK: Best Male Entertainers of 2005
>> Yunjin Kim Rejected "Geisha" Role
>> Morita Was Best Supporting Asian
>> "I Have a Dream..."
>> Cultural Insensitivity
>> Asian American TV Network Debuts in Hawaii
>> Comcast Kills "Network for Asian America"
>> Charlie Chan's "Number One" Granddaughter

Leg '06: Hear, Hear on Hearings

Quick refresher course from last year: so there's this thing called the legislature, right? And it vets bills and either makes laws or garbage of them, OK? And it's made up of legislators (representatives and senators) that you elect to do what you tell them to do, and to get for you what you want to get. Got me so far? OK, so how can you tell them what to do and get?

• First, find out who they are: Find Your Legislators
• Second, call or email them by looking up their contact info in the House and Senate directories (House, Senate) and telling them your concerns, which they may or may not shape into a bill to be introduced by next Wed, 1/25, the deadline for bill intros (fyi: see the whole legislative timetable)
• Third, read and track pertinent bills online: 2006 Regular Session Bill and Resolution Status, Text, and Committee Reports (see upper left corner of grid)
• Fourth, find out when the public HEARINGS on topics and bills that interest you are going to take place: 2006 Regular Session Hearing Notices (see upper right corner of grid)
• Fifth, submit written testimony (this is how you tell them what you want) to be given at these hearings: How to Submit Testimony
• Sixth, attend the hearings (and possibly give your testimony orally and ask the questions you want answered).
• Seventh, follow up with your legislators on a regular basis to see how your bills are doing, and whether they're going to be able to get what you want them to get for you.

While we're talking about hearings, you should know that at the beginning of the legislative session (like, right now), there are informational hearings and bill-specific hearings held by the different House committees and Senate committees .

For example, there is an informational hearing tomorrow held by the House Finance (FIN) committee on the topic of "What's up with the Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT, the dept. within which the Hawaii Film Office falls)?" OK, so that's not the actual title of the hearing, but there is none, so I'm making one up. But essentially, the members of FIN will be asking lots of questions to DBEDT director Ted Liu about the various programs and stuff for which the department is responsible. You may attend this hearing if you like: it's tomorrow, 1/20, from 9am-12pm, at the State Capitol, Room 308 (details below).

>> FIN Informational Public Hearing on DBEDT

Leg.'06: Bring It!

Public schools repairs, affordable housing, a state lottery, longer meal breaks for hotel workers, public safety, combating the "ice" epidemic, reduced dependence on imported oil, more money for social service agencies, disaster preparedness, tax incentives, expanded dental and medical insurance--these are just a handful of the many initiatives vying for a piece of the $574 million state surplus.

One of the most hotly contested initiatives is one put forth by Governor Linda Lingle (R), who wants to take $300 million of the surplus and refund it back to individual Hawaii taxpayers (remember when Bush did this a few years back?). To this, Speaker of the House Calvin Say (D) said, "Three hundred million dollars is a lot of money, but when you add up your share of the refund, what do you get? Enough extra to buy another loco-moco or plate lunch every week? You add it up, you may."

Well, I'm sure this little spat is just the beginning of what will be a very interesting legislative session. Read about more spats and initiatives, plus get the full transcripts of speeches by the House and Senate leaders via the links below.

>> Surplus decision won't be easy for legislators [Hnl Advertiser, 1/19/06]
>> Politicians set stage for surplus debate [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 1/19/06]
>> Taxpayers pitch ideas outside Legislature [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 1/19/06]

2006 Legislature: It Begins.

Hawaii's 2006 Legislative Session opened today with much fanfare and a myriad of hopes and dreams, plans and schemes for the $574 million state budget surplus. (Did you know the legislators host "open houses" in their offices where they offer free food to all on opening day?!).

Below is some local coverage of what to expect this session. And if you're interested in tracking film-related legislation, keep checking back on this blog. The session is fast and furious: hearings come and go, bills rise and fall, dreams are fulfilled and dashed--all in a New York minute.

Honolulu Advertiser:
>> Extra $574M beckons to lawmakers [1/15/06]
>> Facts on Legislature [1/15/06]
>> The House [1/15/06]
>> The Senate [1/15/06]
>> Major issues for new term appear clear [1/18/06]

Honolulu Star-Bulletin:
>> Legislative season critical [1/15/06]
>> Who's who in the 23rd Legislature [1/15/06]
>> Pressure's on to get more [1/18/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Brush Up Your Legislature!
>> So That's How Bills Get Passed!
>> R.I.P. 2005 Film Bills
>> Schoolhouse Rock Redux
>> Legislative Alphabet Soup

Cheap Gay Ghost Film Coming?

Read Mike Tsai's profile of Regent Entertainment Group, a niche indie film/TV production/distribution co. that plans to shoot a ghost story feature here this year among other things. This is the company responsible for "Phantom Below" (a.k.a. "Tides of War") which shot here in 2004 and hired many local crew members in dept-head positions normally reserved for their L.A. and NY counterparts. Regent specializes in low-budget genre and gay-themed fare, but also produced critically acclaimed "Gods and Monsters" a few years back.

>> Film company stirring up O'ahu ghost movie and more [Hnl Advertiser, 1/15/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> The Meaning of "Independent"
>> Films Set in Hawaii Make Big Bucks

"Lost" Wins Best Drama Golden Globe

"Lost" gang hanging loose after yesterday's big win (Photo: AP)

"Lost" won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Series last night. Watching the clip reel of nominated dramas, I was struck by how great the "Lost" clip--with Mokuleia Beach as a backdrop--looked compared with the other clips which were all clearly filmed in sound stages.

>> 'Lost' wins best series at Golden Globes [AP via Hnl Star-Bulletin, 1/17/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> "Lost" in the Urban Jungle
>> "Lost" Series Finale Will Suck
>> Paranoia + Hard Work + Ratings = "Lost"
>> "Lost" Feature Film?
>> How "Lost" Was Found
>> Hawaii (oh, and Matthew Fox) on Oprah

"I Have a Dream..."

As we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. today, let's remember that we have a long way to go in improving American race relations (even Bush thinks so). Filmmakers, writers, artists, and other media makers must always remember that they have the power to influence society and culture, and they must use that power responsibly (which can be done without sacrificing artistic license).

So, please: less of the oversimplification and carelessness of racial stereotypes, and more of the substance and complexity of reality. Forty-two years after King gave his famous speech, many films and TV shows are still not helping to fulfill his dream that we will one day live in a nation where we are not judged by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.

>> Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream"

RELATED POSTS:
>> Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>> Cultural Insensitivity

Naveen & DDK: Best Male Entertainers of 2005

Naveen Andrews and Daniel Dae Kim have been named by Asia Pacific Arts Magazine as two of the "Best Male Entertainers of 2005." Yay!

>> Best of 2005: Male Entertainers [APA Magazine, 1/6/06]

RELATED POSTS:
>> Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>> DDK Makes List of People's "Sexiest Men Alive"
>> "Lost" Gets 3 Golden Globe Noms
>> Actors Get Reality Check
>> Kudos to "Lost" on Asian American Representation
>> Cultural Insensitivity

Tim Ryan Fired for Plagiarism

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin's Tim Ryan, Hawaii's top entertainment reporter, was fired for plagiarism yesterday. Six of Ryan's stories dating back to 2001 were cited to contain phrases lifted from elsewhere, including Wikipedia (whose editors first discovered the malfeasance) and NPR. In a letter to Star-Bulletin readers today, editor Frank Bridgewater explained, "The stories contained phrases or sentences that appeared elsewhere before being included, un-attributed, in stories that ran in the Star-Bulletin. The stories did not include inaccurate information or any fabrications."

While plagiarism is an extremely serious offense in journalism, it is nevertheless unfortunate to lose Ryan, a 21-year veteran of the Star-Bulletin, as a regular voice in the local press. Mistakes aside, he has a knack for getting the scoop and is unafraid to dig up dirt--traits that much of the local press corps lacks.

>> Inquiry prompts reporter's dismissal [Hnl Star-Bulletin, 1/13/06]
>> Plagiarism at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin [Regret the Error, 1/11/06]

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>> Tim Ryan, Local Scoopmeister
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>> Speaking of Blogs...

"Lost" in the Urban Jungle

The "Lost" ratings juggernaut continued yesterday, with 20 million viewers tuning into Mr. Eko's backstory. Interesting stuff, but not as fun as watching Santino dis Michael Kors on "Project Runway."

Looks like J.J. Abrams is hoping to bring a little of "Lost"'s successful formula to the Big Apple. ABC just ordered his new show, "Six Degrees" for its 2006 pilot season. "Six Degrees" is a soapy ensemble drama that follows the intertwined lives of a group of strangers living in New York. And why not? There is a 15% production tax credit over there.

>> ABC's 'Lost' return flight takes off Wed. [THR, 1/12/06]
>> Nets take flight with host of pilot orders [THR, 1/12/06]

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>> "Lost" Series Finale Will Suck
>> Paranoia + Hard Work + Ratings = "Lost"
>> New York Rings Up the Old Year

$75 Million in Tax Credits for Calif. Productions?

As it turns out, Gov. Schwarzenegger does support California tax incentives for film, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Though he didn't mention it in his State of the State address last week, THR managed to unearth three sentences in his proposed budget that indicates his support: "The governor continues to support bipartisan legislative efforts to address the economic impact of runaway production. Long-term revenue projections assume $75 million in annual tax credits available to production companies to encourage and retain filming in California beginning in (the) 2007-08 (fiscal year)."

This gives a glimmer of hope to the Calif. legislators, labor unions, and other industry folks who became disillusioned by the failure of the incentive bill AB777 last year. AB777 proposed a 12% production tax credit up to $3M per production, with some TV shows getting up to 15% back and commercial production co's getting 10% back. Industry folks are currently fine tuning the language of a new bill they hope to introduce this year.

>> Governor Backs Calif. Production Incentives [THR via Backstage, 1/11/06]

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>> Governator to Terminate Hope for CA Film Incentive?
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"Lost" Series Finale Will Suck

Dominic Monaghan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in a scene from tonight's new episode of "Lost" (Photo: Mario Perez / ABC)

"Lost" co-creator Damon Lindelof is almost certain that his hit series will not end satisfactorily. Lindelof recently told Zap2it's Kate O'Hare, "How can you ever possibly think that 'Lost' will end in a satisfying way? Carlton [Cuse] and I can almost guarantee you that it will not."

That's because network execs are a stubborn bunch that refuse to let go of hit shows even after their natural story arcs come to an end: "The reality is," Lindelof says, "that Carlton, myself, J.J. [co-creator J.J. Abrams], the creative brains behind the 'Lost' universe, we could all band together and say, 'We're ending the show after three seasons because that's the arc. They get off the island, and we reveal all the things we want to reveal.' And the network would say, 'No, you won't.' They will hire somebody and do 'Lost,' with or without you."

Uh oh, more proof that my theory of "Lost" lasting just 3.3 years is likely? Sure the network will drag it out, but will anyone watch? Why did Lindelof arbitrarily(?) choose 3 seasons for the sake of his argument? More proof: Lindelof asks viewers to watch "Lost" like they watch "Alias," J.J. Abrams's other ABC show, which, according to O'Hare, "has a plot so convoluted that explaining it could cause a cerebral hemorrhage," and which, oh yeah, is ending in May after 5 seasons of being on the air.

Oh well, I guess we'll have to wait a few more years to see what'll happen when the hacks get their hands on "Lost" and start squeezing every last breath out of it. In the meantime, let's enjoy the show while the original creators and current writers still have a say. New "Lost" episodes start tonight at 9/8c (& 8pm in Hawaii).

>> The Journey of 'Lost' [Zap2it, 1/8/06]

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>> "Lost" is Fab, But Will It Last?
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>> Musings on "Best of Honolulu 2005"

Asian American TV Network Debuts in Hawaii

24-hour Asian American TV network ImaginAsian TV (IATV) premiered here in Hawaii last week on Time Warner's Oceanic digital cable. IATV launched a little over a year ago and is now carried in several markets, including Las Vegas, Denver, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Seattle, L.A., San Francisco, and New York.

IATV's original programming includes recently premiered reality series "Finding My America," about 2 women who encounter assorted Asian Americans during the course of their New York-San Francisco road trip. Hey, what about Alaska and Hawaii?! I'm sure the 42% Asian, 9% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and some of the 21% Multiracial portions of Hawaii's population want to see themselves on TV.

>> ImaginAsian TV debuts in Hawaii [Press Release, 1/5/06]

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>> Comcast Kills "Network for Asian America"
>> Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>> Cultural Insensitivity

The Transplantification of Hawaii

Hawaii transplants: "Lost"'s Matthew Fox and his family live on Oahu and Oprah Winfrey owns a chunk of Maui

Pacific Business News just reported that a recent survey conducted by local research firm SMS Hawaii has revealed that Hawaii's population is now about equally split between people who were born here and transplants who moved here.

Of the 2,500 people surveyed, 52% said they were born here, down from 59% in 1998. On the neighbor islands, transplants account for the majority; on Maui, they make up 57% of population. Transplants are more likely to be white and younger than residents who were born here, though apparently, income and education among the two groups are more or less on par.

Hersh Singer of SMS theorizes that this population shift is caused not only by the immigration of transplants, but by the emigration of Hawaii-born folks due to ridiculously high housing costs and lower paying jobs. (In fact, there is a saying here that Hawaii boasts New York prices and Midwest wages. Bah humbug.) I theorize that this shift is in part the result of a whole lotta Hollywood bigwigs and Internet millionaires snapping up all of our beachfront property. I mean, if you're going to come and live large here anyway, ya might as well make a film while you're here...whaddya say?

>> Hawaii: Home of the transplants [Pacific Business News, 1/9/06]

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>> Hawaii Newbies, Read This
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>> Hawaii (oh, and Matthew Fox) on Oprah
>> Has This Blog "Lost" Its Way?

Call For Entries: NYC's Asian American Int'l Film Fest

Asian CineVision is calling for entries to its 29th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF), known as "The First Home to Asian American Cinema" because it is the oldest fest of its kind. The fest will take place July 14-30, 2006 in New York City and Long Island. Submit your 35mm, 16mm, Beta SP, and DVD narrative features, documentaries, shorts, animated films, experimental films, music videos, and new media projects by February 3, 2006 (postmarked). Entry Fees: $15-$35 ACV member/non-member. Call 212-989-1422 or email info*at*asiancinevision.org if you have questions.

>> Download entry packet here

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>> Asian American Film Festivals
>> LVHIFF 2005: A Retrospective
>> Hawaii Film Panorama at LVHIFF
>> Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Waxes Sentimental

"Flight 29 Down" Begins Shooting Season 2

The cast of "Flight 29 Down" at the season 2 blessing ceremony yesterday: Hallee Hirsh, Jeremy James Kissner, Lauren Storm, Johnny Pacar, Corbin Bleu, Allen Alvarado, and Tani Lynn Fujimoto

Discovery Kids' "Flight 29 Down," about a group of students whose plane crashes on a deserted island, just began shooting its second season. A blessing ceremony celebrating the start of production took place yesterday on Oahu's North Shore. Discovery Kids is still in the middle of airing season one episodes, but the show has already become the network's #1 hit.

If you, too, are developing a show about a plane that crashes on a deserted island, please contact us (everyone else is...).

>> "Flight 29 Down" Official Site

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>> Films Set in Hawaii Make Big Bucks
>> "Lost" is Fab, But Will It Last?

Three Kims a Charm

Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim (no relation) have someone behind the curtain to rely on for getting the cultural facts straight. Christina Kim (also no relation), a junior writer on "Lost," has become the go-to person on Korean storylines. Chicago-born and Georgetown/USC-educated Kim attended middle school in Korea. When not correcting cultural nuances on "Lost," she is developing a thriller set in the Korean War that will feature a strong female character.

>> The Invisible Korean Behind U.S. Hit Drama [Chosun Ilbo, 1/2/06]

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>> Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>> "Lost" Writers a Diverse Bunch
>> Minority Writers Get Minor Share of Work
>> Kudos to "Lost" on Asian American Representation