Producer seeks actors
for WWII drama

Chris Tashima and Tim Toyama, Oscar-winning producers of the short films "Visas and Virtue" and "Day of Independence," are seeking young Asian-American males for their new production, "Memorial Day."

To be filmed in Hawaii in 2005, this dramatic short film will depict the heroic exploits of the famed 100th/442nd Japanese-American fighting unit of World War II.

"This film will be shown in festivals across the nation and internationally, shown on PBS television and used in classrooms as a teaching tool," said Toyama, the film's producer and co-writer.

"This film will be our tribute to one of the most heroic yet largely untold stories of the Second World War," said Tashima, who will direct the 25-minute drama. "We intend to portray these young soldiers as realistically and as accurately as possible, which starts with casting."

Some roles are soldiers from Hawaii, which requires the ability to speak pidgin.

SHANE SATO / CEDAR GROVE PRODUCTIONS The producers of "Day of Independence," a film set in a World War II Japanese internment camp, are looking for Asian-American male actors.

Tashima and Toyama will be in Honolulu in early December to interview local talent.

Hawaii-based actors may submit head shots and résumés to executive producer Stacey Hayashi at 3375 Koapaka St., Suite D-150, Honolulu 96819. All submissions must be sent by regular mail (no personal deliveries or e-mail submissions) and be received by Dec. 1. Honolulu auditions will be by appointment only.

Actors outside Hawaii may send head shots and résumés to Cedar Grove Productions, P.O. Box 29772, Los Angeles, Calif., 90029-0772.

Information about the company is available at www.cedargroveproductions.com.