Script to Screen is proud to award eight filmmakers places on the 2018 FilmUp Mentorship Programme.
FilmUp is our high-end development programme for writers, directors and producers who have already shown considerable talent and tenacity in their work.
Each participant is matched with a filmmaker mentor, and will attend a series of FilmUp hub days that include round tables, workshops, and group work as part of the eight-month programme that is tailored to their individual needs.
The participants of the 2018 FilmUp Mentorship Programme are:
Armagan Ballantyne
Awanui Simich-Pene
Chelsie Preston Crayford
Ivan Barge
Jess Feast
Michele Powles
Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Vea Mafile’o
See the participants’ biographies here.
We would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
FilmUp is made possible with financial assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission.
EPISODIC LAB AOTEAROA is for writers or teams who have already demonstrated talent and tenacity writing or creating for television, web series, theatre or film.
If you are applying as a team, the team should include those who are actively working on the story only. You may be a team of writers, or your team may include a director, producer, and/or actor(s) but only if they play a central part in story generation. You cannot apply without at least one writer.
Each writer or team can submit one or two episodic concepts.
The independent selection panel will consider the strength of applicants’ prior produced work, the quality and originality of the episodic concept, the craft ability of the writer(s), and the feasibility of getting the series up onto the screen.
Applications opened: Thursday 29 March, 2018
Applications close: Monday 7 May 2018, 10pm
5-day immersive lab: July 23-July 27, 2018, Auckland*
*Travel and accommodation will be provided for participants who live outside of Auckland
To apply you will need to provide the following in one .pdf document:
There is a $20 application fee. Please deposit this to the following account: Script to Screen Te Tari Kupu A Whakaahua – 0302550178775-00 Ref: Episodic Lab – Applicant name.
Note: Script to Screen and its EPISODIC LAB AOTEAROA partners, selectors, participants and advisors are contractually bound to confidentiality in relation to all projects submitted and workshopped as part of the lab. Participation in the lab does not require writers or teams to share or relinquish any intellectual property rights in relation to their projects.
The EPIDOSIC LAB AOTEAROA is made possible thanks to generous support from NZ On Air, Lightbox, the New Zealand Film Commission and Images & Sound.
Script to Screen and Show Me Shorts Film Festival have announced the names of eight screenwriters who have been selected from 72 applicants, to participate in the 2018 Aotearoa Short Film Lab.
Congratulations to
Aotearoa Short Film Lab is a prestigious hothouse mentoring scheme for screenwriters and aspiring screenwriters to workshop new ideas for short film. Established in 2010 as a partnership between Show Me Shorts and Script to Screen, the Lab offers eight New Zealand short filmmakers the opportunity to develop their short film concepts and scripts with the guidance and advice of experienced industry mentors during a full-day workshop.
Two international short film makers will also participate in the workshop. Sofia Rodriguez from Chile and Ragini Bhasin from USA will fly to Auckland to develop their scripts with the expertise of local mentors.
Festival Director of Show Me Shorts, Gina Dellabarca, who was among the selection panel commented: “After reading this year’s Lab applications, there is no doubt that our short film screenwriters are leading the way in putting forward an increasingly diverse range of types of story. Hollywood could learn a lot from these bold and talented filmmakers. It is heartening for the industry that screenwriters and aspiring screenwriters are working on such a variety of stories. I only wish we could include more of them in our Lab.”
The mentors guiding participants to develop their stories are experienced short film and feature film screenwriters: Michael Bennett (Cow, Matariki), Shuchi Kothari (Coffee & Allah, Apron Strings), Jake Mahaffy (Wellness, Free in Deed), Gerard Johnstone (Housebound, The Jaquie Brown Diaries), Kathryn Burnett (Shelved, The Cult, The Strip) and Dianne Taylor (Apron Strings, Beyond the Known World).
Previous Short Film Lab participants have described the interactive workshop as “invaluable” and many projects have gone on to be funded and produced. Films developed with the assistance of the Lab have premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival (I’m Going to Mum’s), NZ International Film Festival (Tree) and Show Me Shorts Festival (Zinzan, Baby?).
The Aotearoa Short Film Lab is possible thanks to support from The Wallace Foundation and the Media, Film and Television department of the University of Auckland.
Script to Screen is delighted to launch a brand new pilot programme to develop distinctive writing talent in television drama. EPISODIC LAB AOTEAROA is the first programme of its kind in New Zealand.
“Globally, this century has seen an explosion of television storytelling. In New Zealand we have diverse talent coming through in the web sphere and the question is, where next? The Episodic Lab will increase the number of New Zealand writers – and the types of writers – creating longer form work that reaches the screen” says Script to Screen’s Executive Director Esther Cahill-Chiaroni.
“NZ On Air is supporting the Episodic Lab initiative as a way to encourage writers with fresh ideas that add to the range of television storytelling options. Better options for development was a key theme that came through the industry drama day we hosted last year,” says NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson. “We hope to see great New Zealand stories come through this initiative that win platform and financing support.”
Writers and/or teams with a track record will compete for 8 places in the pilot Episodic Lab, where they will workshop their concepts with experienced television writer advisors from New Zealand, Australia and beyond. The programme starts with five immersive days working on story after which participants go on to receive follow up mentoring and support, including introductions to the executives of episodic television platforms, production houses and funders.
NZ streaming service Lightbox, announced earlier this year, their commitment to invest in local content and continued support of homegrown talent. Lightbox Head of Content Charlotte Hill commented, “As fellow lovers of TV storytelling, Lightbox is delighted to play a part in cultivating the next generation of New Zealand writing talent and fostering the important growth of NZ voices on screen. We are proud to support the inaugural Episodic Lab and applaud Script to Screen for developing this groundbreaking initiative.”
Applications will be open from late March until the end of April, and the five-day lab takes place in Auckland July 23-27.
Esteemed international and local Episodic Lab advisors will be announced over the coming months.
The EPIDOSIC LAB AOTEAROA is made possible thanks to generous support from NZ On Air, Lightbox, the New Zealand Film Commission and Images and Sound.
We are pleased to announce the 8 short film writers and 1 producer that have been selected to be part of our 2018 South Shorts Mentorship Programme. This is the fourth year running this programme aimed to guide emerging South Auckland based writers and filmmakers to develop their short film scripts. Participants of this programme will attend a series of hub days and will be paired with an industry professional to receive on-going mentorship.
South Shorts Participants and Projects (L – R):
We look forward to working with you all. Thank you to everyone who applied.
This initiative is made possible with assistance from Foundation North.
FilmUp LITERALLY changed my life. It gave me some real perspective on storytelling and helped me figure out what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it.
Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, writer and FilmUp participant 2016The insights and inspiration I have received have been exponentially more beneficial than I ever imagined.
Julia Parnell, producer and FilmUp participant 2015
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday 5th March 2018, 10pm
If you are a writer, director, or producer with proven talent and feature film projects in development, you could be one of the eight filmmakers to participate in this year’s FilmUp Mentorship Programme.
A tailored mentorship for each filmmaker forms the cornerstone of the programme, which also includes story workshops, facilitated group work and round table discussions with esteemed film industry practitioners.
The driving force of successful mentorship is that participants actively take hold of their own learning and development. This autonomy will be fostered from the start of the programme, as we once again invite you to play a part in choosing your mentor.
Although the mentorship is for the filmmaker rather than for individual projects, applicants need to have a project in development. Preference will be given to those filmmakers highly likely to get a feature film off the ground in the near future.
Applicants will need to demonstrate how mentoring at this stage in their career will be valuable, and be in a position to reflect on and advance their work during the programme which runs from April to December.
The programme will offer the following to successful applicants:
Who can apply?
Filmmakers who have feature films *in development as writer, director or producer, and can demonstrate tenacity, originality, and competence in their field. You will need to demonstrate you have proven talent in short film, television, documentary or feature film. Your track record could be in a different role, for example editing, cinematography, or acting.
*In development means a project that has moved beyond initial concept, that is in active development, with or without NZFC funding.
Senior Mentorship: established feature film writers, directors and producers.
Key Dates
Applications open Thursday 8th February 2018
Applications close Monday 6th March 2018 at 10pm.
A industry panel will select a shortlist and an interview process will decide the successful applicants mid to late March.
All applicants will be advised of the results late March.
Successful applicants attend a two-day intensive 13 & 14 April and 4 full-day hubs throughout the year on 15 Jun, 17 Aug, Oct date to be set, and 7 Dec.
Application Requirements
Applicants will need to submit:
In addition to the 2017 South Auckland Short Film Workshop, Script to Screen is proud to reintroduce the South Shorts Mentoring Programme.
Six participants of the South Auckland Short Film Workshop will be chosen to participate in a 6 month programme, which offers over 20 hours of mentoring on a short film project.
The programme will guide emerging writers and producers through the process of developing a short film, whether the filmmakers aim to make the film on their own, or getting a script ready to apply for the New Zealand Film Commission Fresh Shorts scheme. We are looking for distinctive new voices with a passion for storytelling. Participants may have some, little or no prior knowledge of filmmaking.
How do I apply?
The participants will be chosen based on a combination of their pitch during the 2017 South Auckland Short Film Workshop, and a written statement submitted to Script to Screen after the workshop outlining why the mentoring programme is for them.
Apply here: https://form.jotform.co/73235710827860
Programme Outline
The South Shorts Mentoring Programme will start in early 2018, and participants will need to be available to attend the following days. Dates have not yet been set and will be discussed with the participants in December 2017.
Kick-off Lab (7 hours) – All mentors and participants attend a one day intensive lab to launch the programme.
Hubs (6 hours) – The participants come together for two 3 hour hub meetings during the six month period. This is a chance for the writers to discuss their experiences, what they are learning and hear from a guest speaker about a particular topic.
Ongoing Mentoring (6 hours over a six month period) – Participants are each offered 6 hours of one-on-one sessions with their mentor over the course of six months. The content of these sessions will be tailored to suit the needs of each team, but centre around developing the story and script, ready for either shooting the film or applying for funding.
Wrap-up Lab (3 hours) – A half-day wrap up workshop completes the six-month journey. Teams will chart progress, discuss challenges they encountered and plan the way forward for their film.
Image from Loading Docs TIHEI. Directed by Hamish Bennett and produced by Orlando Stewart.
This initiative is made possible with assistance from Foundation North.
Applications are now open for the Aotearoa Short Film Lab, a prestigious hothouse mentoring scheme for screenwriters and filmmakers to workshop new ideas for short films.
Established in 2010 as a partnership between Show Me Shorts and Script to Screen, the Lab offers six local and up to two international, short filmmakers the opportunity to develop their short film concepts and scripts with the guidance and advice of experienced industry mentors.
The Lab includes a full-day workshop in Auckland in March 2018. The mentors in previous years have included: Ainsley Gardiner (Boy, Two Cars One Night), Jackie van Beek (Uphill, Go the Dogs), Jake Mahaffy (Free in Deed, Wellness, A.D. 1363 The End of Chivalry), Zia Mandviwalla (Night Shift), Roseanne Liang (Do No Harm, Friday Night Bites), Michael Bennett (The Confessions of Prisoner T, Matariki), Dianne Taylor (Beyond the Known World, Apron Strings) and Shuchi Kothari (Firaaq, Apron Strings, Coffee and Allah).
Previous Short Film Lab participants have described the interactive workshop as “inspiring” and “invaluable”, and many have gone on to make the shortlist for NZFC Fresh Shorts funding. In 2013, the first film developed with the assistance of the Short Film Lab – Lauren Jackson’s I’m Going to Mum’s – premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and won Best Short Film Script at the SWANZ Awards.
The Lab is free to attend for all selected applicants, but there is a NZ$20 application fee. Those selected can come on their own or bring up to two key creative collaborators with them. Travel costs are the responsibility of the selected participants.
The Lab is generously supported by the New Zealand Film Commission, Wallace Foundation, The Trusts Community Foundation and The University of Auckland.
To apply, complete the online application form.
This will ask you to provide:
Applications close on Thursday 14 December 2017, 5pm.
If you have any queries please contact Sjionel Timu on sjionel@script-to-screen.co.nz.
Image: TREE, Dir. Lauren Jackson, Photo: Still from shoot (DOP: Simon Raby)
The creators of many of our recent most loved and successful films are being brought together for a pioneering new programme focused on building sustainable businesses in our film industry.
The programme is called Strength in Numbers and will be delivered in a series of two-day workshops beginning in Auckland June 5-6. Ten of New Zealand’s most exciting up and coming producers, including those who brought us HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, BOY, THE DARK HORSE, LOVE STORY, THREE WISE COUSINS, and LOADING DOCS are the first participants in the programme.
This trans-Tasman partnership is run by Script to Screen and led by David Court. David recently founded Compton School, a new business school for creative people. He will be familiar to New Zealand filmmakers from his former role as Head of Screen Business at AFTRS and his work on the Jackson/Court review of the NZ Film Commission.
Script to Screen is thrilled to be working with David Court and Compton School, strengthening ties between the two countries. Strength in Numbers will foster crucial discussion within New Zealand’s filmmaking community about how practitioners can work together to build sustainable creative businesses.
Script to Screen is proud to award eight filmmakers places on the 2017 FilmUp Mentorship Programme.
FilmUp is our high-end development programme for writers, directors and producers who have already shown considerable talent and tenacity in their work.
Each participant is matched with a filmmaker mentor from NZ or Australia, and will attend a series of hub days that include round tables, workshops, and group work as part of the eight-month programme that is tailored to their individual needs.
This year we are delighted to award two places to already established feature filmmakers, who will work with international mentors.
The participants of the 2017 FilmUp Mentorship Programme are:
Dianne Taylor (senior mentorship)
Florian Habicht (senior mentorship)
Abigail Greenwood
Chantelle Burgoyne
Jamie Lawrence
Jessica Hansell
J. Ollie Lucks
Zia Mandviwalla
See the participants’ biographies here.
We would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
FilmUp is made possible with financial assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission.