Script to Screen brings a one and a half day workshop on screenwriting to Rotorua. This is your opportunity to learn from IIML’s Master of Scriptwriting programme director, Ken Duncum.
We are excited to be bringing this interactive and practical workshop to the Bay of Plenty aimed at helping you navigate through the complexities of writing a feature film. Over the course of one weekend, Ken Duncum will coach and cajole you through a process of developing your own film idea, giving you tips for finding and building a story that resonates.
Don’t miss this interactive and practical workshop that will help you navigate through the complexities of writing a feature film.
“Ken Duncum is an exceptional teacher. The structure and underlying philosophy of his approach to script writing provides me with the perspective and courage to write more and write better . ”
– 2018 Auckland Workshop participant
When:
Sat 24 Aug, 9am – 4pm
Sun 25 Aug, 10am – 3pm
Where:
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Rotorua Mokoia Campus, Gate 1, G Block – Lecture Theatre G210. The lecture theatre is an accessible space.
Directions: Enter the Campus at Gate 1, drive straight down the driveway until you reach block G. Parking is to the left of the building. After entering the building, come to level 2 via stairs or elevator.
Cost: General Admission $20 (incl. GST). Tickets available via Eventbrite
What to Bring: Pen and paper. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. BYO Lunch. There are cafes in the area, and the campus is 5mins drive from central Rotorua. There will be space available to eat your lunch if you would like to bring it with you.
Who it is for: This workshop is aimed at emerging to established filmmakers who are writing a feature film. However if you are at the beginning stages of writing a feature film, or are interested in writing a film this workshop will be very beneficial. Suitable for ages 17+.
This workshop is presented in partnership with the Bay of Plenty Film Office, and is made possible with financial support from Rotorua District Creative Communities and the New Zealand Film Commission.
Join us at this Script to Screen TALK and find out what local distributors consider before they take on a film for distribution.
Having a strong script and a great filmmaking team is not enough. Unlocking NZFC production funding depends on a letter of offer from a local distributor as part of your audience engagement plan.
Come along to hear from Mark Chamberlain at Transmission, Andrew Cozens at Madman, Nigel Forsyth at Studio Canal and Kevin Gordon at Rialto Distribution.
Entertainment lawyer, Sarah Cull will talk to the panelists about what they look for when selecting projects and at what stage of development they like to get on board. An audience Q&A will follow.
If you are developing a feature film project this event is not to be missed. Last time we held a TALK with New Zealand distributors it was a full house, avoid disappointment by getting your ticket early.
Wednesday 3 July
6:15pm -7:15pm – TALK
Te Auaha, 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 pre-sales.
$5 cash at the door if the theatre is not already fully booked from pre-sales.
This StS TALK is made possible thanks to the support of the New Zealand Film Commission. Thanks to the New Zealand Film Commission and the New Zealand Film and Television School for the venue.
The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) and Script to Screen are thrilled to present these very special TALKS with the filmmakers behind three highly anticipated films BELLBIRD, JUDY & PUNCH, and ANIMALS.
Join us after each screening to hear first hand from Hamish Bennett (BELLBIRD), Mirrah Foulkes (JUDY & PUNCH) and Sophie Hyde (ANIMALS) about their connection with the story and their experience getting the story to the screen.
The TALKS are free, but to see the film beforehand you need to book your ticket through the NZIFF website. TALKS held at the ASB Waterfront Theatre are held in the cinema immediately after the film. TALKS held at the Civic are in the Wintergarden, downstairs from the main foyer, immediately after the film.
BELLBIRD
Ross (Marshall Napier) is the third generation on the small family dairy farm and he’s determined that son Bruce (Cohen Holloway) will follow suit. Bruce, however, makes for a squeamish farmer and would be perfectly content to stick with his job reinventing abandoned treasures at the town dump. Civic Wintergarden | Sat 20 July | after the 5:45pm screening. Hamish Bennett, Catherine Fitzgerald and Orlando Stewart with moderator Dame Gaylene Preston (1hr).
JUDY & PUNCH
Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman represent the titular duo, reimagined as a puppeteering couple whose artistic quarrels – and Punch’s mishandling of their baby – lead to an epic revenge fable awash with bloody satire and pitch-black comedy. Civic Wintergarden | Thu 25 July | after the 3:30pm screening. Mirrah Foulkes with moderator Chelsie Preston-Crayford (1hr). Civic Wintergarden | Fri 26 July | after the 6:30pm screening. Mirrah Foulkes with moderator Robyn Malcolm (1hr).
Mirrah Foulkes’ visit is supported by 
ANIMALS
Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) are thirty-something best friends in Dublin, where partying hard is still their way to have fun, but the reality of getting older is getting harder to ignore. ASB Waterfront Theatre | Thurs 25 July | after the 8:30pm screening. Sophie Hyde with moderator Robyn Malcolm (30mins) ASB Waterfront Theatre | Fri 26 July | after the 3:00pm screening. Sophie Hyde with moderator Armagan Ballantyne (30mins)
Screen Kōrero is a series of panel discussions, in conversations and case studies held across the country and online (via Zoom). The events aim to explore craft, culture and pertinent issues in the screen industry. Screen Kōrero is open to all, providing an opportunity for those exploring the industry or already working in the industry to meet and network with fellow filmmakers. They are made possible thanks to New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, White Studios and Images and Sound (Auckland). (more…)
Script to Screen, in partnership with Northland Youth Theatre, presents a free four-day film workshop in the July school holidays for 16-25 year olds.
The workshop will help participants develop skills in crafting a story idea, writing a script, and acting. The aim of the workshop is to foster writing talent and encourage aspiring filmmakers. No experience or prior knowledge of filmmaking is necessary.
On Days 1 and 2, participants will hear from writer/director Michael Bennett (In Dark Places, Matariki) about finding a story, crafting the story so that it is compelling on screen, and writing a scene.
On Days 3 and 4, actor Laurel Devenie (Shortland Street), will lead an acting workshop, using the scenes that were written earlier in the week. Each participant will get a chance to act in a scene. On the last day we will tape the scenes and watch them back.
When: Tuesday 9th – Friday 12th July, 9am-2pm
Light morning tea and snacks are provided. Please bring lunch with you.
Where: Northland Youth Theatre, 86 Bank St, Whangarei 0110
How much: Free!
Registration: Places are limited – please register via EventBrite
Presented in partnership with:
Michael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker and author. Michael’s second feature-length drama, IN DARK PLACES, tells the story of Teina Pora’s imprisonment for 21 years for crimes he did not commit. The television film is based on Michael’s book In Dark Places which won the Ngaio Marsh Award for best non-fiction book, and Michael made an award-winning documentary about Teina’s story. Michael’s short films COW and KEROSENE CREEK screened at numerous film festivals including Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, London and New York, and his debut feature MATARIKI premiered at Toronto Film Festival and won awards in New Zealand and internationally.
Michael has written and directed for many television drama series. As well as his own film and TV and book work, Michael works in communities around New Zealand with Script to Screen working with locals to tell their stories on film, he works with developing filmmakers through the NZ Film Commission and Ngā Aho Whakaari, and is head of the screenwriting programme at South Seas Film School. Michael’s second book, Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas (a post-apocalyptic time travel graphic novel co-authored with Ant Sang) was published by Penguin / Random House June 2018.
In 2015 Michael founded 10000 COMPANY with Jane Holland to create and develop original film and television projects. Their first production was In Dark Places.
Laurel Devenie works as an actor, director, teacher and theatre-maker and is a graduate of Toi Whakaari and the John Bolton Theatre School. She has played the role of Kate Nathan on SHORTLAND STREET for the last three and a half years and has worked consistently throughout the country in many different theatrical arenas, involved in both professional and community theatre projects. She has worked with ATC, Silo Theatre, Capital E, Unitec, Prayas, Downstage Theatre, Red Leap and NYT. She teaches regularly and works with actors in one on one sessions. She is director and founder of Company of Giants and co-instigator of ONEONESIX and is deeply committed to developing an audience and contributing to the growth of a professional performing arts framework in Whangarei, as well as generating youth based opportunities within the arts. She has facilitated arts based community programmes to work with different sectors of the community, most recently a collaboration with the NDHB facilitating an Arts programme to support a diverse group of young people living with T1 Diabetes in Northland, co-ordinating performance, photography, song, sound artists and visual arts into a cohesive year long process.
Northland Film Workshop is made possible thanks to
New Zealand Film Commission and Foundation North.
Many of us long to see ourselves and our communities represented on screen. Filmmakers are in the unique position of being able to bring to life the diverse characters and worlds we want to see. But with power comes responsibility.
It can be a hard task navigating the balance between staying true to your story while satisfying the audience’s expectations for your character. Especially if those characters are the first of their kind on screen.
Please join us to hear from Shuchi Kothari (Coffee & Allah, Apron Strings, A Thousand Apologies), Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (Three Wise Cousins, Hibiscus & Ruthless) and Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu (Waru, Ani) as they share their experiences finding the sweet spot between great stories and responsible representation.
Moderated by Dr Suzanne Woodward.
Tues 21 May, Galatos (17 Galatos St, Auckland)
6pm doors and bar open
6:30-7:30pm TALK
Cabaret style seating (chairs and tables)
$5.75 (incl. GST) Pre-sales available via EventBrite or bring $5 cash for the door.
Stay afterwards for a drink and a slice of pizza on us
*Parking in the vicinity is free from 6pm, or the Mercury Lane parking building is close by.
WELLINGTON Monday 1st April, 6pm, Penthouse Cinema
AUCKLAND Wednesday 3rd April, 6:30pm, Academy Cinemas
Jeff Wexler (Chief, International at Studio Ponoc and former Chief, International/Board Director and current consultant at Studio Ghibli) joins us from Tokyo to share insights into successfully bringing culturally specific stories to global audiences.
Studio Ghibli (SPIRITED AWAY, MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, PRINCESS MONONOKE, among many other celebrated films) and Studio Ponoc (MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER) are world-renowned for their ability to break into international markets and take seemingly unique Japanese stories worldwide. Jeff will share his ideas on embracing film localisation during the creative process and how doing so has supported growth of the global phenomenon that is Studio Ghibli and the launch of Studio Ponoc.
Drawing on films from Studio Ghibli and Studio Ponoc, Jeff will delve into internationalising IP, the nuances of dubbing and subtitling, and the importance of building—and sticking to—a philosophy for localisation that prioritises creative integrity.
The talk will be followed by a special private screening of Studio Ponoc’s latest production, the anthology feature MODEST HEROES: PONOC SHORT FILMS THEATRE, VOLUME 1 (53 mins).
Studio Ponoc’s debut feature MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER is available on digital platforms (iTunes, Microsoft Online and Google Play) and DVD/Blu-ray. If you haven’t already seen it, Jeff suggests watching the English version of the film ahead of this talk.
WELLINGTON
Monday 1st April
6pm-8pm – Talk + Q&A (60mins) and screening (53mins)
Penthouse Cinema, 205 Ohiro Rd, Brooklyn, Wellington
Tickets $11.50 (incl. GST) via EventBrite
Co-presented by New Zealand Centre for Literary Translation
AUCKLAND
Wednesday 3rd April
5:45pm Networking & cash bar
6:30pm-8:30pm – Talk + Q&A (60mins) and screening (53mins)
Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne St, Auckland
Tickets $11.50 (incl. GST) via EventBrite
Script to Screen TALKS are made possible thanks to New Zealand Film Commission, Foundation North, White Studios and Images & Sound.
Script to Screen presents a one-day screenwriting workshop for both emerging and experienced filmmakers of Dunedin.
What Do You Want? Screenwriter, playwright and novelist Duncan Sarkies leads a workshop on character objectives: how an understanding of what your character wants and the obstacles that get in their way can be used to generate ideas for your film. The day will be interactive with fun practical exercises to help you explore the power of motivated characters. (Bring a pen and some paper and limber up your writing hand and your brain.)
When: Saturday 9 March, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Petridish, 8 Stafford St, Dunedin
Cost: General Admission $23 (incl. GST) or Student/Unwaged $11.50 (incl. GST). Tickets available via Eventbrite
What to Bring: Pen and paper. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. There are cafes in the area.
Duncan Sarkies is a screenwriter, novelist, performer and short story writer. In screen he is known for his screenplays SCARFIES and TWO LITTLE BOYS (adapted from his novel of the same name). He has also written two episodes of FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS, and has written for the forthcoming US TV version of WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS. His recent project is the podcast THE MYSTERIOUS SECRETS OF UNCLE BERTIE’S BOTANARIUM.
Script to Screen workshops are made possible thanks to generous support from Creative Communities Dunedin & NZ Film Commission.