CREATIVE LAB HAWAII ANNOUNCES THE START OF ITS 2017 PROGRAMS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2017

HONOLULU – The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division (CID) kicks off the start of its 2017 Creative Lab Hawaii Programs (CLH) this month.  A new series of weekend bootcamps launches on neighbor islands, starting this weekend with the CLH Transmedia Ideation program on the Garden Isle of Kauai.

“Creative Lab Hawaii’s growing network delivers focused business development opportunities to our neighbor island creative community,” said DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “The unique programs provide progressive mentoring to prepare individuals with the skills and tools necessary to enter the year-long accelerator program.”

“Our Creative Lab Hawaii bootcamps provide opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to develop early stage ideas into products and creative content, alongside industry leaders who donate their time to mentor these individuals,” explained Georja Skinner, division chief, DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and founder of CLH.

Details on the current, fully subscribed programs are as follows:

CLH Transmedia Ideation Weekend (March 11-12, 2017; Kauai Marriott Resort)

In partnership with the Kauai Economic Development Board, County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, DBEDT Creative Industries Division, Kauai Visitors Bureau, and the Marriott Resort Kauai, the CLH Transmedia Ideation Weekend is designed for individuals who have an idea, concept, a fully developed story, script or other content (i.e., a book, a play, a pitch, etc.) who are interested in taking next steps toward getting their property developed, sold or distributed across multiple platforms (i.e., motion pictures, television, games, web-series, publishing, etc.).  The CLH weekend is an intensive, curated, two-day bootcamp designed for 30 creative entrepreneurs who are dedicated to furthering their craft.

For information on this year’s coaches for the Ideation Weekend go to:
creativelab.hawaii.gov/creative-lab-programs/ideation-workshops/.

CLH Writers Immersive Program (March 13-17, 2017; The Modern)

The Writers Immersive is a track for writers in all genres to develop new content for motion pictures and television.  In partnership with the Diversity Program of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) West, the Writers Immersive is designed to empower writers to take their stories and craft to the next level via five-days of intensive coaching on script writing and taking projects to market, followed by a year-long coaching program that supports participants in executing their material via one-on-one and small group coaching.  In addition, three of the most promising participants will be selected by the coaches to participate in networking opportunities with motion picture and television industry leaders in Los Angeles.

For information on this year’s coaches and participants for the Writers Immersive go to: creativelab.hawaii.gov/accelerator-program/immersive-program/writers-immersive/

CLH Ideation Weekend Program on Financing (March 18-19, 2017; The Modern)

The CLH Ideation Weekend Program on Financing is designed for individuals who have a low budget or micro-budget motion picture project and are interested in learning more about what next steps they should take in order to get it financed and distributed.

For information on this year’s coaches for the Ideation Weekend go to:
creativelab.hawaii.gov/creative-lab-programs/ideation-workshops/

CLH Producers Immersive Program (March 20-24, 2017; The Modern)

In partnership with the Producers Guild of America (PGA), the Producers Immersive is a track for producers in all genres to develop new content for motion pictures and television.  The format for the Producers Immersive is similar to the Writers Immersive.  Selected finalists are flown to Los Angeles, where they are exposed to the business of producing.

For information on this year’s coaches and participants for the Producers Immersive go to:
creativelab.hawaii.gov/accelerator-program/immersive-program/producers-immersive/

Admittance to the above programs was competitive and managed by CLH’s Executive Director.  Applicants meeting certain criteria were selected by a review committee consisting of representatives from organizations such as the Diversity Program of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) West and the Producers Guild of America (PGA).

Other public programs/panel discussions which are open and free to the public include the following:

  • Transmedia Panel Discussion; March 11, 2017; 5 – 6 p.m.; Kauai Marriott Resort
  • Writers Panel Discussion; March 15, 2017; 7 – 8 p.m.; The Modern
  • Producing Panel Discussion; March 18, 2017; 5 – 6 p.m.; The Modern
  • Conversation with David Hinojosa; March 22, 2017; 7 – 8 p.m.; The Modern

CLH establishes a pipeline of talent development designed to accelerate the growth of Hawaii’s creative products for global export. Offered in the spring, summer, and/or fall timeframes, CLH is comprised of three components, which create a continuum of development; public programs, ideation weekend bootcamps, and a year-long immersive programs.

Applications are now being accepted for the summer programs for the Web-Series Producers Immersive (June 5-9, 2017) and the Animation Immersive (June 12–16, 2017). 
Deadline to apply for both immersives is March 31, 2017.  To apply, go to: creativelab.hawaii.gov/apply/

About DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism)

DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth.

About CID (Creative Industries Division)

CID, a division within DBEDT, is the state’s lead agency dedicated to advocating for and accelerating the growth of Hawaii’s Creative Economy.  Through initiatives, program development, and strategic partnerships, the division and its branches implements activities to expand the business development, global export and investment capacity of Hawaii’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing, digital and new media industries.

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Media Contacts:

Christine Hirasa
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone: (808) 587-9006
Mobile: (808) 286-9017
Email: [email protected]
Website: dbedt.hawaii.gov