DEAN KANESHIRO, DIRECTOR/WRITER/EDITOR
Founder of EarthSuit Media, Dean has passion and experience on both sides of the camera. As an actor, he has appeared in both film ("The Ultimate Gift") and television (most recently "Hawaii 5-0" and "Last Resort"). As a director, Dean has a 10-year history producing television shows, commercials, and promotional content for non-profits. He is launching into documentary film from a strong desire to stimulate thought, spark discussion, and bring personal and societal change. Originally from Honolulu, Dean lives there now with his wife and five children.
Why Rise of the Wahine? "This incredible, mostly untold story took place in my own backyard—I had no idea. It tells the power of sacrifice. We're showing the price that a previous generation paid for young women athletes to have opportunities today."
Founder of EarthSuit Media, Dean has passion and experience on both sides of the camera. As an actor, he has appeared in both film ("The Ultimate Gift") and television (most recently "Hawaii 5-0" and "Last Resort"). As a director, Dean has a 10-year history producing television shows, commercials, and promotional content for non-profits. He is launching into documentary film from a strong desire to stimulate thought, spark discussion, and bring personal and societal change. Originally from Honolulu, Dean lives there now with his wife and five children.
Why Rise of the Wahine? "This incredible, mostly untold story took place in my own backyard—I had no idea. It tells the power of sacrifice. We're showing the price that a previous generation paid for young women athletes to have opportunities today."
TIFFANY TAYLOR, PRODUCER
With a career spanning engineering, fundraising, marketing & strategy, and communications, Tiffany has a natural passion to unearth a vision and bring it to life. As a Director of Development, she pioneered and oversaw multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns. While an engineer, she executed multi-million dollar capital projects and oversaw world-class production lines. Tiffany is founder of sparkit, a virtual marketing management company.
Why Rise of the Wahine? "When Dean approached me about this project, I instantly agreed. With his moral compass, heart for people, and desire for excellence, I knew I wanted to work with him on a project. Why this particular one? I'm a sucker for the underdog protagonist that goes through hell in order to bring heaven. That's this story."
With a career spanning engineering, fundraising, marketing & strategy, and communications, Tiffany has a natural passion to unearth a vision and bring it to life. As a Director of Development, she pioneered and oversaw multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns. While an engineer, she executed multi-million dollar capital projects and oversaw world-class production lines. Tiffany is founder of sparkit, a virtual marketing management company.
Why Rise of the Wahine? "When Dean approached me about this project, I instantly agreed. With his moral compass, heart for people, and desire for excellence, I knew I wanted to work with him on a project. Why this particular one? I'm a sucker for the underdog protagonist that goes through hell in order to bring heaven. That's this story."
RYAN KALEI TSUJI, CO-PRODUCER
Born and raised in Hilo, HI, Ryan worked with the UH Rainbow Wahine volleyball team as an assistant coach under Dave Shoji for eight seasons. He then began his broadcasting carrier as a commentator for UH volleyball matches and worked as a morning anchor / reporter for KITV News in Honolulu.
Born and raised in Hilo, HI, Ryan worked with the UH Rainbow Wahine volleyball team as an assistant coach under Dave Shoji for eight seasons. He then began his broadcasting carrier as a commentator for UH volleyball matches and worked as a morning anchor / reporter for KITV News in Honolulu.
SARAH WAYNE CALLIES, NARRATOR
Actress Sarah Wayne Callies, best known for her roles as Lori Grimes in AMC's The Walking Dead and Sara Tancredi in the Fox television series Prison Break, has performed voiceover for Rise of the Wahine.
“I can't say enough about this project – for Hawai`i, for women, for everyone,” Callies said. “This story is powerful, timely and inspiring. It's wonderful that it's finally being told before it slips from memory.”
Actress Sarah Wayne Callies, best known for her roles as Lori Grimes in AMC's The Walking Dead and Sara Tancredi in the Fox television series Prison Break, has performed voiceover for Rise of the Wahine.
“I can't say enough about this project – for Hawai`i, for women, for everyone,” Callies said. “This story is powerful, timely and inspiring. It's wonderful that it's finally being told before it slips from memory.”
PAULETTE WOOTEN, COMPOSER
We're incredibly excited to have Paulette Wooten compose the musical underscore for Rise of the Wahine.
Paulette is co-creator of the Nashville Treehouse, a creative arts and music factory located in Franklin, TN, as well as Water the Tree, a non-profit empowering and encouraging female artists to succeed. Over the past 15 years, she has been the creative producer and director for many musical artists, and, in her own right, she is a musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, composer, illustrator, graphic designer, collage artist and above all, visionary.
Paulette will compose the vast majority of the underscore used within the film, as well as the full songs that will be used in our Rise of the Wahine soundtrack. Please follow Paulette on @paulettewootenmusic.
We're incredibly excited to have Paulette Wooten compose the musical underscore for Rise of the Wahine.
Paulette is co-creator of the Nashville Treehouse, a creative arts and music factory located in Franklin, TN, as well as Water the Tree, a non-profit empowering and encouraging female artists to succeed. Over the past 15 years, she has been the creative producer and director for many musical artists, and, in her own right, she is a musician, songwriter, producer, arranger, composer, illustrator, graphic designer, collage artist and above all, visionary.
Paulette will compose the vast majority of the underscore used within the film, as well as the full songs that will be used in our Rise of the Wahine soundtrack. Please follow Paulette on @paulettewootenmusic.