The State of Hawaii Part 2

So we’ve got a fiscal budget crunch (not yet a crisis — hopefully we don’t reach that threshold anytime soon.) a diminished Act 221, and now, the threat of losing our Film Office and the majority of its staff to the Governor’s RIF plan.

Whether or not the RIF plan actually goes into effect, or the Unions and the State come to some kind of agreement, the root issues for the film/tv business in Hawaii will still remain the same.

Short term, the only thing that helps is mainland/foreign investment through funding of productions.  That hasn’t changed, that probably won’t change for the near future.  The question remains: How do you get these productions to come to Hawaii?

Importance of the Hawaii Film Office

Got this from Jason Suapia’s facebook update.  Donne Dawson on the role that Film Office plays in advocating for Hawaii’s film production community, and facilitating film production in the islands.

The State of Hawaii

Just some thoughts on this fiscal situation we’re all facing in the state of Hawaii…if you’ve got the time, I’d really like to hear from you guys on this.

Economists are projecting a huge budget shortfall for the State.  You might have heard about that, in the news.  If you’ve been keeping up on the internet talkbacks, comment boxes and twitters on the issue, you know it’s been a very sensitive and powerful subject with all kinds of thoughts and opinions flying around town.  But through all of that stuff, it’s been difficult to clearly define the root problems and define solutions — mainly because (if the Honolulu Advertiser’s comment boxes are any indication) there are a ton of people who either don’t understand that there are many sides to the issues, or refuse to acknowledge that fact.

Honolulu Advertiser: Film Commisioner on 86 List

State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson

The Honolulu Advertiser is reporting what some have heard rumblings about:  State Film Commissioner Donne Dawson, and some of her staff are on the State’s RIF (Reduction in Force) list.  Which basically means they’re in line to be laid off.  You can read the specifics at the Advertiser’s website.

Read the article here.

On a personal note, I do not believe that eliminating the positions in the Film office is going to be of any help to the state in the fiscal sense, or the business sense.  But I do understand why it’s being done.

The bottom line is that, numbers aside, whether you think that bringing in productions from the mainland is essential, or you think tax breaks cost too much, the film industry, as a whole does not create a labor force that is large enough to be persuasive, or influential as a political entity.  The elimination of the film office positions is just a symptom of an over-arching situation.

Reel Hawaii Update

Big updates over at Reel Hawaii: Chris Lee to speak at engagment, and some updates on indie shoots going on around town.

Click Here to go to Tim Ryan’s Reel Hawaii

Yeah, That’s The Ticket

I like going to the movies.  To the movie theatre.  Yeah, the concessions are a rip-off, and sometimes the parking, depending on where and when you go is a hassle.  And if you’ve got a 52″ plasma/LCD at home with a blu-ray player, it seems like a waste of time and or money.  But there’s nothing like watching something up on that silver screen.  You go for the experience, to get out of the house, even.

If you live in town, you’ve a got a few options.  But basically, it boils down to Dole Cannery, or Ward.  Ward has better popcorn and seats.  Dole has better parking.  Unfortunatley, you’re going to pay $9.50 to get in the door.

$9.50!  Good lord, don’t these people know there is a recession going on?  $9.50?!

Thankfully, there is an alternative to buying tickets at the box office:

$14.99 for 2 of these tickets at Costco

This is a Regal Premiere Super Save Movie Ticket.  You can buy them for $14.99 a pair at Costco (I usually go the Hawaii Kai one if I can — better parking).  You can only buy them in two’s (you can purchase as many PAIRS as you like), but basically that breaks down to about $7.50 a ticket.  And, you can use them at any show (even at new ones coming out this or any weekend), at any Regal Theatre. Best deal in town.  Along with the $1.50 hot dog and drink  you can get at the food court outside Costco.

KHON 2

I remember working at KHON as an intern may years ago, when they were owned by SF Broadcasting — McHale Video was still operating, and all three newscasts were number1 in ratings.    I also remember when they were sold to Emmis, instituting a hiring freeze — which sent me on a job search that (with the help of many people at KHON) landed me at cross town station, KGMB 9.  Then I remember when Emmis bought KGMB, and the whole duopoly thing came into play.  I still have my one sheet of Emmis stock they gave to all the employees.  Worth $.26 cents as of today.  Down from $.33 cents when I got it in 2001.

And then Emmis pulls out of KHON, and KGMB, and now…

According to Pacific Business News, New Vision Television, current ownders of KHON2 has filed for bankruptcy.  Did it two days ago actually.  Good news is they’ll still be able to pay employees.  Bad news is there’s restructuring involved.  What that means is anyone’s guess.

Click Here to read Pacific Business News.

Warm Tauntaun

Comes with Mini Light Sabre to simulate slicing action -- plus, warm liner, with Tauntaun intestines pattern!

Again, not really a post of anything relating directly to film or video production, but i just had to put this up:  What you’re looking at above is a kid in a sleeping bag — that happens to be in the form of a Tauntaun.  If you’re a fan of Star Wars, you’ll recognize it as the kangaroo like creature that the Luke and Han ride in the wastelands of the ice planet, Hoth.   If you know that much, I don’t have to explain much more, I think you get the joke.

If you don’t…well, find the nearest Star Wars geek, show it to him or her, and have them explain to you why this is hilarious, and at the same time pretty cool.

Click Here to go to LA Weekly for the whole story.

SmallHD

Ran across a company called  SmallHD,  while looking through the dvxuser.com website.   SmallHD produces the DP1, a  8.9″ HD monitor for $700.  Sounds good.  Haven’t seen it in action, so I can’t say it looks good,  but for that price, to have a true HD monitor, that’s pretty sweet.  No HD/SDI inputs, though — only HDMI, Component, VGA, and S-video.

Click Here to go to SmallHD.

Hulu Succeeds Where Others Failed

By all accounts, Hulu has been an Internet success.  Thing is, no one in the know really expected it to be.  There is still a question about how Hulu will make money (because outside of TV Networks buying into the portal,  revenue generated by pre, and post roll ads pale in comparison to regular tv ad revenue), but there is no doubt that Hulu has made it’s mark, and is beginning to become part of the social lexicon of Internet users.

There’s a short piece in The New York Times that details the difference between success of Hulu, and the failure of so many other video portals.

Click Here to go to The New York Times.