Students at Kauai Film Academy were stoked when members of the “Jungle Cruise” production crew walked through their doors at Kukui Grove Center.
It was mid-swing in the Kauai production of the film, and KFA Directors Elliot Lucas and Edwin Sawyer said crewmembers took the time to connect with the kids and check out their equipment.
“We were training and working with the editing team and the Disney guys just waked in,” Sawyer said.
He continued: “These are the guys that were involved in ‘Thor,’ ‘The Shallows,’ ‘Mars Attacks,’ ‘True Lies.’ It was unreal and we were all blown away by how cool everyone was. They were really open, really nice.”
Crews told the students it was hard work and time that got most of them jobs in Hollywood, and gave tidbits of what it was like working on set during “Jungle Cruise,” much of which was filmed at various Kauai locations.
“It showed them they were just regular guys,” Lucas said. “Just normal people who worked their way up in the industry.”
Randy Francisco, Kauai film commissioner, said forming those connections and inspiring future creative industry people is one of the benefits of having productions on Kauai.
An island-grown creative industry comprised of local professionals is the goal, and Francisco said Kauai people have the talent to make it happen.
“We have award-winning kids that are future film makers and creative writers. They’re becoming versatile in technology to help grow our local industry for the next generation,” Francisco said. “That was the biggest payoff for me, having a production of this caliber gives the island and our youth the opportunity.”
Crocus Production, part of Disney, started pre-production of the project on Kauai in January and began filming in early May. Production ran through June and then Crocus picked up and moved to their next location in Atlanta.
The main set was built on the Kapaia Reservoir, which Francisco says was restored to “better than pristine” condition after the production finished.
Hundreds of Kauai people were involved in the production, Francisco said, from cast and crewmembers to construction workers and truck drivers, chefs and caterers, security teams and portable toilet companies.
“There were tons of businesses that benefited from things like bringing in materials for the road and feeding people. They were feeding hundreds of meals a day,” Francisco said.
Mark Perriello, Kauai Chamber of Commerce president, said he’s heard positive reports from rental car agencies and hotels that the “Jungle Cruise” production kept them busy.
“’Jungle Cruise’ was a shot in the arm for the island’s economy during the traditionally slower season,” Perriello said.
Sue Kanoho, executive director of Kauai Visitors Bureau, said she received positive feedback about the production’s economic impact as well, but that’s just the beginning.
Filming parts of a Disney movie on Kauai introduces people to the island and provides opportunities to build the island’s profile.
KVB is celebrating the 25th anniversary of “Jurassic Park” this fall and after “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” was filmed, the crew released a video that identified Kauai before the movie came out.
They also did a book called “The Art of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” that included Kauai photos.
Other films that have made a big impact for Kauai were “South Pacific” and “Blue Hawaii.”
Kauai production of a film like “Jungle Cruise” also provides marketing opportunities. Helicopter companies worked with Francisco to adjust flights back to the airport because the normal pathway was directly over the set.
“They were extremely respectful and it took a while to get a pattern worked out, but over time it worked,” Francisco said. “They understood that down the road they’d be able to add the segment on their tours and say ‘this is where it was filmed.’”
Francisco said his goal is to have a seamless stream of productions using Kauai as a location, and that he has some “big projects” stepping into line for this fall, but couldn’t say any more about the matter.
He did say he was proud of how Kauai people got involved with the production.
“Various places people would see these crews and they were curious but they were respectful,” he said.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
Did anybody from the “I know You” club audition for a part? (In politics.)
The majority of the workers were from the mainland and Oahu, and only the lowest paying jobs were offered to Kauai residents. Disappointed that we cannot get these production companies to hire truly local.