The seven companies striving to bring a more Hawaiian feel to international media have pitched into development of their projects.
The companies are involved in the GVS Accelerator, a program to develop financially viable media properties in Hawaii, using the culture of the islands, said David Bruce, the group’s director of marketing.
The program is a partnership between Global Virtual Studios and public money to “launch original transmedia franchises,” according to the group’s website.
That means the projects need to be viable and look outside one type of media, said Bruce, such as a movie adaptation of a book.
The five companies participating last year all graduated and included novels, feature films and a mobile application.
The accelerator is trying to develop a local arts community, much like what happened to New Zealand after the filming of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” movies.
One of the stories is “Native,” a coming of age tale about a young man who becomes involved in mixed martial arts.
It’s a collaboration of Joel Angyl and Mike Leahy, who were present for the announcement of the seven members of the cohort Tuesday night at the GVS facility in Kona.
Angyl’s plan for “Native” had been rolling around for three or four years. He said that the initial $50,000 awarded to cohort members was a major draw. But it’s also important to know the script will get professional attention, he said.
Sure, it’s possible for you and your friends to believe that you have the greatest thing, he said, but that may not be the truth.
One particular collaboration he is looking forward to is with Janet and Lee Batchler, who wrote the screenplay and story for “Batman Forever” and “Pompeii.”
The Batchlers are one of several experts lending their expertise. At times it’s by on-site visits for consultations. At other times, it’s by using the boardroom-esque “war room” or the 23-seat screening room, talking with people thousands of miles away by video cameras.
Members of the program get work space, the screening room, sound engineering equipment and a soundstage at the facility. Normally these are rented, but the participants have access as part of their position.
After the company graduates from the program it can access up to $250,000 in matching funds if they can raise more money.
This is a major boost for a starting company, said Bruce, helping them get early advertising or other support.
He said it’s great when a company comes to the islands to film huge films like “King Kong” or “Jurassic World,” he said, as that provides work for island people.
However, the vast majority of the people and equipment needed are brought in from Hollywood and go back to Hollywood.
“We don’t want to wait for the call,” he said. They want to see local producers developing and producing off of their own intellectual properties.
In total, they will have 18 companies participating over three years, said Bruce.
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There are seven projects involved in this round.
They are:
“Captive,” an “an action adventure film about a former SAS Officer who sets off on a series of suicidal adventures, traveling the Pacific on his only worldly possession — a 50+ foot sailboat.” The team is John Shepard and Patrick Hibler.
“The Medicine Runner,” “a story about a homeless orphan boy of mixed race and a haole village doctor fighting for their place in the small coffee farming community of 1920s Hawaii.” The team of Edwin Marshall and David Cunningham will be producing a feature film and possibly a book.
“Mockstars” “is a webdriven series starring YouTube star, Alex Farnham. Each video parodies a current celebrity, movie, song, concert or happening through original music.” Farnham and his father, Richard Farnham, are the team behind the expansion.
“’Oceanna’ is an animated children’s TV series about a young girl whose daydreams transform her into the underwater superhero ‘Oceanna: Protector of the Sea.’” It’s produced by Laurie and Wayne Nunez.
“Giant robots inhabit the wilderness in ‘Wings,’ a steampunk tale about a young female pilot who sets off to solve the mystery of her parents’ disappearance.” The story is told in a graphic novel format by Kaveh Kardan.
“’Native’ is a feature film about a troubled teenage boy given an opportunity to develop his inner warrior by connecting to his Hawaiian roots and training in mixed martial arts,” a production by Angyal and Leahy.
“Surf Break Hotel” is an original comedic series about a washedup surf pro, Byron “ALL BIZ” Waggie, who’s forced to take a job as a surf instructor at a Maui beach hotel, a production by Stefan Schaefer and Jonathan Stern.