20TH CENTURY FOX Dylan Bruno, who will star in the pilot of the Hawaii-made TV series "The Break," co-starred as Willy Jack in the film "Where the Heart Is." The pilot is being made for Fox TV.

New TV series to
begin filming in isles

If OK'd by Fox TV, "The Break"
will shoot at least 13 episodes

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By Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.com

After three years without a Hawaii-based television series, "The Break," a pilot from Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox TV, will begin three weeks of filming on Oahu from next Monday to March 28.

The venture will spend as much as $5 million, hire several local actors in prominent supporting roles and possibly use Halawa Correctional Facility inmates as extras during a day of filming there.

If Fox network executives green-light the series, "The Break" will film at least 13 episodes and as many as 22, pumping more than $20 million into Hawaii's economy.

The pilot, titled "The Break" -- written, directed and co-produced by John Stockwell ("Blue Crush") -- will be filmed primarily on North Shore beaches from Mokuleia to Sunset, but also in Waikiki, the prison and several low-income areas. First-day filming will take place on the beach near Banzai Pipeline.

"This is not a show about Black Point," Stockwell said.

And it's not "Blue Crush II."

"The ocean plays a part but surfing isn't a main character," he said.

"The Break" centers on an undercover cop who returns to Hawaii to patch things up with his estranged teenage son. The story focuses on the cop's home life and his job with the Honolulu Police Department's Crime Reduction Unit.

NEW LINE CINEMA Kris Kristofferson is the latest to join the cast of "The Break."

Lastest to join the cast is Kris Kristofferson, who will portray Izzy Patterson, father of lead character Dane, played by Dylan Bruno. Izzy is serving time in Halawa when Dane returns to Hawaii from Detroit and brings his son to meet Izzy.

Brooke Langton will play Dane's sister.

Stockwell recently met with Kristofferson at the actor's Hana, Maui, home to talk about the role.

"He loves Hawaii and wants to be involved only in projects that portray it as a real place," Stockwell said.

The script is constantly being rewritten as locations change and actors are hired, and to reflect "production realities," Stockwell said.

One change is using Halawa inmates as extras when filming at the Kalihi facility. "We're working on it," Stockwell said. "It's all based on security ... that we're safe, that they're safe.

"I like the honesty and reality of filming in a real place with real people instead of bringing in fake extras."

Waikiki filming will be in an apartment near the Wave Waikiki nightclub and an abandoned housing complex along the Ala Wai near Ala Moana.

Local surf photographer Don King, a "Blue Crush" alumnus, will serve as director of photography for water work on "The Break."

Bruno arrived here Friday to begin some water-work training -- primarily surfing -- although Stockwell wants to keep the actor out of the sun as much as possible through the first episode.

"He's supposed to have been on the mainland for several years, so I want him to have that pale look," Stockwell said.

Two other local actors, also "Blue Crush" veterans, are vying for major roles.

The production had been looking in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles for an actor to play Dane's son. But they may have found what they wanted on a North Shore beach, where casting agents discovered a 14-year-old surfer who was whisked to Hollywood last week for auditions.

"He is so poised and cool," Stockwell said. "The only thing he was upset about was missing the good surf on the North Shore the day he left."

"Baywatch Hawaii" was the last series filmed here. It was canceled in February 2000 after a two-year run.

"Everyone's hoping 'The Break' will get picked up as Hawaii's next TV series, which obviously would mean a great deal to the state," said Donne Dawson, Hawaii Film Office manager.

"Traditionally, a television series contributes about $20 million annually to Hawaii's economy," Dawson said. "Sustainable job opportunities also would make a major difference to grow our production industry. That Brian Grazer and John Stockwell are behind the production and committed to showcasing the beauty and diversity of Hawaii is an added boon for our visitor industry."

Oahu's film commissioner is thrilled at the possibility of a Hawaii-based series.

"A series is the most consistent and lucrative work we can get for a community," said Walea Constantinau, of the Honolulu film office. "What a tremendous compliment from John and (Imagine executive) Brian Grazer to want to return here after doing 'Blue Crush.'

"Repeat business is the highest form of flattery."

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