Ka Leo O Hawaii

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Mixed Plate

Media Credit: Courtesy of Dane Neves Dane Neves (left) and Tanner Tokuyama (right) congratulate each other upon their film, "Monkeyboy Fever," winning the VOD Viewer's Choice Award.

Media Credit: Courtesy of Dane Neves Tokuyama plays a character who wakes up to find himself transformed into a monkey the day of his prom in Dane Neves' spoof of a horror film.

After showcasing his work with seven of his peers at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, Academy of Creative Media student filmmaker Dane Neves nabbed the Video-on-Demand Viewer's Choice Award, presented by Oceanic Cable, for his short, "Monkeyboy Fever."

Neves created a hybrid genre, mixing comedy and horror to tell the story of a local boy who gets bitten by a wild monkey the night before his prom. The main character, played by Tanner Tokuyama, then transforms into that monkey overnight, making for some hilarious interactions between Tokuyama and his primate nemesis.

The lighthearted film, which Neves calls "a spoof of the classic horror scenario," was a departure from the dramatic norm of the festival. "I wanted to make a fun, wild movie that didn't carry too much heavy baggage and that also appealed to a younger audience," said Neves, whose first reaction at receiving the award was surprise.

But the creation of the film was risky. First off, Neves had the challenge of maintaining his distinct style throughout the course of the film.

"I had the pressure of maintaining the stylistic genre elements as well as having my characters realistically and dramatically developed," Neves said. "This was arguably the most intense film I've ever worked on. The work hours were long and tiring, and my checking account was desperately holding on for dear life."

All those risks, including financing a makeup artist for the newly transformed monkeyboy, paid off. The award reaffirmed Neves in his ability as a filmmaker.

"Receiving this award has ensured me that my style works and that whatever I'm doing is the right thing to do," Neves said.

As for the future, Neves, who will be graduating this semester, plans to enter "Monkeyboy Fever" into more national and international festivals. He is also contemplating the idea of making a sequel to his award-winning film.

"But I would like to have a solid story ... before I even think about going into production. I don't want it to turn into a falling franchise," Neves said.

After finishing his bachelor's degree at the University of Hawai‘i, Neves plans to take a break from school and work locally before heading off to graduate school on the mainland.

"And, of course, I will be making more cool films," Neves said.

But, besides the award, Neves also learned a valuable lesson: "Don't shy away from your style," Neves said. "Your style is what makes your work unique. It is how people can recognize you as a filmmaker, a storyteller."

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