Louis Vuitton Hawaii Intl. Film Festival (LVHIFF) Diary
Day Two (Part 2) - read Part 1 here
Monday, October 13th
We all convince Aaron to chill with us at the "Metal Samurai" bbq. We take the shuttle back to hotel to wait for Jason, but he's late 'cause he's still at the store buying all the bbq stuff. No problem! This just means more time for more brew!
4:00pm
We hang out on Aaron and Bob's balcony overlooking the Waikiki strip just reflecting on the fact that our little DIY films are screening next to the big dogs at HIFF. We all share production war stories from Morning Comes So Soon and Shiro's Head. It's so identical, it's uncanny! The more we get to learn about each other's backgrounds, the more we find out how our common passion for filmmaking plays a huge part in our giving back to where we come from. We also vent to each other about how people don't realize how much work it takes to make even a DIY film. We talk about family, about Guam and the Marshall Islands, our tats and how Aaron saw prostitutes fighting last night.
4:42pm
Jason calls my cell. I tell him that I've invited Aaron and Bob. "Oh , from "Morning Comes So Soon? Cool." He's on his way. We finish our brew and head out to meet him in front of the Marketplace by the hotel.
5:00pm
We see a '92 Toyota Corolla pull up. It's Jason. He's full of energy, extremely kind, always on the go and talks a mile a minute. My first impression of him is that he's a really cool guy - very humble, driven and young. He looks like he's in his early-mid twenties. How does HIFF do it? How is it possible that every representative from HIFF happens to be a very nice, down-to-earth person? Not once have I encountered anyone from the fest who has their "better than thou" nose in the air. Coming from Guam, this just makes me feel right at home. I would've never thought that the people of Hawaii (especially as a state) would be this hospitable. Whoever's in charge of recruiting the HIFF staff should be given some kind of medal. Really.
We arrive at Ala Moana Park and head over to the little concrete table and bench underneath a huge tree. We're chilling right next to the cool sailboats near the dock with the awesome city skyline behind it. On the ground, we see Jason's younger brother Ryan trying to keep the little hibachi grill up to par for the big bbq ahead. We meet up again with Li Lin Wee the writer/director of Gone Shopping, her husband Charlie and one of their young and energetic cast members, Sonja. Also there is Hawaii director from Blood of the Samurai, Aaron Yamasato.We're the second group to arrive.
We mingle a bit with everyone and fly some of Sonja's kites. I break one of them by getting myself tangled in it. Dang.
5:45-ish pm
The Metal Samurai guys show up smiling happy with all the food and some drinks. Director Kanesaki-san, Producer Fukushima-san and Producer Takahashi-san. Everyone realizes it won't be enough for all of us, so Li Lin, myself, Kanesaki-san and both Aarons decide to make a store run. Kanesaki-san is laughing at his producer Takahashi-san because he's trying to throw a football around with Bob and Don.
While going to the store, I discover that Li Lin is enrolled at the Tisch school of film in Singapore - the only Tisch school outside of the states and that Aaron Yamasoto is really funny. It was weird to be in a car full of filmmakers. It seemed like a punchline to a joke that hasn't been invented yet. We get to the store and Aaron Condon and I go after the important stuff. 2 cases of Bud Light. ;) Leave it to us islanders to be so refined.
6:30-ish pm to ???
We get back to the bbq and the succulent aroma of marinade is in the air. Slack-key music is coming from the CD player, laughter and stories are everywhere as we all pop a squat and just chill. This is exactly my speed. The skyline is lit with city lights and the moonlight shines on the water. The vibe is positive, fun and carefree. It's a great second day here at HIFF.
As the night goes on, the vibe just gets better. The small hibachi grill is the brunt of running jokes. The highlights ranged from conversations about the effects of globalization to a freestyle rap performed by Aaron and Don while Bob beatboxed.We really connected with Li Lin, Jason and the Marhsallese. I discover that Jason is an aspiring screenwriter and that it took the director of Metal Samurai, Kanesaki-san only seven days to shoot the four episodes of Metal Samurai. As the beer ran out, I told everyone that dessert was ready. And by dessert, I mean the 2nd case of Bud Light. The Metal Samurai crew erupt in cheers and yell, "Dessert!". Ahhh yeah, happy to oblige! We were later joined by Andersen Le, the high profiled Programmer for HIFF, along with the filmmakers of Cape No.7.
The only reason that the night came to an end is because it had to. The park closed at 10pm. We all reluctantly packed up and headed for the parking lot. Even in the parking lot it was just a love-fest. I'm telling you - it took like 15 minutes for people to leave because no one wanted to. Everyone was giving each other goodbye hugs as we've all forged new relationships that night. The Metal Samurai crew was leaving first thing in the morning, so we gave the dudes a "Banzai" farewell. Myself, Aaron, Bob and Don yell numerous "Metal Samurai" cheers in unison. In return, the Metal Samurai guys cheer back as their car leaves.
10:45-ish pm.
Jason drops us back to the hotel and we thank him for inviting us as it turned out to be the best and memorable night of the fest so far. We had so much fun that we forgot to do our video interview! Aaron goes on to say that tonight is one of the best nights he's experienced so far at the fest. Bob agrees. The guys want to keep the party going since they have more drinks up in their room, but even though we don't want the good times to end, Don and I had to take a rain check since we're debuting Shiro's Head tomorrow to Hawaii. Plus, I think there's some kind of awards ceremony tomorrow morning (none of us are up for competition, though). We're all planning to attend, regardless. We tell the Marshallese that we'll give 'em a wake-up call tomorrow.
Man, tonight was just unbelievable. Just unreal. It seems as our time at HIFF was meant to be - or something like that. Meeting good people and sharing not only good times, but personable times. I doubt many other film festivals do this type of gathering with their filmmakers - giving them a very real and organic "people oriented" experience and not just an "industry driven" experience.
And everybody here has given us a great experience. I wonder if tomorrow will be different. Maybe all the bad mojo is being saved up for our screening tomorrow. That would be jacked up.
Anyway, the butterflies are making their way in. The time for unveling Shiro's Head to the acclaimed Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival crowd is getting closer and closer. Right now, we're just hoping that our BetaSP transfer plays without any glitches, since we haven't had the time to watch it for quality control. Oh well, I guess we'll worry about that tomorrow. As they said in the movie, "Good night and good luck" - especially to our BetaSP tape.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
HIFF Film Festival Diary - Day 2 (pt.2)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
HIFF Film Festival Diary - Day 2 (pt.1)
Louis Vuitton Hawaii Intl. Film Festival (LVHIFF) Diary
Monday, October 13th
8:00am hour
I woke up still trying to pinch myself while looking out at the beautiful view from our balcony. I grab the camera and take a few pics outside. After a while, Don wakes up and starts to get ready. We have to get squared away with our badges and processing at the HIFF hospitality suite at the Sheraton before we catch our shuttle for the NETPAC luncheon around 10:30. But we still have some time to kill, so we go the corner Starbucks near the Sheraton.
9:00am hour
We're outside Starbuck's trying to pace ourselves for our first morning in Waikiki. Oops. I forgot to call Jason! Jason Soeda handles all HIFF filmmaker interviews and I remember that he wanted to do a video interview with me and Don about Shiro's Head. He already featured us on the HIFF site with a Q&A on Shiro's Head, but he wanted to conduct one for video, so I give him a call. He says that he had to return the camera to the news station that he was borrowing it from. BUT - there is a barbecue tonight at some park where we can shoot it mpeg style. He said that the "Metal Samurai" crew was going to be there and he would come pick us up if we wanted to hang out. Cool! Before we even left for the festival, I've been looking at the HIFF programming guide and came across a synopsis about a crazy heavy-metal samurai movie entitled of course, "Metal Samurai". I was sure that if I ever made it to the fest that I'd watch it. But now I get to meet the filmmakers? Too cool. Shiro's Head doesn't play until tomorrow, so Don and I figure it would be a good way to take the edge off before our Hawaii debut. Jason will pick us up in the late afternoon.
Minutes Later
My phone rings. It's Minette Ferrer. Minette is the super cool Assistant Programmer for HIFF. She calls to tell me that there's a review on Shiro's Head in today's Honolulu Star. Whoah! She's excited saying that most of the paper's past reviews were a bit disappointing because the films that get reviews are usually indies from the fest which are not mainstream, so it's not always so favorable. But she was excited that "Shiro's Head" got a good review and suggested that we pick up a copy or two. The movie gods are extremely kind. Don and I go to a nearby newsstand and pick up a couple copies. The review is honest and fair. So far, so great.
10:00am hour
Don and I make our way to the HIFF Hospitality Suite at the Sheraton to get our badges and to get processed. We walk in and there are already a few people in the room. Trying not to interrupt, Don and I say "Hello" and that we're just there to pick up our badges. We introduce ourselves as Don and Kel Muna of Shiro's Head. The older, distinguished gentleman stops and turns to us and asks,"From Guam?" We were surprised to learn that the man was Chuck Boller the Executive Director of HIFF!
10:30am
We're at the shuttle pick-up point but no one is here yet, so Don and I hang out at the podium next to the HIFF posters. I wander off just to make sure we're at the right spot. I come back and Don's talking with a couple of dudes. I introduce myself and they introduce themselves as Aaron and Bob. I ask if they're part of the fest and Aaron says that he's the director of the first ever Marshallese movie, "Morning Comes So Soon". Whoah! First Marshallese movie, first Guam movie? I can already tell that this is going to be the beginning of a cool relationship. They go on to say that they've been looking for us once they got there a few days ago, since they knew there were Guam's first movie makers somewhere in the festival, but they couldn't find us at the opening ceremonies. I told them this was our first official day at the fest and that we almost didn't make it out. It seems that the buzz on Guam's first movie has been making its way around the festival before we even got there.
Bob was very shy hardly saying a word and Aaron was a pretty chill dude, too. I could already tell they were cool, humble people. As we talk I turn to see other people show up little by little and one of them was a familiar face. I turn to him and said, "Hey, I know you! I mean, I don't know you - but I know your face - you're an actor, right?" He introduces himself as Cliff Curtis (who looks like he can be our older brother and I later find out is in "Whale Rider" which I've yet to see). He had a very charismatic personality. He was very laid back in camo shorts and a t-shirt. He kept giving Aaron, Bob, Don and me a hard time trying to find Guam and the Marshall islands on Google earth using his iPhone.
10:45am
The "shuttle" arrives. I'm expecting a small van, but instead here's this huge tour-bus style coach. Crazy. During the trip to the luncheon, Don and I talk more with Aaron and Bob and find out they've shot their movie the exact way we did ours: low-budget. They made theirs for $10,000 and we did ours for $6,000. Cliff said our budget made them look fat. Ha! We found out we had so much in common: both used non-actors, first feature length movie to come out of their islands, submitted to smaller fests and got rejected, 1st time writers/directors for a feature, making your own equipment, anxious about the way your home will perceive your movie, doing it for the love and not the cash, and the list goes on and on.
We arrive at the Regal Dole Cannery Theaters and head upstairs to the luncheon. The purpose of the NETPAC luncheon is to honor and promote films by Asians and Pacific Islanders. It was Jeannette Paulson Hereniko, the NETPAC/USA President that officially invited us to be part of it. She was also the Founding Director of the Hawaii International Film Festival (1981 to 1996). I already felt honored just to be included in the company we were in.
First thing's first: food. We received our menus for the luncheon, got our food and headed into the ballroom - naturally, all the island boys sat together. After everyone started trickling in, it began looking like a United Nations meeting instead of a filmmakers luncheon.There were filmmakers from China, Japan, New Zealand, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Hawaii, Singapore and more. There were also writers from industry trades that attended - Filmmaker Magazine, Variety, etc. In fact, Jason Sanders a real cool guy from Filmmaker Magazine sat with the island boys (me, Don, Aaron and Bob) and we struck up conversation about his job, how it takes him travelling to different film festivals, we talked about Shiro's Head and also found out that we have the Bay Area in common.
Jeannette got things started and opened up the luncheon by introducing the members of NETPAC/USA Board of Directors: Wimal Disanayake, Mingbao Yue, Chaoying Deng, and Jeanne Wakasuki Houston. She also introduced the writer/director of an indie movie from 2005 from Fiji entitled "The Land Has Eyes". His name was Vilsoni Hereniko - Jeannete's husband. ;) It's funny because in 2007, while Don and I were shooting Shiro's Head on Guam, we heard that there was a filmmaker on island to talk about a movie he made in his homeland in Fiji. We saw an interview on KUAM with Sonya Artero and a guy who later turns out to be Vilsoni. HOW WEIRD IS THAT? Now here we are in the same event. Crazy.
It was our turn and so both Don and I stand up and introduce ourselves as the filmmakers from Guam that made Shiro's Head. Then there was this "ooooohhh!" sound around the room and the "Metal Samurai" crew was like, "Oh! Shiro's Head!" Then they start to murmur amongst themselves. I was surprised. They were very interested in seeing the movie, but I later learn that they'll be leaving tomorrow before our debut show. Bummer. Aaron and Bob were next and introduced "Morning Comes So Soon". The same "ooohhh, ahhhhh" came from around the room and it was then that all of us island boys knew that even other filmmakers (established even!) were interested in seeing what these DIY, no-budget, first-time feature island boys can do. It was great.
We got the chance to talk with all of these interesting filmmakers one on one. On the level. We exchanged stories with Vilsoni and Jeanette, Cliff (who's coming out in a new movie with Harrison Ford), Li Lin, the "Metal Samurai" crew, the Cape No. 7 filmmakers, of course Aaron, Bob and more. It was an all such an amazing experience. The hospitality and care that HIFF is showing its filmmakers is just mindblowing. You get a real sense of appreciation and sincerity.
2:00pm
After the luncheon, we island boys have a seat in the HIFF lounge and order a few beers. Don and I are quickly finding out that Aaron and Bob remind us of guys that we would hang around with back home. They're way too funny and unique characters. But most of all, humble guys. We invite Aaron and Bob to the Metal Samurai bbq later tonight and tell them that Jason will be picking us up around 4pm. At this point, it's safe to say that they're cool people and we like hanging around with them. They remind us of the people back home. Aaron says that he and Bob have tickets for Cape No.7 at 4pm and that he's been waiting to see it. Bob tries to convince him that they should come with us to the BBQ.
2:30pm
We're joined at our lounge table by another writer. He's from Hawaii. I totally forgot his name. Don treats him to a drink. The conversation switches to the Red Camera seminar that'll take place on Saturday. Don and I are bummed because we won't be here (if we can get a flight out, that is). Don talks to Aaron and Bob about the Red Camera, it's price tag and tells them that the HIFF trailer was shot with one. Aaron can't believe it. He swears that it's shot on film.
Coming Up Next: Day 2 (pt.2)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
HIFF Film Festival Diary - Day 1
Louis Vuitton Hawaii Intl. Film Festival (LVHIFF) Diary
Day One
Sunday, October 12th
10:12pm
After the last of our sold out shows today, Don and I discuss our cash flow to make the trip out to Hawaii for the int'l. film festival. The flights look open from Guam to Honolulu, but only for tomorrow morning and not any day after - so if we choose to go, it'll have to be tomorrow at 6am. Plus, our return trip doesn't look good. Worst case scenario is that we'd have to fly a full fare back to Guam. On standby status, it costs us about $400 roundtrip. Now, a full fare flight back home? For the BOTH of us?! That's in the friggin' thousands! It's bad enough that $400 is killing us. Although we had a successful opening weekend on Guam, we won't be seeing any immediate moneys - including the encore presentations. I tried calling Continental Airlines earlier this week, but they turned us down FLAT. They said that they already had too much on their plate and that they need at least 90 days in advance to prep sponsorship details, contractual obligations and all that stuff. So we decide not to go.
11:00pm
I keep thinking about HIFF. What if this is it? What if this is the only time that we ever get accepted to a festival at this tier? They've already agreed to accommodate us as delegates with 3 days at the Sheraton in Waikiki and free transportation - all we need to do is get there. What if there's the possibility of meeting someone that wants to distribute Shiro's Head? Shoot, if we don't go, we'll never know. A big question we always get is "Why don't you have a sponsor that'll pay your travel costs?" Good question.
11:10pm
Screw all the thinking, man. I call Don and tell him that there's no way we should miss this opportunity. It could be our only one. He agrees and says to go for it and to "put in on the card". Yep...there's that famous line again. So I double-check the flight load occupancy for standby passengers and it still looks good - except that we'll have to leave in about 6 hours. So I check us in online as standby passengers and print out the receipt and boarding passes. $400. Ouch. I tell the wife that we're going to go for it and she says how proud she is of us and that it's worth a try. She's truly amazing.
11:20pm
I call Don and tell him that the tickets have been paid for (but if we don't make the flight, we're not charged the fee). We agree to pack light, get some rest and leave the house by 4:45am.
12 o'clock hour
Packing my backpack - just clothes, ipod, camera, and a book for the plane ride (if we make the flight).
1:00am hour
Still packing.
2:00am hour
I forgot that I have to draft an email for Naomi to send to the HIFF organizers in case we do make the flight out, only because we won't know if we make the flight or not until the plane has boarded all of its passengers. HIFF won't be expecting us today. I told them weeks ago that if Don and I were lucky enough to make it out, that we'd be arriving on a Monday. And although it's technically Monday morning on Guam, it'll be Sunday morning in Hawaii, so no one will be there to pick us up - not to mention we won't have a place to stay for the night since we'll be arriving a day early.
3:00am hour
Sent the email to Naomi to send to HIFF. Now I have to print out all of the necessary delegate forms, itinerary and transportation stuff.
4:00am hour
Now I don't have any time to sleep. I'll just sleep on the plane. I have to take a shower. We'll be leaving for the airport in half an hour.
5:45pm Sunday, October 12th - Hawaii Time
WHEW! Perfect landing! Needless to say, we made the flight and without any hassle. Thank the Lord. A few customs, TSA agents, passengers and the flight crew would recognize me and Don, congratulate us and stop to talk about Shiro's Head. It was just humbling to know how many people have been following Shiro's Head. One TSA agent even told us how he brought his kids to see the movie and that he was proud his kids were able to experience the Chamorro language preserved onscreen. THAT was just unreal. A comment that one flight attendant shared after learning we were headed for HIFF will stick with me for awhile. As we were deplaning, he turns and says, "Go get 'em boys." That was cool to have so much heartfelt love and support from your people and your home - especially for such a small project like Shiro's. Just fantastic.
6:10pm
We're outside Oahu Int'l. Airport and I'm checking my cell phone to see if HIFF received the email. I found out that not only did they receive the email, they already had a driver on the way and was able to extend our hotel accommodations an extra day since we arrived early! HOW GREAT IS THAT?!?!
6:30pm
Our driver (and co-pilot) happen to be filmmakers with the festival as well. AWESOME! Straight out of the gate and we've already met other filmmakers. Henry is a local boy that does some DP and directing. Dana is an 'all-around' filmmaker who has a short in the festival called 'The Hollow' and is also a production assistant on the ABC TV show "LOST". They were the coolest people. I mean, we could've been stuck with anyone's first impression, but it just so happened that the first people we meet tied to the festival are really cool cats. It's already off to a great start.
7:00pm
We're at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. It's fantastic here. The nightlife is crazy packed for a Sunday. Waikiki is a trip! It's like a bigger, badder Tumon. I had no idea that so many tourists would be here in mid October. Henry said he'd be offended if I tipped him, so he refused a tip. Don and I went straight to the front desk to check in. We just told them our names, showed some ID, and they directed us to our (upgraded - YAY!) room in the tower. We went up, changed into our usual quickdries and t-shirts and went strolling Waikiki.
9:00 hour
We got lost looking for the main Sheraton Waikiki hotel where the delegate headquarters is located. We thought we were going to get a leg up by looking for it tonight instead of tomorrow, since we need to pick up our badges first thing in the morning in order to make tomorrow's NETPAC luncheon. But instead we ended up walking an hour down the entire strip when a shopkeeper told us it was the opposite way - the way we came from. So we had to backtrack down the strip and a security guard pointed us in the right direction. We finally found it. It was only about a ten minute walk from our hotel! But no complaints. I'm just glad to be here. It's amazing what Shiro's Head has given us. If we haven't made the movie, who knows if we ever would've experienced Waikiki. It's my first time here! Now we can kick back until tomorrow. We got something to eat at a nearby Denny's and talked about the excitement of it all.
10:00 hour
We've gotten some Guinness at one of the hotel bars and took it outside to reflect on what a wild ride this past week was. Heck, just a few hours ago we were deciding not to go to HIFF due to lack of funds. Now here we are, delegates at one of the most respected international film festivals, staying at a fantastic hotel on the Waikiki strip courtesy of HIFF, coming off sell-out crowds at Hagatna Center Stadium Theaters, sipping Guinness after making our last-minute flight out only hours ago.
While outside, Don and I see these two guys carrying some great looking Canon XL2's and some video gear. We ask if they were part of the festival. "What festival?" one of them asks. "HIFF." I respond. "Oh, no - we just came from shooting a wedding." the other guy says. Don and I look at each other and realize how far we've come from our days of shooting wedding videos. If tonight was this great, I wonder what tomorrow will be like. Cheers.
