Whether it’s via co-production, selling content, or promoting our talent, are we making the most of being neighbours with Australia? After all, at our doorstep lies a thriving industry, and a much larger audience.
In 2015, over 1.4 million Australians tuned in each week across five capital cities to watch drama series 800 WORDS. It is the first show of its kind – a TV series created and shot in NZ for an Australia network. A co-production between NZ’s South Pacific Pictures and Australia’s Seven Productions, the show was commissioned for prime time on Seven Network where it shot to number one viewing for Australian households. The first season has just picked up four Logie nominations (incl Most Outstanding Drama Series) and the second season is currently in production.
Join us to hear the show’s co-creators James Griffin and Maxine Fleming, and producer Kelly Martin (CEO, South Pacific Pictures) talk to Irene Gardener about the conception of the show, what was learnt through the writing process and the experience of making a show for one of Australia’s biggest networks.
Come early for a drink and stay afterwards for a slice of pizza on us.
Tues 19th April, The Classic, 321 Queen Street, 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm talk. $5 koha appreciated.
We’re also delighted to welcome NZ on Air on board as a supporter of the Writers’ Room. Thanks NZ on Air!
For so many in the filmmaking team, work is done when the picture is locked. But the producer’s race to get the film an audience has only just begun.
Producers Leanne Saunders and Carthew Neal return from Sundance, where their film HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE (Taika Waititi) and Carthew’s doco TICKLED (David Farrier) both pushed through obstacles to achieve coveted outcomes: successful premieres, great reviews and strong sales. HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE sold North American distribution rights to The Orchard for just under $2million, while TICKLED sold North American and world theatrical rights (ex. Aus/NZ) to Magnolia, and US TV rights to HBO. Similarly Leanne Saunders’ 2015 hit dance film BORN TO DANCE sold to 9 territories including to US distributor FilmBuff after a Toronto premiere and an appearance at Berlinale.
Join us to hear Carthew and Leanne talk to producer Julia Parnell about positioning their films from conception through to release. From taking the project to market, getting the right sales agents on board at the right time, to selling the film, come and hear what they’ve learnt along the way.
Join us before the talk for a drink and stay afterwards for a slice of pizza on us.
Tues 5 April, The Classic, 321 Queen Street, 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm talk. $5 koha appreciated.
Come and join us for our first event of 2016 – an evening with Benjamin Illos, selector for the coveted Directors’ Fortnight section at Cannes Film Festival.
NZ short films have enjoyed considerable attention at Cannes, with nearly 30 being screened over the last few decades. However Directors’ Fortnight, a section dedicated to innovative and independent work, remains elusive to our filmmakers – the most recent film to screen being Christine Jeff’s RAIN (2001).
Hear Benjamin Illos talk to NZ writer/director Max Currie as they go behind the scenes at Cannes, exploring what goes into shaping the one of the world’s most prestigious festival sections.
Directors’ Fortnight (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) aims to identify and celebrate unique and powerful directorial voices from across the globe, and screens a mix of short film, feature film and documentary. The section can claim the first Cannes screenings of many universally acclaimed auteurs including Herzog, Scorsese and eventual Palme d’Or winner Ken Loach.
Join us for a drink beforehand and stay afterwards for a slice of pizza on us.
Tues 23rd February, The Classic, 321 Queen Street, 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm talk. $5 koha appreciated.
For our last Wellington Writers’ Room of 2015, we bring you the most popular discussion from our Auckland Writers’ Room series. Writers Briar Grace-Smith, Max Currie and Emily Perkins get together with Ken Duncum to discuss the experience of writing a first feature film.
Writing of any sort can be a lonely process. From that initial FADE IN, to hashing out that final, closest-to-perfect draft, writing a film is often a long and arduous journey.
How do you keep the passion that drives you to create, while giving so much attention to structure and precision? And how can you ensure that your work stands out despite the pitfalls of inexperience?
Three NZ screenwriters with a feature film under their belt discuss taking that leap of faith. Briar Grace-Smith (THE STRENGTH OF WATER), Max Currie (EVERYTHING WE LOVED), and Emily Perkins (THE REHEARSAL) talk to screenwriter and playwright Ken Duncum (DUGGAN, BLUE SKY BOYS) about their experiences, what they wish they knew then, and how the writing process changes while you develop as a writer.
Join us from 5:30pm for a glass of wine and stay afterwards for a slice of pizza on us!
Wed 18 November, Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, 84 Taranaki Street. $5 koha appreciated (includes a glass of wine). Drinks 5:30pm, talk 6-7pm.
Script to Screen and WIFT NZ are proud to present a discussion with prolific Danish producer and broadcaster Piv Bernth (THE KILLING/Danish Broadcasting Corporation).
With a background in directing for theatre and screen, Bernth moved to producing in 1998 at Denmark’s broadcaster DR. Here she produced Emmy-winning NIKOLAJ AND JULIE and internationally lauded THE KILLING, as well as executive producing THE BRIDGE. In 2012 she moved into broadcasting as DR’s Head of Drama, green-lighting titles including BORGEN and THE LEGACY.
Join us to hear Piv Bernth talk to NZ producer and distributor Jill Macnab (BORN TO DANCE/Vendetta Films) about her approach to developing drama. As they pick apart the Danish model, learn how a small nation continues to produce compelling TV drama that finds a global audience. What can we learn from a model that champions writer and story, and is dedicated to giving audiences challenging work?
Tuesday 27th October, upstairs at Studio One Toi Tū, 1 Ponsonby Road (The old ‘Art Station’). 6:30pm drinks, 7-8pm discussion.
$10 koha suggested. Includes a glass of wine before the talk and a slice of pizza afterwards.
DVDs of some of Bernth’s titles such as BORGEN, THE KILLLING and THE BRIDGE, as well as other lauded TV drama such as FORCE MAJEURE and THE RETURNED, will be available for purchase at reasonable prices courtesy of distributor Madman Entertainment. Eftpos available.
Jill Macnab has an impressive and varied career in producing, distribution and marketing. After a stint in theatre management at Edinburgh Fringe, Macnab headed the sales and marketing department at Vendetta Films before aiding their international acquisitions launch. Most recently she has produced her debut feature film, BORN TO DANCE (2015) directed by Tammy Davis.
Proudly brought to you in collaboration with WIFT NZ.
“INDIA’S DAUGHTER is one of the most important video documents of the 21st Century.” – writer/actor Emma Thompson
Join Script to Screen and the Directors and Editors Guild of New Zealand as they speak to English filmmaker Leslee Udwin about the journey of INDIA’S DAUGHTER as an unforgiving foray into documentary direction, within the context of her much broader creative career as an actor, and producer of critically and commercially viable EAST IS EAST and its sequel WEST IS WEST.
INDIA’S DAUGHTER* documents the 2012 violent gang rape and murder of a college student in Delhi and the subsequent social and cultural reaction concerning biases against women. More controversial is the film’s banning in India and the ongoing attempts from the Indian government to censor its voice, including their successful move to have it banned from YouTube.
Auckland – Tuesday 18th August, The Classic Comedy Club, 321 Queen Street. 7.00-8.30pm (note – different start time from usual) session followed by a slice of pizza on us. $10 koha suggested. Chaired by screenwriter and academic, Shuchi Kothari.
Wellington – Wednesday 19th August, The Film and Television School, 66 Vivian Street. 6.00-7.30pm session followed by a slice of pizza on us. RSVP essential due to limited seats. Send us an email on rsvp@script-to-screen.co.nz. Chaired by editor Annie Collins.
We recommend that attendees see the film before attending the discussions (see below).
* INDIA’S DAUGHTER has its Auckland premiere on Sunday 16th of August, 3pm at the Raye Freedman Arts Theatre. Buy tickets here with proceeds going equally towards the INDIA’S DAUGHTER campaign and Waitakere Women’s Centre. The film is alternatively available on Vimeo for rental.
Leslee comes to New Zealand thanks also to the generous support of The University of Auckland and the New Zealand India Research Institute.
Script to Screen, and the New Zealand Writers Guild present a special discussion with award-winning Mexican screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga. Arriaga travels to the capital to talk about his writing philosophy, craft, and process.
Arriaga is responsible for the stories of some of the most momentous films of recent decades. These include Oscar nominated 21 GRAMS, BAFTA and Oscar nominated BABEL, Cannes award-winning THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA and BAFTA winning and AMORES PERROS.
Saturday 18th July, 2pm-3pm, Park Road Post Cinema, 141 Park Road, Miramar. $10 koha appreciated
To confirm numbers, please send us an email at rsvp@script-to-screen.co.nz to let us know you’re coming!
Guillermo is in the country mentoring at our Writers’ Lab Aotearoa. His full biography is available on our Big Screen Symposium page, where our 2013 attendees were gifted with his unique insights into storytelling.
This special Writers’ Room is made possible with the support of Miramar Events Trust.
Script to Screen and Loading Docs present a special masterclass with Rebecca Howard on strategies for digital content in our ever-changing global landscape. Howard is the General Manager of Video Production at the New York Times.
In her role, Rebecca Howard is responsible for overseeing video content across all platforms – and is hugely qualified to offer insights into the digital realm including placement, marketing and distribution. Throughout the masterclass, Rebecca will draw on recent examples, including the branded documentary series promoting Netflix hit Orange Is the New Black and many other highly successful campaigns. She will cover how to monetise content, how content creators are working with brands, how to find and grow your digital audiences, and commissioning innovative content including the move towards virtual reality. Full programme details to follow.
Monday 13th July, 9.30am – 12.30pm, Media Design School, Level 5, 92 Albert Street, Auckland CBD.
Industry concession: $25 /Non – industry: $35
Places are limited. Buy your tickets now.
Script to Screen and the New Zealand Writers Guild present a special discussion with award-winning Mexican screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga. Arriaga talks to Robyn Malcolm about his writing philosophy, craft, and process at this AUT hosted event.
Arriaga is responsible for the stories of some of the most momentous films of recent decades. These include Oscar nominated 21 GRAMS, BAFTA and Oscar nominated BABEL, Cannes award-winning THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA and BAFTA winning and AMORES PERROS.
Sunday 12th July, 3pm-4pm, WG 403, Sir Paul Reeves Building (fourth floor), AUT, Gov Fitzroy Place, Auckland CBD. $10 koha appreciated.
To confirm numbers, we ask that you please RSVP to rsvp@script-to-screen.co.nz.
Guillermo is in the country mentoring at our Writers’ Lab Aotearoa. His full biography is available on our Big Screen Symposium page, where our 2013 attendees were gifted with his unique insights into storytelling.
Writing of any sort can be a lonely process. From that initial FADE IN, to hashing out that final, closest-to-perfect draft, writing a film is often a long and arduous journey.
How do you keep the passion that drives you to create, while giving so much attention to structure and precision? And how can you ensure your work stands out despite the pitfalls of inexperience?
Three NZ screenwriters with a produced feature film under their belt discuss taking that leap of faith. Dianne Taylor (Beyond the Known World, Apron Strings), Roseanne Liang (My Wedding and Other Secrets) and Max Currie (Everything We Loved) talk to producer Fraser Brown (Orphans and Kingdoms) about their experiences, what they wish they knew then, and how the writing process changes while you develop as a writer.
Tues 26th May, The Classic, 321 Queen Street. 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm talk. $5 koha appreciated.
Make sure to stick around afterwards for a slice of pizza on us!