Isaac Halasima's unique upbringing can be attributed to his Polynesian-American heritage, being the son of a Tongan immigrant and a single mother from Idaho, who raised him with a gay man in Utah, one of the most conservative and Caucasian states in the country. This diverse background had a profound impact on his worldview.
At the age of 5, Isaac's dream was to become a competitive dancer, inspired by his idols Michael Jackson and Gene Kelly. He joined an intense dance studio, dedicating 40 hours a week to ballet, jazz, tap, and hip-hop, and eventually won a National Dance title at the age of 13. This achievement opened up on-screen opportunities, leading to a successful acting career in Utah's underserved market.
Isaac's passion for storytelling and filmmaking soon took center stage. He worked tirelessly to learn from directors and editors, eventually editing a segment of a television show and winning a regional Emmy. At 14, he was given permission to work with the production staff, and his dedication continued, earning him multiple journalism awards over a 12-year period.
As a writer, director, and editor, Isaac's work took him to a small music video production group, helmed by his childhood friend Matt Eastin. His first directing job was with Imagine Dragons, and his success led to collaborations with notable musicians and commercial clients.
Isaac's dream of directing feature films finally took shape when he wrote, directed, and edited his first film, "The Last Descent," released in 2016. He went on to create the hit series "Dry Bar Comedy" and later directed "Waterman," a documentary about Duke Kahanamoku, the godfather of surfing.
"Waterman" premiered at the Honolulu International Film Festival in 2021, earning its first award and eventually being picked up by PBS as part of its "American Masters" series. The film received an Emmy nomination in 2023 and was later added to the curriculum of the Hawaiian Education System, ensuring its story is told to every 7th-grade class in the state for the next 50 years.
Throughout his journey, Isaac has remained true to his passion for storytelling and his cultural heritage, using his platform to promote representation and understanding.
