WHO WE ARE
We are Modesta Media, a team possessing a combined 20-years of experience in comprehensive video production management, environmental conservation and advocacy, and on-the-ground engagement with Hawaii’s diverse communities. This background is channeled into a storytelling voice enriched by a grassroots perspective.
Modesta Media is Tina Aiu and Franz Schmutzer, a wife and husband filmmaking duo whose work over the past decade has focused on offering media services to Hawaii’s environmental non-profit sector, to communities working to preserve Hawaiian lands and perpetuate cultural practices, and to local businesses who value community.
Tina has spent over a decade engaging Hawaiʻi communities and working towards conservation and responsible management of Hawaiian lands. In addition to earning her Juris Doctor degree with a certificate in Environmental Law from UH Manoa in 2013, Tina has served as Oʻahu Island Director for Hawaiʻi Land Trust and then as Program Manager for Livable Hawaiʻi Kai Hui. She co-founded and currently serves as a Board Director for Kīpuka Kuleana - a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to perpetuating kuleana, ahupuaʻa-based natural resource management and connection to place through protection of cultural landscapes and family lands on Kauaʻi. Throughout the years, Tina created videos that have been used to rally community support and raise funds to protect Hawaiian lands from development, capture the perpetuation and revival of Hawaiian cultural practices, and record stories of kupuna in her community.
Franz served for 10 years as the Equipment and Production Manager of Sight & Sound Productions, one of Hawaii’s primary service providers to the Television, Film, and Commercial Industry. Under his tenure he oversaw and managed the operation and servicing of hundreds of commercials, network television episodes, documentaries, live events, press junkets, and feature films.
Faced with challenges brought on by the pandemic, Franz and Tina grew what was initially a means for them to collaborate on creative projects into the business that is Modesta Media. Modesta brings together experience at the highest levels of cinema and technology with local perspectives and grassroots mobility. This background is strengthened by a track record of professionalism and attentiveness.
Our work has focused greatly on place-based storytelling and always endeavors to amplify community voices. We have the technical expertise and production experience to make your project speak to your customers, clients, or community.
Fun Fact: MODESTA is the name of Franz’s mother before she became a U.S. citizen. A woman with her own dreams and drive. Tita Cabrera Schmutzer, changed her name from Modesta to her nickname “Tita” when she immigrated.
