Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission have partnered on the development of 16 short films. The teams behind the films were selected from a very competitive round of 106 applications; and will attend a three-day residential development lab this November as part of the Fresh Shorts initiative.
The Fresh Shorts programme offers grants of up to $15,000 to six new or emerging filmmaker teams to make a short film. The selection also includes experienced filmmakers in new roles. As part of the selection process, each team will attend a three-day development lab in the Auckland region where they will receive tailored script feedback from industry mentors and participate in group workshops to further develop their scripts and strengthen their skills for future projects.
Following the lab and submission of the re-worked projects, six teams will be selected to receive a grant of up to $15,000 to make their short film. An announcement will be made early February 2020.
The 16 selected teams and their projects are (L-R):
Fresh Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
The Big Screen Symposium brings the filmmakers of Aotearoa NZ together once a year to hear from an unbeatable line-up of local and international speakers. Join us to be energised, challenged, and part of the conversation.
This year’s Big Screen Symposium will take place over two days on Oct 26 & 27, at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.
The theme of #BigScreen18 Tuning into the Zeitgeist explores the forces that influence us both collectively and alone. How do the characteristics of our age and the politics of now manifest in our imaginations, and how does that impact the stories we tell and how they connect with audiences?
Early bird tickets are available on iTicket NOW. Check in at www.bigscreensymposium.com for announcements of our exciting speaker line up for this year.
The Big Screen Symposium is brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions.
Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August, 2018
Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington
Script to Screen presents a weekend workshop for the storytelling and filmmaking community. It is designed to deepen and clarify your approach to working in a group or as a team. If you have a project at any stage of development this process will change how you work TOGETHER.
The two day process will focus on the core tenets of innovative collaboration. A robust progression of exercises will lead the participants through an exploration of internal and external listening, the power of feedback and the clarity required when goal setting. The workshop will involve both group and individual exercises. A notepad and paper are required! Come alone or with your collaborators. This is an opportunity to professionally develop yourself.
Brita McVeigh’s working methodology has, since 2005, contributed to the development and production of more than 140 feature film, short film, television and theatre projects in New Zealand and Australia. She occupies a unique place in the storytelling industry, working in the space between Story Consultant, Acting Coach and Directing Coach. Brita began her consulting career collaborating closely with Taika Waititi (THOR) on his films Eagle vs Shark and Boy. Most recently Brita worked alongside Cate Shortland (BLACK WIDOW), on the development of her 8-part episodic project, The Monaro. Brita has adapted the essence of her working methodology into an ongoing workshop series. Focusing on empathy, embodied listening and authentic expression, Acting for Humans has been attended by more than 800 creative professionals, both actors and non-actors, in New Zealand and Australia. Entire creative teams have attended her workshop, in order to deepen the connection between collaborators. Brita also helms acting and storytelling workshops for communities and teams inside the corporate culture.
Date: Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August, 2018
Time: Saturday 9.30am – 4:30pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
Venue: Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington
Cost: $24 plus booking fee. Tickets available via Eventbrite. Workshop is limited to 50 attendees.
What to Bring: Pen and Paper. Some participants may want to bring their lunch. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided. If you don’t bring lunch it’s a short walk to cafes in the area.
Thank you to Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre for hosting us in their wonderful space.
This workshop was made possible with the support from the Creative Communities Scheme.
Script to Screen is proud to award eight filmmakers places on the 2018 FilmUp Mentorship Programme.
FilmUp is our high-end development programme for writers, directors and producers who have already shown considerable talent and tenacity in their work.
Each participant is matched with a filmmaker mentor, and will attend a series of FilmUp hub days that include round tables, workshops, and group work as part of the eight-month programme that is tailored to their individual needs.
The participants of the 2018 FilmUp Mentorship Programme are:
Armagan Ballantyne
Awanui Simich-Pene
Chelsie Preston Crayford
Ivan Barge
Jess Feast
Michele Powles
Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Vea Mafile’o
See the participants’ biographies here.
We would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
FilmUp is made possible with financial assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission.
6pm Thursday 12 April
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Following a full house in Wellington, Script to Screen brings Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa’s Talk to his home town.
In 2016 Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa (aka S.Q.S.), released THREE WISE COUSINS which took just under $1million at the NZ Box Office and went on to a successful Australian, USA and Pacific release. Passionate about telling NZ Pasifika stories, in January this year he released his second feature film HIBISCUS & RUTHLESS.
Join Stallone as he talks about the process of making his two self-funded films and the uphill battle of self-distribution. Stallone examines his journey as a first time filmmaker, what he learned along the way, what he would do differently, and his decision to stick to the self-funded route a second time – for better or for worse.
After the Talk, stay and have pizza on Script to Screen.
6 – 7pm: Talk
7 – 8pm: Cash bar & socialising with fellow filmmakers
$5 Koha for those who can afford it
Thank you to Auckland Council for their on going support.
Script to Screen and Show Me Shorts Film Festival have announced the names of eight screenwriters who have been selected from 72 applicants, to participate in the 2018 Aotearoa Short Film Lab.
Congratulations to
Aotearoa Short Film Lab is a prestigious hothouse mentoring scheme for screenwriters and aspiring screenwriters to workshop new ideas for short film. Established in 2010 as a partnership between Show Me Shorts and Script to Screen, the Lab offers eight New Zealand short filmmakers the opportunity to develop their short film concepts and scripts with the guidance and advice of experienced industry mentors during a full-day workshop.
Two international short film makers will also participate in the workshop. Sofia Rodriguez from Chile and Ragini Bhasin from USA will fly to Auckland to develop their scripts with the expertise of local mentors.
Festival Director of Show Me Shorts, Gina Dellabarca, who was among the selection panel commented: “After reading this year’s Lab applications, there is no doubt that our short film screenwriters are leading the way in putting forward an increasingly diverse range of types of story. Hollywood could learn a lot from these bold and talented filmmakers. It is heartening for the industry that screenwriters and aspiring screenwriters are working on such a variety of stories. I only wish we could include more of them in our Lab.”
The mentors guiding participants to develop their stories are experienced short film and feature film screenwriters: Michael Bennett (Cow, Matariki), Shuchi Kothari (Coffee & Allah, Apron Strings), Jake Mahaffy (Wellness, Free in Deed), Gerard Johnstone (Housebound, The Jaquie Brown Diaries), Kathryn Burnett (Shelved, The Cult, The Strip) and Dianne Taylor (Apron Strings, Beyond the Known World).
Previous Short Film Lab participants have described the interactive workshop as “invaluable” and many projects have gone on to be funded and produced. Films developed with the assistance of the Lab have premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival (I’m Going to Mum’s), NZ International Film Festival (Tree) and Show Me Shorts Festival (Zinzan, Baby?).
The Aotearoa Short Film Lab is possible thanks to support from The Wallace Foundation and the Media, Film and Television department of the University of Auckland.
Script to Screen presents a one-day screenwriting workshop for both emerging and experienced filmmakers of Christchurch.
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.)
Date: Saturday 17 March
Time: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Venue:150 Madras St, Christchurch. NZ Broadcasting School, Ara Institute of Canterbury
Cost: $20. Please bring cash on the day. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided but you will need to bring your own lunch.
Registration: Places are limited so please register
This workshop was made possible with the support from the Christchurch Creative Communities Scheme.
If you have a feature film you want to package and finance in 2018, don’t end the year without hearing about developments at international film markets in 2017.
The New Zealand Film Commission assists producers to travel to key international markets where they can advance the packaging and financing of their film projects. Producers who were the recipients of the NZFC PITA Fund have generously agreed to share the knowledge they gained at market.
Join this discussion about global film packaging and financing trends.
AUCKLAND
Monday 4 December at 4.00 – 5.30pm
Studio One, 1 Ponsonby Road, Grey Lynn
RSVP
WELLINGTON
Wednesday 13 December at 4.00 – 5.30pm
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, 84 Taranaki Street, Te Aro
RSVP
“That seemingly casual connection between life an mythology, between flesh-and-blood reality and its parallel spiritual dimensions, informs this meditative drama about the redemption of a man whose healing hands have also inflicted scars on his family.”
– David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
When Tusi Tamasese’s ONE THOUSAND ROPES premiered to critical acclaim in Berlinale’s prestigious Panorama section and at home, the co-existence of social realism and mysticism was consistently identified as striking, effective and unusual.
In this special session, Tamasese is joined by producer Catherine Fitzgerald, editor Annie Collins, colourist Clare Burlinson and VFX Supervisor Darwin Go to explore how post elements and music came together to tell the powerful story of ONE THOUSAND ROPES.
A section of the film is granularly analysed to demonstrate the composition of pictures, colour palette, sound design and music. Points of discussion include how a ‘purgatory’ feel for Maea’s world, and the threatening feel of character Seipua were achieved.
Join us to hear about how the creative power of post can enhance character and world, whilst serving story. If feedback from the BSS is anything to go by, this session is not to be missed!
Please RSVP at: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/one-thousand-ropes-case-study-tickets-39063472899
Park Road Post, 141 Park Road, Mirimar, Wellington, Thurs 02 November. Drinks 5:30pm – 6:30pm, talk 6:30pm-7:30pm, $5 suggested koha.
Script to Screen is thrilled to partner with the NZ International Film Festival to present a series of TALKS with the filmmakers behind: MY YEAR WITH HELEN, MOUNTAIN, WARU and GOD’S OWN COUNTRY.
Join us after each screening to hear firsthand from both international and local filmmakers about the challenges and intrigues of bringing these much anticipated films to the screen.
Entry to the TALKS is free but to see the film beforehand, please book your tickets through the NZIFF website.
MY YEAR WITH HELEN
Director, Gaylene Preston.
Fresh from the World Premiere in Sydney, join legendary filmmaker, Gaylene Preston as she reveals what she discovered about Helen Clark, and the challenges she faced when making a documentary across multiple continents with a high profile subject.
“Preston’s cameras explore the cracks between the diplomats, the embedded press and feminist activists as they push for change, (at the U.N.), while caught up in a power process as secretive and patriarchal as the selection of the Pope.” Kip Brook (makelemonade.nz)
23 July with Paula Morris after 1.00pm screening
25 July with Helene Wong after 11.00am screening
VENUE: Wintergarden at the Civic Theatre
WARU
Directors: Casey Kaa, Ainsley Gardiner, Katie Wolfe, Renae Maihi, Paula Whetu Jones, Awanui Simich-Pene and writer Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu in conversation with Mihingarangi Forbes
This is the World Premiere of a powerful NZ film. WARU brings eight talented Māori women to the director’s chair to address one of the most important issues facing NZ society right now. If the exceptional feedback from the moving conversation at last year’s Big Screen Symposium is anything to go by, this is a film and a discussion not to be missed.
These sessions were made possible thanks to additional support from the New Zealand Film Commission.
2 Aug after 6.15pm screening
6 Aug after 4.00pm screening
VENUE: ASB Waterfront Theatre
Please note: As this TALK is in the cinema, you must purchase a ticket to the film to attend.
MOUNTAIN
Director, Jennifer Peedom
MOUNTAIN is described by The Guardian as“a 70-minute rush of adrenaline; a safari into the sublime; a vertiginous voyage to the top of the world”. Director, Jennifer Peedom (SHERPA) visits Auckland to share stories about her experience working for the second time with high altitude cinematographer Renan Ozturk; her collaborations with writer Robert Macfarlane and narrator Willem Defoe; creating an atmospheric score with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and wrangling more than 2,000 hours of footage shot in 15 countries to make her spectacular new movie.
1 Aug with Leanne Pooley after 6.30pm screening.
VENUE: Wintergarden at the Civic Theatre
GOD’S OWN COUNTRY
Writer/Director Francis Lee
Francis Lee joins us from the UK to share stories about the making of his first feature, GOD’S OWN COUNTRY, winner of Best British Feature Film at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, Best Director prize in Sundance’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition and the Männer Jury Award for Best Film at Berlin Film Festival. BFI describes the film as “one of the most assured, fully-formed British debuts of recent years”. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from Francis who started his directing career at 40 when he quit acting to make three self-financed short films.
2 Aug with Max Currie after 6.30pm screening
3 Aug with Shuchi Kothari after 1.00pm screening
VENUE: Wintergarden at the Civic Theatre