Maisa the Chamoru Girl who Saves Guåhan
Based on a beloved classic Legend from the island of Guam, 'Maisa the Chamoru Girl who Saves Guåhan' tells the story of how a young Chamoru girl finds the strength, wisdom, and courage to lead the women of Guåhan (Guam) into battle against a giant creature from the Marianas trench that is devouring their island home.
'Maisa' is the first animated film to feature the endangered indigenous Chamorro language of Guam. For this film cultural and language experts from worked diligently on bringing the language back to its historical pre contact era. GDOE students participated in both the voice over and creation of key art for the production, while local actors and actresses worked side by side with Twiddle and Kahmeleon Productions in Guam for the filming of the live action segments.“HITA: Maisa, the Chamoru Girl who Saves Guahan” is produced by Twiddle Productions Inc. in Honolulu, HI. In 2016 Maisa won best short film at the Pasifika Film Festival. © 2015 Chamorro Studies and Special Projects Division Guam Department of Education. Produced by Twiddle Productions Inc. This film is funded 100% Under the US Department of Education Consolidated Grant, Title V, Part A: Innovative Program GIHA Directed by: Michael Q. Ceballos CAFF screening 5/24 |
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Animation cast
Maisa: Kihya Martinez Asinan: Vincent San Nicolas Maga’låhi A’ot: Vance G.C. Camacho Chamoru Man: Ronald T. Laguaña Chamoru Woman: Dolores “Dee” Aguon Maga’håga Hesna: Zina San Nicolas Ruiz Chamoru Fishermen/Warriors: Jimmy S. Teria, Aidan Miller, Arjo Birco, Brian Servino, Erensy Narian, George Jackson, Ian Miller, Jacob Fejeran, Jun James Nicerio, Kyle Castro, Mickson Michael, Raymond Lujan, Richard Paulino, Ripson Santer, Saun Kean Alvarez, Thyme-Lancel Guerrero, Vince San Nicolas, Michael Zanis, “Malia” Ramirez Chamoru Women: Rufina F. Mendiola, Alana Aguon, Alexandra Camacho, Bertha Servino, Breanna Perez, Chanyl Adawag, Chelsey Aponik, Dana Q. Cruz Kim, D’lores Weathington, Eugenia Jeung, Grace Cruz, Kerida Quinata Kihya Martinez, Larenalyn Pangelinan, Leshonah Benavente, Luisa Lynn Castro,, Marlena Cepeda, Patrease Quitugua, Rosanna Manibusan, Sariah Cruz, Tiahna Diaz, Tiffany Inocencio, Wenda Billanon, Dolores “Dee” Aguon |
Live Action Cast
Nånan Biha (grandmother): Therese “Ewy” Taitano Tåtan Bihu (grandfather): Richard Pablo Maisa: Maria Taitano Calvo Nåpu: Zachariah Taitano Calvo Party goers: Ana Leon Guerrero, Angela Weger, Antonia Manibusan, Barbara Manibusan, Benita Lizama, Carol Cepeda, Dolores “Dee” Aguon, Evita Jean T. Laguaña, Jeanette Taitano, Jimmy Teria, Joey Calvo, Joshua J. T. Calvo, Kihya Martinez, Mariam Kristina Alam, Mariana Guzman, Ronald Laguaña, Rufina Mendiola, Severina Atalig, Sylvia Calvo |
Directed by: Michael Q. Ceballos Executive Producers: Ronald T. Laguaña, Ty K. Robinson, Michael Q. Ceballos Produced by: Rufina F. Mendiola, Jimmy S. Teria Cultural Advisor: Toni “Malia” Ramirez Cultural Advisory Board: Toni “Malia” Ramirez, Dr. Lawrence J. Cunningham, Frank Cruz, Rudy Villaverde, Ronald Laguaña, Rufina Mendiola, Jimmy Teria, Frank Rabon
Chamorro Studies & Special Projects Division: Ronald Anthony Tenorio Laguaña- Administrator, Rufina F. Mendiola- Chamorro Language & Culture Specialist, Jimmy S. Teria- School Program Consultant
Production Assistant: Chadwick Shimomura
Screenplay English Version: Brian Watanabe Chamoru Version: Rufina F. Mendiola, Jimmy S. Teria, Ronald T. Laguaña, Toni “Malia” Ramirez
Art Direction: Michael Q. Ceballos, Mathew Kawika Ortiz Original Character Design: Michael Q. Ceballos, Mathew Kawika Ortiz, Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi, Kai N. Lono Character Models: Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi, Kai N. Lono, Michael Q. Ceballos
Additional Character Models: Bryson Luke
Storyboards: Mathew Kawika Ortiz, Ty Robinson, Michael Q. Ceballos, Kai N. Lono, Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi
Background Layout Design: Mathew Kawika Ortiz Background Painting: Dallas Nagata White, Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Additional Background Paintings by The GDOE Haligi Cultural Animation Art Program Students: Adrian Garrido, Casrine M Puas, Angela Del Rosario, Dietrich Weathington, Jonathan Ashby, Kayleen Villagomez, Kin Artero Guerrero, Laurie Ranches, Noah-Lin de Chavez, Paige Mendiola, Paula Villanueva, Tonilyn Villanueva, Trinity Feliciano, Corylin Valentine
Sakman Canoe Design and Development: Mathew Kawika Ortiz, Frank Cruz, Tȧsi CGI Models: Nate Clower, Chris Won, Kai N. Lono
CGI Texture Maps: Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Animation: Cesar Enriquez, Phil Hernandez, Michael Q. Ceballos, Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi, Kai N. Lono, Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Creature CGI and Bifrost Animation: Cherise Kimiko, Noelani Takiguchi Canoe CGI Animation: Kai N. Lono
Composition and FX: Kai N. Lono, Michael Q. Ceballos Editing and Sound Design: Ty Robinson Audio Recording: PBS Guam, Ronald Pereira
Original Music Composition: Ronald Pereira Chamoru Chants Performed by: Saina Frank Rabon and Pȧ’a Tȧotao Tåno’, Brian Terlaje, Eileen Meno, Bobbie Tainatongo, Raymond Lujan, Dana Cruz, Maxine Bigler, Arthur Pangelinan, Rose Aquininoc, Zina Ruiz, Vince San Nicolas, Jonathan Perez
We Are One and Ma’lak Na Puti’on Tåsi Performed by: Rufina F. Mendiola, Benita Lizama, Sara M. Uncangco, Ana Leon Guerrero, Carol Cepeda, Barbara Manibusan, Antonia Manibusan, Theresa “Ewy” Taitano, Dolores “Dee” Aguon, Mariana Guzman
Bilembåotuyan Instrumentalist: Delores T. Quinata, Evita Jean T. Laguaña Conch “Kåten Kulu” blower: Makåna Mattåo Ronald T. Laguaña
Birds of Guȧhan Audio provided by: Emily Sablan The Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian Unit
Live Action Sequence Produced by KAHMELEON Productions
Director/Production Manager: Myracle Mugol Associate Producer: Ronald Pereira Line Producer: Chadwick Shimomura
Production Assistant: Marc Elliott, Tano Lizama Director of Photography: Val Gonzales Camera Operator: Justin Baldovino
Production Designer: Joseph Certeza Sound Mixer/Recordist/Boom Operator: Ronald Pereira Sound Assistant: Jesse Mantanona
Live Action Editor/Colorist: Val Gonzales Dialogue Editor/Composer: Ronald Pereira
Chamorro Studies & Special Projects Division: Ronald Anthony Tenorio Laguaña- Administrator, Rufina F. Mendiola- Chamorro Language & Culture Specialist, Jimmy S. Teria- School Program Consultant
Production Assistant: Chadwick Shimomura
Screenplay English Version: Brian Watanabe Chamoru Version: Rufina F. Mendiola, Jimmy S. Teria, Ronald T. Laguaña, Toni “Malia” Ramirez
Art Direction: Michael Q. Ceballos, Mathew Kawika Ortiz Original Character Design: Michael Q. Ceballos, Mathew Kawika Ortiz, Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi, Kai N. Lono Character Models: Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi, Kai N. Lono, Michael Q. Ceballos
Additional Character Models: Bryson Luke
Storyboards: Mathew Kawika Ortiz, Ty Robinson, Michael Q. Ceballos, Kai N. Lono, Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi
Background Layout Design: Mathew Kawika Ortiz Background Painting: Dallas Nagata White, Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Additional Background Paintings by The GDOE Haligi Cultural Animation Art Program Students: Adrian Garrido, Casrine M Puas, Angela Del Rosario, Dietrich Weathington, Jonathan Ashby, Kayleen Villagomez, Kin Artero Guerrero, Laurie Ranches, Noah-Lin de Chavez, Paige Mendiola, Paula Villanueva, Tonilyn Villanueva, Trinity Feliciano, Corylin Valentine
Sakman Canoe Design and Development: Mathew Kawika Ortiz, Frank Cruz, Tȧsi CGI Models: Nate Clower, Chris Won, Kai N. Lono
CGI Texture Maps: Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Animation: Cesar Enriquez, Phil Hernandez, Michael Q. Ceballos, Cherise Kimiko Noelani Takiguchi, Kai N. Lono, Mathew Kawika Ortiz
Creature CGI and Bifrost Animation: Cherise Kimiko, Noelani Takiguchi Canoe CGI Animation: Kai N. Lono
Composition and FX: Kai N. Lono, Michael Q. Ceballos Editing and Sound Design: Ty Robinson Audio Recording: PBS Guam, Ronald Pereira
Original Music Composition: Ronald Pereira Chamoru Chants Performed by: Saina Frank Rabon and Pȧ’a Tȧotao Tåno’, Brian Terlaje, Eileen Meno, Bobbie Tainatongo, Raymond Lujan, Dana Cruz, Maxine Bigler, Arthur Pangelinan, Rose Aquininoc, Zina Ruiz, Vince San Nicolas, Jonathan Perez
We Are One and Ma’lak Na Puti’on Tåsi Performed by: Rufina F. Mendiola, Benita Lizama, Sara M. Uncangco, Ana Leon Guerrero, Carol Cepeda, Barbara Manibusan, Antonia Manibusan, Theresa “Ewy” Taitano, Dolores “Dee” Aguon, Mariana Guzman
Bilembåotuyan Instrumentalist: Delores T. Quinata, Evita Jean T. Laguaña Conch “Kåten Kulu” blower: Makåna Mattåo Ronald T. Laguaña
Birds of Guȧhan Audio provided by: Emily Sablan The Guam National Wildlife Refuge, Ritidian Unit
Live Action Sequence Produced by KAHMELEON Productions
Director/Production Manager: Myracle Mugol Associate Producer: Ronald Pereira Line Producer: Chadwick Shimomura
Production Assistant: Marc Elliott, Tano Lizama Director of Photography: Val Gonzales Camera Operator: Justin Baldovino
Production Designer: Joseph Certeza Sound Mixer/Recordist/Boom Operator: Ronald Pereira Sound Assistant: Jesse Mantanona
Live Action Editor/Colorist: Val Gonzales Dialogue Editor/Composer: Ronald Pereira