From Billy V
A nice article about SOTB4 night
Sitting in the chair contemplating another successful event: Still in a slight state of euphoria over the World Premiere of Hawaii Five-0, Season 4 First Episode. It was a night of wonderful moments. It was a warmth of knowing that people still appreciate the simple things, while in the middle of a chaotic mess of glitz, cameras, red carpet and screaming fans. An amazing piece of cinematography and film-making all coming together in a special evening.
As always with the Sunset on the Beach (SOTB) events, Janet Maduli is the calm in the storm. It is the same in the realm of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Things will be swirling about like the winds of a hurricane in a circular motion; yet Janet is definitive in what she needs and when she needs it. It helps when you have someone of this mentality in a fluid situation. She is always the person to keep the focus and take care of an occasional irregularity that is usually out of our immediate control.
She works in concert with Erika Kauffman, former Miss Hawaii who has the grace and beauty of a runway model, knowledge of the business to intermix with the different groups of executives and stars and still interact with everyone else that she has to work with. She surrounds herself with a great group of hardworking people, and allows them to use their strengths to put forth the best effort on an event. Smiling and working the PR crowd while always keeping the pulse on whoʻs in transit, what stars are arriving, timing of the red carpet, making sure press and photogs are happy and getting all they need; while making sure network is happy and the still keeping an eye on the crowd and the fans. Balance that with a national recording group and other VIPʻs; it makes for a difficult task that she tackles with outward ease.
Thru Erika; I’ve been able to learn more about red carpet protocol; and I hope I’ve been able to be the perfect emcee, trying to bring more of a Hawaiian sense, more than maybe any other emcee that would be emceeing such a large and impactful event. As a sidenote: It’s also wonderful to be working with someone who also comes from Kona!
These two comrades are important; for without them Iʻm not able to function at my best. With those two in place, there is never a worry about things falling apart or going awry. Itʻs a trust repetoire that develops in working with people you’ve come to know and work with well.
Now to the event itself.
Best smile: Teighlor Grubbs. She looked like she was enjoying herself and although she looked a little shy in the beginning; she was hitting her stride talking to people, signing autographs and enjoying her time back stage and on-stage.
Mr. Confidence: Alex OʻLaughlin. He looked good, smiled and the fans and cameras and said all of the right things on stage. He looks like a person who feels and understands what itʻs like to be here live here; and his first comment was that “weʻre happy that we employ so many Hawaiian families.” Truly Hawaii Five-0 has become a tight knit ohana in itself.
First time meeting Chi McBride. He looked like he wasnʻt sure what to expect, but stepped on to the red carpet and smiled. What a prescence he brings. His height was very apparent out on the red carpet (you could always tell where he was; he never got lost in the crowd as he was at least a head over everyone else). For Chi it looked like all business.
Mr. Reserved: Mark Dacascos: Rather than sit in the VIP section; he sat next to my radio co-host; and everytime he came up on the screen, his body would straighten and he would watch with the same intensity that he played his character on screen. When his scene was done, people were telling “good job, awesome” and he sat and high-fived the crew that was next to him. Very humble and down to earth last night.
Gate Jumpers: Alex and Daniel Dae Kim. The first year Alex was a little cautious. But after that, those are the two you really have to keep track of. Theyʻre not afraid to reach out and let the fans know they appreciate them. Itʻs a constant lesson I tell myself when I watch them. Yes they are making lots of money, doing the craft they love, but they appreciate the people that take the time to enjoy their craft. Itʻs the same with radio and television here in Hawaii. You have to take the time to let those around you know they are appreciated; that we are thankful they listen on the radio or watch on the tv. Itʻs an important lesson for me to teach my 11 year old son too.
Best Entrance: Taylor Wily in the largest shrimp truck I've ever seen. Taylor is using his famous role to enhance his business and brand; he has a shrimp truck that is making damn tasty treats!
Ms. Sexy goes to Michelle Borth. She had a beautiful smile, beaming from side to side; a beautiful dress, she talked with fans, took pictures and looked like she was loving every moment of it. Even in her pictures that evening, her smile just shines thru. Yes she is very sexy and fit, but just her smile alone lit up the red carpet!
Class Act: I have met the most gracious media personality yet. She is not only beautiful, gracious and highly regarded professional amongst her peers; Brooke Anderson of Entertainment Tonight is one of the most down-to-earth media people Iʻve had the pleasure to work with.
Brooke is 7 months hapai; kicked her shoes off to walk in the sand, would do anything to emcee and help the event, loved the leis we gave and took the time to ask what the flower were, where they came from, why the leis werenʻt tied; things that are often just taken for granted. Her daughter is 4; she will soon give birth to a child and has a husband. Iʻm so excited for her and her ohana. True Class Act beyond words. I hope I have the chance to work with her again.
Good to see the Hawaiian 105 KINE crew there: Bruddah Wade is such a foundation of our station; he is the only original member of the crew still on staff. He is our Promotions Director and afternoon personality. He was there with crew on hand including Aaron Mikami and my partner in crime Mele Apana! She was talking story with Brooke Anderson, Mark Dacascos, standing just an arms length away from the Jonas Brothers enjoying the evening.
Good to see the Hawaii News Now Crew too! All crew I’ve worked with at one time or another. Great professionals at their trade working together. Interviews that Keahi and Tannya looked like they were enjoying; I felt bad...a couple of times I had to hurry them to get the talent onto the red carpet.
The Jonas Brothers pretty much stayed in the back; they were rather tired as they had just arrived from New York. They did not interact much with the fans; although I have to admit; this was CBS’s party for H50, perhaps the boys didn’t want to overshadow the crew, or perhaps they were only tired; they stayed in the VIP area much of the night till performance time.
Timing is everything on events like these, and somehow we ended right where we were supposed to be, despite the red carpet area running long. The crowd stayed for the premiere; they stayed for the Jonas Brothers and walked away quite happy. Lots of people still beaming as we headed towards the car.
Special kudos go out to Jay Metzger and Courtney Metzger of Hawaii Media Source Inc. Courtney was not only my personal photog but personal assistant for the last 3 premieres at SOTB and H50 as well as being my assistant at lots of other events. Jay was working the area from all angles last night; Both are wonderful personal close friends who I enjoy working with on MANY occasions.
Sitting in the chair...I have a big smile on my face...and I feel relaxed
