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Dennis James Lee's back home for a couple of weeks to promote his new CD, "Smile," but music's not his only calling. Actor wants scripts
from homeBy Nadine Kam
Star-BulletinThe musician and actor moved from Honolulu to Los Angeles four years ago and has since branched out into film production, and he's looking for a few good scripts. For those not quite ready for Hollywood, he said financing can often be found in Asia and Europe.
"There are a lot of countries trying to get into the entertainment business because it's so lucrative. They all want American distribution."
Contact Lee by emailing dennisjameslee@msn.com
In exchange for the cash, of course, "there are certain requirements," he said. "You may have to use their producers and crew, and a few of their stars.
"There are a lot of ways to make films. The bottom line is you've gotta have a good script."
And avoid getting burned in the process. He said many novice filmmakers start on the film festival circuit, hoping to get a nibble from the industry.
"They go out and get money from their friends and uncle, then nobody buys their film. They may know how to make their film, but they don't know anything about selling it. What they need is to get distribution lined up in advance."
Lee said he's learned a lot in his two years in L.A., but it was attending a seminar last year at the Hawai'i International Film Festival that pointed him toward Asia.
"I didn't see a lot of filmmakers attending the panels they should have, but that's where I learned that the Asia market was looking for product."
He made "Impact Zone" for the Asian market, about terrorists attacking a peace conference, and he has two films in the works, partnering with former local actress Kerry Lau on "The Collectors," about a group of girls coming of age in a post-colonial India boarding school; and teaming with Thomas Ivanyi for "Who Iced Joe?," a film about bungling thieves that stars William H. Macy ("Fargo," "Boogie Nights") and Rachel Leigh Cooke ("She's All That").
Lee, a McKinley High School graduate who appeared in Diamond Head Theatre's "Evita," Tommy Aguilar's "Dreamgirls," and many other local productions, moved to L.A. to be an actor, which he said, "is not very lucrative."
His brother worked on financing films and when Lee indicated interest two years ago, he was told, "Stick to your music."
"I was hard-headed, so I said, 'Oh, no.' "
His timing was good. "The Asian market is starting to rebound and Hollywood is more accepting of multiculturalism. They're looking for Asian talent," he said, thanks in part to directors like John Woo, Ang Lee and M. Night Shyamalan, who wrote "The Sixth Sense."
As for what he's looking for, he said something edgy that portrays Hawaii in a new way would probably appeal to filmmakers.
"I love commercial films; I love independents. I'm not a stickler," he said. "I'm just looking for a good story."
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