Production Collaboration from Island to Island
The production and creative team at Twiddle productions Inc. in Honolulu, Hawaii worked hand in hand with the DOE Chamorro Studies department in Guam as well as cultural and language experts. They also contracted and worked with Kahmeleon productions in Guam to produce the live action segments of the film.
Guam Premiere Screenings
For one week in Dec on the island of Guam we screened Maisa throughout the DOE school system and did several public screenings at the University of Guam. The public response was overwhelmingly positive with a deep appreciation of seeing the Chamoru language in a way never seen before. Students of all ages honed in on the message of bravery, working together, cultural identity and an understanding of not being afraid of and respecting the Chamoru ancestors which are called the Taotaomonas. At the private cast and crew screening we audience as treated to a special gift of chanting and screening from a local cultural group in Guam.
Working with Local Chamorro Talent
Many times films of a cultural nature tend to use actors and talent which in no way resemble the culture that is being represented in the film. With this in mind we felt It was important to make sure that this film was true and authentic to its subject matter. Working with the Chamorro Studies in Guam we conducted an extensive search for both voice talent and actors within the local community and the Guam Department of education and found an amazing group of talented actors for each role.
We also created a cultural animation art program entitled "Haligi". The Haligi project was launched in 2014 and we trained 21high school students in Guam and taught them to create backgrounds for animation. Specifically they created backgrounds and panted characters for the Chamorro creation story at the beginning of the film as well various village scenes. The Haligi program was housed at Guam community College Viscom class for two weeks.
Bringing an endangered language to life
One of the main goals of creating this project was to highlight the original indigenous language of Guam which is called Chamorro. In 2000 the Spanish Census showed that fewer than 20% of Chamorros living in Guam speak their native language fluently and a vast majority were over the age of 55. Working with Chamorro cultural and language experts in Guam we decided to highlight as much of the pre contact language as was possible and consciously removed all the Spanish and english influenced words for the animated section of the film.
Funding
The production of this film was100% Federally Funded by US Department of Education Consolidated Grant, Title V Part A.
The production and creative team at Twiddle productions Inc. in Honolulu, Hawaii worked hand in hand with the DOE Chamorro Studies department in Guam as well as cultural and language experts. They also contracted and worked with Kahmeleon productions in Guam to produce the live action segments of the film.
Guam Premiere Screenings
For one week in Dec on the island of Guam we screened Maisa throughout the DOE school system and did several public screenings at the University of Guam. The public response was overwhelmingly positive with a deep appreciation of seeing the Chamoru language in a way never seen before. Students of all ages honed in on the message of bravery, working together, cultural identity and an understanding of not being afraid of and respecting the Chamoru ancestors which are called the Taotaomonas. At the private cast and crew screening we audience as treated to a special gift of chanting and screening from a local cultural group in Guam.
Working with Local Chamorro Talent
Many times films of a cultural nature tend to use actors and talent which in no way resemble the culture that is being represented in the film. With this in mind we felt It was important to make sure that this film was true and authentic to its subject matter. Working with the Chamorro Studies in Guam we conducted an extensive search for both voice talent and actors within the local community and the Guam Department of education and found an amazing group of talented actors for each role.
We also created a cultural animation art program entitled "Haligi". The Haligi project was launched in 2014 and we trained 21high school students in Guam and taught them to create backgrounds for animation. Specifically they created backgrounds and panted characters for the Chamorro creation story at the beginning of the film as well various village scenes. The Haligi program was housed at Guam community College Viscom class for two weeks.
Bringing an endangered language to life
One of the main goals of creating this project was to highlight the original indigenous language of Guam which is called Chamorro. In 2000 the Spanish Census showed that fewer than 20% of Chamorros living in Guam speak their native language fluently and a vast majority were over the age of 55. Working with Chamorro cultural and language experts in Guam we decided to highlight as much of the pre contact language as was possible and consciously removed all the Spanish and english influenced words for the animated section of the film.
Funding
The production of this film was100% Federally Funded by US Department of Education Consolidated Grant, Title V Part A.
Meet the Production Team
Michael Q. Ceballos
CEO/ Founder/ Director/ Executive Producer/Art Director
Twiddle Productions is headed up by Michael Q. Ceballos, a veteran of the animation and game industries, with over 20 years of experience under his belt. Among his many diverse projects, there are a few notable highlights. At Nickelodeon, he honed his skills on the cult hit, The Angry Beavers, as lead character designer and supervisor. He also worked with legendary film producer Robert Evans, who produced, The Godfather and Chinatown, on his animated biographic show for comedy central, Kid Notorious.
In 2005 Mr. Ceballos relocated to Hawai‘i where he art directed and cowrote two RPG educational games for struggling 4th grade readers at PREL in Honolulu, entitled Cosmos Chaos!™ for the Nintendo DS system. More recently he completed a project of his own design entitled E Ho‘omau!. Mr. Ceballos served as the creative visionary, producer and animation director. He led a team of both new and seasoned artists and animators and student artists to create visually rich, animated versions of traditional Hawaiian stories. In addition to his artistic duties on E Ho‘omau!, he also was responsible for writing storylines, screenplays, and designed the program’s 12 science books and 3 graphic novels. All three Animated films were highlighted extensively throughout 2011 and 2013 by both the Hawaii International Film Festival, Ohina film festival, Honolulu Academy, Kids First Film Festival, and The Smithsonian's Hawaiian Festival in NYC 2013. In 2011 his film “Why Māui snared the Sun” won best animation at the “Guam International Film Festival”. While in Guam Mr. Ceballos also toured a handful of schools and presented “Māui” to over 5,000 Elementary and High schools students.
CEO/ Founder/ Director/ Executive Producer/Art Director
Twiddle Productions is headed up by Michael Q. Ceballos, a veteran of the animation and game industries, with over 20 years of experience under his belt. Among his many diverse projects, there are a few notable highlights. At Nickelodeon, he honed his skills on the cult hit, The Angry Beavers, as lead character designer and supervisor. He also worked with legendary film producer Robert Evans, who produced, The Godfather and Chinatown, on his animated biographic show for comedy central, Kid Notorious.
In 2005 Mr. Ceballos relocated to Hawai‘i where he art directed and cowrote two RPG educational games for struggling 4th grade readers at PREL in Honolulu, entitled Cosmos Chaos!™ for the Nintendo DS system. More recently he completed a project of his own design entitled E Ho‘omau!. Mr. Ceballos served as the creative visionary, producer and animation director. He led a team of both new and seasoned artists and animators and student artists to create visually rich, animated versions of traditional Hawaiian stories. In addition to his artistic duties on E Ho‘omau!, he also was responsible for writing storylines, screenplays, and designed the program’s 12 science books and 3 graphic novels. All three Animated films were highlighted extensively throughout 2011 and 2013 by both the Hawaii International Film Festival, Ohina film festival, Honolulu Academy, Kids First Film Festival, and The Smithsonian's Hawaiian Festival in NYC 2013. In 2011 his film “Why Māui snared the Sun” won best animation at the “Guam International Film Festival”. While in Guam Mr. Ceballos also toured a handful of schools and presented “Māui” to over 5,000 Elementary and High schools students.
TY Robinson
Ty was born and raised in Hawaii and has worked in the computer animation and video game industries for 15 years. He worked for such companies as Sun Microsystems, Lucas Digital Entertainment, and Konami Computer Entertainment, among others. Ty has shipped highly successful titles such as Star Wars Star Fighter, Dance Dance Revolution, TMNT and ESPN Extreme Skateboarding, for a variety of platforms, including PC, XBOX, PS2, XBOX 360 and the Nintendo GBA/ DS. In 2006 Ty joined Aloha Island Inc. as a producer, and produced two educational games for the Nintendo DS platform. These games proved not only that games were a viable educational tool, but that education and entertainment could be successfully combined to make a viable product. Ty also ran his own video game company, 808 Interactive, which specialized in online
game development for the Asia region, serving clients such as Sanrio and Outblaze. 808 Interactive primarily specialized in Software Engineering services and worked on a variety of titles including large MMO’s. Ty attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco CA, with an emphasis on Computer Animation and Film, andProducer/Writer holds an MBA
degree from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
Ty was born and raised in Hawaii and has worked in the computer animation and video game industries for 15 years. He worked for such companies as Sun Microsystems, Lucas Digital Entertainment, and Konami Computer Entertainment, among others. Ty has shipped highly successful titles such as Star Wars Star Fighter, Dance Dance Revolution, TMNT and ESPN Extreme Skateboarding, for a variety of platforms, including PC, XBOX, PS2, XBOX 360 and the Nintendo GBA/ DS. In 2006 Ty joined Aloha Island Inc. as a producer, and produced two educational games for the Nintendo DS platform. These games proved not only that games were a viable educational tool, but that education and entertainment could be successfully combined to make a viable product. Ty also ran his own video game company, 808 Interactive, which specialized in online
game development for the Asia region, serving clients such as Sanrio and Outblaze. 808 Interactive primarily specialized in Software Engineering services and worked on a variety of titles including large MMO’s. Ty attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco CA, with an emphasis on Computer Animation and Film, andProducer/Writer holds an MBA
degree from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Concept Artist/Art Director/ Storyboards/ Backgrounds
Mr. Matthew Kawika Ortiz is a Hawaiʻi-based artist who specializes in storyboards, illustration, graphic design,and printmaking. Mr. Ortiz recently illustrated the childrenʼs book Mohala Mai ʻo Hau, which was awarded the bronze medal for the 2010 international Moonbeam Childrenʼs Book Awards and a Ka Palapala Poʻokela award nominee. Mr. Ortiz started out his career interning and creating conceptual art for the Warner Brothers feature film Superman Returns, he also storyboarded for all three “E Hoʻomau!” films and is recently completed background designs on Twiddle Productions “Ola Nā Iwi: Hāloa short animated flm.
Concept Artist/Art Director/ Storyboards/ Backgrounds
Mr. Matthew Kawika Ortiz is a Hawaiʻi-based artist who specializes in storyboards, illustration, graphic design,and printmaking. Mr. Ortiz recently illustrated the childrenʼs book Mohala Mai ʻo Hau, which was awarded the bronze medal for the 2010 international Moonbeam Childrenʼs Book Awards and a Ka Palapala Poʻokela award nominee. Mr. Ortiz started out his career interning and creating conceptual art for the Warner Brothers feature film Superman Returns, he also storyboarded for all three “E Hoʻomau!” films and is recently completed background designs on Twiddle Productions “Ola Nā Iwi: Hāloa short animated flm.
Rufina Mendiola
Executive Producer/Writer
Mrs. Mendiola is the current Administrator for the Chamoru Studies & Special Projects Division for the Guam Department of Education. She is also a language expert and educator and has continuously taught the Chamoru Language in the Guam Public School System and at the University of Guam for the past 35 years. Mrs. Mendiola has also previously produced a Documentary DVD under the Fino’ Håya Indigenous Language and is also an author of 4 books. Most recently she has written a children’s book which was published for the 12th Festival of the Pacific Arts 2016.
Executive Producer/Writer
Mrs. Mendiola is the current Administrator for the Chamoru Studies & Special Projects Division for the Guam Department of Education. She is also a language expert and educator and has continuously taught the Chamoru Language in the Guam Public School System and at the University of Guam for the past 35 years. Mrs. Mendiola has also previously produced a Documentary DVD under the Fino’ Håya Indigenous Language and is also an author of 4 books. Most recently she has written a children’s book which was published for the 12th Festival of the Pacific Arts 2016.
Ronald T. Laguaña
Executive Producer/Writer
Retired head of Chamorro studies and Lead Project Director for the grant in the production of Guam's first Chamoru language and culture animated film. Mr. Laguna is also a Chamoru Rights Activist, Spiritual leader (Makanna Mattao), Chamoru Chanter, Curriculum writer/author.
Executive Producer/Writer
Retired head of Chamorro studies and Lead Project Director for the grant in the production of Guam's first Chamoru language and culture animated film. Mr. Laguna is also a Chamoru Rights Activist, Spiritual leader (Makanna Mattao), Chamoru Chanter, Curriculum writer/author.
Jimmy S. Teria
Executive Producer/Writer
Sinot Jimmy Såntos Teria is married to Doreen Yatar Teria and they have three beautiful children. He is the son of the late Annie Såntos Teria, of the Familian Båli Tres yan Chabok clans and Rogelio V. Teria. He is the School Program Consultant for the Chamoru Studies & Special Projects Division within the Guam Department of Education, He has been an advocate for Chamoru language revitalization for over 20 years. Through this time he has educated thousands of students in the Guam public school system and is currently a lecturer of Chamoru at the Guam Community College. Sinot Teria is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in indigenous language and culture revitalization at the University of Hawaii in Hilo.
Executive Producer/Writer
Sinot Jimmy Såntos Teria is married to Doreen Yatar Teria and they have three beautiful children. He is the son of the late Annie Såntos Teria, of the Familian Båli Tres yan Chabok clans and Rogelio V. Teria. He is the School Program Consultant for the Chamoru Studies & Special Projects Division within the Guam Department of Education, He has been an advocate for Chamoru language revitalization for over 20 years. Through this time he has educated thousands of students in the Guam public school system and is currently a lecturer of Chamoru at the Guam Community College. Sinot Teria is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in indigenous language and culture revitalization at the University of Hawaii in Hilo.
Toni Ramirez
Cultural Advisor/Writer
I am Malia A. Ramirez. I am CHamoru, the indigenous people of Guahan and the Mariana Islands. Born in 1951 and shortly after World War II. Much of my earliest CHamoru historical and cultural knowledge were learned at home. Due the formal American Educational Curriculum on Guam in my time, CHamoru History, Language and Culture were not taught or learned in school. I now realize the Educational System then was the seed of the fast-pace Americanization of the CHamoru, my generation. Since I could remember,I had the passion of my CHamoru identity. Blessed with parents who ensured that I knew my heritage, they nurtured my desire. Through their influence, I pursued my knowledge of CHamoru cultural heritage and cultural values through the "CHamoru Saina" (Chamorro Elders). In the CHamoru language, the attempt is defined in one word. The word is "Ekunguk" (Listen). For over fifty (50), I listened and wrote the voices of the "Saina." I wrote one of the first accounts on CHamoru Genealogy and CHamoru proverbs, titled, "Los Ehemplus CHamorritus." My research on CHamoru Family Histories titled, "La Sangri Yama" (The Blood Calls), was displayed beyond Guam. The exhibit was brought to Sa'ipan, Tini'an, Rota and Los Angeles. After completing my college years in 1973, with a BA degree in Anthropology with emphasis on Micronesian Studies at the University of Guam, I furthered my education by attending other institutions in the United States. Despite this academic pursuit, I knew I was against time. If I did not focus my studies through oral historiesm of the "CHamoru Saina", their knowledge would be lost. Thus for over fifty (50) years, I have accumulated CHamoru historical and cultural accounts yet known by most. In other words, these accounts are not written. In summary and in two words, I am a "Traditional Scholar" rather than an "Academic Scholar." I was schooled by the "CHamoru Saina." Through my outreach programs, I have produced several traveling Photographic Exhibits on different subjects ranging from CHamoru Family Histories, Chamoru-Japanese Ancestries, SMS Cormoran, Hagatna Agana), I Banderan Guahan (The Guam Flag), CHamorun Yap Chamorros of Yap), CHamoru Folklore and Familian Notti Marianas (Northern Mariana Islands Family Histories). A lifetime of dedication, I have reached so many of my CHamoru Heritage of the Mariana Islands. Si Yu'us Ma’asi’
Cultural Advisor/Writer
I am Malia A. Ramirez. I am CHamoru, the indigenous people of Guahan and the Mariana Islands. Born in 1951 and shortly after World War II. Much of my earliest CHamoru historical and cultural knowledge were learned at home. Due the formal American Educational Curriculum on Guam in my time, CHamoru History, Language and Culture were not taught or learned in school. I now realize the Educational System then was the seed of the fast-pace Americanization of the CHamoru, my generation. Since I could remember,I had the passion of my CHamoru identity. Blessed with parents who ensured that I knew my heritage, they nurtured my desire. Through their influence, I pursued my knowledge of CHamoru cultural heritage and cultural values through the "CHamoru Saina" (Chamorro Elders). In the CHamoru language, the attempt is defined in one word. The word is "Ekunguk" (Listen). For over fifty (50), I listened and wrote the voices of the "Saina." I wrote one of the first accounts on CHamoru Genealogy and CHamoru proverbs, titled, "Los Ehemplus CHamorritus." My research on CHamoru Family Histories titled, "La Sangri Yama" (The Blood Calls), was displayed beyond Guam. The exhibit was brought to Sa'ipan, Tini'an, Rota and Los Angeles. After completing my college years in 1973, with a BA degree in Anthropology with emphasis on Micronesian Studies at the University of Guam, I furthered my education by attending other institutions in the United States. Despite this academic pursuit, I knew I was against time. If I did not focus my studies through oral historiesm of the "CHamoru Saina", their knowledge would be lost. Thus for over fifty (50) years, I have accumulated CHamoru historical and cultural accounts yet known by most. In other words, these accounts are not written. In summary and in two words, I am a "Traditional Scholar" rather than an "Academic Scholar." I was schooled by the "CHamoru Saina." Through my outreach programs, I have produced several traveling Photographic Exhibits on different subjects ranging from CHamoru Family Histories, Chamoru-Japanese Ancestries, SMS Cormoran, Hagatna Agana), I Banderan Guahan (The Guam Flag), CHamorun Yap Chamorros of Yap), CHamoru Folklore and Familian Notti Marianas (Northern Mariana Islands Family Histories). A lifetime of dedication, I have reached so many of my CHamoru Heritage of the Mariana Islands. Si Yu'us Ma’asi’
Brian Watanabe
Screenplay
Brian Watanabe is the screenwriter of "The Rogues Gallery," which went on to become the cult film "Operation: Endgame" starring Ellen Barkin, Maggie Q and Zach Galifianakis. He's developed scripts for production companies at Fox and Sony. Brian is also an award-winning advertising copywriter living in Hawaii.
Screenplay
Brian Watanabe is the screenwriter of "The Rogues Gallery," which went on to become the cult film "Operation: Endgame" starring Ellen Barkin, Maggie Q and Zach Galifianakis. He's developed scripts for production companies at Fox and Sony. Brian is also an award-winning advertising copywriter living in Hawaii.
Cherise Takiguchi
Animator
Cherise is a Hawai'i-based artist and animator who’s work can be seen in many diverse projects such as the Universal Studios 3D Ride "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem", and the 3D animated Looney Tunes short, "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat”, “Veggie Tales”, and the Discovery Channels “Dinosaur Revolution”Cherise has also taught animation at Kapi'olani Community College and 'Iolani School.
Animator
Cherise is a Hawai'i-based artist and animator who’s work can be seen in many diverse projects such as the Universal Studios 3D Ride "Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem", and the 3D animated Looney Tunes short, "I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat”, “Veggie Tales”, and the Discovery Channels “Dinosaur Revolution”Cherise has also taught animation at Kapi'olani Community College and 'Iolani School.
Kai Lono
Animator/Compositor
Kai Lono started his career out of high school in animation as a intern on the E Hoomau Hawaiian legend animated project. He soon became the Background lead and set the Background style for E Hoomau: The Menehune and The Birds which screens locally at HIFF and festivals across the country. In addition to his background in animation, Kai is also a musician and illustrator.
Animator/Compositor
Kai Lono started his career out of high school in animation as a intern on the E Hoomau Hawaiian legend animated project. He soon became the Background lead and set the Background style for E Hoomau: The Menehune and The Birds which screens locally at HIFF and festivals across the country. In addition to his background in animation, Kai is also a musician and illustrator.
Chadwick Shimomura
Live Action Line Producer
Chadwick was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and is a double major graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Academy For Creative Media in both Film production and American History. Mr Shimomura has produced many short films in Hawai’i such as "Yuens Grocery", and "Poison Apple” which won 12 awards at various Film Festivals. He wrote and Directed "The Reason”, as well as Produced "Thuergy for the Soul”, both of which premiered at the 2011 Hawaii International Film Festival. In addition to filmmaking he hosted the Hawai’i based television show “Island Living Tv” and worked as a Master Control Operator at Ion TV. Most recently Chadwick worked as the Line Producer/Production Assistant for the animated short “Maisa the Chamorro Girl who Saves Guahan" and was a Producer for the sock puppet based pilot “Asockalypse!” both of which were produced at Twiddle Productions Inc.
Live Action Line Producer
Chadwick was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and is a double major graduate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa Academy For Creative Media in both Film production and American History. Mr Shimomura has produced many short films in Hawai’i such as "Yuens Grocery", and "Poison Apple” which won 12 awards at various Film Festivals. He wrote and Directed "The Reason”, as well as Produced "Thuergy for the Soul”, both of which premiered at the 2011 Hawaii International Film Festival. In addition to filmmaking he hosted the Hawai’i based television show “Island Living Tv” and worked as a Master Control Operator at Ion TV. Most recently Chadwick worked as the Line Producer/Production Assistant for the animated short “Maisa the Chamorro Girl who Saves Guahan" and was a Producer for the sock puppet based pilot “Asockalypse!” both of which were produced at Twiddle Productions Inc.