“Housebound manages to balance consistent, fantastic comedy with a properly eerie mystery and what should be a star-making turn from lead Morgana O’Reilly.” Samuel Zimmerman, Fangoria
With so many elements to juggle to get a film to shine, it’s a feat when a low-budget first feature gels. Escalator funded horror-comedy Housebound has been hailed as a remarkable accomplishment by US reviewers after its SXSW festival debut earlier this year, where it was praised for freshness of voice, strong performances, carefully handled script, and the perfect dose of NZ’s dry humour.
Join us for a special NZ International Film Festival Writers’ Room with Housebound’s writer, director and editor Gerard Johnstone (The Jaquie Brown Diaries) and producer Luke Sharpe (The Jaquie Brown Diaries) as they talk to filmmaker Jackie Van Beek (Go the Dogs) about the challenges of writing and making this stellar debut feature.
Join us afterwards for some nibbles on us and a drink.
Tues 29 July, The Wintergarden (Civic Theatre), 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm discussion, free.
Note: There will be spoilers!!
Housebound screened at the Civic in Auckland at the New Zealand International Film Festival on Sat 26 July at 9pm.
Join us this month for a Wellington Writers’ Room with Australian director and academic Robert Marchand. Robert will talk to story advisor and acting coach Brita McVeigh about the relationship between filmmakers and actors in the process of character-based improvisation.
Emerging filmmakers can feel bound by the orthodoxy of the filmmaking process. How can writers and directors get to the heart of the story by engaging their actors earlier on in the process? This discussion is aimed at writers and directors, as well as actors.
Join us from 5:30pm for a glass of wine and stay afterwards for a slice of Heaven Woodfire Pizza on us.
Wed 27 August, Nga Taonga Sound and Vision (formerly The Film Archive), 84 Taranaki Street, Wellington, 5:30pm drinks, 6-7pm talk, $5 koha appreciated, includes a glass of wine
Robert Marchand is currently in New Zealand working with co-writer/director team Andrea Bosshard and Shane Loader (Taking the Waewae Express; Hook, Line and Sinker) on their new film The Great Maiden’s Blush. Support their BOOSTED campaign here!
Join us for a discussion delving into the creative process of low budget feature films as experienced by recipients of funding from the NZ Film Commission’s Escalator scheme. This is an opportunity to feed into the NZ Film Commission’s discussion around different options for low budget funding moving forward.
Writer/director Max Currie (Everything We Loved), writer/director Paolo Rotondo (Orphans & Kingdoms), writer/director Gerard Johnstone (Housebound) and writer/director Guy Pigden (I Survived a Zombie Holocaust) talk to producer Tui Ruwhiu about how being part of the scheme shaped and changed their filmmaking process.
The Escalator low budget funding scheme was an initiative of the New Zealand Film Commission which ran from 2010 – 2012. Over three years, eight teams were given production funding of $250,000 to make their first feature film.
Join us afterwards for a slice of pizza on us and a drink.
Tues 2nd September, The Classic, 321 Queen Street, 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm talk, $5 koha appreciated.
Script to Screen presents a one-day filmmaking workshop for the Far North region, Storytelling for the Screen with experienced writer/director Michael Bennett.
Is there a story from your community that you would like to tell through film but don’t know where to start?
Come and join us for a free one-day workshop that will give you the tools you need to take stories from your community and tell them on screen.
This workshop covers short film, short documentary and web series formats, and focuses on making a project on a low budget. The aim of the workshop is to foster local talent and encourage aspiring filmmakers to make their own projects with local content.
The workshop is aimed at all levels, from those with screenwriting and filmmaking experience, to passionate storytellers looking for an introduction on how to develop stories that are cinematic. The workshop is suitable for ages 15+. We also welcome those who work with rangatahi in the Far North region, who would like to learn more about how to inspire their youth to write and make a film project with local content.
When: Sunday 1 February, 9am-5pm
Where: Northtec Rawene Campus, Nimmo St, Hokianga
Cost: The workshop is free. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. Please bring a plate to share for lunch.
Registration: If you would like to attend please rsvp to Eloise on eloise @ script-to-screen.co.nz or ring the office on 09 360 5400. This workshop is aimed at ages 15+. (The Script to Screen office reopens on 15th January so if you call or email prior to this day and we will reply on our return to confirm your place at the workshop.)
Michael Bennett is a writer/director of Te Arawa descent (Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Wakaue), working extensively within short and feature film, web series, and documentary forms. Michael’s first short film Michelle’s Third Novel accompanied the US gala premiere of Pulp Fiction at the 1994 New York Film Festival. He has since gone on to write and direct internationally award winning shorts Cow and Kerosene Creek. In 2010 he co-wrote and directed the award-winning feature film Matariki which debuted at TIFF. He recently devised and wrote all 20 episodes of popular web series The Factory, and wrote and directed The Confessions of Prisoner T – an in-depth look at the Teina Pora case, of which he is now writing a book, and developing a feature film. As well as working on his own projects, Michael is an experienced script editor.
Day Schedule:
9am – Intro, morning tea
9:30am – 12pm – Morning session: The craft of storytelling in drama, documentary and web series
12 – 1pm – Lunch – please bring a plate
1 – 4pm – Afternoon session : A chance to share your project ideas for discussion and feedback
4-5pm – Ngā Aho Whakaari presents Waka Kiriata – a screening of Māori short films – snacks provided
For our last Writers’ Room of the year we are thrilled to welcome award-winning Australian showrunnner, writer and director, Tony Ayres.
Tony talks to Fiona Samuel about his career as a creative dynamo, and his involvement at the helm of some of the most critically and commercially successful high-end television to come out of Australia (The Slap, Nowhere Boys, Maximum Choppage). Lauded for his skills in story development, Tony delves into the processes behind Australia’s recent high-end television success.
Thurs 30 October, 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30 session, The Loft (upstairs), Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street.
A full bio for Tony Ayres can be found on the Matchbox Pictures website.
Half-day seminar: Creating Compelling Drama for a Young Audience with Tony Ayres
Tony will also share his expertise and insights on creating compelling and relatable screen drama for young people in a half-day seminar on the morning of Saturday 1 November. Whether you’re writing drama specifically for a young audience or want to develop children and teen characters in your drama, this is an essential session to attend. More details here. We’re proud to be able to deliver this session in partnership with Kids on Screen.
Presented by Kids on Screen and Script to Screen.
“Writing and directing for young audiences has been one of the most challenging, yet gratifying facets of my career. Not only are young audiences today far more savvy in terms of story, but they have a vast plethora of content options to choose from. This is what makes it so rewarding when you get it right.” – Tony Ayres.
Award-winning showrunner, writer and director Tony Ayres will share his expertise and insights on creating compelling and relatable screen drama for young people. Whether you’re writing drama specifically for a young audience or want to develop children and teen characters in your drama, this is an essential session to attend.
This intensive seminar will explore developing ideas into stories and making them relatable to different age groups – from writing authentic characters, to powerful, relevant themes, and crafting compelling drama that hooks the audience.
Tony is currently working on the second season of Australia’s teen drama Nowhere Boys. Series 1 of this award-winning drama series has just been nominated for an Emmy and has won an AACTA, Logie, and a Prix Jeunesse International 2014 Award.
Where: St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby.
When: Saturday November 1st, 9.15 for 9.30 start, 12.30pm finish.
Tickets: $15 concession, $20 full price*
This seminar is brought to you with financial support from the NZ Film Commission.
* concessions available for industry guild members, students, and senior citizens with identification.
Are you a filmmaker with aspirations to cut through the clutter in the global marketplace?
WIFT NZ and Script to Screen present a special discussion with Matt Baker (Director of Acquisitions at HanWay Films), Carole Sheridan (producer, founder of Singer Films, and former Exec. Producer Scottish Screen) and Joe Oppenheimer (Commissioning Editor at BBC Films). Join us to hear from these esteemed internationals as they talk to NZ producer and lecturer in screen (AUT) Christina Milligan about the films that are capturing their attention right now, and why.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from those with decades of market experience as they shed light on what distributors, sales agents, potential international partners and audiences are looking for in the current landscape.
Thurs 27 Nov, drinks 6pm, event 6:30-7:30pm, The Loft, Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street, $5 koha appreciated.
Matt Baker, Carole Sheridan and Joe Oppenheimer are here for WIFT‘s Finance and Co-Production Summit.
This event is brought to you with financial support from the NZ Film Commission.
Script to Screen presents a filmmaking workshop on the web series format, with guest speakers Kiel McNaughton (creator/director/actor) and Kerry Warkia (creator/producer/actor), both of whom were key creatives in the successful NZ web series Auckland Daze and new series Nia’s Extra Ordinary Life.
Come and join us for this productive and inspiring one day workshop to learn about this growing medium, and the opportunities and challenges it provides. This workshop is free and open to anyone who is passionate about making film or TV. It is suitable for beginners through to people with filmmaking and/or screenwriting experience.
What is a web series? Web series are episodic dramas or documentaries – like a TV series, but only available online through TV on Demand, youtube, vimeo, the Web Series Channel, or a dedicated website for the series. Web series can be anywhere from self-funded to high budget, and episode lengths range from 2-100mins. Successful NZ web series include the NZonAir funded Auckland Daze and Reservoir Hill, which both screen on TVNZ Ondemand. Auckland Daze has returned for its second season as a broadcast show.
Why make one? Web series are usually shows with characters and themes that may not ever get mainstream TV funding, because they are too ‘niche’. Filmmakers can make short episodic drama about characters that they connect with, and use online avenues to find an audience. Some NZ filmmakers like Roseanne Liang (Flat3) are now turning to self-funded web series as a means to continue to produce creative work in between projects. It keeps the creative juices flowing while also allowing them to test ideas and processes on a lower budget.
Come and hear creator/director Kiel McNaughton (Auckland Daze, Nia’s Extra Ordinary Life) and creator/producer Kerry Warkia (Auckland Daze, Flat3, Nia’s Extra Ordinary Life) discuss the creative possibilities of the web series format. The morning session will cover writing, directing and producing a web series yourself, using clips to demonstrate. Followed by a fun afternoon session of sharing and discussing ideas.
WHEN: Sat 22nd March, 9am – 5pm
WHERE: CPIT Broadcasting School, 171 Madras St, Christchurch MAP
COST: The workshop is free but please bring your own lunch. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided.
WHAT TO BRING: A formed idea! You will have the chance to share your idea for a web series and get feedback.
REGISTRATION: Please RSVP to Eloise eloise@script-to-screen.co.nz
SCHEDULE:
9am – 10am Welcome, info, refreshments
10am – 12pm What does it take to get a web series off the ground?
12 – 1pm Lunch. Please bring your own lunch or use the cafés nearby.
1 – 2:30pm Let’s work through your ideas!
2:30-3pm Afternoon tea
4:30-5pm Wrap up, evaluation
Script to Screen and Ngā Aho Whakaari present a filmmaking workshop on the web series format, with guest speakers Kiel McNaughton (creator/director/actor) and Kerry Warkia (creator/producer/actor), both of whom were key creatives in the successful NZ web series Auckland Daze.
Come and join us for this productive and inspiring one day workshop to learn about this growing medium, and the opportunities and challenges it provides. This workshop is free and open to anyone who is passionate about making film or TV. It is suitable for people for beginners through to people with filmmaking and/or screenwriting experience.
What is a web series? Web series are episodic dramas or documentaries – like a TV series, but only available online through TV on Demand, youtube, vimeo or a dedicated website. Web series can be anywhere from self-funded to high budget, and episode lengths range from 2-100mins. Successful NZ web series include the NZonAir funded Auckland Daze and Reservoir Hill, which both screen on TVNZ Ondemand. Auckland Daze has returned for its second season as a broadcast show.
Why make one? Web series are usually shows with characters and themes that may not ever get mainstream TV funding, because they are too ‘niche’. Filmmakers can make short episodic drama about characters that they connect with, and use online avenues to find an audience. Some NZ filmmakers like Roseanne Liang (Flat3) are now turning to self-funded web series as a means to continue to produce creative work in between projects. It keeps the creative juices flowing while also allowing them to test ideas and processes on a lower budget.
Come and hear creator/director Kiel McNaughton (Auckland Daze) and creator/producer Kerry Warkia (Auckland Daze, Flat3) discuss the creative possibilities of the web series format. The morning session will cover writing, directing and producing a web series yourself, using clips to demonstrate. Followed by a fun afternoon session of collaborative group work. Bring your ideas to the table and get something made!
Sun 8th December, Rawene Hall, South Hokianga, 9am – 4:30pm, MAP
The workshop is free but please bring a plate to share for lunch.
If you would like to attend, please rsvp by email Eloise at eloise@script-to-screen.co.nz
SCHEDULE:
9am – 10am Mihi Whakatau, info, refreshments
10am – 12pm What does it take to get a web series off the ground?
12 – 1pm Shared Lunch, everyone brings a plate
1 – 4pm Let’s work through your ideas!
4-4:30pm Wrap up, evaluation
For any queries or to rsvp please email Eloise at eloise@script-to-screen.co.nz
Is there a story from your community that you would like to tell through film but don’t know where to start?
Script to Screen and Ngā Aho Whakaari present the 2013 South Auckland Short Film Workshop. This two-day event will give you everything you need to know to make a short film, guiding you through each stage – from the initial concept, writing, directing, the crucial element of casting and finally to pitch your idea for funding.
Come and listen to five experienced industry professionals who have all worked on successful short films, including Matthew Horrocks, who has produced or executive produced 7 local short films including Brave Donkey, and Zero, Hamish Bennett, whose short film The Dump played at festivals here and across the globe and was the winner of the 2012 NZ Writers Guild Award for Best Short Film Script, Christina Asher, the casting director responsible for many of New Zealand’s shorts, features and television series including Sione’s Wedding and Matariki, Zia Mandviwalla, whose debut short film Night Shift premiered at Cannes in 2012, and has since gone on to win awards at numerous international film festivals, and Michael Bennett, writer/director of Matariki whose short film Michelle’s Third Novel was chosen to screen prior to the gala premier of Pulp Fiction at the 1994 New York Film Festival. Hear also from last year’s pitching competition winner, Aroha Awarau.
Date: Sat 16 / Sun 17 November, 2013
Time: Saturday 9am-4:30pm, Sunday: 10am – 4:30pm
Venue: Manukau School of Visual Arts, 50 Lovegrove Crescent, Otara 2023
Cost: The workshop is free. Please bring a $15 koha to cover lunch for the weekend. Refreshments will be provided.
Registration: Spaces are limited so you must register your interest. Please rsvp to Eloise on eloise @ script-to-screen.co.nz or ring the office on 09 360 5400.
SCHEDULE:
Day One – Saturday 16 November
9am – 10am: Tea/Coffee and Introduction
10am – 12pm: Big Picture with Matthew Horrocks
An overview of what it takes to get a short film off the ground, driving a project from conception to completion and managing the team
12pm – 1pm: Lunch
1pm – 3pm: Writing with Hamish Bennett
Learn about the key points of storytelling and forming a structure that will grab the audience
3pm – 3:30pm: Break
3:30 – 4:30pm: Casting with Christina Asher
Learn about the important role that casting plays in bringing your story to life
Day Two – Sunday 17 November
10am – 12pm: Directing with Zia Mandviwalla
Learn about the directing process, forming a strong vision for your story and bringing it to life
12pm – 1pm: Lunch
1pm – 4:30pm: Pitching Session with Michael Bennett and an appearance from last year’s winner Aroha Awarau
Participants pitch their short film ideas to the class and mentors for some practice and feedback. One participant will be chosen to receive ongoing mentoring through Script to Screen.
If you have any questions please contact Eloise Veber on 09 360 5400 or at eloise @ script-to-screen.co.nz.