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Time to thank
movie industry
folks in Hawaii

Being the last column of the year means there are lots of mahalos to dozens of local production people, actors, extras, stand-ins, producers, directors, crew, film commissioners, publicists and others who help me fill this weekly column with information about "the industry."

But most of my gratitude to these sources goes without naming them for protection from reprimand, though you all know who you are. Whatever readership "Reel News" has developed over its nearly three years of existence is because of you.

First, some words about Hawaii's local crew. They work incredibly hard, and the demands put upon them by production executives often border on unreasonable. Yes, they make good salaries, but the next time you see a production filming, stop and take a look at how those behind-the-scenes workers never stop moving.

Also, thanks for "loaning" me scripts and episode DVDs; thanks for telephone messages about a show's pickup or cancellation, on-the-set announcements by executives, information on where a production is filming, union "issues," actors and crew hired, fired or injured.

Thanks to the Hawaii Film Office -- Donne Dawson; office staff Sharon, Chuckie, Sandi and Jackson -- and county commissioners Benita Brazier (Maui), Marilyn Killeri (Big Island) and Walea Constantinau (Oahu) who patiently listen to my ranting about why they must provide me "public information" about a production, and my prying for slivers of information. Commissioners work under low budgets and pitiful salaries, and often unrealistic demands by producers, networks and studios to provide the impossible immediately ...

There are a few people I can thank by name, since they're too important to answer to anyone. Frank Conway, producer and unit production manager, most recently on NBC's "Hawaii"; Harry Bring, producer on Fox's "North Shore"; John Stockwell, producer-writer-director, most recently of the WB's "Rocky Point" pilot; "Baywatch" creator Greg Bonann; producer Chris Lee, now head of the University of Hawaii's film school; and publicist Blaise Noto, now working with the Discovery Channel's "29 Down."

They all share important attributes -- they're trustworthy, reliable and, if they promise something, they deliver. Oh, and they all have a realistic perspective about "the industry."

"Timmy," one producer recently told me. "Don't take any of this stuff too seriously. From top to bottom, it's a f--ing weird business with lots of weird people, including me."

Not that I can name that person, either.

Happy New Year.