Krevoy elaborates on future plans in CNMI

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Hollywood movie producer Brad Krevoy, center, along with dozens of Saipan’s youth from the Northern Marianas College and different high schools, along with film enthusiasts, and other members of the community, take a photo after a meet-and-greet last night at the Hafa Adai Roasting Company in the T-Galleria. Attendees had a chance to ask Krevoy questions about the film industry and his plans to start a film studio on Saipan with the assistance of NMC and the CNMI Office of the Governor.(NMC)

Dozens of students from the Northern Marianas College and high schools, along with film enthusiasts, and other members of the public, flocked to a meet-and-greet with Hollywood movie producer Brad Krevoy last Monday night at the Hafa Adai Roasting Company in the T-Galleria, during which those in attendance had a chance to ask him about his plans in the CNMI.

Along with Krevoy was his business partner, James Townsend, who is head of production at Motion Picture Corporation of America, Amy Krell, and David Anselmo, who operates his own studio in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.

Also in attendance were Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, first lady Diann Torres, Sen. Vinnie Vinson Sablan (R-Saipan), NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, and members of the Associated Students of NMC.

Krevoy came to Saipan this week to formally announce his intention to develop a movie studio and to produce a minimum of 20 motion pictures over the next five years in the Marianas. These productions will not only create training for film school students and permanent jobs in the production industry, but will also promote tourism, the diversification of the local economy, and support additional jobs in the CNMI.

“The idea is, by making the movies here, you’re all involved if you want to be involved. And for those of you that are not actors, or writers, or directors, or want to work on our crew, there’s also lots of ways to learn about a movie once it’s finished, and how to deliver the movie to a distributor,” Krevoy said, adding that all their movies are distributed by major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

The goal, he said, is to build local capacity, “so that after the first year, as many people as possible…have a chance to learn. And by the second year, a chance to get promoted, so over a couple year period, it’ll be all of you with your own crews.”

Krevoy, who wants to make bigger comedies, said that they want to train at least two crews for the movies that they want to shoot here in the CNMI.

Raina Avelino, a Northern Marianas College student and a dancer from Studio 29:11, hopes that Krevoy’s plans will bear fruit. “Maybe they’re just talking, but I really hope it works out because…we’re from a small island so it’s very difficult to make a name for ourselves.”

Richard Surynt, who owns the construction company, United Management International, said, “This is a huge opportunity… for the CNMI. I don’t know if people realize how big a deal this is. I mean, we’re just a little speck here and these people from Hollywood…are interested and it’s a good thing.”

Torres said he ‘s been asking Krevoy to come to Saipan after the movie Operation Christmas Drop was filmed in Guam. “We talked about…the opportunities that we have here, the people, all of it, the students, really just to bring him here and diversify the economy. But more so the opportunity. …I believe Guam is beautiful, but I believe that the CNMI is much more beautiful,” said Torres.

Deleon Guerrero said he wasn’t surprised by the evening’s turnout and reception of the community. “I myself have been personally and professionally working in film and theatre for almost three decades. And tonight I saw a lot of former students, a lot of former collaborators, people that I’ve worked with before, people who put on shows and productions. They just need the right opportunity, the right platform. Now that platform’s here. …We are blessed to have this opportunity.”

Krevoy and his crew will be leaving the island today and will be back next year with no exact date as to when.

Krevoy is the founder and chairman/CEO of Motion Picture Corporation of America, a leading Hollywood company. MPCA’s projects have generated more than $1 billion worldwide in all media.