The Making of Opalavision

Meet the Creators and Producers

		Jon Brekke - Green Channel producer and director Jon Brekke has been a video producer, writer and director for 25 years in Hawaii. He has been involved in the City and County of Honolulu’s efforts to promote recycling using educational videos since they began creating them in the 1990s. Jon’s work with the City spans more than 10 years and several television campaigns featuring Henry Kapono. In 1999, Jon produced a long format educational video, “Recycling at Work” that won an award at the Flagstaff International Film Festival. Jon is the Director of Creative Services at Oceanic Time Warner Cable.

		Suzanne Jones - City Recycling Coordinator and co-producer for Opalavision Since joining the City in 1990, Suzanne has developed numerous innovative educational programs, including the annual Tour de Trash and Discover Recycling Fair. She has launched multimedia campaigns for television, radio and print to raise public awareness of recycling at home and work, and to combat illegal dumping. Suzanne engaged local performing groups to create original recycling education shows and music for our keiki, which were compiled onto a CD entitled Discover Recycling with Music. The quality of education directly affects the success of the City’s recycling programs. Suzanne and the City’s commitment to recycling education led to the creation of Opalavision – a new medium that will show island residents how cool and easy it is to recycle. Oceanic’s dedication to The Green Channel project has produced a collaborative partnership for environmental education like no other.

		Michael Wurth - writer and co-director Michael Wurth has been a writer and director for 13 years. He holds a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature, where he majored in translation theory – so when he was asked if he could translate trash to entertainment, he jumped on board! Michael has also been a script doctor in Hollywood and has written and directed dozens of commercials that have appeared on Hawaii’s airwaves. He is proud to be a part of the Green Channel and its commitment to a more sustainable Hawaii.

		Brett Wagner - writer Brett Wagner is a director and writer of commercials, films, and branded entertainment, based in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He brings his creativity to the City & County on another campaign for the Department of Environmental Services. In 2004, Wagner wrote the award-winning television and radio PSA's for the “Don't Dump on Hawaii” campaign. Wagner began his career in New York, and later moved to Honolulu for commercial work. In Hawaii he has directed projects for Starwood Resorts, Island Air, Hawaiian Airlines, HVCB, Roadrunner, McDonalds, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaiian Telcom, and many others. He has also written and directed extensively for non-profit causes including the United Way, recycling and environmental efforts, and the fight against human trafficking. His work has won a dozen regional Addys (Pele Awards), including a 2007 “Best of Show." Brett’s short film, CHIEF, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Production Crew