Kinetic Films, the local production house founded by director James Sereno, has turned to YouTube for inspiration for its Hawaii-based features.
Kinetic’s new film "Hang Loose" stars YouTube sensation Kevin Wu, whose KevJumba channel boasts 2.3 million subscribers and 277 million video views. Sereno paired the 21-year-old Los Angeles comic with established actor Dante Basco, who also starred in the director’s dark look at Hawaii, "Paradise Broken."
"It is an extension of Kevin’s worlds, the YouTube videos, the three-minute videos he makes and that point of view and merging it with the indie world where Dante works," Sereno said.
Wu started making his short videos while a junior in high school. He typically pokes fun at himself and his views about growing up as an Asian-American male. They’re simple, smart and funny, with solid production values that showcase Wu’s perfect timing.
In "Hang Loose" the character Wu plays is about to become Basco’s brother-in-law. They all come to Hawaii for the wedding, and their lives change after one crazy night.
"Kevin is this dorky Asian and Dante is this cool Asian, and they both learn something from each other about life and living," Sereno said.
The film also stars Justin Chon, who appeared in the "Twilight" movies, and Benjamin Arthur, who had a role in "American Reunion." A pair of Hawaii actresses — Jennifer Fairbank and Katherine Emily Mills — also have roles, and local comic Augie Tulba has a small part.
The 90-minute comedy was directed by Kinetic’s Ryan Kawamoto and is on a nationwide college screening tour. This summer Sereno hopes to offer it exclusively to online audiences. Knowing that Wu has a built-in following, direct to the Web was always their intent, he said.
"There are a couple of different ways we are looking at, but ultimately we want to get it directly to the public," Sereno said. "My goal is to make a one-on-one connection with the viewer. We make films and sell them directly to you."
Although he is not naming anyone yet, Sereno said Kinetic is looking at two or three films that would involve actors who are popular on YouTube.
Basco, who helped write the script with Arthur and Wu, believes online distribution will be a forgiving platform because it’s a less expensive way for newcomers to become established. And it can still ultimately lead to theatrical release.
"It is about creating your niche audience and delivering to them on a regular basis," Basco said. "If you can find a small audience that can support what you do, and once you create a library, you have a good shot at a film making a crossover to theaters."
The actors worked for free, in part because Basco asked them to be part of the project. Chon had so much fun that even after flying back to California for an audition, he returned to Hawaii to watch and wound up helping the crew.
Sereno’s reputation for getting things done helped, too, Basco said.
"There are so many projects, and everyone is trying to get them done, but to get them done in the end is a key ingredient," he said. "That’s so important."
Basco’s only other film with Sereno, "Paradise Broken," is on the brink of distribution as well, but along a more traditional route. Kinetic is weighing several offers that include theatrical release and DVD rentals — but not an online outlet, at least for now.
Both films will get significant additional exposure next month at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, where both have been nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for best feature film.
"It is great to be nominated," Sereno said. "It is the premier Asian festival in the country. I’m honored to be tied to the festival."
AND that’s a wrap. …
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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.
