Is there a story you would like to tell through film but don’t know where to start?
Do you want the chance to have one-on-one mentoring with an experienced filmmaker?
Script to Screen presents the 2015 Auckland Central Short Film Workshop – a two-day workshop that will give you everything you need to know to make a short film. Over one weekend, four experienced industry practitioners will guide you through each stage of the filmmaking process – from the initial concept, writing, directing, casting, producing and finally to pitch your idea to collaborators and funders. We are looking for new talent with a passion for storytelling, and in interest in learning how to make a short film. One attendee will be chosen for one-on-one mentoring with an experienced filmmaker on their short film script.
What do I need to bring to the workshop?
You are encouraged to come with a short film idea, and any team members you might wish to work with (e.g. co-writer, director). It is not compulsory to have a short film idea ready, but will mean that you get the most out of the workshop.
The synopsis should be half a page, describing what your film is about, what happens in the film, and what you want people to feel when they are watching it. You could also include why this story is important to you or why this story needs to be told. Remember to include details like, how long you expect the film to be (short films are usually 5 – 15 mins long), whether it is a comedy or drama etc, and the characters’ names.
On Day 2 of the workshop, participants will be invited to pitch their short film idea to the group in a pitching competition, to a panel of industry mentors. One winner will be chosen to go on for mentoring with an experienced filmmaker. You are welcome to pitch the short film idea you submitted, or another idea. The pitch is to be kept to 5 minutes.
Date: Sat 23 / Sun 24 May, 2015
Time: Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 9am – 5pm
Venue: St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby
Cost: The workshop cost is $20 for the weekend – please bring cash on the day. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. Please bring lunch with you or there are many cafes in the area.
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. This workshop is aimed at ages 17+.
SCHEDULE:
Day One – Saturday 23 May
9am – 9:30am: Tea/Coffee and Introduction
9:30am – 12:30am: Screenwriting with writer/director Michael Bennett (Matariki, The Factory)
Learn about the key points of storytelling and forming a structure that will grab the audience
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm – 3:00pm: Casting with Mike Dwyer (Ebony Society, Dotty)
Learn about the importance casting plays in bringing your film to life
3:00 – 3:30pm: Afternoon tea
3:30 – 5pm: Producing with Orlando Stewart (The Dump, Ross and Beth)
Learn about the role of the producer in driving the project from conception to completion
Day Two – Sunday 24 May
9am – 12pm: Directing with Jackie Van Beek (Uphill, Go the Dogs)
Learn about the director’s role in the film and forming a strong vision for your story
12pm – 1pm: Lunch
1pm – 4:30pm: Pitching Session
Participants are invited to pitch their short film idea to the group and a panel of industry mentors. One winner will be chosen to work with an experienced industry mentor on their short film script. You are welcome to pitch the short film idea you submitted before the workshop, or another idea. The pitch is to be kept to 5 minutes.
If you have any questions please contact Eloise Veber on 09 360 5400 or at eloise @ script-to-screen.co.nz.
This workshop was made possible with the support of the Creative Communities Scheme.
On the 2nd and 3rd of May, 2015, Script to Screen held a weekend long film workshop in South Hokianga around developing story ideas for the screen. The workshop was open to anyone in the community with an interest in film and storytelling, with a special focus on rangatahi. The workshop attracted a mix of adults and young people aged 15-25 yrs old, as well as their teachers.
The group spent the first day with screenwriter Michael Bennett at the Rawene Northtec Campus, learning about the fundamentals of screenwriting and finding the heart of their story. Attendees were encouraged to come with a film idea that they could work on over the weekend. An overnight stay at Tuhirangi Marae in Waima allowed the group to develop a sense of community around a shared interest in filmmaking, and Script to Screen showed a selection of short films. Day Two was a chance for the participants to take a personal or a fictional story and learn how to structure it in a way that would captivate an audience. Each film idea pitch received feedback and advice from the panel including screenwriter Michael Bennett, local filmmaker Susy Pointon, and workshop organiser Eloise Veber.
A key outcome of the workshop was to give four of the youth participants a mentorship to progress their film project.
The judges were blown away by the strength of the film ideas pitched, which told moving personal stories and captured moments of local history including the loss of Te Reo, and the Dog Tax Wars of 1989. Script to Screen is thrilled to offer mentorships to four promising filmmakers. Caylynn Titore (16, Northland College), Qianna Titore (15, Northland College), William Hohepa (17, Northland Colllege), and Francesca Blaikie (17, Okaihau College), will work with industry mentors to develop and make their films this year.
Lahni Sowter of Tuhirangi Marae attended the workshop and was energised by seeing the young people develop their story ideas. “We are natural orators here in the North, and I believe that the medium of filmmaking and visual storytelling will play a vital role in preserving our culture and history, enabling us to keep our korero, our stories, and our reo alive for future generations.”
This workshop was made possible with support from Foundation North.
Script to Screen is proud to announce that eight talented filmmakers have been awarded places on our prestigious FilmUp programme in 2015.
Recipients now enter a rigorous eight-month programme of mentoring, group work, and wrap-around support tailored to their individual needs.
Six filmmakers have been selected for FilmUp Mentorship, and we are in the process of securing esteemed local and international mentors who will support them to take the next step up in their careers and creative practice. They are:
Producer Desray Armstrong
Writer/director Dustin Feneley
Writer/director Nic Gorman
Writer/director Asuka Sylvie
Director Curtis Vowell
Producer Karin Williams
FilmUp Script Development will run alongside FilmUp Mentorship and in 2015 producers Julia Parnell and Fraser Brown have been awarded places. Fraser and Julia will work with writer/directors Brendan Donovan and Aidee Walker respectively, honing their development craft and philosophy under the tutelage of story consultant and acting/directing coach Brita McVeigh.
The programme opened officially with our first Hub last Thursday, which was a fantastic day and has left us super excited about the year ahead with these talented filmmakers.
This year saw the most difficult selection process since the inception of the programme, as selectors were faced with a large pool of high-calibre applicants. We would like to thank all those filmmakers who applied.
FilmUp is made possible with financial assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission.
“I love mixing my life with art, music, storytelling, acting, exploring, experimenting… I feel very lucky to be a filmmaker. And to share the films I’ve made.” – Florian Habicht
With over 10 years experience and six feature films, writer/director Florian Habicht is continually exploring new ways to tell a story. From fable WOODENHEAD to music documentary PULP, Florian seduces his audience into new worlds, allowing them to fall in love with the beauty that captured his eye.
Join us to hear Florian Habicht talk to Robyn Malcolm about how he has developed his creative process over the years, working intuitively and collaboratively to make his films.
Tuesday 21st April, The Classic, 321 Queen Street. 7pm drinks, 7:30-8:30pm talk. $5 koha appreciated.
Now that we’re back at The Classic, make sure to stick around afterwards for a slice of pizza on us!
There’s big difference between writing a screenplay and writing a screenplay that people will read till the last page.
Join us for a one-day screenwriting workshop with experienced NZ screenwriter Nick Ward (Stickmen, Second-Hand Wedding, Outrageous Fortune, The Almighty Johnsons), who has an extensive career in screenwriting, from feature films to television.
In an entertaining in-depth workshop, Nick shares his secrets to writing a screenplay that engages the reader and reads professionally. Come and hear how to inspire producers, avoid the common pitfalls and deal with the tough realities of getting your story to the big screen.
This workshop is suitable for screenwriters of all levels, from beginners to those with experience, and directors and producers are also welcome.
When: Saturday 9 May, 9am – 5pm.
Where: CPIT Broadcasting School, Television Studio – 171 Madras Street, accessible through the car park on the corner of Madras Street and Southwark Street, Christchurch. MAP.
Cost: The workshop is free.
Coffee, tea, biscuits and fruit provided. Please bring your own lunch or buy from one of the cafes nearby.
Registration: Please RSVP to Eloise eloise@script-to-screen.co.nz or 09 360 5400.
This workshop is made possible with support from the Creative Communities Scheme.
Last month saw the kick-off of our first South Shorts Mentorship Programme, where the talented up-and-coming writers came together to workshop their short film ideas under the guidance of Michael Bennett (MATARIKI), Oscar Kightley (SIONE’S WEDDING), Zia Mandviwalla (NIGHT SHIFT) and Jake Mahaffy (FREE IN DEED).
We are now able to announce the exciting mentorship pairings that will nourish the creativity of these writers for the next six months and hopefully see some great short films get made!
Lene Aiono with writer/director Michael Bennett (MATARIKI)
Vela Manusaute with writer/director Zia Mandviwalla (NIGHT SHIFT)
Levi Matautia-Morgan with writer/director Oscar Kightley (SIONE’S WEDDING)
Louise Tu’u with producer Ainsley Gardiner (BOY)
Writing team Mary Campbell and Maria Walker with writer/director Zia Mandviwalla (NIGHT SHIFT)
Isaac Weeks with writer/director Jake Mahaffy (FREE IN DEED)
This exciting new programme is made possible with the continued support of the ASB Community Trust.
A similar mentorship will be made available to Northland filmmakers this year, where up to 6 filmmaking teams will have guidance on progressing a film project. To be considered for this mentorship, filmmakers should attend our May workshop in the Hokianga, Storytelling for the Screen.
Script to Screen presents a two-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 two-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 the opportunity of working with a mentor.
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.
On Saturday the workshop focuses on the craft of storytelling, and on Sunday participants have opportunity to pitch their film project idea to the group for advice and feedback. Four of the projects pitched on Sunday will be chosen to work with an experienced mentor to progress their project. To be considered for mentoring, projects should be based in or strongly connected to Northland, and the mentoring is aimed at youth (recommended age 15-25 years old), so teams should include at least one filmmaker under 25 years old. School projects are welcome. Other filmmakers are welcome to attend, and pitch their idea and get feedback, but will not be eligible for ongoing mentoring.
Those who attended our workshop in February are welcome to join us at 5pm on Saturday for the noho marae, which includes film screenings and the opportunity to chat about their idea to the group after dinner. Otherwise join us on the Sunday morning, for the chance to pitch the idea formally in front of a judging panel. Teams that include filmmakers under 25 will eligible to be chosen for mentoring.
When: Sat 2nd – Sun 3rd May, 2015
Where:
Saturday 10am – 4:30pm – Northtec Rawene Campus, 26 Nimmo Street East. MAP.
Upon entering Rawene, Nimmo St East is the first right off Parnell St (main road) after Marmon Street. If you reach the shops you have gone too far!
Relocating to Tuhirangi Marae in Waima from 5pm on Saturday.
Noho marae at Tuhirangi Marae on Saturday night.
If you are joining us at the marae, please wait at the gate for us at 5pm. We aim to arrive at 5pm.
Sunday 9am – 4pm – Tuhirangi Marae, Waima. MAP.
Next to Waima School on Waima School Rd – off SH12, about half way between Rawene and Kaihoke.
Cost: $10 koha towards food – lunch, afternoon tea and dinner will be provided. Contributions of food also welcome. $10 koha towards accommodation for those staying at Tuhirangi Marae on Saturday night.
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+.
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.
Schedule:
Day One – Saturday 2 May – Northtec Rawene Campus
10am – Welcome, tea and coffee
10:30am – 12:30pm – Morning session: The craft of storytelling in drama, documentary and web series (Michael Bennett – same as the morning session in the last workshop, for those who didn’t attend last time)
12:30 – 1:30pm – Shared lunch – sandwich ingredients will be provided. Please bring $10 koha or a plate to contribute.
1:30 – 4:30pm – Afternoon session 1: Finding the heart of your idea. Participants learn about pitch documents and how to get to the heart of their story.
4:30 – 5:00pm – Relocate to Tuhirangi Marae, Waima for an overnight stay.
5:00pm – 6pm – Pōwhiri
6:00pm – 8:30pm – Prepare and eat dinner
8:30 onwards – Film screenings and filmmakers have the opportunity to share their film ideas to the group for feedback.
Day Two – Sunday 3 May – Tuhirangi Marae, Waima
8:00am – Breakfast
9:00am – Tea and coffee for any participants just arriving
9:30am – 12:30pm – Teams pitch their film project ideas one by one and receive feedback on their idea.
12:30 – 1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm – Pitching resumes
3:30pm – Judging panel convene
3:50pm – Judging panel announce projects to go on for mentoring
4pm – Workshop ends
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO THE WORKSHOP?
Project Idea – optional
To get the most out of the workshop, we encourage you come with a project idea. It’s best if you can write an outline of the idea and bring it along to the workshop.
The formation of creative teams for each project idea are welcomed and encouraged e.g. writers may want to bring along their director and producer if they have them, or start thinking about who they might work with to get the project made.
The workshop is aimed at those working on short-form film projects, that is short films, short documentaries or web projects.
Participants are welcome to bring along and pitch full length projects i.e. a feature film or a feature documentary, but these projects won’t be eligible for our Hokianga Filmmaker Mentorship Programme (see ‘Mentoring’).
If you don’t have an idea, come along and listen. You might develop an idea during the workshop based on what you are learning.
Writing an outline
The outline should be half a page, describing what your film is about, what happens in the film, and what you want people to feel when they are watching it. You could also include why this story is important to you or why this story needs to be told. Remember to include details like, how long you expect to be (short films are usually 5-15 mins long), whether it is a comedy or drama etc, and the characters’ names.
If your project is a series – like a web series, then it is helpful to include a description of how the story develops over the episodes. You may also want to include a short summary of what happens in each episode.
Pitching
You will have a chance to pitch your idea to the group on Sunday. Your idea might change throughout the weekend or you might end up pitching a new idea based on something you have learnt throughout the weekend.
Pitching the idea will give you a chance to get feedback on the idea itself and how to best communicate it. Four teams will be chosen to be part of a six month mentoring programme offering the chance to work one-on-one with an industry professional on writing the script or getting the film/project made. To be considered for mentoring, the project should be strongly connected to Northland – so either the team members live in Northland, or the story is set in Northland (or both). The mentoring is aimed at youth (recommended age 15-25 years old), so teams should include at least one filmmaker under 25 years old. School projects are welcome. Filmmakers over 25 are welcome to attend, pitch their idea and get feedback, but will not be eligible for the mentoring programme.
Mentoring
Four writers and their teams will be chosen to be part of our Hokianga Filmmaker Mentorship Programme. In the programme each team will receive 8 hours of mentoring, including a combination of group work and one on one mentoring, with a focus on getting their projects made. The programme will be carried out over a six month period. The details of the programme will be tailored by Script to Screen to suit the teams and their specific needs.
Screen Australia’s Enterprise scheme contributed to the success of companies like Matchbox Pictures and Porchlight Films, who currently create some of the most compelling content in Australia while growing strong businesses.
What opportunities will our version of the scheme create for our much smaller industry?
Script to Screen hosts a special industry discussion with producers from three of the companies supported by NZ Film Commission’s new Business Development Scheme (BDS).*
Join us to hear producers Matthew Metcalfe (GFC Fightertown), Richard Fletcher (Libertine Pictures) and Victoria Spackman (Gibson Group with Blueskin Films) talk to producer and lecturer Christina Milligan about the challenges they face, the opportunities they see for the New Zealand landscape long-term, and what their creative focus will be going forward.
This is an unmissable opportunity for producers, writers and directors to hear from some of those at the forefront of the film business in NZ. Come and have your BDS questions answered.
Tuesday 31st March, The Loft Q Theatre. Join us for drinks in the lobby at 7pm for a 7.30pm – 9pm talk upstairs (including 30 minutes of question time). $5 koha appreciated.
*The Business Development Scheme (BDS) aims to “grow the screen sector and ensure New Zealand stories can continue to be told while fostering the development of businesses with the scale and connections to attract more private and overseas investment.” Read more on the NZ Film Commission website here.
Script to Screen and the New Zealand Writer’s Guild proudly present our first Wellington Writer’s Room of the year. We are joined by BAFTA and Academy Award winning screenwriter David Seidler.
David is a prolific writer for stage and screen who won Best Original Screenplay at both the Academy Awards and BAFTA’s in 2011 for THE KING’S SPEECH. He will speak to writer/actor Loren Taylor (EAGLE VS SHARK) about his journey as a writer and the story behind his current magnum opus.
Tuesday 3rd March, 5:30pm drinks, 6pm-7pm talk, Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision. $5 koha appreciated, includes a complimentary glass of wine.
Join us afterwards for a slice of Heaven Woodfire Pizza.
David generously gave his time and expertise to mentor at our inaugural Writers’ Lab Aotearoa. Applications for this year’s Lab are now open and close on April 20th.
After an astounding year for local film, New Zealand is enjoying a strong presence at international film festivals. How can we make sure film festival hype equates to real outcomes for our films and filmmakers?
The producers of three recent festival successes delve into their experience taking the film to an international audience including how they dealt with media, buyers and critics to get the film the best exposure they could.
For our first Writers’ Room of 2015, hear from New Zealand producers Tim Riley (Turbo Kid), Tom Hern (The Dark Horse) and Paula Jones (Hip Hop-eration) as they talk to producer Julia Parnell (Loading Docs) about growing and maintaining international interest in their three very different films.
Tuesday 24th February, The Loft, Q Theatre, 305 Queen Street. Join us for a drink at 7pm in the main bar for a 7.30-8.30pm session. $5 koha appreciated.
NZ-Canadian co-production Turbo Kid, a post-apocalyptic action comedy has been an instant hit. The film had its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival last month and is due to screen later in the year in the Midnighters section of SXSW 2015. The film is written and directed by Montreal-based filmmaking trio Anouk Whissell, François Simard and Yoann-Karl Whissell, and produced by Ant Timpson (NZ), Tim Riley (NZ), Anne-Marie Gélinas (CAN) and Benoit Beaulieu (CAN).
Written and directed by James Napier Robertson, The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, little-known New Zealand hero, Genesis Potini, played by Cliff Curtis (Once Were Warriors, Whale Rider, Boy). The film had its world premiere at the New Zealand International Film Festival and won six awards including best picture, best director, best screenplay and best actor at the New Zealand Film Awards. It had its North American premiere at Toronto IFF and went on to screen at the prestigious IFFR in Rotterdam where it won the Audience Award, and became the film with the most votes on record in the history of the film festival.
New Zealand feature documentary Hip Hop-eration follows Waiheke-based hip hop crew Hip Op-eration (aged 65-95) as they prepare to attend the World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas. The film had a successful local theatre release in late 2014, and won best documentary, best director and best cinematographer at the New Zealand Film Awards. It screened in competition at the prestigious IDFA in Amsterdam, where it was the fourth most popular film of the festival, and went on to win the Audience Choice award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February 2015. The film is directed by Bryn Evans and produced by Paula Jones and Alex Lee.