‘Five-0’ star, executives speak with UH students
JASON GENEGABUS / JASON@STARADVERTISER.COM
“Hawaii Five-0” executive producer Peter Lenkov, second from left, responded to a question during a panel discussion at the University of Hawaii at Manoa on Nov. 3 that was moderated by CBS executive vice president of entertainment diversity, inclusion and communications Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, left. They were joined by “Five-0” star Daniel Dae Kim, center, casting director Rachel Sutton and co-executive producer Bryan Spicer, right.
As “Hawaii Five-0” executive producer Peter Lenkov gets ready to start filming the 156th episode of the hit CBS television show on Oahu this week, he’s simultaneously working on the debut season of his latest project, a remake of popular ‘80s series “MacGyver,” back on the mainland. But that didn’t stop him from jumping on a plane to hang out with some University of Hawaii students on Nov. 3.
Lenkov was in Honolulu to take part in panel discussion at UH-Manoa with “Five-0” co-executive producer Bryan Spicer, series star Daniel Dae Kim and local casting director Rachel Sutton that was hosted by CBS executive vice president of entertainment diversity, inclusion and communications Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i.
“When you’re in L.A., (college students) get guests like this every week,” said Lenkov. “This is special to me, just the fact that they get to see there are real people behind the names on the screen.
“I flew out for this. I feel like this is my home now, so it’s important to me.”
Smith-Anoa’i opened “A Conversation With ‘Hawaii Five-0’” by asking the panel about their own college experiences and how they each got started in the entertainment industry.
Lenkov recalled memories of watching the original “Hawaii Five-O” with his father as a distraction during harsh winters in Montreal, never realizing that one day he’d end up working in Hawaii. Kim shared acting tips and talked about his experiences as a “baby producer” as he ventures behind the camera and into a new realm of the business. Sutton implored young actors in the room to memorize their lines before showing up at an audition while also encouraging them to consider creating their own content as a means of gaining practical experience.
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“What’s great about college is their world is about to open up to them as soon as they graduate,” Kim said after the panel had finished. “They have so many choices to make and many paths they can go down.
“I remember being that kid (and) thinking, ‘Wow, what does it take to be on a TV show, or in a movie, or on stage? What is it that I need to do and who can I look to for advice?’ I think it’s nice for those of us who’ve had those experiences to come back and try to impart whatever wisdom we’ve gained over the years to a new generation.
“All of us are busy, but we all feel it’s a priority to come back and talk (to the students).”
