Big Screen Symposium & Script to Screen

Lulu Wang In Conversation with Shuchi Kothari | BSS2024

American writer, director and showrunner Lulu Wang speaks with NZ-based screenwriter Shuchi Kothari about her adaption process of the book The Expatriates, her journey finding her voice as a writer and her directing work. They touch on her feature film The Farewell which draws on a personal story for her, and more recently her six-episode drama series Expats which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and quickly became one of the most highly rated shows of the year. This session is presented by Images & Sound. 

Script to Screen TALK 2023: Lee Tamahori In Conversation

Script to Screen was delighted to present this in-conversation with Lee Tamahori, one of New Zealand’s most successful and celebrated filmmakers. He is the director and co-writer of The Convert, starring Guy Pearce and Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne and premiering at Toronto International Film Festival where it was described as ‘a stunning, sweeping & action-packed historical epic’. Paula Morris moderated the discussion exploring Lee's approach to making the film, including story themes, ideology and past experiences that guided his decisions.This talk was held in October 2023 at the Capitol Cinema in Auckland.  

Script to Screen TALK 2023: Kickstart your Screenwriting Career

Explore the roots of accomplished New Zealand writers Briar Grace-Smith, Michael Bennett, and Pip Hall, and how they have each paved their way for a successful career in the screen industry. Jackie Dennis probes into their screenwriting process and seeks their advice for aspiring screenwriters including navigating writer's block and special tips. 
This talk was held in August 2023, at the Christchurch Screen Canterbury offices. 

Script to Screen TALKS 2023: Development Essentials with Nicole Dade (Extract)

Experienced screenwriter, script editor and development producer Nicole Dade breaks down the script development process and discusses how to develop your own idea so that it moves forward. Nicole talks about the main structural element of the story, the story world, and examines how the importance of finding the heart and primal theme of the story is fundamental to its success. 
This talk was held in June 2023, at the Christchurch Screen Canterbury offices.  

Script to Screen TALKS 2023: Crafting Powerful & Original Character Arcs, with Anthony Mullins

 

Script to Screen TALK 2023: Adapting Real Life for the Screen

Three outstanding writer-directors, Welby Ings, Matthew J. Saville, and Paula Whetu Jones discuss their observations with producer Karin Williams in crafting feature films Punch, Whina and Juniper. If you are telling a story from real life, learn from the experiences of these filmmakers as they recall the creative choices used to weave these screen stories of truth, memory, and social history.  
This talk was recorded in Auckland, in March 2023.  

Big Screen Symposium 2022: Opening Keynote Addresses: Mana Auaha – Creative Power

In our Opening Keynote Addresses, six creatives in roles integral to the filmmaking process respond to our theme Mana Auaha, Creative Power. Composer Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, colourist Alana Cotton, costume designer Jane Holland, editor Jabez Olssen, production designer Ra Vincent, and unit stills photographer Kirsty Griffin each share insight into their individual creative process and what Mana Auaha means to them. This session is presented by Screen Auckland. The speakers are introduced by event MC and actor Morgana O’Reilly. 
The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

Big Screen Symposium 2022: The Art of Adaptation with Shaun Grant

In this session, Australian screenwriter and producer Shaun Grant speaks with NZ screenwriter Fiona Samuel about his adaptation process, how to choose your next project, and finding your voice as a writer. They touch on his feature films Snowtown, Berlin Syndrome, and most recently Nitram, which was the first Australian film to premiere In Competition at the Cannes Film Festival in a decade. This session is presented by Script to Screen.  
The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

Big Screen Symposium 2022: Creating a Successful Social Content Strategy – with the Aotearoa Screen Publicists’ Collective

In this panel discussion presented by the Aotearoa Screen Publicists Collective, publicist Courtney Mayhew and comedian Joe Daymond dive into the importance of social media content and its role in helping your next project reaching its audience. They discuss building a successful strategy, what you need to stand out and how to do so while remaining authentic to your story and audience. This panel is moderated by Letterboxd Editor in Chief and Tangata Tiriti Chair of the Aotearoa Screen Publicists Collective, Gemma Gracewood.  
The Big Screen Symposium held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

Big Screen Symposium 2022: Screen Industry Worker’s Bill: What is it and what will it mean?

Update: this is now the Screen Industry Workers Act
The Screen Industry Worker’s Bill was introduced to Parliament in 2020 and is expected to pass in the coming months. In this panel discussion, Principal Policy Advisor at MBIE (Emby), Gayathiri Ganeshan; the Executive Director of SPADA, Sandy Gildea; ED of DEGANZ, Tui Ruwhiu; ED of the NZ Writer’s Guild Alice Shearman; and the director of Equity New Zealand, Denise Roche speak with producer-director Leanne Pooley, offering an overview of the Bill and what it means for the screen industry. This session is presented by the SAE Institute. 
The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

Big Screen Symposium 2022: NZ Film Commission Presentation

This session is a presentation by the New Zealand Film Commission - Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga. Hear from acting CEO Mladen Ivancic, Pou Whakahaere, Te O Kahurangi Waaka, Head of Incentives Catherine Bates, Head of International Screen Attraction Philippa Mossman, and Head of Marketing Jasmin McSweeney as they celebrate recent creative, cultural and commercial achievements within the screen industry since BSS 2020. The team outline NZFC’s focus on supporting the industry through COVID-19, re-engaging internationally, and adopting a strategic approach to change.  
The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

Big Screen Symposium 2022: In Conversation with Toa Fraser

In this session, writer, director and producer Toa Fraser shares insights into his creative process and how it has changed with his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Toa speaks with writer, director Paula Whetu Jones about growing up in England, making his way to New Zealand and connecting with his Fijian roots all while creating stories and discovering what Mana Auaha means to him. This session is presented by Hnry.  
The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022.