By Denise Aguilar/19 Aug 2024/Comments Off on Get to know the filmmaker: Erica Byers
An interview with the Director of Pidgin Kauai Style, screening at the 2024 Mosaic World Film Festival.
“Pidgin Kauai Style” is a short documentary that explores the distinct dialect and accent differences of Hawaii Creole, also known as “Pidgin,” as spoken on the Island of Kaua’i. The film features four women who candidly discuss regional aspects of the language and share their personal experiences and stories about how speaking Pidgin is a source of pride for them and their community.
1. What drew you to create this film?
The inspiration for Pidgin Kaua’i Style came from a conversation with a friend who was born and raised on Oahu. She grew up speaking Pidgin but said she found it difficult to understand the version spoken on Kaua’i because it sounded so different. This ignited my curiosity, and I started asking people in my community what they knew about the different variations of Pidgin.
As an assignment for one of my classes at the University of Hawaii West Oahu, I had to create a short documentary film. So, I asked four women from my community if they would be willing to engage in a discussion about the Pidgin language they grew up with. They agreed and the rest is history!
2. What does filmmaking mean to you?
Filmmaking is storytelling. Telling stories through film can entertain, educate, and influence people in powerful and transformative ways. I’m not sure how many people my film will reach or how it will be received, but the idea that I can create something with such potential is pretty cool.
3. What advice would you give students or beginners that want to make films?
Just start. Don’t worry about having fancy equipment because those things will come in time. Also, learn how to edit because it will keep costs down and make you a better director.
4. What films do you watch again and again?
Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s just timeless! I notice something new every time I watch it. The last time I watched it, I realized that the mountain in the very first scene is the same one I can see from my lanai! I’m a big fan of Steven Spielberg in general, but nothing beats Raiders…nothing!
