Aloha All,
Can't believe it's been 3 years since I've posted but I no longer seem to be in the film or TV business even after becoming the first person from Hawaii to enter the ADG (Art Directors Guild). I'm afraid the business has returned to the pre-Magnum days of bringing in all department heads (and even many assistants) from L.A. I rose to too high up the ladder to be considered, apparently, for any job.
Well, this isn't about me, it's that this article just appeared on my Facebook page and is not good:
https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2018/04/02/hawaii-home-made-famous-by-magnum-p-i-slated-to.html
I had been considering a posting since a few of you have inquired if I will having anything to do with the "new" Magnum, and my opening paragraph will answer that for you.
I am currently finishing my first season as the Prop Master for Hawaii Opera Theatre which is a return to my original theatre roots--however not in my former capacity as a lighting and set designer. I really am enjoying the position, although it is only 5 months of work a year, unemployment compensation only lasts 6!
Still working on my historic home which turned 90 last year and I celebrated with a big birthday party for it. Now with my "new" roof from 1986 leaking, I can understand the frustrations of the owners of the historic Anderson property. Although mine is older and built on boulders that go into a stream, it is not the ocean with the corrosive salt air. Many people don't realize that ocean front homes here even have to replace their electronics every few years. In the case of a home that is built from reinforced concrete and stone using iron rebar, there is little that can be done to stop the internal crumbling (spalling). Her beautiful wrought iron stair railing looked like it had been eaten by acid even decades ago.
When the house first sold, the local CBS news station called me to ask some questions about filming there. They were not aware that none of the show was ever filmed inside the house--Eve actually forbid anyone going inside other than me and my crew to place ferns and chairs on the 2nd floor lanai that faced the courtyard below. Funny how many people still think we filmed the series' interiors there.
As far as the new Magnum show, it is the same producer / writer (showrunner) used for the new "5-0" as well as the new "McGyver." What concerns me about the new "Magnum" is the show being tied to the 80's as much as it was to Tom Selleck. Since neither are available, the show will be updated for the audience who they expect will watch it. We are no longer in that age group. As someone once told me, "Episodic TV is just filler between commercials." Crass as that may be, it is true. The show's success will be determined by viewership of the key demographic age group and that will determine what the advertising rates will be for commercials appearing during it's hour. Our watching or not watching will not affect the show. Higgin's is now a woman. Magnum will not have a mustache. The 80's are over.
Mahalo for your interest over the years,
Rick Romer
