Big Screen Symposium & Script to Screen

Big Screen Symposium 2020: Keynote Addresses on the theme Transforming Culture

The opening keynote addresses are centered around the theme Transforming
Culture and are delivered by five storytellers: documentary maker Leanne
Pooley, games designer and producer Maru Nihoniho, writer and activist Cole
Meyers, producer Emma Slade, writer/ director Sebastián Lelio online from
Chile, and microbiologist Dr Siouxsie Wiles. Each speaker presents their ideas on
the transformative power of story and the transformation the screen sector is
currently experiencing from their own unique point of view and relevant to their
recent work. This session is presented by Te Māngai Paho. The speakers are
introduced by event MC & journalist Paula Penfold.
 
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.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: A conversation with Finola Dwyer on the making of Brooklyn

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.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: Case Study with Sam Kelly and Vicky Pope - Savage

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.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: In Conversation with Scott Ryan - Mr In-between

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 FilmCommission, New Zealand On Air, Te Māngai Paho, Images & Sound, Screen Auckland and AUT.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: NZ On Air Address

In this session, 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. How do we get local content in front of fragmenting
audiences and young New Zealanders in particular? How do we achieve
authenticity for diverse audiences? If there's a year to transform culture, it is 2021.
This session 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.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: Panel Discussion - Indigenising the Workflow

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.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: Writing Masterclass with Sophie Henderson - Thick and Thin Skin

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.

Big Screen Symposium 2020: Masterclass with Arielle Kilker - Storytelling for the docuseries format

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.