Jocel Siapno’s take on the day

The popular tv show Hawaii Five-0 shot their upcoming episode, Ka Ho’oponopono at McKinley High School on December 1. McKinley High School was changed into a different school, Ala Moana Academy. The crew of the show consists of 150 to 200 people, according to Erika Kauffman, unit publicist of the show.

The crew filled in many locations around campus: the hallway at the Administration building, the oval and some of classrooms. The Pinion staff got a chance to shadow and talk to the crew of the show. Kauffman guided The Pinion staff and taught them different aspects on how the crew films the show and what kind of job each crew member does.

Among the crew, the journalists got to meet the director, Steve Boyum, and the sound mixer, Walter Anderson. They also got a chance to talk to Lauren German and Scott Caan, some of the main cast of the show. During their shadowing, the journalists were taught some terms used in filming like “last looks,” which means the wardrobe crew will set up the actors before they film a scene. Also, the crew showed them what instruments that they use during their filming such as the boom mics. According to Kauffman, their whole day of shooting, which is consists of 12 to 14 hours, is only equivalent to 5 minutes of the show.

When asked what advice he has for students, Caan answered, “The only thing that you can control is how hard you work so you have to study harder and be more dedicated… For me, the luckiest people are the ones who worked the hardest.”

German added, “Perseverance and you should love what you do.”

Even actors get nervous. German said she gets nervous “all the time,” but she likes that nervousness whenever she’s on her first day on a new job or project.

Coming to McKinley High School reminds Caan and German about their high school life.

“I had a lot of fun (in high school)” said Caan.

German on the other hand said, “I was studious in high school and didn’t have too many friends…It doesn’t really matter if you end up doing something that you love… Don’t do drugs and go to school.”

Caan is known as Danny Williams and German is known as Lori Weston in the show.

The best part of his character, said Caan, is that he is able to put himself into his part and he doesn’t have to do things far from who he is.

German, on the other hand, said it is hard because she is “completely immature, has a sense of humor” and the character that she plays is very “analytical and straight.”

In this episode, Ka Ho’oponopono, the editor of the school newspaper, The Weekly Moana, is up to an evil scheme. The Five-O team goes to Ala Moana Academy to investigate the murder of a student and question one of the victim’s friends, as well as the newspaper editor.

Kelsey David’s take on the day

On December 1st, the cast and crew of Hawaii Five-0 came to McKinley to film Episode 213, Ka Ho’oponopono. The excitement was evident in the air as the cameras rolled. Many students observed from afar as actors Scott Caan and Lauren German acted through the halls of MHS.

The Pinion’s staff got the opportunity to shadow the production process. They traveled from tent to tent, learning about what bits and pieces made an average episode of Hawaii Five-0. They also figured out early in the tour that it was vital to be at their absolute quietest. The “boom” mics picked up everything and anything — especially helicopters and airplanes — so the slightest sound stopped the filming process at the moment. No pictures were allowed to be taken when there was no filming either, so while the actors rested, the staff gobbled up all the information that publicist Erika Kauffman shared with them They learned that each episode are multimillion dollar productions.

Also, everyday of production equals to about 5-7 minutes of air time on TV. Now, it’s a given that everyone that’s part of the production process is important, that the crew is just as important as the cast. But seeing it for themselves was really an exciting experience to undergo. The crew moved quickly and everyone knew what they were doing. Everyone had a purpose and they didn’t stop until they finished their tasks. The staff hovered over several tents as they explained the dynamics of their duties. For example, the wardrobe department has to buy several of the same outfits in case any of them need to be “bloodied up” or if the actor wearing the outfit accidentally spills coffee on it.

Also, there are around 40 extras for each episode, and that they have to blend in or else they’d distract the viewer from the main characters.

The staff also had a chance to speak with Scott Caan and Lauren German.

“It reminds me of my high school days,” said German, on seeing MHS.

Caan mentioned that he had “a lot of fun in high school.”

When we asked her for any advice for those who wish to get into show business, she stated “Just work hard, and don’t give up. It’s really the only way. Be sure to stay in school, though!”

Amanda Muramoto’s take on the day

December 1 wasn’t a regular school day at McKinley High School. Studio cameras and fake prop benches littered the oval. Tents were set up on the field in front of the school. One would think that this scene wasn’t a school, but a Hollywood set right on our campus. This is what our school became–the set for Hawaii Five-O. The episode ‘Ka Ho’oponopono” is shot at MHS.

The storyline for this episode was about the murder of a student, so Hawaii Five-O detectives Danny Williams (Scott Caan) and Lori Weston (Lauren German) investigate Ala Moana Academy. Around MHS, you could see props, like fake plants, benches on the oval, and the most talked about–lockers in A-building.

The lockers especially confused students. “Oh, I thought we were getting new lockers!” said Jessica D’Amato (11).

Sadly, none of the extra prop were permanent.

The Five-O crew, which consists of 25 departments such as sound, special effects, and catering, all come to the filming location with their own tent. Each department was important in the filming to make the episode seem as realistic as possible. Every little detail, from how an actors hair looks to the rolling of his sleeves, can throw the audience off. This is why the presence of all the departments is mandatory.

Not only were the departments necessary, but extras too. Extras are the people you see in the background of a scene. For example, if a scene is shot of two people talking at a mall, all the other shoppers in the background are extras. For this episode, extras walked around campus as Lori and Danny talked. The extras needed certain traits to make this episode seem realistic. They had to look like students, with backpacks and teen-like clothes. If you want to become an extra, go to RachelSuttoncasting.com.