Join three creative producers working alongside international collaborators, to produce and share New Zealand screen stories for children here at home, and far and wide.
Fiona Copland, Hana Miller, and Nic Marshall will sit in conversation, sharing their unique pathways within the children’s screen environment. They will offer up their recent international experiences pitching, developing, producing, distributing, and championing Aotearoa-grounded screen stories within a wider global children’s media context.
Hana attended Kidscreen Summit 2023, Nic is just home from the New York International Children’s Festival where she sits on the board of advisors, and Fiona’s stop motion animation series, Kiri and Lou, is now on Nickelodeon USA adding another territory to its kete.
It all starts with a great idea, but how do you make that happen? The discussion will cover the process of gathering supporters, becoming a trusted collaborator, and staying true to your creative vision as the deals are negotiated.
Come along to hear about international trends in children’s screen stories, and to meet up with other screen creatives in Pōneke.
Wednesday 5 April 2023
6:30 – 7:30pm – TALK
7:30 – 8:30pm – Cash bar, socialising and pizza
Tapere Iti, Te Auaha NZ institute of creativity, 65 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington
After the TALK, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen, there will be a cash bar and socialising with fellow filmmakers.
$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via EventBrite to secure your seat.
$5.00 cash at the door.
FIONA COPLAND
Fiona is the producer of BAFTA nominated stop motion pre-school series Kiri and Lou, with writer/director Harry Sinclair, co-songwriter Don McGlashan and animation director Antony Elworthy. Now in its 4th series, Kiri and Lou has won critical acclaim and screens in many territories around the world. Fiona has previously produced a number of feature films, documentaries, documentary series, and factual series. Much of her work has screened internationally as well as in New Zealand.
HANA MILLER
NIC MARSHALL
Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film Commission, Te Auaha NZ Institute of Creativity and White Studios.
Script to Screen, in collaboration with Te Puna Matarau, is delighted to open this new initiative, developed especially for screen creatives in Waitaha Canterbury wanting to advance their careers.
We are seeking applications from originators of feature films, TV series, and narrative driven video games. The programme is suitable for emerging and mid-career practitioners. To be eligible, applicants must have a strong connection with the Waitaha Canterbury region and have a project viable for production.
Four projects will be selected, and their originators will attend three one-day workshops held July to September 2023. Creative teams will receive personalised advice to develop their project and hear from experienced industry practitioners chosen to meet the needs of the teams.
The purpose of this programme is to support the development of IP in the region and support creators to get their work closer to funding and production. Participants will increase their contacts in the industry and connect with other creators.
Te Puna Matarau is a new organisation formed by and for Waitaha Canterbury screen practitioners.
Applications open: 15 March
Applications close: 1pm, 19 April
Workshop dates: 1 July, 12 August, and 9 September 2023
Note: All workshop expenses are covered other than the participants getting to the workshop venue in Christchurch.
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Take care of our children. Take care of what they hear. Take care of what they see. For how the children grow, so will the shape of Aotearoa.– Dame Whina Cooper
So many screen stories start with a personal or memorable experience that often includes other people. When developing a script based on actual events, it helps to understand your place in the story, how far you can stray from the truth, and who you need to consult with. This TALK will cover those challenges and other considerations for autobiographical projects and stories about a public figure.
Hear from three outstanding writer-directors, Welby Ings (Punch, Sparrow), Mathew J. Saville (Juniper, Dive) and Paula Whetu Jones (Whina, Waru), as they discuss their recent experience weaving screen stories from truth, memory, and social history. Moderated by filmmaker Karin Williams (SIS, Teine Sa), this promises to be an insightful and valuable conversation.
Join us at Tapac on Wednesday, the 29th of March, at 6:30 pm.
Wednesday 29 March 2023
6:30 – 7:30pm -TALK
7:30 – 8:30pm – Cash bar, socialising and pizza
TAPAC, 100 Motions Rd, Western Springs, Auckland
After the TALK, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen, there will be a cash bar and socialising with fellow filmmakers.
$5.75 (incl. GST) for sales via EventBrite to secure your seat.
$5.00 cash at the door.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
WELBY INGS is a multi-award winning designer, filmmaker, and writer. His short films, Boy, Munted and Sparrow have been selected in competition at over 80 international film festivals. His critically acclaimed LGBTQI+ feature film Punch had its international premiere last year in Tallinn Black Nights, and it is currently programmed across a spectrum of international festivals. As well as being a film director Welby is also a Professor in Narrative Design at Auckland University of Technology.
MATTHEW J. SAVILLE is an award-winning writer, director and actor. Having graduated from New Zealand’s National Drama School, Toi Whakaari, it was directing that really sparked Matt’s passion. HIs directorial debut – 2012’s NZFC funded short film Hitch Hike – thumbed its way to festivals all around the world and Matt’s sophomore effort, the multi-award winning Dive, premiered at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival. Both films have garnered millions of views online. In 2021 he wrote and directed his first feature film Juniper, starring Academy Award nominee Charlotte Rampling. Aside from a strong festival run, Juniper opened theatrically worldwide in territories including the UK, Scandinavia and Australia and will be released theatrically in the US and Canada in January 2023.
PAULA WHETU JONES
Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Whakatohea Ngati Porou.
Born and raised in Hastings, I went to film school where I specialised in things I never went on to do but I did learn the processes and discipline of film and TV. My foray into documentary came from being tired of people perpetuating stereotypes and getting “our” stories wrong. For me, it is all about context. If you don’t know the world, it’s much harder to get authenticity in your story.
I’ve been in the industry for over 20 years and have worked in all production areas, but lately I have moved from doco to drama. I recently co-directed and co-wrote the feature film Whina and was one of the Māori Women writer-directors on Waru. I am currently a co-writer and co-director on a Warner Bros NZ series, the creator, co-writer and co-director of a series for Neon, and I’m in the second draft of a historical NZ feature script for Sweetshop and Green.
KARIN WILLIAMS is a descendant of British settlers in Aotearoa and ancestors from the South Pacific island of Aitutaki. She began her career as a reporter at the Cook Islands News in Rarotonga, going on to work as a writer, director and producer for broadcast networks in New Zealand and the USA. She founded Multinesia Productions to support global indigenous storytelling and has worked with first nations communities in Canada, Alaska and the Pacific. Her independent film projects have screened at festivals around the world. Recent credits include Teine Sā, a Pacific horror/anthology series for Sky NZ Originals, and the acclaimed Polynesian sketch comedy series, SIS for Comedy Central.
Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film Commission, Foundation North and White Studios.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Anton Monstead
Music Supervisor Elvis, Head of Music Amazon Studios
Anton Monsted is a music producer and industry executive best known for his role as the head of music at Amazon Studios. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing the music strategy for the studio’s original content, including films and television shows. Anton brings a wealth of experience to his role, having worked in the music industry for many years as a producer, executive, and consultant. He has a deep understanding of the music business and is known for his ability to identify and develop new talent, as well as his expertise in music supervision and licensing. With his extensive network of industry contacts and his passion for music, Anton is well-positioned to lead Amazon Studios’ music efforts into the future.
Amos Newman
Amos Newman currently heads the Music Department at FIFTH SEASON, formally Endeavor Content. Amos oversees all music-related matters across FIFTH SEASON’s film and television studios. His group recently received their first Emmy nomination and win for Teddy Shapiro’s brilliant score on Apple TV’s Severance. Other notable FIFTH SEASON projects include Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Oscar-nominated film The Lost Daughter, the critically-acclaimed tv shows; Killing Eve and The Morning Show, and the documentary series McCartney 3, 2, 1 hosted by Rick Rubin. Amos’ role extends to producing music-based IP. He is currently developing an Otis Redding bio-feature, as well as a feature-length documentary about the legendary band Earth, Wind and Fire. Prior to joining FIFTH SEASON, Amos was a partner agent, and Head of the Music for Visual Media Group at William Morris Endeavor. There he guided the careers of notable composers such as Hans Zimmer, Ludwig Göransson, Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Randy Newman and many more. Amos lives with his wife and two children in Los Angeles, CA. He is a graduate of the USC School of Music.
Karyn Rachtman
Music Supervisor
Karyn Rachtman is an American music supervisor, producer, best known for her work in the film and television industries. She has been responsible for overseeing the music for numerous high-profile productions, including the iconic films Pulp Fiction and Boogie Nights, as well as popular television shows like Breaking Bad. With a deep knowledge of music and a keen ear for discovering new talent, Karyn has become one of the most sought-after music supervisors in the entertainment industry. Her innovative approach to music supervision has earned her a reputation as a true tastemaker, helping to shape the sound of modern film and television. In addition to her work as a music supervisor, Karyn is also a talented producer, having released several compilation albums and worked with a wide range of artists.
Serj Tankian
System of A Down Founder, Composer, Artist & Activist
Serj Tankian is an Armenian-American singer, songwriter, and political activist. He is best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and keyboardist of the Grammy-winning alternative metal band System of a Down. With his unique and powerful voice, Serj has become one of the most recognizable figures in the heavy metal genre, known for his politically charged lyrics and socially conscious message. In addition to his work with System of a Down, Serj has released several critically acclaimed solo albums, incorporating a range of musical styles including classical, jazz, and world music. He is also an outspoken political activist, using his platform to advocate for a variety of causes, including human rights, environmentalism, and animal welfare. Serj’s music and activism have made him a powerful voice in the world of rock music and beyond.
Carol Dunn
Executive Proudcer, Human Worldwide
Carol Dunn is an Experienced Executive Producer with over 25 years demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry – record labels, music publishing and advertising. Skilled in Music Supervision, Licensing, Music Production, Music Entertainment, Business Development, Sales, Marketing & Branding, Diversity & Inclusion Advocate, Culture & Talent Manager.
Carol has 17 years of content creation production experience; specializing in pre and post-production music for advertising.
Series Bootcamp returns in 2023.
This development programme has been created to nurture and support emerging to mid-career filmmakers developing a series concept. We’re looking for teams who can present a unique and interesting story, and convince us that their idea is viable for production. Six teams (writers and producers) with outstanding concepts and evidence of talent will be selected for Series Bootcamp 2023.
The development process will run over two months, during which time the participants will be guided to hone their pitch document and the pilot episode, culminating in a pitching day in June.
STAGE ONE (4-5 May): Teams attend an intensive two-day story workshop with advisor sessions and guest speakers. Teams then have three weeks to further develop their projects.
STAGE TWO (26 May): Pitch deck and scripts are re-submitted by the teams in advance of an online session with a script developer who will give feedback on the quality, originality and viability of their developed concept and pilot episode. Teams use the feedback to work on their concept and pilot episode leading up to the pitching day.
STAGE THREE (26 June): Teams attend pitching day to hear from guest speakers and pitch to industry professionals.
Teams attending Series Bootcamp will come away with a refined series concept, a pilot episode and experience pitching their idea. Participants will have a deepened understanding of how to develop, write and pitch a series.
Participants who live outside of Auckland will have their travel and accommodation paid for.
We encourage undiscovered voices to apply.
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW: 23 January
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11:59pm, 27 February*
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP: 4 – 5 May
RESUBMISSION DATE AHEAD OF ONLINE DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS: 26 May
ONLINE SESSIONS: Between 8 – 20 June
PITCH DAY: 26 June
*Those affected by extreme weather events who are unable to meet the deadline, can request an extension. Fill out the form below or call us on 09 3605400.
Series Bootcamp is made possible thanks to funding from NZ on Air.
Gerard Johnstone, in conversation with Dominic Corry, will talk about the big picture intentions he had approaching the film as well as some deep detail on methods he used to scare us and make us laugh.
M3GAN is short for Model 3 Generative Android, and is written by Akela Cooper (Malignant) from a story by James Wan (Saw, Aquaman). The animatronic doll is created by combining a doll, a dancer/performer, a voice artist and CGI. We’ll hear how Gerard brought this unique android character to life and the local talent he worked with in the process.
Shot partly in Auckland in 2021, the film moved from Canada to New Zealand due to the pandemic, employing New Zealand cast and crew and working with WETA Workshop.
This film has revealed a distinct directing style for Gerard Johnstone as his pathway takes him from low-budget comedy horror Housebound to working with Blumhouse Productions and one of Hollywood’s big film studios, Universal Pictures.
Come along to this talk to hear how Gerard did it!
Tue 31 January 2023
7:30 – 8:30– Online TALK
This is a FREE Online event. Those who purchased tickets for the in-person event will be fully refunded.
GERARD JOHNSTONE
After twice winning the 48Hours film contest, Gerard Johnstone used some of the prize money to make a pilot for a comedy. Though the project went nowhere, TV3 went on to screen two seasons of his award-winning comedy The Jaquie Brown Diaries. In 2014 Johnstone’s first movie — horror comedy Housebound — garnered acclaim, awards and interest from America. In 2016 Johnstone rebooted 80s series Terry and the Gunrunners as Terry Teo. The show’s online debut won headlines, after it was judged too mature to screen in a children’s slot. Johnstone’s second feature is Blumhouse horror movie M3gan, from an idea by James Wan.
DOMINIC CORRY
Dominic Corry has been one of New Zealand’s most vocal and enthusiastic film critics for over ten years.
Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to generous support from
New Zealand Film Commission & Foundation North. A special thanks to our venue sponsor Capitol Cinema.
“South Shorts has given me the opportunity to connect not only with industry experts but also with other South Auckland storytellers, whose feedback and knowledge have been invaluable in the development of my writing. It has given me the confidence (and the audacity) to develop my first short film, in a time when we need and deserve more South Auckland, Māori and Pasifika stories.”
The South Shorts Mentorship programme supports new and emerging screenwriters from the South Auckland community to develop their short film scripts. Participants are led through focused script development over a six-month period under the guidance of experienced screenwriting mentor Briar Grace-Smith (Rūrangi, Cousins, Waru), and leave the programme with a completed short film script and practical tools to develop their own work.
During this six-month programme, the participants attend a series of one-day hubs, held on a Saturday. The hub days involve script read-throughs, writing exercises and hearing from guest speakers about their experiences making films.
This initiative is intended for people who either live in South Auckland or are connected to the South Auckland community – maybe you grew up there, have whānau there, have worked there for years or feel connected to the community in some way.
Applications for the 2023 South Shorts Mentorship Programme are open now.
Opening: Wednesday 26th October
Closing: 5 December, 1pm
Notification of outcome: mid January 2023
To apply you will need to submit:
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“Absolutely Blimmen Brilliant!”
“Exemplary and valuable in every respect”
– 2022 Queenstown Creating Series Drama Workshop Participants
How does an idea become a story, and how does a story become a series?
This one-day workshop digs into those all-important first steps that take you from the very beginnings of an idea to having a developed project you can use to attract collaborators, platforms and funders.
During this practical hands-on day, workshop participants will create new projects from scratch, interrogate successful shows & analyse why they work, bring original ideas to develop in the room, and learn about the essential materials you need to sell a project and how to create them.
The workshop is pitched at the developing writer – if you have ideas you would like to turn into a series drama, this day is for you. Bring a notebook & pen, an original idea – a few lines is fine – and your creative energy.
When & Where:
Saturday, 5th November 2022
9:00am – 5:00pm
Ara Institute of Canterbury, NZ Broadcasting School (TV Building)
33 Southwark Street (Cnr Madras and Southwark), Christchurch.
Cost: General Admission $23 (incl. GST) via EventBrite
What to Bring: Please bring a pen, paper and your own lunch (there are also cafes in the area).
About Fiona Samuel
Fiona Samuel is an award-winning writer and director for television, theatre, radio and film and an esteemed writing teacher and mentor. In her career she has created a body of work that centres female experience, starting with her ground-breaking television drama series The Marching Girls and continuing with an acclaimed trilogy of telemovies Piece of My Heart, Bliss, and Consent – The Louise Nicholas Story.
Alongside this work, Fiona is also a teacher, mentor and script consultant, teaching the Masters in Creative Writing at the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington and working with directing students at the South Seas Film & Television School in Auckland. Fiona is an NZ Arts Foundation Laureate, a MNZM for services to television and theatre and the Co-President of the NZ Writers Guild.
This workshop is made possible thanks to generous support from Screen CanterburyNZ, Creative Communities Scheme, and our venue sponsor Ara – New Zealand Broadcasting School.
Raising production finance for your series demands great imagination, inventiveness and resilience. Although it can seem so unreachable, financing your series and reaching your audience in New Zealand and overseas, is possible.
There is an increase in the number of international co-productions in place to finance series that are conceived in New Zealand, and an increase in commissions from broadcasters / platforms / distributors as well.
To help demystify the process Executive Producer Richard Fletcher of Libertine Pictures will present a case study on the financing of three seasons (29 episodes) of Mystic. In the telling of this financing story you will learn how a NZ production company created an international series and how the parties involved contributed to the development, financing, along with false starts, alliance changes, and conditions that came with the money. The case study will cover the unofficial co-production with UK production company Slim Film + Television, bringing on an international distributor, and the broadcasting arrangements in NZ, Australia and the UK. Plus a candid look at the behind the scenes challenges and obstacles in getting the series into production.
This Deep Dive Workshop is a rare opportunity to hear about the pieces of the puzzle that came together to get Mystic into production and on screens around the world. Come along and be inspired by how you might do it too.
About Mystic
Mystic is a co-commission by UK children’s BBC channel, CBBC and TVNZ with investment from NZ On Air and Te Puna Kairangi (Series 2 and 3) with financing from Fulcrum Media Finance and is coproduced by Libertine Pictures and Slim Film + Television. The series is distributed by Daro Film Distribution and has sold to over 65 territories worldwide, including North America, Germany and France and to broadcasters including, ABC, ZDF, Canal +, Netflix and Disney +. It is based on New Zealand author Stacy Gregg’s internationally bestselling book series Pony Club Secrets with a combination of NZ and UK writers and was entirely shot and post-produced in New Zealand.
When: 9:30am-12:30pm Tuesday 18 October, with a 30min morning tea break
Where: Covert Theatre, 51 Mackelvie Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Who it is for: Mid-career and experienced practitioners who write, produce and direct projects
Cost: General Admission $80.00 (incl. GST)
ABOUT RICHARD FLETCHER
Richard has more than 20 years’ experience in international film and television production. He has produced and executive produced a range of feature films, documentaries and TV series, including Under the Vines, Mystic, We Are Still Here, Muru, Gloriavale, Griff’s Canadian Adventure, The Letter for the King, Rhys Darby: Big in Japan, The Legend of Baron To’a, Griff’s Great Kiwi Road Trip, Daffodils, Yellow is Forbidden, Belief: the Possession of Janet Moses, Wild Survivor, Walking with Dinosaurs 3D, The Last Ocean, Boy, Under the Mountain and River Queen. His productions have played at major international festivals including Berlin, Busan, Melbourne, Shanghai, Sundance, SXSW, Toronto and Tribeca film festivals and he has worked with a range of partners including the ABC, BBC, Disney, ITV, National Geographic, Netflix, Network Ten, Sky, TVNZ and Twentieth Century Fox.
Richard previously worked at the New Zealand Film Commission as Head of Business Affairs and in distribution in Australia for Beyond Films and in the UK for the Feature Film Company.
He has extensive domestic and international relationships across all sectors of the screen production industry. He has practical experience of film and television drama and factual production, financing and distribution in multiple jurisdictions. In addition, Richard has considerable experience in successfully managing the requirements of government funders, private investors and distributors.
For more information about Richard’s background and experience, visit his page at www.nzonscreen.com
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