[ HAWAII AT WORK ]
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Producer has
showbiz flairAngela Laprete is
drawn to bright lightsI have always wanted to be in showbiz. In 1986, I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, with a BA in film studies. I fell in love with all aspects of filmmaking and even all the madness that embraces this industry.
I got my first break in Hawaii in 1994, landing a role as the assistant production coordinator on "One West Waikiki," a short-lived TV series starring Cheryl Ladd. Since then, I have worked as a production coordinator on numerous productions, including "Godzilla," "Pacific Blue," "Beverly Hills 90210," Disney's "Johnny Tsunami," "Baywatch," and, most recently, "ER" and "Captured."
In addition, I have produced many independent projects from commercials to short films. In 2001, my crew and I won a Pele Award for the Hawaii International Film Festival Trailer, "Exploring New Worlds through Film."
The Hawaii Film Studio is my second home. The production office is the foundation of any production and the coordinator is the core individual who deals with everyone at every level, from network and studio executives to producers, cast and crew. I coordinate travel and hotel accommodations while organizing daily operations in the office and work closely with the set. It is not as glamorous as many people may think. The work is challenging, and we are normally the first ones in and the last ones out of the office.
We do meet celebrities all the time. Most are approachable but there are always those "special" ones.
The ups and downs of this business are basically dependent on Hollywood economics and whether a production decides to film in Hawaii. Sometimes it can be nerve wracking not knowing what's next, but I find the down time between productions to be rejuvenating. It allows me to catch up on my personal life, something you say "hasta la vista, baby!" to when you're working on a production.
The key to the madness is to have a happy and solid team that shares your passion for the fast and furious pace in the office and on the set.
Ten years since my graduation, my own production company, A Laprete Production, is in development for our first feature called "The Tattoo," adapted from local author Chris McKinney's book.
Hawaii At Work features tells what people do for a living in their own words. Send submissions to: business@starbulletin.com
