Hawaii Film Blog

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Credits and Cash Say "Aloha"


Bravo's "Top Chef" judges with local chef Alan Wong

Forbes.com published a story today on how the state of Hawaii not only gives a 15-20% tax credit to productions, but sometimes, gives 'em cash. Such was the case for Bravo's "Top Chef," which got $60,000 from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (a state-funded non-profit) to come shoot its finale on the Big Island.

"Lost" did not get cash from the state but has benefitted from tax credits, without which the hit show could not justify staying in Hawaii. My former boss Donne Dawson was quoted as saying that the credits are necessary to level the playing field with other states (like NM and LA, each of which offers a 25% credit), and, of course, tax credit opponent Lowell Kalapa was quoted as well. I gotta admit, the guy is like an expert paraphraser...I mean, who knew there were so many different fancy ways to say "tax credits suck"?

Oh, one last thing: again, reporters, Nathan Vardi, etc., can you please review the AP Stylebook and realize that you keep misusing "Hawaiian"? Mahalo!

>> Aloha. Here's Some Cash. [Forbes.com, 1/31/07]

RELATED POSTS:
Finally! Forms for 15-20% Film Tax Credit!
Pennsylvania: Screw Tax Credits, We Give Cash!
New Mexico + Hollywood = "Tamalewood"
More Film Tax Incentive Success Stories
Tax Credit Mania?

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Monday, January 29, 2007

Lots o' Hawaii Film News

Man, I move back to New York, and suddenly all this film stuff happens all at once in Hawaii! I'm still unpacking, so I don't have time to give you my full witty commentary on the following, but you're smart, you can comment to yourself re:

>>
Only-in-Hawai'i films claim tax credits, too (Hnl Advertiser, 1/16/07) - Another one of Sean Hao's "fair and balanced" (ahem) articles on Hawaii's film tax credits, which AP happened to pick up.

>>
Film industry provides full range of benefits (Hnl Advertiser, 1/26/07) - SAG Hawaii Exec Director Brenda Ching's opinion on just how "fair and balanced" above article is.

>>
State urged to get tangible benefits from tax breaks (Hnl Advertiser, 1/26/07) - Yet another example of Hao's "fair and balanced" reportage on tax credits as they were discussed in the first informational hearing on Hawaii's film industry at the 2007 Legislature (which convened on 1/17, by the way).

>>
MTV’s ’Maui Fever’ makes some residents sick (Maui News, 1/21/07) - Islanders are in a tizzy over watching slutty white folks tarnish their beautiful Maui on an MTV reality show. Show's producer defends lack of ethnic diversity thusly: “You can only film people who are willing to be filmed, and a lot of the people we wanted (for a more diverse cast) didn’t want to be filmed. You can’t control that." Does this mean there were no slutty ethnic folks, or that only the slutty white folks were willing to be exhibitionist? AP picked this one up too.

And on lighter notes...

>> A pair of esteemed academics from Beijing are visiting Hawaii to give
free lectures on Chinese American actress Anna May Wong and Chinese actress Li Lilli. Go and learn a little about Asian American and Chinese film history! Lectures are from 12-1:30pm in the Tokioka Room, Moore Hall 319, University of Hawaii. On Wed, Jan 31, Graham Gao Hodges speaks about "Anna May Wong: From Laundryman's Daughter to Hollywood Legend," and on Thurs, Feb 1, Gao Yunxiang speaks on Li Lilli and "Reframing the Athletic Movie Star During China's National Crisis, 1931-1945." Call 956-8891 for more info.

>> Ten students from the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media were
chosen to intern on ABC's "LOST." They will do rounds in various departments.

>> Roy Disney's "Morning Light" documentary feature about a pack of young sailors training for the Transpac yacht race
started filming.

>> Don Brown of "Hawaii's Reel Stories" and the UH Cinema Series and former programmer of the Art House at Restaurant Row reports that he will be programming an alternative film series at "Cupola," a venue within the new
Honolulu Design Center. "Cupola" is a 150-seat theater space flanked on either side by a restaurant and a wine bar. Starting on April 11, there will be music-oriented films on Wednesdays, and starting on April 22, foodie feature films on Sundays--all accompanied by food. Check the official site for film and menu announcements in March.

RELATED POSTS:
>>
More on 15-20% Film Tax Credit Confidentiality

>> Confidentiality Policy for 15-20% Film Tax Credit Forms
>>
Sean Hao on Confidentiality of Film Tax Credit Info
>>
Press Massacres Hawaii's Film Tax Credits Again
>> Two New MTV Reality Series Shooting on Maui
>>
Be Pono!
>>
Respecting Host Cultures While Filming
>>
How Da Haoles Wen Stole Hawaii: The Film(s)

>> The Transplantification of Hawaii
>> Hawaii vs. Hawaiian
>> Culture Clash
>>
Breaking: Asian Pacific Americans Underrepresented on TV!
>>
Hollywood Studio System is "Inherently Racist"
>>
Morita Was Best Supporting Asian
>>
Cultural Insensitivity
>>
"Morning Light" Kicks Off on the Hokulea
>>
Hawaii's Reel Stories

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Friday, January 05, 2007

Start Spreadin' the News


No sleep till Brooklyn

I'm leavin' today...leavin' the film office, that is. Soon, I'm gonna go back to (hopefully) be a part of it in ol' New York.

Yes, my film office job that was supposed to last just 1 year, then became 2 years, then 2-1/2 years, is finally over! I'll be returning to my (other) hometown of NYC. However, I am staying connected to the film office as a part-time consultant.


As for this blog, I intend to keep it up as best I can (as a way of keeping up with what's going on in Hawaii's film industry, which I hope to stay connected to always), which means it will no longer be officially affiliated w/the Hawaii Film Office (which means I can cuss and stuff, yay!). Please be sure to bookmark hawaiifilmblog.com instead of the long-ass blogspot address with the word "office" in it. Be sure to watch this space because this blog ain't dead, k? Although it will probably be mostly on hiatus until I get settled back East, or need a break from packing and unpacking.

So while I will be physically gone from Hawaii (except for my annual+ visits), I will still be there virtually and in spirit. Mahalo and aloha to all those folks whom I've worked with these past few years! You too can email me at mynette [at] gmail.com. Well, I guess all of you reading this can. Except for the weirdos, who can contact the Hawaii Film Office at (808) 586-2570 or info@hawaiifilmoffice.com. Aloooooooha!


RELATED POST:
>>
Meet the Hawaii Film Office!

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Tuesday, January 02, 2007

2006 Was a Very Good Year



2006 was a very good year for Hawaii's film and television industry. Here are some highlights:

  • A new 15-20% refundable tax credit for film, television, commercial, and digital media productions finally passed, after having being proposed and rejected for the past 4 years. The new law took effect on July 1st, 2006.
  • The $7.3 million Phase II renovation construction of the Hawaii Film Studio was completed on May 15, 2006. The facility now has a new production office building and technical building/construction mill.
  • The popular downtown indie filmmaking event "Showdown in Chinatown" was launched and continues to draw more and more crazy local filmmakers who are masochistic enough to complete films in 24-48 hours.
  • Oahu hosted the third season filming of ABC's "Lost." The fantasy drama continues to be a commercial and critical success, having just gotten a Golden Globe nomination for Best TV Drama.
  • The Dog is still at it catching local criminals for A&E's "Dog: The Bounty Hunter."
  • Two new MTV reality series shot their pilot seasons on Maui. "Living Lahaina" and "Maui Fever" (formerly known as "Island Fever") are scheduled to air in early 2007.
  • The second season of the popular Discovery Kids' show "Flight 29 Down" shot on Oahu in early 2006, as did the second season of another teen-targeted show, The N's "Beyond the Break."
  • Episodes of popular TV shows visited the islands, including NBC's "Las Vegas," PBS's "Antiques Roadshow," HGTV's "House Hunters," and Bravo's "Top Chef."
  • Feature documentary "Morning Light" began filming in November. Roy Disney's pet project trails a crew of youngsters preparing to sail from L.A. to Honolulu.
  • Sci-Fi channel telefilm "Supergator" shot on Kauai this past summer. The film stars Kelly McGillis and was exec produced by Roger Corman.
  • Hawaii continues to be very popular for commercials and catalog shoots. This year, we hosted brands such as American Eagle, Kellogg's Rice Crispies, Shiseido, Japan Airlines, Eddie Bauer, REI, Roxy, Self Magazine, Nautica, Macy's, Vanity Fair, Good Morning America, InStyle, Land's End, and CDW.
  • The Hawaii Film Office said goodbye to a longtime staffer (Jackson Bauer) and hello to a new staffer (Kevin Inouye).

Hope you had a great 2006! Happy new year!

RELATED POSTS:
>>
It's Official: Hawaii Boasts 15-20% Film Tax Credit!
>> Film Studio Renovation Blessing
>>
Showdown in Chinatown Winners
>> "Lost" Gets Two Golden Globe Noms
>> Be Pono!
>> "Morning Light" Kicks Off on the Hokulea
>> "Las Vegas" Loves Our Tax and Tropical Incentives
>> 2005 Hawaii Film and TV Reverie

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