"It's all worked out for the best," Abregana said. "I want this to be an all-local production, shot in Hawai'i, using local actors and crew."

Abregana, who will play the lead role of triad family member Tai Lee, is co-producing the film with local producer/actor Joji Yoshida.

The plot involves two local crime families and the rift that develops between them during a string of mysterious and deadly incidents. A shady politician and zealous narcotics agent add to the mix.

"It will drive people crazy trying to guess who's behind everything," Abregana said.

Splash 'down'

The office for "29 Down" is a stretch of beach at Mokule'ia. So, where do you go on weekends?

The pool, of course.

Well, not just any pool. Cast members of the new teen adventure series got their splash on at Hawaiian Adventures Water Park last weekend to celebrate the birthdays of actors Allen Alvarado, 9, and Corbin Bleu, 16.

"29 Down," co-produced by Stan Rogow ("Lizzie McGuire"), D.J. MacHale ("Are You Afraid of the Dark?") and local film company Hawai'i Film Partners, has been shooting on O'ahu for the past two months. Airing this fall in the Discover Kids programming block on NBC, it follows teenage castaways as they try to survive on a deserted Pacific island.

The show is shot primarily at Mokule'ia, with a few scenes at the nearby Flying R Ranch.

That's a lot of Great Outdoors for the Brooklyn-born Bleu.

"It was an adjustment," said Bleu, who now resides in Los Angeles. "I'm a city boy, and Hawai'i is a totally different monster from what I'm used to."

Still, Bleu said he's thrilled with his first work on a TV series and with being part of an ensemble cast that includes Alvarado, Hallee Hirsh ("ER"), Jeremy James Kissner ("Great Expectations"), Johnny Pacar ("Now You See It"), Kristy Wu ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Lauren Storm ("24"), and local actress and singer Tani Lynn Fujimoto.

Each of the "29 Down" characters has a distinct personality. For example, Bleu's "Nathan" always wants to be in control. Alvarado is a precocious egghead.

That leaves Kissner's "Eric" as the designated troublemaker.

"I grew up in public school, and I saw kids like this every day," said Kissner, 19.

Kissner appears in the upcoming film "Funky Monkey" as — what else? — a troublemaker.

'Polynesian Power'

No worries if you didn't catch local filmmaker Jeremy Spear's fine new documentary "Polynesian Power: Islanders in the NFL" Feb. 12 and 13 on ESPN.

Response to the film, which chronicles the Pacific islanders in American football, has been positive, and Spear is considering several different screening opportunities, including the film festival circuit, Sunset on the Beach (suggested by Mayor Mufi Hannemann), TV broadcast in American Samoa, and community events in Wai'anae and on the North Shore.

Spear's contract with ESPN allows for the film to be used for educational outreach.

"There's a subtext of hope running through the film," Spears said. "It shows that local boys can make good, and that life has second chances. I think that message really moves a lot of Polynesians who see it."

Spear has had initial discussions with ESPN about releasing "Polynesian Power" as a multi-media set that would include a DVD, book, and CD. (The film's all-Polynesian soundtrack featuring original music by TOA and Tama Waipara, with additional tracks by Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Kupa'aina, Tribal Soul, Owana Salazar, Jamoa Jam, King Kapisi and Trinity Roots.) ...

Spear said that if he can raise some additional funds, he might edit a longer version of the film to submit to the Hawai'i International Film Festival.

"Polynesian Power," which highlights the personal journeys of former University of Hawai'i players Pisa Tinoisamoa and Isaac Sopoaga, was three years in the making for Spear.

This and that. ...

Expect Louis Vuitton to retain its title sponsorship of the Hawai'i International Film Festival. A formal announcement will be made later this year. ...

Scion is partnering with the University of Hawai'i's Academy for Creative Media to give film students a chance to produce cinematic TV commercials for the local market. ACM student teams, under the guidance of instructor Anne Misawa, presented initial storyboards to Scion representatives on Tuesday. The company expects to green-light up to three student-conceived commercials.