Sci Fi Channel airing 2 films by TalkStory

Hawaii-based TalkStory Productions recently completed two movies -- both filmed entirely on Oahu with the help of award-winning cinematographer, "National Geographic" veteran and Honolulu resident Paul Atkins ("Master & Commander," "Chief"). They air this month on the Sci Fi Channel.

The team took advantage of Hawaii's lush outdoor scenery to transform the locale into Mexico for one film and a deserted island for another. To save money on the $2.5 million budget per picture, they shot the films back to back. Be forewarned: The content is decidedly geared toward the science-fiction audience, complete with prehistoric beasts and global-warming crises. "It's not art-house," co-producer John Ching said matter-of-factly.

"Aztec Rex" is about Spanish gold hunters who find the feeding grounds of a reptile the Aztecs called "thunder lizard." It stars Ian Ziering ("Beverly Hills 90210") and Jack McGee ("NYPD Blue").

"Heatstroke" centers on a team that uncovers the otherworldly cause of radioactive emissions destroying the ozone. According to promotional materials on the movie's Web site, "She's an ex-model. He's an elite commando. They're going to solve global warming -- by stopping the aliens who are causing it!" D.B. Sweeney ("Jericho") stars with Danica McKellar ("The Wonder Years").

Jeffrey Hayes and David Kemper produced both flicks with executive producer Jason Lau. TalkStory Productions partnered with Los Angeles-based Rigel Entertainment to shoot in Hawaii, and the Sci Fi Channel has approved a third film, tentatively scheduled to begin production later this year.

TalkStory, a three-year-old film and television production company, raises funds through investors who utilize the state's High Technology Business Investment Tax (Act 221).

"Aztec Rex" airs at 6 and 10 p.m. tomorrow on the Sci Fi Channel (Oceanic 37 or digital 557). "Heatstroke" shows at 6 and 10 p.m. May 31 on the same channel. Visit www.scifi.com or www.talk-story.com.

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and PBS Hawaii will broadcast "Citizen Tanouye" in honor of the observance. The documentary features veterans of 442nd Regimental Combat Team. They share memories of their relationship with Tech. Sgt. Ted Tanouye, who left his position as a mess sergeant to join his friends on the front lines and lead a platoon through enemy fire in Italy during World War II.

With help from the producer/director team of Craig Yahata and Robert Horsting, eight Torrance, Calif., high school students researching the topic tell the story in the film, which garnered awards during its festival run. "Citizen Tanouye" airs on KHET/PBS at 8 p.m. May 31.

More good news from UH's Academy of Creative Media: Michael Nagamine, Robert Omura and Priscilla Stafford won Grace J. Abernethy Screenwriting Awards. Each earned $1,500 to apply toward production of their completed scripts. In addition, students Dana Ledoux and Kevyn Fong won scholarships to the Maui Writers Conference, which is moving to Oahu this summer.

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