One of the cool features of the DVD release of "The Descendants" is a collection of short behind-the-scenes videos shot by film editor Cameron Spencer.
A Punahou grad who grew up in Aiea but now lives in Culver City, Calif., the 53-year-old Spencer shot nine videos as the film was being made. They’re a mixed plate of subjects, blending a Hawaii sense of place, off-camera shenanigans and stories about how specific shots were done.
In "Everybody Loves George" the cast waxes eloquent about what a professional George Clooney is but end up focusing on his use — in a crowded airplane — of a phone app that mimics flatulence. Director Alexander Payne is the center of one short as he makes an omelet for a production intern while everyone else talks about what he’s like. "Hawaiian Style" ranges from the show’s traditional local blessing to crew members wrangling Kauai’s free-range chickens to use as background props.
Spencer’s favorite short is "Working with Water," which follows the work done to shoot the scene off Waikiki in which Clooney’s character scatters his wife’s ashes. Veteran cameraman and surf photographer Don King had to stack boxes on a four-seat canoe so he could balance a camera while everyone else balanced the boat.
"It was pretty exciting, definitely the best gig I have ever had," said Spencer, who had never done any behind-the-scenes filmmaking. "I was definitely a little scared because it was my first time doing this, and I’m actually kind of shy. It’s hard to get into people’s faces."
The trick is to get as close as you can without getting in the way of the cameras — which occasionally she did. But the results put viewers right on location as Payne makes what would become an Oscar-winning film.
Spencer met Payne while earning a graduate degree in film and television at the University of California, Los Angeles. They’ve been friends ever since, and the director even sought her opinion on drafts of his script for "The Descendants."
The bulk of her career has been in editing indie features, short films, documentaries and a reality show called "Chasing Farrah." But she really wanted to be part of "The Descendants" and withdrew a chunk of her savings to buy camera equipment.
Payne needed convincing because the director doesn’t like having extra cameras on his sets, Spencer said.
"I said, ‘When you’re 80 years old you will thank me,’" she recalled telling Payne. "‘You will look back at this and realize it is not just a film, but you doing what you love.’"
TAYLOR Wily, whose larger-than-life personality earned him regular appearances as snitch-turned-food truck entrepreneur Kamekona on "Hawaii Five-0," is holding a party to mark the end of the show’s second season.
Although the event is not affiliated with CBS or "Five-0," Wily is hoping some of his co-stars will show up. "If they come, they come and it will be their treat," he said.
Wily’s Wrap ‘Um Party will be held Saturday at Aloha Tower. The party starts at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $25 through alohataylorwily.com or $35 at the door.
Fiji and Cradle 2 Grave will perform.
"The reason I am throwing this party is for the people of Hawaii and any fans who will be on the island," Wily said. "I am just trying to get the fans something they can attend and be part of."
By the way, the last day of shooting for season two is April 25, and the season finale is tentatively scheduled to air May 14.
AND that’s a wrap …
Mike Gordon is the Star-Advertiser’s film and television writer. Read his Outtakes Online blog at honolulupulse.com. Reach him at 529-4803 or email mgordon@staradvertiser.com.
