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Screen Time
Katherine Nichols
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Acohido inks picture deal with L.A. bigs
'Zero Day Threat," Byron Acohido's new nonfiction book, hit stores nationwide on April 1, and a screen version could be next. This week, he and his co-author, Jon Swartz, signed with two Los Angeles-based producers: Jeff Luini ("Dirt," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") and Richard Weiner ("Any Given Sunday," "Searching for Orson").
"They have the exclusive rights to see if they can get a movie deal," Acohido said in a telephone interview. Originally, he and Swartz anticipated a documentary -- a natural progression from a book he describes as "strictly journalism." However, because the material involves "fascinating true crime drama about an issue that affects everyone," they are exploring the possibility of a fictionalized account for the big screen or perhaps HBO.
Acohido, a Wahiawa native and 1973 Damien Memorial School graduate, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1997 while at the Seattle Times. The investigative reporter subsequently moved to USA Today, where he began covering Microsoft. His immersion in the topic inspired the book, which illuminates the ways banks and credit bureaus allegedly help cybercrooks steal people's money and identities.
"We were afraid that it might be dated when we got it done, but quite the opposite," said Acohido, who just returned from the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco. "It's really like the eye of the hurricane is forming. I'm very anxious to do another book. This is an issue for which public awareness is sorely lacking; people just do not get it."
To prevent cybercrooks from adding to this $100 billion-per-year business, Acohido recommends reducing your digital footprint and avoiding online banking and stock trading whenever possible. For more information, and to view video clips of Acohido, visit www.zerodaythreat.com.
A documentary film about the inner workings of Australia's combative surfing subculture debuts in Hawaii tonight. Narrated by Academy Award winner Russell Crowe, "Bra Boys" explores brotherhood, localism, beatings, murder and family loyalties among the surfers of Marouba, a beach suburb of Sydney.
Sunny Abberton, once a resident of Marouba's public housing projects, wrote, directed and produced the film. He focuses on the Abberton brothers, who possess personal histories ripe for cinema. One was charged with murdering a Sydney extortionist. The ensuing scandal threatened to derail the professional surfing career of his brother and alleged accomplice. And that's just the beginning.
"It's a brotherhood," one said in the movie trailer, "but sometimes it gets a little ugly." Epic surfing footage envelopes the drama.
The 84-minute, R-rated flick, which made the film festival rounds last year, integrates archival shots into interviews with these quintessential locals. It opens tonight in Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Kahului. On Oahu it's playing at Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18, Regal Pearl Highlands Stadium 12 and Regal Windward Stadium 10 in Kaneohe. For more information and to view clips, visit www.braboysfilm.com.