Saturday Night Live’s Kate McKinnon Awarded Golden Honu at Big Island Film Festival – Day 3 Recap

Two weeks ago at the Fairmont Orchid, Saturday Night Live’s own Kate McKinnon was awarded a “Golden Honu Award” on the third day of the 2013 Big Island Film Festival.

Kate McKinnon and her Golden Honu Award

The third day of the festival began with a Filmmaker Workshop given by Ron Osborn entitled “What’s So Funny?”

Filmmakers talk story

The content of the workshop explored into the fine line that separates comedy and drama, the current market for comedy, and how to approach just about any subject from a comedic standpoint.

The Filmmakers pose for a picture.

The second workshop was on adaptation and finding inspiration in existing stories or events, classic stories, previously filmed stories and making them your own.

Ron Osborn talks to Film Festival Director Leo Sears

If you weren’t interested in the workshops that were going on during the day, there were also films that were being screened throughout the day beginning at 9:00 with “Side Walk Wars”, “The Lion’s Den” and “Stenwyken”.

The other films that played on Saturday were “Lost Dog”, “Broken”, “Out of Focus”, “Hatch”, “Lipstick Lies”, “Bumsicle”, “What If?”, “Balancing Emma”, “Homecoming” and “Boys Are Us”

At 4:30 a reception began for Kate McKinnon where the public was allowed to mingle with her, talk story with her agents and take pictures with her.

Big Island Photographer Kirk Aeder, Kate McKinnon and Filmmaker GB Hajim pose for the camera

Food was catered by the Fairmont Orchid and consisted of a Moo Shu Duck Station and a dessert bar.

I can honestly say I’m not a duck eater but this was pretty good!

Of course I wasn’t going to pass up on the desserts!

After folks ate their food people moved from the Wailana Garden into the theater where the reception and salute to McKinnon continued with a one-on-one interview with Hawaii Filmmaker Brian “Get A Job” Kohne.

McKinnon talks about her career with Brian Kohne

I had to leave early the next morning, however, on Sunday a reception and salute was also held for Vincent Kartheiser of the TV show “Mad Men” amongst other things.

Big Island Musician RJ Kaneao and Actor Vincent Kartheiser

Related articles

• Big Island Film Festival Kicks Off Thursday (damontucker.com)
• 2013 Big Island Film Festival Day 2 – “Meet the Stars: Aloha Hollywood” (damontucker.com)
• Big Island Produced Film “Strange Frame” Wins Best Animated Feature at the 2013 Big Island Film Festival (damontucker.com)
• 2013 Big Island Film Festival – Day 1 Mayor’s Welcome Reception and Grand Opening (damontucker.com)
• Kate McKinnon Impersonates Ellen … on Ellen! (thehollywoodgossip.com)

 

2013 Big Island Film Festival Day 2 – “Meet the Stars: Aloha Hollywood”

Last week at the Fairmont Orchid over on the Kohala Coast, the 2013 Big Island Film Festival took place.

The South Tower at the Fairmont Orchid

On the second day of the festival the morning began with a “Filmmaker Orientation and Talk Story” held with Big Island Film Commissioner John Mason and Big Island Film Festival Director and Founder Leo Sears.

Filmmakers talk to to John Mason and Leo Sears

Sears and Mason talked about how the Big Island was an ideal place to make movies and how the festival was run amongst other things.  After the orientation and talk story, the daytime films that were scheduled were shown.

Films shown were “Coffee, God & Gasoline” “Caterpillar’s Kimono” “Hangdog” “Last Call” “Shoot the Moon” “Stigma” and “If I Were a Bell”.

One of the many waterfalls at the Fairmont

I went back to my room and relaxed for a bit before the evening events began.  They added a day to the festival this year and with that came a new event.

A chocolate film reel

At 5:00 in one of the Fairmont’s Ballrooms, the public was invited to meet and take pictures with celebrities and filmmakers on hand at an event dubbed “Meet the Stars:  Aloha Hollywood”.

The Paparazzi!

Some of the celebrities that were on hand were Brad Turell from Paradigm Agency, Kate McKinnon from Saturday Night Live and Hollywood Story Consultant Jennifer Grisanti among others.

Brad Turell, Kate McKinnon and Jennifer Grisanti

Screenwriter Ron Osborn (Night Court, The West Wing, Duckman, Meet Joe Black, etc.) and Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men, Little Big League, Iron Will, Indian in the Cupboard, etc) were also was on hand to take pictures and talk to the general  public.

Veteran Screenwriter Ron Osborn, Vincent Kartheiser and Jennifer Grisanti.

And of course there was food and wine provided by Kenwood Vineyards.

Fried Ahi Panko Rolls

Lobster Rolls

Dessert Bar

After the event, folks headed to either the Shops at Mauna Lani for free family films that included “The Invention” and “Upside Down, or folks headed to the Plantation Estate for the Festival films where folks watched “Home”, “A Perfect Day” and “The Land of Eb”.

The “hidden” hot tub

I myself ended up taking a late night soak in the Fairmont’s “Hidden” hot tub.

Related articles

• Big Island Produced Film “Strange Frame” Wins Best Animated Feature at the 2013 Big Island Film Festival (damontucker.com)
• 2013 Big Island Film Festival – Day 1 Mayor’s Welcome Reception and Grand Opening (damontucker.com)

Big Island Film Festival Kicks Off Thursday

Movies under the stars, “Mad Men” and “Saturday Night Live” celebs, stellar Hawaiian music, multi-star cuisine and more make the Big Island Film Festival (BIFF) memorable, May 23-27, 2013, at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i and The Shops at Mauna Lani.

Kicking off Thursday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m. with a free Grand Opening at The Shops at Mauna Lani, BIFF welcomes filmmakers representing 54 new movies from Hawaii and around the world, celebrity guests Vincent Kartheiser aka Pete Campbell from “Mad Men” and Kate McKinnon from “Saturday Night Live.”  Eleven of the films selected are made-in-Hawai‘i, seven shorts and four features.

Vincent Kartheiser and Kate Mckinnon

After the introductions, seven short films (PG) will be shown:

• “Sway Away” (Hawaii-made), an unlikely love story that plays out on the clothes line
• “The Assistant.”  A disgruntled photographer’s assistant pretends to be his boss when a young actress arrives early for her photo shoot.
• “The Regret of the Doubt,” the trajectory of a man who dreams of a paradise, but when he reaches it, the old dream fades and soon others are born.
• “Fight Scene.”  A man decides to walk home after his car breaks down in a bad part of town.
• “The Perfection of Anna.”  When a stroke leaves Anna’s left side paralyzed, daughter Jesse witnesses her courageous struggle to dance ballet again.
• “Searchlight Serenade: Big Bands in the Japanese American Incarceration Camps,” an animated tale told in song, based on true stories of young detainees during WWII who escaped from their reality came through Big Band music
• “Spaghetti for Two.” How a seemingly ordinary day becomes a significant turning point for an unremarkable man, thanks to a minimal shift of fate.

At the Grand Opening, free programs are available, and tickets, passes and tee shirts are available for sale at the information table.  BIFF continues through Monday.  Events include:

Film Screenings, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

• Daytime movies.  A selection of shorts and features are screened in two-hour blocks, indoors in the newly renovated Lehua Theatre at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i.  Validated parking.
• Free Family Films.  Nightly, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at The Shops at Mauna Lani.  Admission free for two hours of short and feature films up to PG.  Some chairs provided, or bring your own.
• Festival Films.  Nightly, beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Double feature shown under the stars at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i Plantation Estate, near the tennis park.  Validated parking.  No-host bar, pupus and movie snacks available for purchase.  Some chairs provided or bring your own.

Tickets are available for individual events, or passes.  Each film will be rated by audience members to determine the Best Short and Best Feature that will screen again at Monday’s “Best of the Fest.”

From the Big Island’s Planet One Productions, “Strange Frame” is an animated sci-fi feature film, with voices of Claudia Black, Tara Strong, Ron Glass, Tim Curry, Alan Tudyk, Michael Dorn, George Takei and others. It will be screened at Big Island Film Festival on Sunday, May 26 at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i.

Social events to meet and mingle with the stars, at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i.

• Friday, May 24, Party-goers get a taste of film festival glamour, as well as stellar cuisine, and a chance to rub shoulders with celebrity guests at “Meet the Stars: Aloha Hollywood” reception.  Guests are encouraged to dress in their finest aloha wear, bring cameras and meet up at the red carpet to generate some silver screen buzz.  The VIP menu features butler passed hors d’oeuvres, action stations and “Chef Daniel’s Chocolate Film & Stars Dessert Display,” a chocolate centerpiece with Chocolate Silk Tarts, Chocolate Lollipops & Truffles, Chocolate Pop Rock Strawberries and more.
• Saturday Night, May 25, “Saturday Night Live” comedienne Kate McKinnon, known for her doppelganger impersonation of Ellen Degeneres, is in the spotlight at a Reception & Salute in her honor, with onstage interview by Maui filmmaker Brian Kohne (“Get A Job”).
• Sunday, May 26, Vincent Kartheiser aka Pete Campbell will appear at his Reception & Salute, with a cool mid-century vibe and “Mad Men” themed menu that includes mini Beef Wellingtons, Oysters Rockefeller and “Dr. Arnold Rosen and Sylvia’s Fondue.”
• Monday, May 27, Golden Honu Awards Brunch.  Posh buffet brunch, Awards presentations and announcement of the Audience Choice films that will be screened at Best of the Fest Monday evening.

Advance reservations required for all social events.  Visit www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com for details and tickets.

Screenwriting workshops.

Saturday, May 25, veteran screenwriter Ron Osborn shares his tried and true techniques and insider tips to create winning screenplays, in two workshops, “What’s So Funny?” and “Ripped from the Newspapers” at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i.  Limited space is available at $50 per session, with advance registration required (www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com).

“Best of the Fest.”

Monday, May 27, at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai’i Plantation Estate.

• Silent Auction to benefit Fisher House at Tripler Army Medical Center, 5-7 p.m.
• HAPA Concert, 5-7 p.m.   Ten-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winners Barry Flanagan and Ron Kuala‘au
• Audience-voted Best Feature and Best Short Films of BIFF 2013, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Best of the Fest is also a fundraiser for Hawai‘i Island Food Basket

Tickets are available for individual events, or as inclusive passes.  For complete schedule information and to purchase tickets on line, visit www.bigislandfilmfestival.com.

The Big Island “Talk Story” Film Festival is a celebration of independent narrative films and filmmaking, taking place May 23-27, 2013.  Major sponsors include The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i and The Shops at Mauna Lani and Hawaii Tourism Authority/Hawai‘i County CPEP.

For complete schedule information and tickets, visit www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com or call (808) 883-0394.

“Mad Men” and “Saturday Night Live” Stars Shine on Hawaii Island at the 2013 Big Island Film Festival

From sinister to seriously funny, this year’s Big Island Film Festival (BIFF) celebrity honorees bring some of the best talent in television to Hawaii over Memorial Day Weekend.  Vincent Kartheiser, “Pete Campbell” on the award-winning drama “Mad Men,” will appear in person, as will Kate McKinnon, featured player on the legendary “Saturday Night Live,” known for hilarious impressions of Ann Romney, Ellen DeGeneres and Penelope Cruz.

Vincent Kartheiser and Kate McKinnon

Named after Vincent van Gogh, Kartheiser began acting as a teen, in “Untamed Heart” with Marissa Tomei.  His many film credits include “Little Big League,” “Ironwill” and “Another Day in Paradise” with James Woods and Melanie Griffith.  Most recently he appeared in the sci-fi thriller “In Time” with Justin Timberlake.  On television, Kartheiser starred in Joss Whedon’s “Angel,” and has guest-starred in numerous other series including “ER” and “The Cleveland Show,” before joining the skyrocketing success of Mat Weiner’s “Mad Men” on AMC.

Kate McKinnon joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” last April and has cracked up fans with creatively wacky characters and killer celebrity impressions ever since, one of which earned an invitation to “The Ellen Degeneres Show” last month.  McKinnon also earned a spot on Forbes’  “30 Under 30” list for 2012.  Prior to “SNL,” McKinnon performed with numerous at the Upright Citizens’ Brigade Theatre, becoming beloved by the New York comedy community for the three one-woman shows she wrote and performed at the UCB: “Disenchanted,” “Best Actress” and “Kate McKinnon On Ice.”

BIFF 2013 celebrity events:

• Friday, May 24, 5-6:30 p.m., “Meet the Stars: Aloha Hollywood” reception in the Kilohana Room.  $75 VIP admission includes The Fairmont Orchid’s elegant “Legacy Menu” pupus, Kenwood wines and other beverages.  Or—new this year—the “Paparazzi Pass” at $15 invites the public to bring cameras and watch for photo ops as celebrities and filmmakers arrive on the red carpet, then mingle with the stars, and enjoy a no-host bar.  Party-goers are encouraged to dress up in aloha wear and join in the fun of celebrity buzz and Hollywood style “Aloha glam.”
• Saturday, May 25, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Reception & Salute to Kate McKinnon, starring chef’s select Asian appetizers, Moo Shu duck station and desserts, like fruit “sashimi,” mango nigiri and chocolate chopstick matcha torte.  After the reception, Brian Kohne will talk story with Kate in a one-of-a-kind interview and Q&A.  $35, advance tickets required.
• Sunday, May 26 4:30-6:30 p.m., Reception & Salute to Vincent Kartheiser, with a “Mad Men” theme:  mini Beef Wellingtons and Oysters Rockefeller, “Dr. Arnold Rosen and Sylvia’s” cheese fondue and Baked Alaska.  Video career retrospective and personal interview with Vincent to follow.  $35, advance tickets required.
• Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Golden Honu Awards Brunch in the Kilohana Room.  $50 per person, reservations required.  Posh buffet brunch, Awards presentations and announcement of the Audience Choice films that will be screened at Best of the Fest Monday evening.

The Big Island “Talk Story” Film Festival is a celebration of independent narrative films and filmmaking, taking place May 23-27, 2013.  Major sponsors include The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i and The Shops at Mauna Lani and Hawaii Tourism Authority/Hawai‘i County CPEP.

For complete schedule information and tickets, visit www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com or call (808) 883-0394.