Big Screen Symposium & Script to Screen

Kenyan filmmaker, Wanuri Kahiu uses her recent short film PUMZI to illustrate the research techniques and decision-making process she used to create a distinct futuristic world on a low budget.  She explains the rudimentary tools and special effects techniques she used to bring this world to life. Wanuri's session took place on Saturday 28 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ. The ...

In this session filmmaker David Lowery uses a scene from his latest feature The Old Man & the Gun as a starting point to follow the evolution of an idea from first draft to final cut. He leads us on his own very specific filmmaking journey in order to explore the tangents and the detours that inspiration can take on its way to the big screen. This session is presented by The Weta Group of Companie...

Being funny is a seriously tricky business, even if you’re a natural.  In this session, some of NZ’s top comedic writing talent explore what makes their characters funny and how they’ve successfully taken NZ comedy to the world.  Listen to Jackie van Beek, Madeleine Sami, Paul Yates and Melanie Bracewell chat with Alice Snedden about how they crafted the laughs. This session is presented by Depart...

STRAY is the debut feature film from award-winning writer/director/producer  Dustin Feneley  and producer  Desray Armstrong . In this session, Dustin and Desray discuss how STRAY was financed as an independent film; focusing on securing private investment and their record-breaking crowdfunding campaign. They’ll also explore the entrepreneurial skills, drive and tenacity needed to succeed as indepe...

Writer/director, David Lowery’s keynote address dissects his experience of capturing the zeitgeist in his career to date.  How can you ensure your story is relevant and interesting to modern audiences?  David breaks down his rollercoaster ride from trying to make films for posterity to making films that affect people deeply and collaborating closely with a tight-knit filmmaking family. This sessio...

There are times for all filmmakers where there is no clear path ahead. Lynette Walworth and David Lowery share insights from their filmmaking journeys with moderator, Brita McVeigh. They explore the roadblocks they’ve faced, the deviations from the path and ultimately the way through in this intimate and enlightening conversation. This session is presented by Fish Entertainment . David and Lynette...

Fremantle’s Director of Drama,  Jo Porter  joins  Phillipa Campbell  in conversation to discuss her experience developing, producing and selling the trailblazing six-part Australian television series PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK. Together they explore the powers and pressures of adapting a beloved novel and the process of navigating a co-commission. This podcast is available on Podbean, Spotify and Appl...

Stop-motion animation has enjoyed a renaissance over the past two decades despite the advancement of modern animation techniques. World-renowned experts in this field, Rachel Larsen and Antony Elworthy share insights into how they bring stop motion productions to life with filmmakers like Tim Burton, Wes Anderson and Harry Sinclair. Antony and Rachel's session took place on Saturday 28 Oct at the...

Got a script in development? Have you thought about your audience? Listen to this Script to Screen TALK and find out what local distributors consider before they take on a project for distribution. Having a strong script and a great filmmaking team is not enough. Most often, unlocking NZ Film Commission production funding depends on a commitment from a local distributor. Hear from Tony Bald at  Pa...

Moderated by Brita McVeigh. David Michôd and Luke Davies have been in Los Angeles, living and working in close proximity a lot of the time for nigh on 10 years. They talk to Brita McVeigh about their quite different respective experiences of this Hollywood chapter of their lives, their observation of each other’s individual working processes, and their feedback loops on each other’s projects. They...

Moderated by Brita McVeigh.  “An exquisite, beautifully shot meditation on love clouded by fear and doubt.” LOVESONG REVIEW, New York Times, Stephen Holden Experienced independent director So Yong Kim is known for creating intimacy and atmosphere in her critically acclaimed films IN BETWEEN DAYS, TREELESS MOUNTAIN, FOR ELLEN and LOVESONG. In this session she talks about working with the actors to...

Leading distribution strategist Peter Broderick gives an up-to-the-minute overview of the lay of the land, the opportunities, and the perils of distribution. This session is designed to empower filmmakers to design the best roadmaps for their projects. In this masterclass Peter reviews possible destinations, and explains the importance of starting with clearly defined goals. He demonstrates how tr...

Moderated by Shuchi Kothari. During this in-depth craft focused session, David Michôd delves into his directorial process and approach with moderator Shuchi Kothari. Find out how David develops his vision for the look and feel of a film, and ensures it translates on to the screen. David will share his aesthetic preparation including the way he collaborates with DoPs, production designers and actor...

Los Angeles based Luke Davies is one of Australia’s most sought after writers. In this session, he delves into the challenges of adapting source material for the screen. Luke adapted his own novel Candy for the screen, and the book A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley into LION, which went on to be nominated for 2017 Academy Awards Best Adapted Screenplay and to win a BAFTA in this same category. His...

Bec Smith is an agent at United Talent Agency, one of the biggest talent agencies in the world. Originally from Australia, Bec has worked at UTA in Los Angeles for 10 years and her client list includes many acclaimed fellow Australians. The agency system in the US plays an integral part in the packaging of film and high-end television projects, and Bec’s work as an agent goes beyond the representa...

Michael Bennett, Miriama McDowell, Jessica Hansell, and Todd Karehana each give their take on our theme Authenticity & Pretence in the context of their recent projects, working practice, and view of the world. Presented by  NZ On Air This session took place on Sunday 1 October, 9.30am at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ. The  Big Screen Symposium  is New Zealand's annual premiere film...

This session is moderated by Shuchi Kothari. 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 a...

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 ; creati...

This session is moderated by Helene Wong. Fresh from the World Premiere in Sydney, legendary filmmaker Gaylene Preston 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 cha...

This session is moderated by Max Currie. 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 “o...

Moderated by Emily Perkins. An acclaimed author, Jonathan Raymond is also the award-winning screenwriter behind the courageously minimalistic festival hits WENDY AND LUCY, MEEK’S CUTOFF, OLD JOY and NIGHT MOVES – on which he collaborated with revered indie director Kelly Reichardt. Jonathan also co-wrote the HBO miniseries MILDRED PIERCE, winner of five Emmy Awards, with legendary director Todd Ha...

Moderated by Max Currie. Recent years have seen exceptional television drama out of Australia. Like in the US and Europe, much of the most sought after acting, writing and directing talent is working across both film and TV. Amongst her lauded film credits, writer/director Cate Shortland (SOMERSAULT, LORE) has written on the esteemed award-winning Australian dramas THE SLAP, DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, DE...

Moderated by Bailey Mackey. In this intimate conversation with Bailey Mackey, esteemed actor Cliff Curtis shares his process when preparing for each role, his approach to risk-taking, his experiences at home and beyond, and what makes him tick. Homegrown star and greatly respected actor Cliff Curtis has starred in many of NZ’s most celebrated films including THE PIANO, ONCE WERE WARRIORS, WHALE RI...

Moderated by Brita McVeigh. “When writing, drawing from the subconscious is slower and more arduous, difficult to find – but perhaps in the end the pain creates something beautiful and idiosyncratic, and this is often the part that the viewer takes away and remembers, the part that gets under our skin.” Cate Shortland is the acclaimed writer/director of the award-winning and profoundly memorable f...

In a powerful response to the total absence of feature films made by Māori women directors since Merata Mita – WARU is a ground-breaking 80-minute film made by eight Māori women directors, that follows the lives of eight women all connected by a single, heart-breaking event. Each episode is a self-contained 10 minute vignette, told in real time, and shot in a single take. Each one follows a differ...