Big Screen Symposium & Script to Screen

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: In Conversation with Neil Gaiman: From Writer to Showrunner

In this conversation, ground-breaking writer turned showrunner and producer, Neil Gaiman, speaks with moderator Sacha Judd about the joys and constraints of adapting his stories for the screen. They discuss collaboration; bringing worlds and characters he created in the past into the present; and what he’s learnt steering projects as a showrunner including Netflix’s the Sandman, which was yet to be released at the time of recording. This session is presented by South Pacific Pictures.