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Reel News Tim Ryan |
Drosd will help
Hawaii film bizJudy Drosd's recent state appointment as the tentatively titled Special Assistant to Arts, Film & Entertainment (AFE) under the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) is good news for Hawaii's film production industry.
The former Kauai County film commissioner, who resigned in July 2002, was the state's senior commissioner, having served in that role for a decade, and more than doubling the county's annual production revenues from $5 million to $11.4 million. She was respected for her tenacity as well as inventive problem solving.
Now with Drosd as a possible AFE division head means the Hawaii Film Office, under manager Donne Dawson, will report to her, as will a new group called the Arts & Culture Development Branch.
Drosd's duties are still being worked out, but she'll generally coordinate ongoing efforts that will maximize Hawaii marketing and promotion but "not reinvent any wheel," as she said, particularly on the film office side.
"I was not brought in to mend anything on film ... which is completely functional and doing fantastic," she said. That's smart, since state production revenues last year set a record $146 million.
But the really good news is that Gov. Lingle is so interested in Hawaii's film production industry that she would appoint a person who has real industry experience. Hopefully, it will also mean that Drosd will have access to the governor whenever the industry needs Lingle's immediate attention.
The transition should be painless. Dawson, Big Island film commissioner Marilyn Killeri and Oahu film liaison Walea Constantinau have all worked with Drosd for years -- only Maui commissioner Benita Brazier and Kauai's Tiffani Sugai Lizama are new.
According to sources, both Gov. Lingle and DBEDT Director Ted Liu believe the potential for Hawaii's film and entertainment industries are enormous and, under previous administrations, have not received the attention they deserved. Now rather than report to Liu, who oversees several divisions, Dawson and company will get special attention from one boss, Drosd, to assist with strategic planning and other matters as needed.
Drosd emphasizes she'll be no silent partner film commissioner. Dawson "is exceptionally skilled at what she does. My role is to support her and provide another level of visioning when it's needed ... "
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Contact Tim Ryan at tryan@starbulletin.com.