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Movie role offered to one lucky Kauaian
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| Now living on Kaua‘i: Writer and director Larry Holden (front right) poses with the band Skip Castro, set repairs and restoration man Robert Ross, and actress Cameron Diaz on the set of "My Father's House." |
By Kendyce Manguchei - The Garden Island
KAPA‘A -- One lucky Kaua‘i person will get the chance to appear in a featured role in a film that's starting production in September.
The owner of a new film-production studio is offering the prize at a "Meet, Greet and Eat" benefit for the Kauai Food Bank this Saturday, July 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lydgate Park.
Hollywood actor Larry Holden ("Memento," "Insomnia" and the upcoming "Batman Begins") and director ("My Father's House") has moved his film production company, Holden Automotive, to Kaua‘i, with plans to produce two films a year here, starting with "Through East Texas" over three weeks in September.
The details of "Through East Texas," including the actors, characters, storyline and even the locations, are being kept closely guarded secrets. Holden did say the winner's role will be written into the script, regardless of age, gender, color, capabilities, etc. He also said it was supposed to be filmed in Norway, before the offices were moved to Kaua‘i -- a clue that the film may have little to do with geography.
Saturday's "very laid-back get-together" at Lydgate Park, with food, drink and music, is an effort to introduce himself and members of his production team to the Kaua‘i community.
"It would be great for the island, to give people an opportunity they wouldn't normally get. Usually people would be crew or extras," Holden said. "There's talent here, and we'll find it."
The concentration of Holden Automotive is the production and self-distribution of Holden's films that he works on full-time between acting gigs, with 90 percent of it self-financed. He also uses friends from the Hollywood scene, like Cameron Diaz ("There's Something About Mary," "Gangs of New York"), Josh Charles ("Dead Poets' Society," "SWAT"), Howard Keel (TV's "Dallas," "Hart to Hart," "Pagan Love Song") and Jeremy Garrett (TV's "Ally McBeal," "Jack & Jill").
But he's also excited about working with first-time actors who keep things exciting, and who don't have preconceptions about being in front of the camera, he said.
Holden's film "My Father's House," which he wrote and directed, in 2002 was awarded the Independent Achievement Award by the New York International Film and Video Festival, and screened at the Santa Fe Film Festival, California Independent Film Festival, Anchorage Film Festival, among others.
"My Father's House" actor Paige Moss, who also played in Holden's 2001 feature "A Foreign Window," is featured in the ABC television show "It's All Relative."
Scenes from his 2001 film "A Foreign Window" were shot here, and Holden says members of his cast and crew who live on Kaua‘i kept telling him to come here. Simply put, he and girlfriend Hanne Kristiansen, who also designs costumes, are here because they "didn't want to go back to Hollywood," Holden said.
Said Tiffani Lizama, former Kaua‘i County film commissioner: "Kaua‘i people have the perception that Hollywood is the best and the greatest there is to offer. But this is the type of film Kaua‘i can embrace. It's very low-impact and, in my opinion, that's what we should want."
"You won't see us hurting the environment. You won't see us building huge sets. We don't even use sets. Why come to a place like this to do that?" Holden continued.
"If you want Hollywood to come, they will invade it and they'll leave it in ruins. The best thing for Hawai‘i is to have a cottage industry. We can make films here independently and give locals an opportunity they wouldn't get," Holden explained. "Our goal is to stay here for a few years and give back to the community. Its' a direct reaction to Hollywood, who only does things if there's a photo op. People are leery of Hollywood types. We're going to stay here as long as we're satisfied with quality of life," he said.
Judy Lenthall, executive director of the Kauai Food Bank, said the organization will receive 75 percent of the net proceeds raised Saturday. Holden added that he's setting up a fund to help the Kauai Food Bank by producing public-service announcements for food drives, and looks forward to helping other charitable organizations here. The fund-raiser is set for Saturday, July 24 at Lydgate Park, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $20 for adults, and canned-food donations for those under 18. Aspiring actors, musicians and others can bring head shots, demo CDs and résumés, for consideration in upcoming projects. Please check out www.holdenautomotive.com, or call 651-6726, for more information.
Kendyce Manguchei, Life & Style editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 226) or kmanguchei@pulitzer.net.
The owner of a new film-production studio is offering the prize at a "Meet, Greet and Eat" benefit for the Kauai Food Bank this Saturday, July 24, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lydgate Park.
Hollywood actor Larry Holden ("Memento," "Insomnia" and the upcoming "Batman Begins") and director ("My Father's House") has moved his film production company, Holden Automotive, to Kaua‘i, with plans to produce two films a year here, starting with "Through East Texas" over three weeks in September.
The details of "Through East Texas," including the actors, characters, storyline and even the locations, are being kept closely guarded secrets. Holden did say the winner's role will be written into the script, regardless of age, gender, color, capabilities, etc. He also said it was supposed to be filmed in Norway, before the offices were moved to Kaua‘i -- a clue that the film may have little to do with geography.
Saturday's "very laid-back get-together" at Lydgate Park, with food, drink and music, is an effort to introduce himself and members of his production team to the Kaua‘i community.
"It would be great for the island, to give people an opportunity they wouldn't normally get. Usually people would be crew or extras," Holden said. "There's talent here, and we'll find it."
The concentration of Holden Automotive is the production and self-distribution of Holden's films that he works on full-time between acting gigs, with 90 percent of it self-financed. He also uses friends from the Hollywood scene, like Cameron Diaz ("There's Something About Mary," "Gangs of New York"), Josh Charles ("Dead Poets' Society," "SWAT"), Howard Keel (TV's "Dallas," "Hart to Hart," "Pagan Love Song") and Jeremy Garrett (TV's "Ally McBeal," "Jack & Jill").
But he's also excited about working with first-time actors who keep things exciting, and who don't have preconceptions about being in front of the camera, he said.
Holden's film "My Father's House," which he wrote and directed, in 2002 was awarded the Independent Achievement Award by the New York International Film and Video Festival, and screened at the Santa Fe Film Festival, California Independent Film Festival, Anchorage Film Festival, among others.
"My Father's House" actor Paige Moss, who also played in Holden's 2001 feature "A Foreign Window," is featured in the ABC television show "It's All Relative."
Scenes from his 2001 film "A Foreign Window" were shot here, and Holden says members of his cast and crew who live on Kaua‘i kept telling him to come here. Simply put, he and girlfriend Hanne Kristiansen, who also designs costumes, are here because they "didn't want to go back to Hollywood," Holden said.
Said Tiffani Lizama, former Kaua‘i County film commissioner: "Kaua‘i people have the perception that Hollywood is the best and the greatest there is to offer. But this is the type of film Kaua‘i can embrace. It's very low-impact and, in my opinion, that's what we should want."
"You won't see us hurting the environment. You won't see us building huge sets. We don't even use sets. Why come to a place like this to do that?" Holden continued.
"If you want Hollywood to come, they will invade it and they'll leave it in ruins. The best thing for Hawai‘i is to have a cottage industry. We can make films here independently and give locals an opportunity they wouldn't get," Holden explained. "Our goal is to stay here for a few years and give back to the community. Its' a direct reaction to Hollywood, who only does things if there's a photo op. People are leery of Hollywood types. We're going to stay here as long as we're satisfied with quality of life," he said.
Judy Lenthall, executive director of the Kauai Food Bank, said the organization will receive 75 percent of the net proceeds raised Saturday. Holden added that he's setting up a fund to help the Kauai Food Bank by producing public-service announcements for food drives, and looks forward to helping other charitable organizations here. The fund-raiser is set for Saturday, July 24 at Lydgate Park, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The suggested donation is $20 for adults, and canned-food donations for those under 18. Aspiring actors, musicians and others can bring head shots, demo CDs and résumés, for consideration in upcoming projects. Please check out www.holdenautomotive.com, or call 651-6726, for more information.
Kendyce Manguchei, Life & Style editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 226) or kmanguchei@pulitzer.net.
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