In this session, Grant Major delves into his involvement as a production designer on The Power of the Dog, from first reading the script, to the painstaking work in bringing the physical settings to life, and shepherding them through the filming process. He talks about how story and authenticity were the paramount drivers in day-to-day decisions, and the collaborations he had with a brilliant, creative team of people in the world-building for this highly successful film. This session is presented by Department of Post.

The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022.

In this panel discussion, moderator Sacha Judd speaks with narrative designer, producer and screenwriter Harry Feltham, writer for screen and VR, Dane Giraud and Design Manager at Wellington-based games company Pikpok, Rick Stemm, about the similarities and differences between the storytelling requirements in games, VR, film and television. They discuss what they have learnt from working in the respective mediums and what opportunities there might be to cross over. This session is presented by Screen Canterbury.

The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022.

In this session, four screen industry practitioners, producer Mia Henry-Tierney, producer and showrunner Quinton Hita, writer/director Paula Whetu Jones and Pou Ārahi Kaupapa / Head of Content at Te Mangai Paho Blake Ihimaera as they share their experiences developing and creating work as Māori storytellers, building capacity in the industry, and their vision for the future of Māori stories on screen. This session was moderated by Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Director of Māori Advancement at AUT, Dr. Ella Henry. 

The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

In this panel discussion, sustainability manager and steering committee member for Greenlit Rose Archer, producer and Greenlit chair Craig Gainsborough and Vector’s senior sustainability partner Dr. Prageeth Jayathissa shed light on the enormous sustainability challenges faced by the screen industry. They offer practical methods and tools to help film productions reduce their environmental impact, meet local and international carbon reduction targets, and reduce waste in the screen sector. This session is presented by Screenrights. 

The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

Six accomplished storytellers, each with their own unique point of view, deliver Keynote Addresses on the BSS 2020 theme Transforming Culture: documentary maker Leanne Pooley, games designer and producer Maru Nihoniho, writer and activist Cole Meyers, producer Emma Slade, writer/ director Sebastián Lelio and microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020.
The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

In this session, storytelling for the docuseries format, producer, director and editor Arielle Kilker delves into what it means to write for a documentary series. Using her project hit Netflix series Cheer, Arielle covers finding the narrative across the series as a whole, how to keep the heart of a character’s backstory in the present tense, and simplifying story for efficiency and dramatic impact while still honouring truth and integrity. This session is presented by the US Embassy. Arielle is introduced by producer Cass Avery.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020. The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A

Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

In this session, two-time Academy Award-nominated producer Finola Dwyer whose projects include Brooklyn and An Education, shares her approach to filmmaking using the film Brooklyn as a case study. Finola talks to Carthew Neal, Academy Award-Winning producer for Jojo Rabbit, about the response to challenges thrown up during production that ultimately achieved this ambitious film.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020. The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

In this masterclass, screenwriter Sophie Henderson explores how to build a story with empathy that connects with its audience. She argues for character authenticity over likeability and talks about putting your whole self into your script. This session is presented by Department of Post. Sophie is introduced by actor and director Lucy Wigmore.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020.

The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

In this panel discussion, writer and director Becs Arahanga, content commissioner at Māori Television (kaikōkiri Kaupapa at  Whakaata Māori) Lanita Ririnui and producer Piripi Curtis explore ideas and methods for Tikanga Māori to be incorporated into the creation of screen work, from the development of the idea, through to funding, production, distribution and audience engagement. They share their own transformative experiences and discuss future ways to tell stories with Tikanga led values and processes. This panel is moderated by producer Kay Ellmers.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020.

The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

NZ On Air’s Chief Executive Cameron Harland and Head of Funding Amie Mills outline the challenges, ideas and opportunities ahead as we all try to put 2020 behind us.

In this case study of 2020 box office hit Savage, writer/director Sam Kelly and producer Vicky Pope share what they learned from the unforeseen pitfalls and breakthroughs while bringing to life this ambitious feature film.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020.

The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

This podcast opens with an address from Hon. Carmel Sepuloni (Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage) who launched the Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund (Pūtea Kiriata Hiranga – Premium Fund) at the Big Screen Symposium. Then producer Emma Slade talks to Annabelle Sheehan (NZ Film Commission), Cameron Harland (NZ On Air) and Larry Parr (Te Māngai Pāho) about this new fund.

In this session, we hear from Australian multi-hyphenate Scott Ryan about his process creating, writing and starring in the crime drama series Mr In-between. FX renewed the series for a third season which was in production when this session was recorded. Scott is the sole writer and Nash Edgerton is the sole director across the seasons. Mr In-between is based on the 2005 feature film The Magician, which is also written by and stars Scott Ryan. This session is moderated by entertainment journalist, film critic and broadcaster Dominic Corry.

This session is from the Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 4th and 5th of December 2020.

The Big Screen Symposium 2020 was brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions. We gratefully thank our event partners – the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

In Kenyan filmmaker, Wanuri Kahiu’s Keynote address, she explores the AFROBUBBLEGUM movement. What if our art, our stories, our voices were more about celebrating joy than overcoming suffering? Would we think ourselves more worthy of happiness? Using examples of joy traditions and cultures expressed through African art, Wanuri presents an argument for the zeitgeist of joy and hope. This session is presented by . Anna’s keynote address took place on Saturday 28 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ. The Big Screen Symposium is New Zealand’s annual premiere film event, proudly brought to you by Script to Screen and janda. This podcast is available on Podbean, Spotify and Apple

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.

The Right Honorable Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is also our Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, focuses her keynote address on the value of storytellers to New Zealand culture. Laying a challenge to government to shift focus from the economic impact of the screen industry to the importance of storytellers and their place in modern society. How does storytelling impact the way we navigate the modern world and how can we increase access to and participation in the arts in New Zealand? The Prime Ministers address took place on Friday 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ. The Big Screen Symposium is New Zealand’s annual premiere film event, proudly brought to you by Script to Screen and janda. This podcast is available on Podbean, Spotify and Apple

CEO of the Swedish Film Institute, Anna Serner, has garnered international attention for her radical work towards gender equality in the screen industry.  In this electrifying talk, she provokes us to think differently about gender equality and lays out her step-by-step plan to achieve it. This session is presented by WIFT NZ. Anna’s keynote address took place on Saturday 28 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ. The Big Screen Symposium is New Zealand’s annual premiere film event, proudly brought to you by Script to Screen and janda. This podcast is available on Podbean, Spotify and Apple.

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 the Hanging Rock. Together they explore the powers and pressures of adapting a beloved novel and the process of navigating a co-commission.

Jo’s session took place on Fri 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

Premiering at Berlin in 2019, Vai is the second feature to come from the team behind groundbreaking 2017 film, Waru  A collaborative anthology, the film brings nine Pasifika female writer/directors together to realise a story that follows the life of a woman named Vai as she travels across the Pacific.  A film about empowerment through culture, we hear how these nine trailblazing women brought their visions to life. This session took place on Friday 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

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 Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

Can new technologies address environmental issues and competing world views? Leading global thinker, Lynette Wallworth discusses her work in the Virtual and Augmented Reality sphere and the ways in which she “brings together technological advances and ancient understandings, new media and old practices, electronics and the electricity of human touch.”

Lynette’s session took place on Friday 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

Anna Deanworks at the forefront of audience engagement across the digital, film and social landscapes. In this session, Anna shares key learnings on changes to audience engagement in recent years. She provides practical tips to help you articulate your project in a way that connects, and challenges you to think about what your audience actually wants rather than what you think they should know. This session is presented by Loading Docs.

Anna’s session took place on Saturday 28 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

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 Companies.

David’s session took place on Friday 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

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 . This panel discussion session took place on Friday 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ. The Big Screen Symposium is New Zealand’s annual premiere film event, proudly brought to you by Script to Screen and janda. This podcast is available on Podbean, Spotify and Apple.

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 independent filmmakers.

Dustin and Desray’s session took place on Friday 27 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

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.

David and Lynette’s session took place on Saturday 28 Oct at the Big Screen Symposium 2018 in Auckland, NZ.

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.

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 are now working together as co-showrunners of the TV adaptation of Catch 22, in development. They explore how the collaboration is taking shape: how they have been writing together, how they attempt to create flow, how they try to be efficient, and how they are dividing the labour.

This session took place on Sunday 1st October, 2:40pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ.

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 create this mood, and cultivating an individual voice when directing feature films.

As a sought after episodic director for leading series Transparent, American Crime, Queen Sugar and Room 104, So Yong will contrast her feature film experience to directing episodic television using someone else’s blueprint.

So Yong Kim’s session took place on Sunday 1st October, 11:10am at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ.

Presented by Images and Sound

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 representation of filmmakers.

Connecting talent, seeking finance and representing sales for her clients’ independent films are key parts of her job.

In this special conversation with Jill Macnab, Bec demystifies the US agency system and gives you her take on the current film and television market informed by her recent attendance at festivals and markets including Sundance, Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto and the American Film Market.

Bec’s session took place on Sunday 1st October, 1:20pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ.

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 current work includes Beautiful Boy an adaptation of a memoir chronicling meth addiction and recovery through the eyes of a father, produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B, directed by Academy Award nominated Felix van Groeningen and starring Steve Carrell; and a six-part limited series adaptation for television of the beloved Joseph Heller novel Catch 22.

Luke talks about his creative process when working with existing material to create blueprints for compelling film and television. This includes tough decisions he has made, and craft problems he has solved.

Presented by South Pacific Pictures.

Luke’s session took place on Saturday 30th September, 11:40am at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ.

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 actors in pre-production and on set.

Having moved from gritty debut breakout Animal Kingdom to The Rover that was in official selection at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival then big budget Netflix War Machine, David addresses how scale has impacted his directorial vision and process.

David’s session took place on Saturday 30th September, 3:00pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ.

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 traditional routes often turn into dead ends including wide theatrical distribution; highlights promising new paths such as semi-theatrical campaigns; and addresses how essential windows are in marking the legs of the journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can reach your potential audience in today’s world.

Presented by Loading Docs

Peter’s session took place on Sunday October 1st, 11:10am at the Big Screen Symposium 2017 in Auckland, NZ.

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, Deadline Gallipoli and The Kettering Incident. Currently, she has her own show in development with Matchbox Pictures.
Celebrated film writer/director Tony Krawitz (Dead Europe) has also been lured into the invigorating world of television, his many impressive credits include directing Devil’s Playground, A Place to Call Home and most recently atmospheric mystery The Kettering Incident.

Join Cate & Tony as they provide us a writer’s and director’s behind the scenes perspective on the crafting of high-end television across the ditch.

This session took place on Sun 25 Sept, Big Screen Symposium 2016, Auckland, NZ.

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 Haynes.

In this conversation Emily Perkins talks to Jonathan about what risk means to him within the creative process, remaining open to new possibilities while searching for the heart of the material, and finding and investing yourself in the work while truly sharing the vision with your collaborators – in Jonathan’s case two of the boldest auteurs in independent cinema today.

Jon’s session took place on Sat 24th September, 11am at the Big Screen Symposium 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Moderated by Brita McVeigh.

“I’m fascinated by tightly-knit communities and how they operate – how characters battle for individuality or for their place within the society.”

Esteemed Australian director Tony Krawitz has directed across drama, documentary and television. His dramatic features Jewboy and Dead Europe were based in the Jewish and Greek communities respectively. The Tallman was set on an island off the Queensland coast in one of the largest Indigenous communities in Australia that had been ripped apart by a murder.

For each of these films, Tony embedded himself within a community as an essential part of reaching a deep and nuanced understanding of and connection to his material. In this session, Tony discusses his immersive process and how it differs – and how it is the same – across adaptation, original story, and documentary.

Presented by Greenstone.

Tony’s session took place on Sun 25th September, 2:15pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2016 in Auckland, NZ.

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 different lead character during the same moment in time. The project was instigated by producers Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton of Brown Sugar Apple Grunt, and the whole film was shot over eight days.

Join the writers and directors Katie Wolfe, Briar Grace-Smith, Ainsley Gardiner, Chelsea Winstanley, Paula W. Jones, Renae Maihi, Casey Kaa, Awanui Simich-Pene and Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu – as they each in turn present a short address on what risk means to them in the context of this new collaboration – still in progress.

Session: Sat 24 Sept, 11am, Big Screen Symposium 2016, Auckland, NZ.

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 features Somersault and Lore, as well as a screenwriter on some of Australia’s most renowned television drama.

Cate uses examples from her film work to chart her writing process: from the genesis of an idea, to taking risks with character, to building scenes from the page up with actors and choreographers – and the vital role of imagery, landscape, and the subconscious.

Cate’s session took place on Saturday 24th September, 2:45pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2016, in Auckland, NZ.

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 Rider and The Dark Horse, whilst also carving a career as a chameleon character actor in Hollywood. He has also produced films including Boy and Eagle Vs Shark with producer Ainsley Gardiner.

He currently stars in AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead alongside Kim Dickens. The show premiered on August 23, 2015, and was the most watched series premiere in U.S cable TV history.

This session took place on Sunday 25th September, 3.25pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand.