Hear from some of the key creatives of TVNZ smash hit, After the Party, a series many are calling the best new Kiwi offering in years.
Story creators Robyn Malcolm and Dianne Taylor and producer/director Peter Salmon come together to talk about their collaborative process, from the very earliest story conversations to the writing, all stages of production, and publicity.
Peter, Dianne and Robyn will discuss some of their learnings and how they managed challenges that inevitably arose along the way. With dynamic, talented speakers like these, this promises to be an interesting and stimulating conversation.
There are limited seats, book early, don’t miss out!
When: Tuesday 23rd April, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Arrive from 6:00 PM for a 6.30 start
Where: The Spinoff
1/615 New North Road, Morningside
(entrance is off Western Springs Road)
Please get in touch if you have any accessibility requirements.
Cost: General Admission $5.00 (Plus. GST+BF) via Humanitix.
Please be sure to arrive with plenty of time to be seated for a 6:30 prompt start.
Allow time to find a park. There are bus and train stops close to the venue.
ABOUT ROBYN MALCOLM:
Robyn Malcolm, a celebrated multi Award winning New Zealand actress is renowned for her iconic portrayal of Cheryl West in Outrageous Fortune. She is currently engaged in filming the feature Pike alongside Melanie Lynskey and features in TVNZ/ITV’s After the Party, which she co-created and stars in alongside Peter Mullan. Her diverse screen presence extends to Warner Bros/Discovery’s Far North with Temuera Morrison, Apple TV’s Black Bird with Taron Egerton and the late Ray Liotta. Notably, she has made significant contributions to Australian television through appearances in series such as Rake, Upper Middle Bogan, Wanted, and Harrow, and has graced notable films like Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lovely Bones, and Jane Campion’s Top of the Lake.
ABOUT DIANNE TAYLOR:
Dianne’s latest project is the six-part t.v drama, After The Party, (dir. Peter Salmon) which she created in collaboration with lead actor, Robyn Malcolm. It screened on TVNZ in late 2023 and is available to view on TVNZ+. Her previous work includes the feature film, Beyond The Known World, (dir. Pan Nalin) which was filmed in India and released in New Zealand in April 2016. Her first film, Apron Strings, 2008 (dir. Sima Urale co-writer, Shuchi Kothari) opened the NZ International Film Festival and screened in numerous film festivals around the world, including Toronto. Dianne also works as a script advisor and has mentored writers in the Show Me Shorts and Fresh Shorts development programmes. In 2023 she was invited to tutor at the FilmNomad Screenwriting Workshop in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
ABOUT PETER SALMON:
Peter Salmon is an award-winning director and producer working extensively in Australia and New Zealand. A co-founder of Auckland production company Luminous Beast, he co-created and directed the Sky Originals series INSiDE, winner of the 2021 International Emmy for Short-Form Series. His other directing credits include ABC’s Rake, Harrow for Hulu and ABC, Halifax: Retribution for the Nine Network, the CBBC/Seven Network/TVNZ co-production Mystic; the ABC’s The Beautiful Lie, starring Sarah Snook, the award-winning Nowhere Boys, Offspring for Network Ten, and Wanted for Matchbox Pictures and Netflix, for which he won the New Zealand TV Award for Best Director.
Peter produced and directed the acclaimed NZ drama After The Party and has recently completed directing Madam, starring Rachel Griffiths and Martin Henderson.
This TALK is made possible thanks to the support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Images and Sound, White Studios and The Spinoff.
Narrative Design is the process of understanding story as a system. This understanding allows storytellers to better connect to both play and interactivity, for games, XR and live choice-driven experiences. It also gives a look “under the hood” at how story functions on a meta and micro structural level, which can help linear storytelling move away from rigid conventions.
This practical workshop will introduce three validated processes of narrative design that can be used across a wide range of media.
The high concept formula can be used to break down any story into its important elements, regardless of source media.
Narrative design patterns are a way of understanding how the story unfolds over time, detailing the dramatic relationships between the different elements.
Designing valuable choices requires its own process. Not all choices are created equal, and while choices can be created for aesthetic reasons, their story value to the audience should still be understood.
These result in clear and simple diagrams that can be used to clarify ideas, facilitate discussion and communicate to stakeholders.
Participants will work on their own laptops using the online collaboration tool, Miro – now a standard for the industry – and take a new idea from inspiration to a short choice-driven narrative design.
Alexander Swords works in writing, narrative design, and narrative direction for video games, XR and live interactive experiences. The workshop is based on the Forest Paths Method which is now used by studios and educators to develop and teach narrative design around the world.
Who is it for: Anyone 17+, any skill level.
When: Wednesday 3rd April, 10am – 4pm
Where: Yoobee College of Creative Innovation – Auckland City Road Campus
Level 4/3 City Road, Grafton, Auckland 1010
Please get in touch with us if you require special assistance with the venue.
Cost: General Admission $125 (incl. GST+BF) via Humanitix.
What to bring: Laptop (not provided), water bottle and lunch. Snacks, tea and coffee will be provided. 1hr lunch break – countdown and cafes within walking distance.
Parking: Allow adequate time to find a public park; using public transport is recommended.
Alexander Swords is a writer, narrative designer and director in video games and interactive experiences. He’s also the creator of the Forest Paths Method for Narrative Design, a player-first approach to understanding story in an approachable and collaborative way, used internationally by developers and educators. Advising government, arts organisations, and educators, he’s an advocate for diverse stories and their writers, and is currently teaching at the National Institute for the Dramatic Arts (NIDA), a resident practitioner at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and on the Interactive and AI Committees for the Australian Writers’ Guild.
Script to Screen thanks Yoobee College of Creative Innovation for providing the venue on their city campus.
8 March, 2024
Script to Screen Announces Departure of Executive Director Jackie Dennis
After seven years of dedicated service to Script to Screen, Executive Director Jackie Dennis has announced her decision to resign from full-time work. She will remain in the role for three months to ensure a smooth transition as the organisation seeks a new Executive Director.
The Board of Script to Screen has commenced the recruitment process. They remain committed to Script to Screen’s ongoing success in developing the craft and culture of storytelling for the screen and are grateful for Jackie’s significant contributions to its growth under her leadership.
During her tenure Jackie made meaningful contributions, including founding the Script Development Service, partnering on the annual Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts program with New Zealand Film Commission, launching Awhi peer-to-peer support for alumni during COVID-19 lockdown, overseeing the creation of a free online short film and web series tutorial, and collaborating on development programs in the South Island with Te Puna Matarau and Film Otago Southland.
She also managed Script to Screen taking full ownership of the Big Screen Symposium, and kept the two-day event a vibrant, much-loved gathering of screen creatives despite pandemic challenges.
According to Michael Harper, Chair of the Board of Script to Screen “Jackie has made an incredible contribution to Script to Screen. She has steered our organisation through the significant challenges of recent years with grace, humour, passion and great wisdom. On behalf of all of the current and former trustees and staff of Script to Screen, I want to thank Jackie for all of her hard work. She has achieved much during her 7 years, and we are very sad to say goodbye.”
Reflecting on her time, Jackie said, “It has been an absolute pleasure being part of such a talented creative community. I am proud of our shared accomplishments and will always cherish the memories from my time here. I hope to continue contributing in some way to a vibrant screen industry.”
For further information, please contact the recruitment committee via info@script-to-screen.co.nz
To apply for the position, please follow this link:
Script to Screen, in partnership with Film Otago Southland, launches an exciting new development opportunity called Southern Pilots, for Otago and Southland based screen creators.
Script to Screen and Film Otago Southland are looking for new and emerging filmmakers with compelling, bold series story ideas suitable for development and viable for future production. Southern Pilots offers both talent and project development for three teams. The teams will have one-on-one advisor sessions and hear from industry speakers over a three-day development workshop, which aims to create outstanding pitch documents to present to potential producer partners and funders.
Southern Pilots kaupapa is to help creatives from Otago and Southland generate IP for local and international audiences. This will, in turn, increase activity in both regions and foster a strong creative network of screen practitioners.
Key Dates:
12 February: Applications open now
19 February: 5:30 pm application information webinar. Read FAQ’S Here
18 March: 1 pm applications close
21-23 June: 3-day workshop for selected teams
Eligibility:
Selection:
Script to Screen will manage the application and selection process and design and deliver the development workshop. We have a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy that informs our work. Southern Pilots uses the NZFC definition for new and emerging filmmakers.
Please contact the team at Script to Screen, for any further questions. info@script-to-screen.co.nz
This development programme is possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
If you are a new or emerging filmmaker with a connection to South Auckland, don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to advance your screenwriting abilities in 2024.
During this six-month mentorship programme, successful applicants attend a series of one-day hubs and are led through focused script development under the guidance of Briar Grace-Smith. Briar brings considerable experience and knowledge to the room for group mentorship, and each participant also gets one-on-one feedback. The hub days involve script read-throughs, writing exercises, and hearing from guest speakers about their experiences making films. On completion of the programme, you will leave with new skills and tools to develop your work, a great new network of like-minded practitioners, and a completed short film script.
This initiative is intended for people who live in South Auckland or are connected to the South Auckland community – maybe you grew up there, have whānau there, or feel connected to the community in some other way. This opportunity will help you to develop your story, share your unique perspective, and develop your career as a screenwriter within a supportive framework.
Opens: Wednesday 7th February 2024
Closes: 1:00 PM Monday 25th March 2024
Notification of outcome: Early May 2024
“South Shorts has helped me with overcoming writers block and given me the confidence to present my ideas in a safe creative space. The connections I have made throughout the hubs are life changing and extremely valuable for my career moving forward. I would highly recommend these workshops to any filmmaker out there looking to develop their ideas and build connections with fellow likeminded creatives.”
– Kaitiaki Rodger, South Shorts 2023 Participant
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This year marks the eleventh year of the FilmUp mentorship programme, and we are delighted to announce the 2023/24 participants who will join this growing community.
Script to Screen engaged three external selectors to read all of the applications. They selected 8 exceptional participants with a project in development. The selected participants listed below will be matched with a mentor to help develop their project. During the six-month programme the group will also participate in a series of three FilmUp Hubs that include round tables, group workshops, and guest speakers.
There was an outstanding range of applications for the 2024 programme, and the final selection was a challenging process for our selectors. We congratulate this year’s participants and would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
The 8 filmmakers selected for FilmUp 2024:
(Pictured left to right above)
FilmUp is made possible thanks to funding from The New Zealand Film Commission
Calling all aspiring filmmakers, storytellers and creatives! Want to learn how to use the power of cinema to tell your stories?
The South Auckland Short Film Workshop is a two-day workshop, held over two weekends, that covers how to turn an idea into a short film. Whether you’re new to filmmaking or have some experience, we are calling everyone who aspires to tell their stories on the screen to come and learn what it takes to bring your story to life.
Over two successive Saturdays, experienced filmmakers will guide you through the principles of how to write a short film, the role of the director, what it takes to get your short film off the ground and what’s needed to pitch to funders and collaborators. Speakers include Marina Alofagia McCartney (Milk & Honey, Vai), Nikki Si’ulepa (Same But Different, Mā, Snow in Paradise) and Vea Mafile’o (The Panthers, For My Fathers Kingdom).
Who it is for: New and emerging creatives 17+ from any industry who have an interest in short filmmaking.
When: Sat 18th November and Sat 25th November 2023 (9am-5pm each day)
Where: Friendship House, 20 Putney Way, Manukau CBD, Auckland 2104
Wheelchair access is available. If you require special assistance, please let us know.
Cost: General Admission $12.50 (inc GST + BF) Tickets via Humanitix
What to Bring: Pen and paper. Coffee, tea and snacks provided. You can bring lunch with you or there are many places to buy lunch in the immediate vicinity.
Participants from this workshop with a connection to South Auckland are encouraged to apply for Script to Screen’s South Shorts 2023 Mentorship Programme when applications open in February. Read more about South Shorts here.
Participants from this workshop with a connection to South Auckland are encouraged to apply for Script to Screen’s South Shorts 2023 Mentorship Programme when applications open in February. Read more about South Shorts here..
Marina Alofagia McCartney
(Pitonu’ū, Satupa’itea and Vailoa, Palauli – Savai’i, Samoa / Newcastle –England / Romani – England)
Marina Alofagia McCartney is an award-winning filmmaker and scholar with films featured in numerous festivals, including Palm Springs, NZIFF, ImagineNATIVE, Hawai’i International Film Festival. Marina wrote and directed the Samoan piece for the film Vai, which opened the NATIVe section at the 2019 Berlinale, and screened at festivals including SXSW, Edinburgh Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival. She has worked on writers’ tables as a storyliner and screenwriter (My Life Is Murder) and is developing several projects including her feature Dusky and NZFC Catalyst film, The Return.
Nikki Si’ulepa
Sātalo, Solāua (Sāmoa)
Nikki Si’ulepa is an Aotearoa-born Samoan with German and Chinese ancestry from the villages of Sātalo, Falealili and Solāua. She’s an actor, writer, director, camera operator, screen tutor, and founding Pacific Islands Screen Artists Komiti member (PISA, est. 2020). She’s worked in the New Zealand screen industry since her debut acting role in Whole of the Moon in 1995, where she won two best actress awards. Her films have also won awards and nominations and have screened at international film festivals, including Berlinale, Tribeca, Sydney, Melbourne, FIFO, Queerscreen, NZIFF, Hollyshorts, and imagineNATIVE.
In 2021, Nikki created ScreenFit classes for writers, directors and actors of various skills, backgrounds and experiences to come together and work scenes to stay ‘screen fit’. Nikki has taught acting for screen and facilitated workshops on writing and filmmaking at South Shorts, The Actors Program, Excel Performing Arts, Actors Lab Studio, and various PISA events. Nikki can be seen on Canadian and New Zealand television screens in South Pacific Pictures’ thriller, The Sounds, in Roseanne Liang’s Shadow in the Cloud post-apocalyptic comedy drama, Creamerie, and guest stars opposite Kiwi Xena icon Lucy Lawless in My Life is Murder. Nikki’s currently writing and developing a new slate of films and series’.
Nikki loves arthouse films, vegan ice cream, fun film festivals, and short walks on the beach.
Vea Madile’o
Tongaleleka, Ha’apai (Tonga), Ngāti Te Wehi (Māori), English and Scottish
Vea is an Auckland based freelance film, television and media director, producer and artist who has filmed and exhibited her work extensively throughout the Pacific Islands. 2019 was a big year for Vea. Her debut feature film NZ Film Commission funded documentary, For My Father’s Kingdom, world premiered at the prestigious 2019 Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival, in which Vea and partner / co-director / cinematographer, Jeremiah Tauamiti, and Vea’s siblings and father attended. FMFK won a jury award at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and is the first ever Pacific Islands feature length documentary in the world to be directed and produced by Tongan women. Vea’s short film, Toa’ipuapuagā – Strength in Suffering A Samoan Stigmata, also premiered at the 2019 Berlinale. Vea won the Moana Best Pasifika Non-Fiction Director at the 2019 Wairoa Maori Film Festival Inc. Film Festival.
Vea has worked as an art director and location camera operator / director for TVNZ’s Pacific shows, Fresh and Tagata Pasifika, and for Pacific one-stop-shop website The Coconet TV and in films Maria, Liliu, My Friend Michael Jones, MESSiAH Short Film, Finding Honk, The Map Reader. Vea is also the founder of the Okalani Film Festival and the Nuku’alofa Film Festival NFF.
Vea is currently developing a feature documentary, short film, and dramatic feature film. Vea has also produced three sons aged ten, six and three years old, some of her best productions to date.
This workshop is made possible thanks to generous support from Creative Communities Auckland and Foundation North.
Script to Screen also receives financial support from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Spend a day with Pip Hall (One Lane Bridge, Jonah, Why Does Love?) as she guides participants through her process when developing story ideas for TV series.
Throughout the day Pip will look at character and character function, theme and story engine as well as constructing an outstanding pilot script and pitch document. This workshop will be craft based and combines practical elements, presented content, group work, discussion and case studies.
Promising to be both interactive and engaging, this is a terrific opportunity to spend a day focusing on your craft as a writer. You’ll be working on your ideas as well as taking notes, so bring your notepad or preferred writing device.
When: 9am – 5pm, Saturday 4th November 2023
Where:H D Skinner Annex, 361 Great King Street North, North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016. The room for the workshop is upstairs.
Wheelchair access is available. If you require special assistance, please let us know.
Cost: General Admission $30 (incl. GST & Booking Fee) via Humanitix.
Who is it for? Anyone 17+ currently working on a story idea for the screen. This workshop would be particularly beneficial for those writing for TV Series and will be a mix of teaching and writing exercises.
What to bring? Please bring a new or existing idea to work on. Also a notebook & pen or note-taking device, a water bottle and your lunch. Script to Screen will provide snacks, tea and coffee. There are café’s in the area if you prefer to buy your lunch.
Travel Grants Available for residents of Otago and Southland: Film Otago Southland will provide up to 5 travel grants of up to $100 each for participants who reside outside of the Dunedin City Council boundaries and have their permanent residence in the Otago or Southland region. The grants are allocated on a first-in basis. Please get in touch with Film Otago Southland Coordinator Stefan Roesch via email to secure your travel grant: stefan.roesch@dcc.govt.nz
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ABOUT PIP HALL
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| Pip Hall is an award-winning scriptwriter and playwright. She works extensively in television as a creator, writer, developer, story liner, script consultant and executive producer. She has written over forty million dollars’ worth of content including three series of One Lane Bridge, Why Does Love, Runaway Millionairesand The Brokenwood Mysteries.
“I love telling stories because I want to share the human condition, so that we know we are not alone in this big, crazy world; so we can celebrate our similarities and our differences.” – Pip Hall
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Kōpere Hou reflects the colour, the radiance and beauty of a new rainbow and is symbolic of the significant display and presence of a well-crafted short film.
Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts offers a rare opportunity to get funding for your short film idea. You can apply with live-action, animation or documentary projects between 4 and 25 minutes. The programme was established to find talent with distinct voices and aims to nurture, challenge, and inspire the selected filmmakers through a development and mentoring process.
Six teams will be selected to receive up to $30,000 to facilitate the cost of making their short film. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop in June 2024 and be matched with experienced industry practitioners to receive six weeks of mentoring as they get their project ‘shoot ready’.
There are two stages to the application process.
At Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One you will need to have a writer, director and producer to submit the following:
Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One is open now and will close at 1:00pm on Monday 6 November. Applications are made via the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Funding Portal.
A shortlist of 18 teams will be selected from the Stage One applications and invited to submit a Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage Two application in January 2024. From the shortlist, six projects will receive $30,000 grants. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop held 8-9 June 2024 and will be matched with experienced mentors to get their project ‘shoot ready’. The focus is on the development of both people and stories.
Criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage Two can be viewed on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Script to Screen: FreshShorts@script-to-screen.co.nz
KEY DATES
WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
APPLICATIONS OPEN: NOW, Wednesday 27 September 2023 (Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 6 November, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Early January
WHIRINGA TUARUA – STAGE TWO
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday 15 January 2024
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 26 February 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Late April 2024
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 08-09 June 2024
MENTORSHIPS: 10 June to 19 July 2024 (Six weeks)
Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts is an NZFC initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
Photographer Xander Dixon. From Hey, Brainy Man directed by Jo Randerson & Loren Taylor 2023
Mid-winter is a good time for planning and we here at STS are plotting the next twelve months. We wanted to let you know that our development programmes will open later than usual. STS relies on funding, and one of our funding sources opened a couple of months later than usual, hence the change to our dates. For those of you who are planning around these submission dates, here’s an idea of what to expect:
As mentioned, they are all funding contingent, and these dates may change, but if you are thinking you would like to apply this is a good guide.
We have some great community workshops and TALKS coming up, so pop the ones that are in your region on your calendar. Keep an eye on your email, for when registrations open.
16 September – Queenstown Workshop
21 October – Auckland Workshop
4 November – Dunedin workshop
