Seven projects striving to bring a more Hawaiian feel to international media have dived into the development phase.
The projects are part of 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. Global Virtual Studio connects projects with artists from around the world — facilitating transmedia content creation at a global scale.
That means the projects need to be viable and look outside one type of media, Bruce said, such as a movie adaptation of a book.
Five projects participating in the program last year all graduated, included novels, feature films and a mobile app.
The accelerator is trying to develop a local arts community, much like what happened in New Zealand after the filming of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” movies.
One of the projects hoping to take off this year is the feature film “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 this year’s seven cohort members Tuesday night at the GVS facility in Kona.
Angyl’s plan for “Native” rolled around for three or four years. He said 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 think you have the greatest thing, he said, but that might 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 to the program. 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 via video conference.
Members of the program get work space, the screening room, sound engineering equipment and a soundstage at the facility. Normally these are rented, but participants have access as part of the program.
After a project graduates, it can access up to $250,000 in matching funds if it can raise more money. This is a major boost for a start-up project, Bruce said, helping it get early advertising or other support.
He said it’s great when a project comes to the islands to produce huge films such as “King Kong” or “Jurassic World,” as that provides work for people in the Islands. However, the vast majority of people and equipment needed are brought in from Hollywood and then return there.
“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, the accelerator will have 18 projects participating throughout a period of three years, Bruce said.
There are seven projects involved in this year’s round for the GVS Accelerator program. They are:
• “Captive,” 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-plus sailboat. The team behind the project 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 a small coffee farming community in 1920s Hawaii. The team of Edwin Marshall and David Cunningham plans to produce a feature film and possibly a book.
• “Mockstars,” a web-driven series starring YouTube personality 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 project.
• “Oceanna.” 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 being 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 by Kaveh Kardan.
• “Native,” 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. The project is a production by Joel Angyl and Mike Leahy.
• “Surf Break Hotel,” an original comedic series about a washed-up surf pro, Byron “All Biz” Waggie, who’s forced to take a job as a surf instructor at a Maui beach hotel. The series is a production by Stefan Schaefer and Jonathan Stern.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
