Author shares book-to-film experience

At the Maui Writers Conference last weekend, author Dan Millman spoke to attendees about the long and often frustrating journey of turning his first book, "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior," into a $7 million movie. "No moviemakers owe anything to the author," said Millman. "All movies are really just inspired by books." As the process languished for 15 years while he wrote 12 more books, he decided over time that authors shouldn't necessarily be involved in the book-to-movie process. In the end he felt the film "could have been better, and it could have been a lot worse. But overall it served a higher good."

When new writers ask him for advice, his message differs little from that of best-selling author Scott Turow and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt: "Do your best," said Millman. "I mean, what can one say? Start from where you are. Have a goal and work hard toward that goal, but don't be attached to the results."

ABC's "Lost," back in full swing on Oahu, is already generating plenty of buzz. Entertainment Weekly reported that five new actors will join the cast in season four, scheduled to premiere in February. They include Jeff Fahey ("Grindhouse"), Jeremy Davies ("Saving Private Ryan"), Lance Reddick ("The Wire"), Ken Leung ("The Sopranos") and Rebecca Mader ("The Devil Wears Prada"). Writer/producer Damon Lindelof explained that the new characters could potentially become regulars in the future. But as usual, the actors don't even know what's going on, so we'll all have to wait and see. To conduct auditions, the producers provided fake scenes and characters to protect the evolving plot, knowing the information would leak quickly. Leung was the only actor who did not have to read for his scenes. They actually wrote a part specifically for him.

It's a long wait between seasons, but you can spend your Christmas holidays catching up on every minor detail. "Lost: The Complete Third Season" will be available on DVD Dec. 11. Bonus features include flashbacks that never aired and a detailed account of what happens on the set -- and beyond -- in a 24-hour period while shooting "Lost" in Hawaii. Cast and producers "reveal more about the island's mysterious inhabitants," according to press materials (you can be the judge of that). Bloopers and nine deleted scenes also add to the fun, as does an exploration of the literary influences on the show. Show standouts Terry O'Quinn (John Locke) and Michael Emerson (Ben Linus) both received Emmy nominations, and the DVDs offer ample opportunity to understand why. Retail price for the set is $59.99.

"Hawaii Reef Etiquette," a seven-minute public service announcement by Hawaii-based underwater videographer/producer Ziggy Livnat, is now available in Japanese. Even better, it features the voice of Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa in its efforts to entertain and educate visitors about appropriate behavior near Hawaii's fragile reefs. Aloha Airlines already shows the video on its transpacific flights. Additional companies sharing the message include the Waikiki Aquarium, The Maui Ocean Center, Norwegian Cruise Line, Outrigger Hotels and Starwood Hotels. A Japanese version will teach millions of additional visitors to be on their best ecological behavior.

"Screen Time" is an occasional feature in the Today section. E-mail knichols@starbulletin.com.