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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, May 14, 2003

UH film program gains an advocate

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Filmmaker Bryan Singer, whose "X2: X-Men United" has been No. 1 at the box office for two weekends, earning $147.7 million as of Sunday, sees a future for the film school at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. He has promised to support the cinematic and digital motion-picture program by serving as an advisory board member and lending his expertise in person whenever possible.

"I definitely want to be involved," said Singer, 37. "It's an opportunity for me to participate in the birth of a film program."

Singer acknowledged the distance between Hawai'i and the Mainland, where most film deals and decisions are made, but says, "There's a strange, indefinable connection between Honolulu and Hollywood. And I think Chris Lee, particularly with his relationship with the film industry, will be able to increase the synergy between the film community here and Hollywood."

At the invitation of pal Lee, co-director of the University of Hawai'i Cinematic and Digital Arts Program and former president of Tri-Star Pictures, Singer flew here just days after the Hollywood premiere of "X2" for a session attended by an estimated 1,000 film fans Friday on the UH-Manoa campus.

Singer and Lee worked together when Singer directed "Apt Pupil," a Tri-Star release.

Lee called Singer, the director, writer and executive producer of "X2" and the original "X-Men" feature, "a top-flight player in Hollywood.

"He sees Hawai'i as an option for some of the biggest artists, writers and productions," Lee said.

Noting that Singer studied film at the University of Southern California, Lee said, "He wants to utilize interns from the UH film school for future films, should he shoot here. It's a great ground-floor opportunity for everyone to be involved."

A third installment of "X-Men" is probable but not yet confirmed.

Singer, who has to negotiate with his cast members for each sequel, said arrangements aren't set for a third "X-men" yet. "I've enjoyed working with my cast," he said. "When you take things one step at a time, and ask your actors to renegotiate, there's a sense of propriety and a feeling of family as you move ahead."

Before attending USC, Singer attended the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he experimented with 8-mm projects. At USC, he acted only once, in "Lion's Den," a short 16-mm film he wrote and directed and co-starred in with Ethan Hawke. "I saw myself on screen I was pretty bad," he said. "But I had a feeling Ethan had a future."

In Hawai'i for several days, the director has been swimming at Sandy Beach and scuba-diving offshore. Lee also put together a dinner with Singer and an unexpected duo: Gov. Linda Lingle and UH President Evan Dobelle, brought together by their enthusiasm for movies and filmmaking.