Reel News
Tim Ryan
Mark Burnett, executive producer of "Survivor," will produce the upcoming Warner Bros. summer reality series "Boarding House: North Shore" (formerly known as just "North Shore"), filmed here last fall. The show revolves around seven pro surfers living together and competing in December's Pipeline Masters. The name change is, in part, due to network and production execs hoping to turn the show into a "Survivor"-like franchise, focusing on extreme sports under the "Boarding House" banner. The show has no specific air date yet ... Mark Burnett to helm
series at North ShoreDustin Nguyen has been cast in "The Break," about a cop (Dylan Bruno) who returns to Hawaii with his son (Chas Chidester) and moves in with his sister. Nguyen will play the sister's politician husband. The actor is best known for his role on "21 Jump Street" and most recently was seen on the syndicated show "V.I.P."
The Fox network could decide next week if the just-finished pilot for "The Break" will be picked up as a 13-show series for the fall. The cop show's creator-director-writer John Stockwell needs a decision ASAP because if it's a go, he wants to film as much North Shore surf as possible before those flat summer months. The pilot used about 300 extras cast by Anna Fishburn in its three weeks of filming here.
Frank Conway, the show's unit production manager, will also be working for NBC's "E.R.," which arrives on Oahu April 12 to film two episodes over three weeks. The show's producers, director and director of photography have been in Honolulu scouting locations.
Two of the show's stars, Goran Visnjic and Noah Wyle, will be making the Hawaii trip. The production is based at the Hilton Hawaiian Village ...
"50 First Kisses" auditioned some 100 local kids to find five to play the children of co-star Rob Schneider's character. They are Kylie Moore, Christian Gutierrez, Kealii Olmos, James Lee and Tache Uyesugi. Big Island entertainer Pomai Brown has been cast as the cook at the fictional Hukilau Cafe, and Esmond Chung as a police officer. Producers spotted Brown on "Celebrity Mole Hawaii."
Daniel Lupi, producer and unit production manager, also worked on star Adam Sandler's "Punch Drunk Love," which was partly filmed on Oahu ...
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Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.