Episode Details

Blair Treu is an award-winning director whose work includes a variety of feature films, television shows, documentaries, and commercials for over 30 years—from The Power Rangers to Chicken Soup for the Soul. The writer and director of Sharing Aloha and Meet the Mormons, he graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and began his career at the Walt Disney Company. More recently, Blair worked with BYUtv to create the series Real Families, Real Answers, and was a co-director of Granite Flats.

Links

Get movie tickets and details at sharingalohathemovie.com
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

The film Sharing Aloha, directed by Blair Treu, highlights the inspiring stories of students at the Polynesian Cultural Center and their transformative experiences. Blair shares how he became involved with the project, and discusses the unique challenges of capturing the students’ stories, emphasizing their resilience and strong family ties. The film aims to showcase the students’ journeys, illustrating how the PCC provides them with opportunities for education and personal growth.

Throughout the conversation, Blair reflects on leadership principles learned from working with the students and the PCC staff. He highlights the importance of appreciation and compassion in leadership, drawing parallels to church leadership.

00:01:52 – Introducing Sharing Aloha
Introduction to the film “Sharing Aloha” and its connection to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

00:03:44 – The Genesis of Sharing Aloha
Blair Treu discusses how the project came to be and the inspiration behind it.

00:04:55 – The Abundance of Stories
The challenge of selecting which stories to tell from the many available.

00:06:47 – Blair Treu’s Background
Blair shares his experience and previous projects in film and media.

00:08:44 – The Polynesian Cultural Center
Discussion about the PCC and its significance in the film.

00:10:43 – Focus on Student Stories
The decision to center the film on the students’ experiences rather than the PCC’s history.

00:12:14 – Insights on the YSA Demographic
What Blair learned about the Young Single Adult demographic through the film.

00:13:37 – Cultural Connections
The importance of family and community in Polynesian culture.

00:16:42 – The Film’s Format
Comparison of “Sharing Aloha” to “Meet the Mormons” in terms of storytelling.

00:18:18 – Funding and Support
Details on how the film was funded and its relationship with the PCC.

00:20:38 – Addressing Criticism
Discussion on the mis