In April 2020, Script to Screen established Awhi for alumni to draw on each other when a situation calls for an impartial phone conversation. It can give them a sounding board for an issue to be talked through, an idea tested, a problem solved or to simply have someone to call on that might have been in the same position as you.
Awhi is a safe space available to our whānau of filmmakers where they can be open and honest, get guidance in their careers, suggestions to progress their work and encouragement from someone who understands what it’s like in our film industry. Everyone who signs up to Awhi can be the maker and/or receiver of a call. This is the beginning of a community that supports each other through conversation – even if they have never met.
If you are an Alumni of one of our programmes we invite you to register.
How Awhi works:
Script to Screen will connect alumni for one-on-one video or phone conversations. Each person can use Awhi to be connected to a peer up to twice a year, and we suggest keeping the conversation to no longer than 60 mins.
When you want to make an Awhi call, fill out our Awhi Conversation Request Form so we can match you with the best person from the Awhi community.
Once we receive your submitted form, we will work to find a match and then connect you both via email. If you requested the call, then it is up to you to email the filmmaker we have connected you with to schedule a time for your conversation.
We will process all requests as they come in, however we will need to wait on a response from the peer we want to connect you with before we can come back to you, so allow for that in your planning.
If you feel like your mental health is in crisis or are worried about the mental health of someone you know, please visit the Mental Health Foundation website for a list of some of the services available in New Zealand that offer support, information and help. All services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week unless otherwise specified.
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Tony Ayres is an award-winning Australian showrunner, writer and director, and is one of the founding members of internationally renowned Australian production company Matchbox Pictures, now owned by NBC Universal Studios. In 2018 Tony established his own production company Tony Ayres Productions (TAP), developing and producing feature films and television for global audiences and international marketplaces.
Tony was the showrunner on International Emmy and BAFTA nominated series, The Slap and an EP on its US remake. He co-created and was Executive Producer on multi-award winning series Glitch (3 seasons). He was also an executive producer on International Emmy nominated Wanted (3 seasons), and multi-award winning series The Devil’s Playground, Old School, Underground: The Julian Assange Story, and The Straits. He executive produced comedy series The Family Law (3 seasons), Bogan Pride and Maximum Choppage. He produced miniseries Barracuda and the multi- award winning Seven Types of Ambiguity. He directed the multi-award winning TV movie, Saved.
In children’s TV, Tony created and executive produced the International Emmy and BAFTA award winning Nowhere Boys and the telemovie based on the series, Nowhere Boys: The Book of Shadows. The series is internationally acclaimed, winning the AACTA Award for Best Children’s Television Series, two Logies, three Kidscreen Awards, a Rockie, and a Prix Jeunesse Award.
In feature films, Tony directed Cut Snake (2015), The Home Song Stories (2007) winner of 24 international and Australian awards, and Walking on Water (2002), which premiered at the Berlinale. He also EP’d feature films Ali’s Wedding and Lou.
Currently Tony is the showrunner for upcoming US Netflix series Clickbait, and co-created and EP’d the Matchbox/ABC refugee detention centre drama Stateless alongside Cate Blanchett and Elise McCredie. Stateless stars Yvonne Strahovski, Jai Courtney, Dominic West and Cate Blanchett.
“This workshop honestly transformed my thinking about storytelling structures and opened up new possibilities in exciting and practical ways. It incorporated both big ideas thinking and also specific craft tools, which I will begin to use immediately in my writing. The workshop was rich in content and spoke well to many levels, including experienced, working screenwriters. ” – 2019 Melbourne Workshop Participant
We are excited to be bringing script guru Stephen Cleary to New Zealand to present this brilliant 2-day workshop in Auckland and Wellington.
Split into single-gender groups, people tell stories differently. Men often tell stories with all-male characters. Women rarely tell stories with all-female characters. Women together tend to maintain a theme across their stories. Men don’t. Women talk less. Men reveal less about themselves.
Gender variations within storytelling matter. Our understanding of screenwriting mostly comes from work done by men trying to figure out how the stories they told worked. The vast majority of those stories centred on male characters who were powerful or had access to power.
This workshop is about characters who aren’t male and powerful. How do you dramatise their stories, those characters, to make them compulsive? How do you tell stories about people who struggle for power, or who will never have power? Does power work differently for male and female characters (answer: yes)? How? Come to this workshop and find out, and with any luck change how you think about story structure, forever.
READ THE FULL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
WELLINGTON
7 – 8 NOV 2019
Venue: Hunter Building Lecture Theatre 119 (HULT119),
Victoria University, Kelburn Parade, Wellington
Cost: $250 (+ GST). Tickets available via Eventbrite.
What to Bring: Pen and paper. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. BYO Lunch.
Prepare for the Workshop: Links to Films and series that will be referenced during the lab are available here.
Presented in partnership with Victoria University of Wellington.
Stephen Cleary is available to do a limited number of assessments while he is in Auckland. To be eligible for one of these assessments you must have booked your ticket to the Power, Gender and New Story Structures workshop and register for an assessment by Friday 22 Nov, 9am.
You will get a one-on-one 90-minute meeting and 2 pages of notes. The script assessment fee is $500 +gst.
If you would like a TV series assessed, Stephen will need either the first episode script plus outline of the rest of the season and an overview of the project, or a synopsis of the story overall and a breakdown of episodes. Each spot is not actually reserved until payment is received.
Payment details:
Account Name: Script to Screen – Te Tari Kupu A Whakaahua
Account Number: 03 0255 0178775-00
Reference: Cleary90min – Your Name
REGISTER FOR A SCRIPT ASSESSMENT
“This workshop honestly transformed my thinking about storytelling structures and opened up new possibilities in exciting and practical ways. It incorporated both big ideas thinking and also specific craft tools, which I will begin to use immediately in my writing. The workshop was rich in content and spoke well to many levels, including experienced, working screenwriters. ” – 2019 Melbourne Workshop Participant
We are excited to be bringing script guru Stephen Cleary to New Zealand to present this brilliant 2-day workshop in Auckland and Wellington.
Split into single-gender groups, people tell stories differently. Men often tell stories with all-male characters. Women rarely tell stories with all-female characters. Women together tend to maintain a theme across their stories. Men don’t. Women talk less. Men reveal less about themselves.
Gender variations within storytelling matter. Our understanding of screenwriting mostly comes from work done by men trying to figure out how the stories they told worked. The vast majority of those stories centred on male characters who were powerful or had access to power.
This workshop is about characters who aren’t male and powerful. How do you dramatise their stories, those characters, to make them compulsive? How do you tell stories about people who struggle for power, or who will never have power? Does power work differently for male and female characters (answer: yes)? How? Come to this workshop and find out, and with any luck change how you think about story structure, forever.
READ THE FULL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
AUCKLAND
30 Nov – 1 Dec 2019
Venue: Lecture Theatre WG404, Sir Paul Reeves Building
Auckland University of Technology – City Campus,
2 Gov Fitzroy Place, Auckland City
Cost:$250 (+ 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 if you want to buy lunch.
Prepare for the Workshop: Links to Films and series that will be referenced during the lab are available here.
This workshop is presented in partnership with AUT
Stephen Cleary is available to do a limited number of assessments while he is in Auckland. To be eligible for one of these assessments you must have booked your ticket to the Power, Gender and New Story Structures workshop and register for an assessment by Wed 20 Nov, 5pm.
You will get a one-on-one 90-minute meeting and 2 pages of notes. The script assessment fee is $500 +gst.
If you would like a TV series assessed, Stephen will need either the first episode script plus outline of the rest of the season and an overview of the project, or a synopsis of the story overall and a breakdown of episodes. Each spot is not actually reserved until payment is received.
Payment details:
Account Name: Script to Screen – Te Tari Kupu A Whakaahua
Account Number: 03 0255 0178775-00
Reference: Cleary90min – Your Name
REGISTER FOR A SCRIPT ASSESSMENT
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)
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.
” Ken Duncum is an exceptional teacher. The structure and underlying philosophy of his approach to script writing in just a day provides me with the perspective and courage to write more and write better . ”
– 2018 Auckland Workshop Participant
Here’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from IIML screenwriting teacher Ken Duncum.
This one day course on writing a feature film looks at strategies for Coming up with a Cinematic Concept, growing Captivating Characters, locating the Core of your story and establishing your personal Connection to it.
Over the course of the day 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.
Who it is for: Emerging to established filmmakers, however if you are at the beginning stages of writing a film or are interested in writing a feature film this workshop will be very beneficial.
When: Saturday 16 Feb, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: Ara Institute of Canterbury , NZ Broadcasting School (TV Building)
33 Southwark Street (Cnr Madras and Southwark), Christchurch
Cost: General Admission $27.32 (incl. GST) or Student/Unwaged $11.28 (incl. GST). Tickets via Eventbrite.
What to Bring: Pen and paper. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. There are plenty of cafes in the area. There will be space available to eat your lunch if you would like to bring it with you.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10pm, Sunday 17th February 2019.
Script to Screen’s FilmUp Mentorship programme returns for 2019. Each year the FilmUp Mentorship programme supports and empowers up to eight tenacious and talented filmmakers to reach the next stage in their creative careers.
Participants will receive 20 hours of one-on-one mentorship with an established filmmaker, attend Hub Days for group work, intensive story workshops and round tables with guest speakers, as well as tailored additional support from Script to Screen.
FilmUp has gone from strength to strength, with a growing alumni of talented local filmmakers (pictured above) who have benefited from the programme, and an impressive list of mentors who have helped these filmmakers take a step up in their careers.
There will be eight mentorships for emerging to experienced writers, directors and producers. Those who have a strong track record in other creative roles (e.g. actor, playwright, editor), who are now developing a feature film project as a writer, director or producer are eligible.
“Being a part of Film Up was incredibly inspiring, connecting with fellow filmmakers on a deep level and having the opportunity to work one on one with a mentor provided great filmmaking stimulation” – Armagan Ballantyne, director and 2018 FilmUp Participant
“When I first applied for FilmUp I had a sense that the approach I had to making films was ‘wrong’ – that I would need a mentor who would show me “the right way to do it”. Through FilmUp, Script to Screen helped me to realise contrary to what I assumed, my approach was in fact a strength and absolutely key to my voice as a maker. For an artist, this level of empowerment and support is rare and utterly invaluable. The programme carefully facilitates the most magical sense of community, inspiration and support. The hub days are a taonga. Do yourself a solid and apply.” – Chelsie Preston-Crayford, actor/writer/director and 2018 FilmUp Participant
We are excited to offer this rewarding programme for the seventh consecutive year thanks to financial assistance from New Zealand Film Commission.