NOW ON THE HOT SEAT: Georja Skinner, director of DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division
July 16th, 2008 by Jeanne Mariani-BeldingAs director of the state’s Creative Industries Division, Georja Skinner oversees the state’s film office and its arts and culture branch. She is also responsible for the Creative Academies — a partnership between state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College and Department of Education modeled after STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academies, with a focus on digital media, animation, game development, and similar areas.
Georja willl answer your questions on these programs and more today on the Hot Seat from noon to 1 p.m.
Just a reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Please keep your questions concise and on point so that we can get to as many questions as possible; and keep it civil, no personal attacks please.
Ready? Let’s chat.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Let’s get started with this question sent via e-mail from Diana:
So what’s been happening with the film industry here. Anything besides “Lost” ? Where does local talent come in?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
What exactly is the Creative Industries Division? What do you focus on? What exactly are your goals there?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Diana
So what’s been happening with the film industry here. Anything besides “Lost” ? Where does local talent come in?
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Aloha Diana, thank you for your question because you are asking about one of the most important aspects of our creative industries mission - to develop our local film and digital media industries.
“Lost” has provided opportunities for our local industry including employment as well as internships as part of the Academy of Creative Media program at the University.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Any new programs on the horizon to get more films here?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Lan:
What exactly is the Creative Industries Division? What do you focus on? What exactly are your goals there?
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Thanks Lan glad you asked. Established in 2003, The Creative Industries Division (CID) promotes the growth of, and works as a business advocate for, the film, video and digital media production industry and the diverse artistic and cultural resources of Hawaii by supporting and implementing programs, projects, and activities that result in: (1) an internationally recognized and self-sustaining cinema, television and digital arts industry; and (2) an arts and culture industry that is a vibrant and sustainable sector of Hawaii’s economy.
To promote, accelerate and advocate for the growth of Hawai’i’s creative industries resulting in a vibrant, internationally recognized, self-sustaining sector of Hawai’i’s economy.
Hawaii’s creative industries represent a 28,000 strong broad spectrum of talented passionate individuals and companies with the potential to transform our economy, education models, launch new industries, and innovate across a number of non-creative based industries.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Here’s another one sent in from Joshua:
I understand that you work with the STEM academies? What’s your role there and can you explain the scope of this program on the state level
July 16th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
To what extent does the budget for Creative Industries cover all your activities and meet the goals of dvelopment of tourism in the Islands?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Lisa:
July 16th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Any new programs on the horizon to get more films here?
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Aloha Lisa, Yes, on July 1, 2006, the Act 88 refundable tax credit became effective in Hawaii. The credit, which gives a 15% refund on qualified production costs incurred on Oahu and a 20% refund on the neighbor islands to eligible productions, immediately had an enormous impact in production in the state. In 2007, the incentive’s first full year, every county in the state played host to a major feature film shoot (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on the Big Island, Tropic Thunder on Kauai, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End on Maui, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Oahu), and that’s in addition to a hit TV show in Lost. Hawaii boasted a record year in 2007 with more than $200 million in production related spend, in large part due to Act 88.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Aloha, how much money do you think has been generated or brought into Hawaii because of the film tax credit? Is it helping?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
July 16th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Here’s another one sent in by Joshua:
I understand that you work with the STEM academies? What’s your role there and can you explain the scope of this program on the state level
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Thank you Joshua, and STEM learning is a critical area to the development of our innovation economy. I’m excited about these programs in our schools, including FIRST robotics and our new initiative Creativity Academies in partnership with UHCC/KCC, DOE/CTE and Industry. We’re also working on a curriculum pathway for students in middle and high school to learn STEM skills through the creative applications of animation, game development and creative writing.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Here’s one sent in earlier from Greg:
I keep hearing about diversifying the economy, and the push for science and technology education to prepare for higher paying jobs. But in reality, these are small companies, are they not? Can you tell us how many of these jobs are actually out there?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Meheroo Jussawalla:
July 16th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
To what extent does the budget for Creative Industries cover all your activities and meet the goals of dvelopment of tourism in the Islands?
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Thank you Meheroo. Given the trends nationally along with the state’s economy it will be a challenge for all of us, which is why we have built strategic partnerships with key creative and visitor industries, reaching out to existing music and creativity programs that complement our tourism initiatives.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Tina:
July 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Aloha, how much money do you think has been generated or brought into Hawaii because of the film tax credit? Is it helping?
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Absolutely. Act 88 has proven to grow our annual revenues and generated enormous production activity as witnessed by our record year in the tax credit’s first year of existence. In 2007 we reached $200 million in production related spend, in large part due to Act 88. This has also helped to put Hawaii on par with the severe competition throughout the U.S. and foreign countries.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
And here’s one from Delia in Kaimuki:
Considering the terrible state of the economy, can you explain why the state should be concerned with “Creative Industries”? What exactly is your budget and how many staff do you have? Is this a question of need to have, versus nice to have?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
In terms of films and location, who are we in direct competition with?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
July 16th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Here’s one sent in earlier from Greg:
I keep hearing about diversifying the economy, and the push for science and technology education to prepare for higher paying jobs. But in reality, these are small companies, are they not? Can you tell us how many of these jobs are actually out there?
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Thanks Greg for your question . We remain convinced that the future of Hawaii’s business development will be in innovation/science and technology related fields.
Hawaii’s economic policies are shifting toward developing its human resources through its innovation capacity. Studies reveal that Hawaii students experience a sharp decline and interest in math and science, particularly after sixth grade, signaling a need to find new ways to engage young minds in the core skills needed to develop innovative businesses or find high paying jobs in the twenty-first century.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
With all the focus on STEM in schools, is there something in place to bridge the socio-economic gap between students who have and those who don’t?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
July 16th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
And here’s one from Delia in Kaimuki:
Considering the terrible state of the economy, can you explain why the state should be concerned with “Creative Industries”? What exactly is your budget and how many staff do you have? Is this a question of need to have, versus nice to have?
______________________________________________
Thank you Delia.
Creative Industries are the heart and soul of any community which is why so many states across America and other countries have made the development of their creative sectors a key component of their economic strategies.
Creative industries are a set of interlocking sectors that focus on the creation of intellectual property and are at the forefront of innovation and the global economy.
There are also industries that provide creative occupations in non creative industries such as construction, retail, health care to name a few. What’s important to us in CID is to advocate and accerlate the growth of our core industries in Hawaii, particularly music, literary arts, visual arts and film and digital media. Today’s vast technological changes in how we communicate, receive information and entertainment put Hawaii at a distinct advantage.
According to a study by DBEDT’s Research and Economic Analysis Division in 2005, 28,884 people represent the core of Hawaii’s creative industry sectors, increasing by 7.4% since 2002. Our goal is to increase this workforce through assessing Hawaii’s creative industry potential against the global market landscape, activating strategic partnerships in key industries such as music, film, digital media and literary arts, cultivating capacity through education and workforce development initiatives, and accerlating the export of creative goods and services via traditional and new media.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Just following up on Delia’s question, what exactly is your budget?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Jo:
July 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
In terms of films and location, who are we in direct competition with?
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Thank you Jo,
Globally we compete with countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, and others. In the U.S. New Mexico, Lousiana, have agressive incentives in place to attract film and television production to their locales which is why Hawaii’s incentive is critical to our ability to draw major and indie productions.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Here’s another one sent in from Kekona:
Why not develop our own film industry instead of trying to lure mainland companies with tax breaks? Wouldn’t that bring far more jobs and money here? How many jobs are directly tied to the film industry here now, and what are they?
July 16th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Debra:
July 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
With all the focus on STEM in schools, is there something in place to bridge the socio-economic gap between students who have and those who don’t?
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Thank you Debra and you are bringing up a key focus of why we’ve initiated the Creativity Academies program to reach a broad spectrum of students and provide access to learning the core skills of science and math and engineerging via technology in the creative arts. Projects such as the work with Kapiolani Community College and Palolo learning center, or the work being done in Waianae are addressing these areas you mention.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
What’s your position on rail? Do you think it will help the economy as a whole? Could provide another back drop for films maybe.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Tina:
July 16th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Just following up on Delia’s question, what exactly is your budget?
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Thanks Tina. We are currently working with a bi-ennium budget of just over $2M to support this important sector of Hawaii’s economy. Given the recent revenue projections however, this number may be adjusted.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
And here’s one sent via e-mail from Makiki Mike:
Simple questions for Ms. Skinner. What are her top three goals? And how will achieving these goals benefit the people of Hawaii and our economy?
I realize this is a political appointment, but what is her area of expertise/qualifications, what did she do before this?
July 16th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
July 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Here’s another one sent in from Kekona:
Why not develop our own film industry instead of trying to lure mainland companies with tax breaks? Wouldn’t that bring far more jobs and money here? How many jobs are directly tied to the film industry here now, and what are they?
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Thanks Kekona. It’s important to keep in mind that off shore productions often employ local members of the industry offer training opportunities. This is vital to the growth and development of our local industry to be able to work with these productions. Our credits also integrate a workforce development component that allows for internships. Also it’s important to note that many local independent filmmakers have also taken advantage of the tax credits which is critical to supporting their development.
Workforce in the film, digital media and television industries represent a significant number of the creative sector of our economy. For example, in a recent study of Hawaii’s creative industry, of the 634 payroll establishments motion picture and sound recording 26% of the sector.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Sorry, folks, we’re out of time. Thanks for participating in today’s Hot Seat — a special thanks to Georja Skinner, for taking the time to answer questions from our readers. Georja has graciously agreed to sty on for a few minutes to answer the remaining two questions that landed within the hour.
Thanks, Georja!
Be sure to watch for excerpts of this Hot Seat session in this Sunday’s Focus section of The Advertiser.
Our next guest will provide an inside look at Hawaii’s real estate market, and field your questions. Watch this spot to see who is up next, on the Hot Seat .
July 16th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Liz:
July 16th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
What’s your position on rail? Do you think it will help the economy as a whole? Could provide another back drop for films maybe.
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Aloha Liz,
Thanks for the question but rail is really a city issue and not part of our kuleana.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
July 16th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
And here’s one sent via e-mail from Makiki Mike:
Simple questions for Ms. Skinner. What are her top three goals? And how will achieving these goals benefit the people of Hawaii and our economy?
I realize this is a political appointment, but what is her area of expertise/qualifications, what did she do before this?
___________________________________________
Aloha Makiki Mike and thanks for your question. First, to clarify, the Creative Industries administrator is a civil service position, not appointed position. Our team’s focus is to develop our arts, film, entertainment and new media sectors to grow a vibrant, internationally recognized, self-sustaining sector of Hawai’i’s economy.
Key to the development of all these core creative industries is to cultivate our capcity by activating strategic partnerships and developing initiatives that deliver tangible results in terms of high paying jobs.
For example, In 2005 creative industry sectors represented 2.7% of the States total output, 3.4% of the State’s total earnings and 3.5% of State’s total jobs.
As a past film commissioner, author, artist, small business owner, this opportunity to lead a division of dedicated public servants culminates 25 years of experience that I bring to this position in the music, recording, production, arts and digital media industries. I love what I do and am privileged to be given this opportunity to help grow and export Hawaii’s tremendous creative talent.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Thank you very much for the questions and lively dialogue today. I hope you will follow the progress of our department and division. We welcome your input and ideas and looking forward to hearing from you. Please contact me at gskinner@dbedt.hawaii.gov. Mahalo and Aloha, Georja.
July 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
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