Kaua’i native and 2003 Miss Hawai’i Alicia Michioka has signed on for a starring role in a TV mini-series about to enter production. Another Kaua’i native, Aaron Yamasato of Kapa’a, writer and director at Hellcat Productions, LLC (Limited Liability Company),
Kaua’i native and 2003 Miss Hawai’i Alicia Michioka has signed on for a starring role in a TV mini-series about to enter production.
Another Kaua’i native, Aaron Yamasato of Kapa’a, writer and director at Hellcat Productions, LLC (Limited Liability Company), is writer, director and producer of “Blood of the Samurai: The Series.”
Filming is planned this summer, and the six-part mini-series will air on a local TV station in October, Yamasato said.
The series is a martial-arts action adventure, sequel to the film “Blood of the Samurai” that won the Aloha Airlines Film & Videomaker Award for Best Hawai’i-based film at the 2001 Hawai’i International Film Festival.
The episodes form a continuous, complete narrative, while also providing a foundation for potential future stories, Yamasato said.
Michioka will play Yuki, whose mysterious motivations will challenge the samurai heroes of the show in determining whether she is friend or foe.
“I’m very excited to be a part of ‘Blood of the Samurai,” Michioka said. “I’m a huge fan of martial arts, and I have a great respect for people who practice it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
About her character, Michioka said, “Yuki is an independent character, tough and feared. She’s got great power, very mysterious and, most of all, she kicks major butt.”
The reigning Miss Hawai’i, who placed in the top 10 in the Miss USA competition, said the show can be a powerful vehicle with potential to draw other productions to the state.
“The show is definitely a front-runner when it comes to showcasing what we can do here in Hawai’i. We have great, untapped talent here, from writers, directors and actors and, sadly, they have to move to the Mainland to find work,” she continued.
“The resources are here already.”
Michioka has appeared on the covers of numerous local magazines, and has appeared as an extra in TV shows including “Melrose Place” and “Baywatch Hawai’i.”
She is proud of her role as spokesperson for the Missing Child Center and the Honolulu Police Department’s M.A.I.L.E. alert program, she said.
Originally from Kaua’i, she moved to Honolulu to attend Hawai’i Pacific University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and journalism, with a minor in theater.
The series stars Bryan Yamasaki and Michael Ng as samurai heroes Trent and Rob; Colleen Fujioka and Stephanie Sanchez as their girlfriends, Brooke and Roxy; and Superbrawl champion Egan Inoue as Shin zo, the fearsome leader of the syndicate.
Producers also announced Hawai’i Stunt Connection, headed by actor and stuntman Achilles S.C. Gacis, will coordinate stunts for the series.
The Hawai’i Stunt Connection is the premier stunt association in Hawai’i. Members have worked on such television shows as “Hawai’i Five-0,” “Magnum P.I.,” and “Baywatch Hawai’i,” and in feature films including “Waterworld,” “Pearl Harbor,” “Windtalkers” and “Tears of the Sun.”
In addition, Hawai’i Stunt Connection’s members worked on the Mainland, on films “Ocean’s 11” and the upcoming “The Last Samurai,” starring Tom Cruise.
The stunt coordinator for local series is Dale Radomski, who has worked as a stuntman on television shows including “Raven” and “Jake and the Fatman,” and in feature films including “Picture Bride” and “Pearl Harbor.”
Most recently, Radomski served as a stuntman on the television show, “The Break.” He also served as stunt coordinator for the feature film, “Race the Sun,” and various independent local films projects.
The producers are always looking for prospective investors for this “ultra-low-budget, ambitious production,” Yamasato said. For sponsorship inquires, please contact Yamasato, 651-5016, or mailto:Ayamasato@aol.com.
On the Net: “Blood of the Samurai:” http://www.bloodofthesamurai.com Alicia Michioka: http://www.aliciamichiokahawaiiusa.com. Egan Inoue: http://www.grapplingunlimited.net.
