LIHUE — After more than three years in the making, Kauai Made Films is putting out a casting call for the first full-length feature film, fully made on Kauai, by Kauai people. Hosted at Kapaa Courtyard Marriott on Sept. 10,
LIHUE — After more than three years in the making, Kauai Made Films is putting out a casting call for the first full-length feature film, fully made on Kauai, by Kauai people.
Hosted at Kapaa Courtyard Marriott on Sept. 10, the first round of auditions for the film “Too Much Life” will begin at 8 a.m. and will run all day.
Everyone is welcome to audition — both keiki and adults — as there are about 30 parts from multiple age groups to cast. The film is about teenagers living on Kauai and questions the role of social media in modern life.
“We want to cast as many Kauai people as possible, so we need everyone to come out and audition,” said Edwin Sawyer, who is directing the film with Eliott Lucas.
Walk-ins will be accepted for auditions at the Courtyard Marriott, but organizers recommend signing up for a specific time slot on the Kauai Made Films website to limit wait times.
The film’s concept began in 2010 when Sawyer teamed up with some high school students on Kauai who were inspired to create movie magic.
Together they created AboveMoon Films, which became Kauai Film Academy and is now Kauai Made Films.
While the organization has gone through several names, the goal has been the same and those involved have created more than 100 videos of various lengths since 2010. Most are about five to 10 minutes in length, with several longer films such as “What’s not said” and the documentary “Still Serving,” already released.
The film school averages about 40-50 kids per semester, ages 12-17, and instructors provide guidance in the areas of graphic design, camera work, recording and mixing, acting and scriptwriting.
All that work is building toward the goal of making a Kauai-produced film with a level of quality that will compete in feature film markets.
And the goal is to continue the forward movement once “Too Much Life” has been made.
“Making this film is just the beginning,” Sawyer said. “This will change the game and show everyone that it’s possible for Kauai to be more than a backdrop for the filmmaking industry.”
He continued: “It’s time to give Kauai a speaking role.”
In addition to auditioning for the movie, Kauai Made Films is also looking for donations toward the making of the film and have started a kickstarter crowdfunding campaign with the goal of $100,000.
The campaign ends Oct. 8. Nearly $20,000 toward that goal has been pledged.
“We’re really looking for as much support as we can get for this,” Lucas said.
Donate at kauaimadefilms.com/kickstarter
