Filmmakers make case to legislators
| • | Technology tax break totals $46 million |
| • | Filmmaker Lee focuses efforts on 'ice' in Hawai'i |
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
How to best nurture local independent filmmakers and strengthen Hawai'i moviemaking was explored at a "Film Day" session yesterday at the Signature Dole Theatres.
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Contending that TV and film projects "have no expiration date" and long residual shelf life, documentary filmmaker Edgy Lee told a gallery of colleagues, technicians and legislators that Hawai'i moviemaking is good business practice because it bring the Islands attention and visitors.
Edgy Lee, director of "Paniolo 'O Hawai'i," told colleagues and legislators that moviemaking helps promote Hawai'i.
To sustain a local film industry, Lee suggested, local writers, actors, directors and trade workers must create products with Hawai'i storylines, use Hawai'i talent, and seek support from Hawai'i businesses.
Several hundred people attended the session for legislators and the industry, co-sponsored by City Bank, the state Legislature and the Hawai'i Film Office.
Government support — including the fate of Act 221 tax credits for big-budget films made in Hawai'i, other proposed tax breaks and grant funding — was one of the hot topics.
• Informational briefing on the economic impact of films relating to Hawai'i, 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. today, State Capitol, Conference Room 229. Panel features Chuck Boller, Hawai'i International Film Festival executive director; Barry Rivers, Maui Film Festival executive director; Edgy Lee, independent film producer; Susan Killeen, Hawai'i Consortium for the Arts executive director; Georja Skinner, Maui Writers Conference director. • House Tourism & Culture, and Economic Development & Business Concerns hearing, 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, House Conference Room 325. Bill expands tax credit for film production to 15 percent of wages and salaries, or $25,000 per employee; and requires TV and film development board to review tax incentives to buy and use film equipment in Hawai'i.
Act 221 credits for filmmakers have been questioned by some legislators who worry about its cost to the state. But Donne Dawson, manager of the Hawai'i Film Office, and other speakers said the credits help attract producers to Hawai'i.
Film-related hearings
Also discussed were tax credits and grants to help smaller filmmakers.
Lee cited her work "Paniolo 'O Hawai'i: Cowboys of the Far West" as an example of a film that continues to reap benefits. Launched in 1997 for $470,000, it has been picked up by the Public Broadcasting System for airing on 75 PBS affiliates, starting in April. The exposure has triggered tours to Hawai'i paniolo destinations.
Edgy Lee was part of a panel that included Chris Lee, founding co-director of the University of Hawai'i School of Cinematic and Digital Arts and the first Asian American to head a Hollywood music studio (Sony); brothers Ray and Andy Bumatai, who are using their own money to underwrite projects including the Don Ho music video "Shock the Monkey," now airing on MTV; and Roy Tjioe, a screenwriter and entertainment attorney.
Dawson said film spending in Hawai'i is growing. With big-budget movies such as "Blue Crush," "The Big Bounce," "Tears of the Sun" and "Helldorado" filming here in 2002, last year's expenditures are expected to reach $140 million, "a new record for our industry."
The Bumatais said they typify "the little guy," using personal money to launch an animated music video and now shopping for investors to develop a weekly animated series. "The grant came from this wallet here," Ray Bumatai said, flashing his billfold. "We have style, content, language ... but no resources. Even with a film school, where are these graduates going to go? The Mainland."
Chris Lee said the film school aims to dovetail operations with the Hawai'i Film Studio on the slopes of Diamond Head adjoining the Kapi'olani Community College campus. There is a move to acquire land "extending from the film studio to Kilauea Avenue for the production of an entertainment media facility," he said, which would expand the site to about 15 acres along 18th Avenue.
