Script to Screen is presenting a one-day scriptwriting workshop in South Auckland. This is a great opportunity for local storytellers to learn from renowned writer, director, and author Michael Bennett (The Gone, In Dark Places). Michael has worked across a range of genres within feature film, short films, and television, including documentaries, crime thrillers, and drama.
The workshop will dive into writing fundamentals including character, story structure and key moments that make a great story for screen. In the afternoon you will develop your own original story idea and write a scene.
This is a practical and interactive workshop that will help you find the momentum you need to start writing your screen story or move your project forward. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet other creatives within the community and be inspired by filmmaking’s possibilities.
We welcome anyone who wants to tell their stories through film. If you’re a new or emerging filmmaker or a local creative this workshop is for you.
When and where:
Saturday 30th November 2024
9am – 5pm
Friendship House, 20 Putney Way, Manukau, South Auckland
The venue is wheelchair accessible
Cost: $12.50 (INC BF & GST) Book via Humanitix
Morning tea and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch
ABOUT PROGRAMME MENTORS
MICHAEL BENNET
Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is a screenwriter, filmmaker and author. Michael’s short films and feature films have screened and won awards internationally, including Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Locarno, New York, London, ImagiNative and Dreamspeakers. He is the 2020 recipient of the Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award, awarded by the NZ Film Commission for excellence in Māori filmmaking. Michael devoted many years of his recent career to the fight for justice for Teina Pora, a young Māori man wrongly imprisoned for 21 years. Michael made the documentary The Confessions of Prisoner T, which lead to the discovery of evidence pivotal to Teina’s exoneration. Michael directed and co-wrote the TV feature film In Dark Places about Teina’s case, which was finalist for a record 11 awards in the NZ Television Awards, winning Best Film and Best Director. Michael has been head writer or showrunner for many dozens of hours of prime-time television drama including The Gone (NZ / Ireland crime thriller), Vegas (crime thriller), Te Kohu (supernatural drama), and Mataku (the Māori Twilight Zone). Michael’s debut novel Better The Blood, a crime thriller, was published in 2022 in the UK, USA, Australia and NZ, with nine international translations. Better The Blood was a finalist for the fiction prize at the 2023 New Zealand literary awards (The Ockhams) and won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards. Michael is currently adapting his novel for television, and his second novel, Return To Blood, is in bookstores now.
This workshop is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission.
Spend a day with Hamish Bennett (Bellbird, Uproar) as he guides participants through the fundamentals of screenplay writing for short film.
The focus of the day will be building stories around character and bringing specificity to your work. This workshop will be craft based, combining practical exercises with discussion and reflection. After covering writing fundamentals, participants will then explore bringing the written element from the page to the screen.
Promising to be both interactive and engaging, this is a terrific opportunity to spend a day focusing on your craft as a writer.
When and where:
Saturday 12 October 2024
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Screen CanterburyNZ Office
BNZ Centre, Level 3, 101 Cashel Street
Wheelchair access is available.
Ages 16 +
$25.00 (incl. GST & Fees) book via Humanitix
Morning tea and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch
ABOUT
HAMISH BENNET
Hamish Bennett (Te Arawa, Patuharakeke, Kāi Tahu) is an accomplished director and award-winning screenwriter based in Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2023, he co-wrote and co-directed his second feature film, Uproar (Firefly Films), which celebrated its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, earning widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics.
In 2019, Hamish wrote and directed his debut feature film, Bellbird (Herringbone Productions), garnering recognition on the international festival circuit and securing several awards, including Best Screenplay at the Macao International Film Festival.
In addition to his success in feature films, Hamish has lent his writing expertise to various television series, including Hui Hoppers (NZTV, 2023) and the teen drama Mystic (Libertine Pictures, NZTV, 2022).
During the early stages of his career, Hamish directed multiple award-winning short films. In 2011, his short film The Dump earned him the Best Short Script award at the New Zealand Writers Guild Awards. Subsequently, in 2014, Ross & Beth claimed both the jury and audience prizes at the New Zealand International Film Festival.
Beyond his creative work, Hamish has over twenty years of experience as a school teacher, and has recently returned to Aotearoa with his whānau after two years living in Rarotonga.
This Script to Screen workshop is made possible thanks to generous support from Christchurch Creative Communities and Screen CanterburyNZ.
Presented by Script to Screen in collaboration with Ngā Aho Whakaari and PISA (Pacific Islands Screen Artists)
Join Producers Halaifonua Finau (Red, White and Brass), Karin Williams (We Live by the River), and Angela Cudd (Uproar) as they delve into how to create great funding applications for film and television projects in Aotearoa.
In conversation with Script to Screen’s Executive Director Dale Corlett, these industry leaders will give their unique insights into what makes a strong application, including:
From the big picture of your idea to the nitty gritty of the application requirements, you don’t want to miss this fantastic lineup of speakers. We encourage producers, writers, and directors to take advantage of this opportunity.
Funding pools are small, this inspiring session will give you access to tools that help take your application to the next level.
After the presentation, time will be allocated to meet the representatives from the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, and Te Māngai Pāho and ask your questions.
Tuesday 24th September 2024
4:00pm – 5:00pm
ONLINE
ABOUT
Angela Cudd is an award-winning screen producer with a passion for stories told through an indigenous or fresh lens and a vision for showcasing NZ screen excellence to the world. Coming from a background in fashion and beauty event and business management, Angela began working in the screen industry in the early 2010s. Angela initially worked across a range of fields including narrative film, documentary, reality-challenge TV, OB live events & studio shows before settling in the narrative and documentary space. She went on to produce the sitcoms ‘Sextortion’ and ‘Good Grief’, fluent reo Māori kids show ‘Pōtae Pai’ and co-produced the anthology feature film ‘We Are Still Here’, which interweaves eight stories of indigenous struggle and triumph and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2022. In 2019, Angela founded Caravan Carpark Films (CCF), a production house focusing on screen and indigenous excellence as well as capacity building of emerging screen innovators. Most recently, under the umbrella of CCF, Angela produced the feature film ‘Uproar’ and the documentary series ‘When Bob Came’. ‘Uproar’ starred Julian Dennison, Minnie Driver and Rhys Darby, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023 and was released globally in early 2024 to critical acclaim. ‘When Bob Came’ explored the impact of Bob Marley’s only concert in NZ and was awarded Best Factual Series at the NZ TV Awards 2023.
Karin Williams is a descendant of British settlers in Aotearoa New Zealand 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 on grassroots community projects. Her independent film projects have screened at festivals around the world. Karin served as a Development Executive at the NZ Film Commission (NZFC) and works with Pasifika storytellers to bring authentic projects to stage and screen. Recent credits include Teine Sā, a Pacific horror/anthology series for Sky NZ Originals, and the Polynesian sketch comedy series, SIS, screening on Comedy Central, Prime and Neon. Karin is a funding assessor for a range of agencies including NZFC, Creative NZ, Script to Screen, Pan Asian Screen Collective (PASC) and Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC). She is a member of Women in Film and Television (WIFT), Pacific Island Screen Artists (PISA) and serves on the Executive Boards of Script to Screen and SPADA, the Screen Production and Development Association. She is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the screen industry.
A proud Tongan, born and raised in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Halaifonua Finau, or Nua as he’s more commonly known, is at the forefront of bringing Polynesian stories to our screens. He studied at Whitireia Performing Arts as a dancer but made his name in the industry as an actor and presenter, before shifting his love of performance and storytelling behind the camera. Nua brings storytelling with Tongan swag to the kava bowl of creativity. He is a writer and producer, with a mission to take his little corner of the Pacific to the world. He cut his teeth in children’s television as a producer on Small Blacks TV and honed his skills and vibe in series two of the much-loved Polynesian series Baby Mama’s Club. In 2019, Nua was co-writer and associate producer on Jonah, the tele-feature drama series on Tongan and All Blacks rugby legend, Jonah Lomu. In 2021, Nua teamed up with Four Knights’ maestro, Tom Hern and the pair founded their production company Tavake. Tavake’s first drama series The Panthers, which Nua wrote, created and executive produced alongside Hern, was the first New Zealand TV series to premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival. 2023 was a landmark year for Nua. He released his first feature film ‘Red, White & Brass, a crowd-pleasing family film (based on Nua’s own life experiences in a family/church brass band) – which he wrote and produced alongside Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal. The film opened at number 1 at the local box office and went on to become the top local film of the year and, in doing so, a certified Polynesian classic. Nua was the 2023 recipient of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Pacific Enterprise Award. He currently serves on the Content Advisory Board for the Banff World Media Festival. Finau is represented by Kaplan Perrone Entertainment.
This Script to Screen TALKS is made possible thanks to
New Zealand Film Commission.
Script to Screen is presenting a 1-day adult scriptwriting workshop in Kerikeri. This is a rare opportunity for local story tellers to work with renowned writer, director and author, Michael Bennett (The Gone, In Dark Places). The morning will be spent delving into character, story structure, key moments and writing fundamentals and then in the afternoon you will develop your own original story idea and write a scene.
Not to be missed, this is a practical and interactive workshop that will help you find the momentum you need to initiate a screen story, or move your project forward. If you’re a new or emerging filmmaker or a local creative wanting to reinvigorate a screen idea or explore writing for film and television, this workshop is for you.
When and where:
Sunday 14 July
9am – 5pm
Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri 0230
Venue is wheelchair accessible
Cost:
$25 including GST and booking fee. Tickets via humanitix
Morning tea and afternoon tea provided, BYO lunch
ABOUT PROGRAMME MENTORS
MICHAEL BENNET
Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is a screenwriter, filmmaker and author. Michael’s short films and feature films have screened and won awards internationally, including Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Locarno, New York, London, ImagiNative and Dreamspeakers. He is the 2020 recipient of the Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award, awarded by the NZ Film Commission for excellence in Māori filmmaking. Michael devoted many years of his recent career to the fight for justice for Teina Pora, a young Māori man wrongly imprisoned for 21 years. Michael made the documentary The Confessions of Prisoner T, which lead to the discovery of evidence pivotal to Teina’s exoneration. Michael directed and co-wrote the TV feature film In Dark Places about Teina’s case, which was finalist for a record 11 awards in the NZ Television Awards, winning Best Film and Best Director. Michael has been head writer or showrunner for many dozens of hours of prime-time television drama including The Gone (NZ / Ireland crime thriller), Vegas (crime thriller), Te Kohu (supernatural drama), and Mataku (the Māori Twilight Zone). Michael’s debut novel Better The Blood, a crime thriller, was published in 2022 in the UK, USA, Australia and NZ, with nine international translations. Better The Blood was a finalist for the fiction prize at the 2023 New Zealand literary awards (The Ockhams) and won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards. Michael is currently adapting his novel for television, and his second novel, Return To Blood, is in bookstores now.
This workshop is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North.
We are also running a Youth school holiday workshop. Check it out using the link below.
Script to Screen presents a free four-day filmmaking workshop in the July school holidays for 14 – 18 year olds.
This is an outstanding opportunity for the next generation of filmmakers to develop skills and learn about the fundamentals of crafting a story idea, writing a script, and acting for camera. The aim of the workshop is to foster filmmaking talent in the Far North region and to provide an opportunity for young creatives to learn new skills and level up without having to travel outside of the region. No experience or prior knowledge of filmmaking is necessary. We encourage anyone who has an interest in telling stories for the screen and acting to apply.
The programme will be taught by Michael Bennett (storytelling and screenwriting) and Jamie Irvine (storytelling and acting).
When and where:
Monday 15th July – Thursday 18th July
9am – 3pm each day
Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Road, Kerikeri 0230
Programme Structure:
Day 1 – Developing a story idea and screenwriting principles
Day 2 – Writing a scene
Day 3 – Storytelling and acting
Day 4 – Taping the scenes, debrief and discussion.
Cost: The workshop is free, please register via Humanitix as spaces are limited
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are provided. However, if you have special dietary requirements (allergies, gluten free, dairy free, keto, paleo, etc) please bring food with you.
ABOUT PROGRAMME MENTORS
MICHAEL BENNET
Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is a screenwriter, filmmaker and author. Michael’s short films and feature films have screened and won awards internationally, including Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, Locarno, New York, London, ImagiNative and Dreamspeakers. He is the 2020 recipient of the Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award, awarded by the NZ Film Commission for excellence in Māori filmmaking. Michael devoted many years of his recent career to the fight for justice for Teina Pora, a young Māori man wrongly imprisoned for 21 years. Michael made the documentary The Confessions of Prisoner T, which lead to the discovery of evidence pivotal to Teina’s exoneration. Michael directed and co-wrote the TV feature film In Dark Places about Teina’s case, which was finalist for a record 11 awards in the NZ Television Awards, winning Best Film and Best Director. Michael has been head writer or showrunner for many dozens of hours of prime-time television drama including The Gone (NZ / Ireland crime thriller), Vegas (crime thriller), Te Kohu (supernatural drama), and Mataku (the Māori Twilight Zone). Michael’s debut novel Better The Blood, a crime thriller, was published in 2022 in the UK, USA, Australia and NZ, with nine international translations. Better The Blood was a finalist for the fiction prize at the 2023 New Zealand literary awards (The Ockhams) and won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards. Michael is currently adapting his novel for television, and his second novel, Return To Blood, is in bookstores now.
JAMIE IRVINE
As an Actor, Director and Acting Coach Jamie Irvine has worked in Australia, Los Angeles, New York and New Zealand. Jamie is a NIDA acting graduate and continued his study with Susan Batson and at the Stella Adler Studio in NYC. Over twenty years, he has taught acting at NIDA, Actors Centre Australia, Theatre of Arts in Hollywood, South Seas Film School and various other institutions. Acting Credits include Sweet Tooth, Tinā, Power Rangers: Dino Fury, Shortland St, Underbelly:Land of the Long Green Cloud, Black Hands, Westside, Home and Away, Anzac Girls and The Brokenwood Mysteries. Jamie has also directed across several mediums and in 2022 he directed NZ on Air funded webseries Here if you Need. Jamie joined Script to Screen in January 2023, where he currently works as Programme Manager.
This workshop is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North and White Studios.
We are also running an adult workshop. Check it out using the link below.
Following the recent New Zealand release of The Moon is Upside Down, Loren Taylor (writer/director/actor) joins moderator and writer Duncan Sarkies (Scarfies, and Two Little Boys) to discuss her writing process, the challenges of creating stories and characters that come alive on screen, and how she and her team moved this unique and beautifully crafted feature from her initial idea to production and release.
With a production schedule of just 22 days and a budget of $1.5million The Moon is Upside Down is a significant achievement. This promises to be a fascinating discussion and a rare insight into processes that will appeal to filmmakers at all levels, especially those wanting to make their first feature film.
“With exceptional performances, a deft tone and universal themes, The Moon is Upside Down is destined to become a film festival favourite. Those looking for blockbuster razzle-dazzle won’t find it here. But those looking for something deeper and more meaningful, well, they’ll find a lot to connect with.” – NZ Herald
Wednesday 26th June 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm – TALK
7:30pm – 8:30pm – Cash bar, socialising and pizza
$5.00 + GST + Booking Fee. Sales via Humanitix to secure your seat
Where:
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.
This Script to Screen TALKS is made possible thanks to New Zealand Film Commission, White Studios and Images and Sound.
ABOUT LOREN TAYLOR
Photograph by Rebecca McMillian
Loren Taylor is a director, actor and writer. Her debut feature as writer and director The Moon is Upside Down had its world premiere in competition at Estonia’s A-List festival POFF Tallinn Black Nights November 2023 where it played to sell-out houses and was awarded Best First Feature. Vendetta will release the film in Aotearoa New Zealand in May.
Hey Brainy Man, the NZFC-funded short Loren co-directed with Jo Randerson, won NZ’s Best at Te Whānau Marama NZIFF 2023. Evoke, a VR experience she wrote and co-directed was awarded the XR Award at DocEdge 2023.
Loren attended the Sundance Feature lab and worked with Taika Waititi on their award-winning screenplay for Eagle vs Shark. She won Best Actress at the Newport International and St Tropez Film Festivals for her role as Lily. As a casting director Loren has worked on, among others, What We Do in the Shadows, The Light Between Oceans and Top of The Lake. She is known for her work with children, which began with casting and on-set coaching for the Oscar nominated short Two Cars One Night. She is an advisor for and Board member of Story Camp Aotearoa and has been a guest mentor at A Wave in the Ocean.
ABOUT DUNCAN SARKIES
Duncan Sarkies is an award-winning screenwriter, playwright and novelist. His work, heralded by critics for its originality, is best known for its eccentric plots and darkly comic portrayals of ‘the outsider’ and the disturbed.
Duncan’s career has been prolific across a variety of mediums. He wrote one episode for What We Do In The Shadows and two episodes for Flight of the Conchords. He has written several plays, a short story collection and two novels. Linda Herrick of the Weekend Herald describes Sarkies’ 2008 novel, Two Little Boys, as: ‘Quick, clever, twisted, acutely funny…This is the most amazing book. It’s dark, wildly funny, vivid, and brilliantly original.’ Two Little Boys, adapted in 2012 for the screen (starring Hamish Blake and Bret McKenzie) was co-written by Duncan and his brother Robert, as was the massively popular Scarfies. Duncan also wrote and contributed to the writing of four episodes of ABC’s show Maximum Choppage that aired in 2015, and script edited for ABC’s Soul Mates. He was the director, writer and co-creator of The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie’s Botanarium, a fantasy podcast series, which Loren Taylor acted in. 2025 will see Duncan release a third novel, Star Gazers, an allegory about the collapse of democracy in a society of alpaca breeders, while he is also developing a television project with comedian Barnie Duncan and a film project with animator Ned Wenlock.
Duncan currently lives in Te Whanganui a Tara.
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.
Three Canadian guests with diverse backgrounds and experiences will discuss international co-productions and industry trends in Canada. The shared concerns, values, and history of New Zealand and Canada make them an ideal country to partner with and partnering is a great way to fully finance your projects.
Fraser Ash has worked with renowned creatives on complex film and TV productions, Alain Strati has industry knowledge from his policy and government relations work at the Canadian Media Producers Association, and Paula Devonshire, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation, brings unique values from her work in the Canadian screen industry.
Come along to this special occasion to get valuable insights about working with Canadians.
Entertainment Lawyer Sarah Cull will moderate the discussion.
The talk is a collaboration with WIFT and the speakers are in New Zealand thanks to support from Ontario Creates, Telefilm Canada, Canadian Heritage, the Canadian Media Producers Association, the Indigenous Screen Office, the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho and Screen Wellington. They are attending the WIFT New Zealand / Canada Co-Production Summit.
SPEAKERS PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT ARE PAULA DEVONSHIRE, FRASER ASH AND ALAIN STRATI
Monday 18th March 2024
6:30 – 7:30pm – TALK
7:30 – 8:30pm – optional socializing
After the TALK Script to Screen will provide pizza, and it’s buy your own drinks.
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 + GST and Booking Fee for sales via Humanitix to secure your seat
This Script to Screen TALKS is made possible thanks to the New Zealand Film Commission, White Studios and WIFT.
MODERATOR SARAH CULL
Entertainment Lawyer
Sarah is an entertainment lawyer with over 20 years experience in the film and television industry. Clients include producers, government funders, private financiers, post-production facilities, directors, writers, distributors, animation studios.
Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Sarah provides a wide range of legal services in relation to the development, production, distribution and exploitation of film, TV and online productions. She also gives advice on New Zealand’s screen incentives and co-productions.
Prior to setting up her legal practice, Sarah was Head of Business Affairs at the New Zealand Film Commission for five years. During her time at the New Zealand Film Commission Sarah managed New Zealand’s screen incentive programs for film and television. She was instrumental in setting up the first set of criteria for New Zealand’s domestic incentive program. Sarah has also worked as an in-house production lawyer for film and television companies and has served on the board of Film New Zealand.
Sarah is a member of WIFT and is passionate about great films and TV, dogs and yoga.
ABOUT PAULA DEVONSHIRE
Producer/CEO, Devonshire Productions Inc.
www.devonshireinc.com
A graduate of U of T, Paula has attended the prestigious Canadian Film Centre, Trans-Atlantic Partners and was the first Canadian to participate in the Inside Pictures Producer Program in London, UK. Paula is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation.
As a feature producer she has worked with acclaimed filmmakers such as Neil Jordan, Atom Egoyan, George Romero, Robert Lantos and Alex Kurtzman.
Paula’s feature film credits include: GEORGE ROMERO’S DIARY OF THE DEAD and SURVIVAL OF THE DEAD, the GINGER SNAPS sequel and prequel, REAL TIME, THE RIGHT KIND OF WRONG, WET BUM, REMEMBER starring the legendary Christopher Plummer, INDIAN HORSE, GRETA, starring Isabel Huppert, RUN WOMAN RUN, and STELLAR and will be in production on BLOOD LINES in fall 2024.
Paula has produced on TV series such as CLARICE, VIKINGS, PEOPLE OF EARTH JOHN GRISHAM’S THE FIRM.
Paula is currently co-writing with Oscar nominated Greelandic director Pipaluk Jorgensen on THIS ROAD OF MINE. Devonshire has also created several TV pilots in development with various broadcasters and partners.
Most recent films – 2023 STELLAR – producer (feature), 2021 CLARICE – producer (TV Series), 2020 RUN WOMAN RUN – producer (Feature), 2019 SHORT TREKS (STAR TREK) – Producer (TV series), 2018 INDIAN HORSE – producer (feature)
ABOUT FRASER ASH
Producer, Rhombus Media
www.rhombusmedia.com
Fraser Ash is a producer of feature films, television series, and documentaries. In September 2019, he was a joint recipient of the Canadian Media Producers’ Association (CMPA) Kevin Tierney Award for Emerging Producers. Feature film credits include BLACKBERRY (2023), directed by Matt Johnson; SEVEN VEILS (2023), directed by Atom Egoyan; POSSESSOR (2020), directed by Brandon Cronenberg; DISAPPEARANCE AT CLIFTON HILL (2019), directed by Albert Shin; INTO THE FOREST (2015) directed by Patricia Rozema; and ENEMY (2013), directed by Denis Villeneuve. Fraser was supervising producer for the documentary feature films THE DEVIL’S HORN (2016) and OUR MAN IN TEHRAN (2013), both directed by Larry Weinstein. For television, Fraser is co-executive producer of the upcoming HBO series THE SYMPATHIZER (Spring 2024), starring Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Oh. The series is directed by Park Chan-wook, Fernando Meirelles and Marc Munden. Fraser was co-executive producer of the BBC/CBC dramatic series THE NORTH WATER (2021), directed by Andrew Haigh; co-producer of the CBC comedy series MICHAEL: EVERY DAY (2017); and co-producer of the series SENSITIVE SKIN (2014-2016). Fraser is a graduate of Queen’s University where he studied philosophy and film studies, spending his third year at the University of Edinburgh. In 2013, Fraser obtained the Osgoode Certificate in Entertainment Law.
Most recent films – The Sympathizer – Co-Executive Producer (post-production, 2024) // BlackBerry (2023) – Producer // Seven Veils (2023) – Producer // The North Water (2021) – Co-Executive Producer // Possessor (2020) – Producer
ABOUT ALAIN STRATI
Senior Vice President, Industry, Policy and General Counsel at the Canadian Media Producers Association
https://cmpa.ca/
Representing the interests of independent producers working in Canada’s vibrant media industry, Alain oversees all day-to-day legal, industry, legislative, regulatory and public policy files at the CMPA.
A member of the CMPA’s executive leadership team, Alain provides strategic and legal advice to the President and CEO and CMPA leadership on all policy matters relating to the independent production industry, including business affairs, copyright, Terms of Trade and more. Alain leads and manages the Policy and Government Relations departments, and advocates on behalf of the CMPA and its members before federal and provincial governments on policies that affect the industry.
Alain is fluently bilingual, and has built extensive knowledge and experience in the media industry while working at the country’s largest media companies. Prior to joining the CMPA, Alain held the position of Assistant General Counsel, Regulatory Affairs at Bell, where he worked on a variety of files related to the Canadian broadcasting system. He also previously held positions as Vice President, Business & Regulatory Affairs, and Vice President, OMNI, Specialty TV & Development at Rogers Media.
Having volunteered as a coach and club administrator, Alain is now Vice-President of the board of the Toronto Soccer Association. He is also a board member at Accessible Media Inc., a not-for-profit media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians who are blind or partially sighted.
Alain holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Civil Law and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from McGill University. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario, called to the bar in 1996.
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.