Big Screen Symposium & Script to Screen

Kimball Thurston leads the strategy for future technology for VFX production at Weta FX. This session uses real-life examples as he offers insight into the AI intersections with creative artists and how these tools add to the creative process, not take away from it. This session is presented by Weta FX and WingNut Films. 

The eleven regional film offices around New Zealand might be seen as competitors, but they've found a way over the last decade to cooperate and collaborate with each other in the spirit of ‘NZ Inc', recognising the healthy ‘coopetition' can be the best way to combine resources and achieve shared goals. They're working towards a vision shared by many, a well-functioning Aotearoa New Zealand screen industry. This panel discusses how and why the RFOs work together and what lessons can be learnt about this collaboration. And most importantly, what exactly does a well-functioning screen industry look like, from North to South? Join this outstanding panel are moderator Jaclyn Philpott (Association of Film Commissioners International) visiting from Los Angeles, Petrina D'Rozario  from Screen CanterburyNZ, Mark Westerby from Screen Wellington, Kahli Scott from Film Queenstown Lakes and Jade Kent from Film Bay of Plenty. 

Australian Casting director Anousha Zarkesh, an influential creative force in the Australian screen industry, is in conversation with producer Fraser Brown discussing how to establish a great relationship with your Casting Director. They cover searching for new talent and attaching high-profile actors, the importance of cultural considerations and respect protocols and considerations in early develipment and budgeting. This session is a collaboration with Actors Equity. 

ALEXANDER SWORDS presents Diverse Story Telling Patterns. He introduces the building blocks and patterns discovered in his research for Narrative Design. This gives an insight “under the hood” of how the different conventions function to engage audiences around the world. You'll discover what film and tv writers can learn from narrative design in games. 

Historically speaking, there has been a lack of representation and access for those who are deaf, disabled or neurodivergent within the screen industry. Chelsea Bridges, Jared Flitcroft and Felicity Hamill have a mission to improve industry standards by using their skills as access coordinators. This new role helps create a safe place on set for everyone. It can also improve every stage of production from development through to post-production to ensure best practice is implemented in front of and behind the camera. This session was moderated by Dale Corlett and Tayla Hancock from the New Zealand Film Commission.  

With many people unable to continue working full time due to changing life circumstances and wellbeing concerns or outright leaving the screen industry, job-sharing is becoming a widely recommended practice. Jonathon Dutton from Screen Well Australia presents the findings from the Screen Australia funded initiative, Breaking Down the Barriers to Job-Sharing which involved piloting job-sharing on a Matchbox Picture's production in Sydney.  Following Jonathon's presentation, Screen Guild's ED Kelly Lucas initiates a discussion with the audience to gain some answers about how our screen industry could successfully implement job-sharing. 

NZ On Air Head of Partnerships Raewyn Rasch introduces a case study of Sky Originals show Miles From Nowhere, where producers Ahmed Osman and Sam Wilton talk about the strategies they implemented to ensure inclusive representation of the Muslim community throughout the entire production process from casting to call sheets to creative decisions. Focused on representing the changing face of Aotearoa New Zealand, they explain how this level of equity and representation in front of and behind the camera can be achieved.  This session was presented by NZ On Air.  

NZ On Air Head of Music Teresa Patterson presents a conversation with experienced music supervisor Amine Ramer and Executive Producer Philippa Rennie to discuss the use of music in New Zealand screen stories. This includes forensic examination of a script, advice on budgeting for music, deciding how to use what songs where, and collaborating with the director, producer and editor on song choices. This session uses Testify as an example to show the power the right song has, to elevate moments on screen. This session is presented by NZ On Air to encourage more New Zealand music in our screen stories.  

Hear how three friends came together to create the groundbreaking YouTube sensation Viva La Dirt League. After 13 years they had amassed 6.27 million subscribers and 3.4 billion views. In this session with Adam King and Alan Morrison, they tell their story which led to over 1,000 sketches and videos being released and several projects in development. This session is presented by Screen Auckland. 

Getting on the Same Page is a method devised by Alexander Swords, a designer, a director, and a game runner, to get key creatives working together towards the same outcome. His “one page” of six instruments are taken from a range of creative processes to act as a source of truth. It holds intention, facilitates clearer communication, and helps teams hold themselves to account. During development it acts as prompts for all the important questions, and in production it helps teams understand the relationship between the many elements that come together for screen magic. 

Screen industry practitioners Piripi Curtis, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Angela Cudd, and Tihini Grant discuss the diverse strategies Māori producers employ within their unique productions, with the aim of creating a greater awareness of Māori values, practices and perspectives when it comes to filming on iwi and hapu owned land.   This session shares respectful engagement practices and nuances of engaging with mana whenua. 

Three leading screenwriters, Michael Bennett, Dianne Taylor and Lulu Wang share their experiences on the craft of writing for film and series, from the first idea being conceptualised through to the final draft for production based on examples from their own acclaimed work. This session is moderated by Marc Laureano and presented by South Pacific Pictures.  

James Napier Robertson has established himself as one of New Zealand's most successful filmmakers over the last ten years with acclaimed films I'm Not Harry Jenson, The Dark Horse, Whina and Joika. Delving into the craft of directing, James's masterclass offers insights into how a story can be told with visual choices and clarity of meaning. This session is presented by the Department of Post.    

 Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Cliff Curtis shares his thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.     This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho. 

Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Pax Assadi shares his thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.     This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho. 

Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Jess Hong shares her thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.     This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho. 

Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Shane Rangi shares his thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.   This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho. 

Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Lucy Lawless shares her thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.   This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho.   

Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Beulah Koale shares his thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.   This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho. 

Celebrating New Zealand talent the 2024 BSS Keynote address included seven New Zealand acting practitioners with unique stories and outlooks. In this podcast Robyn Malcolm shares her thoughts on the BSS 2024 theme Stepping into the Unknown.     This session, was presented by Te Mangai Paho.  

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. 

One of New Zealand's most successful filmmakers Lee Tamahori discusses his past experiences that guided the making of The Convert. A homage to New Zealand's brutal history The Convert is a collision of violence, masculinity, and colonisation that premiered internationally at the Toronto International Film Festival. Paula Morris delves into the mind of Lee to pick apart the origins of this film including addressing its controversial story themes and ideologies.   This talk was held live in October 2023 at the Capitol Cinema in Auckland.   ----more---- Lee Tamahori has an extraordinary body of work not limited to Once Were Warriors, Mulholland Falls, Along Came A Spider, Die Another Day, and more recently Mahana aka The Patriach.  ----more---- This talk contains Explicit Language and mentions domestic violence and sexual assault. These themes and topics could be upsetting for some listeners. Discretion is advised.  ----more---- This podcast is brought to you thanks to generous support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Foundation North, Images & Sound, White Studios and The Capitol Cinema.   ----more---- The voiceover was recorded by Jamie Irvine, and the music is by Podington Bear.   You can read more about these speakers at our website www.script-to-screen.co.nz 

Explore the roots of accomplished New Zealand writers Briar Grace-Smith, Michael Bennet, and Pip Hall, and how through the years they have each paved their way for a successful career in the screen industry. Jackie Dennis probes into their screenwriting knowledge and seeks their advice for aspiring screenwriters including writer's block and special tips.  This talk was held in August 2023, at the Christchurch Screen Canterbury offices. ----more---- Pip Hall writes for television and theatre and has won awards in both mediums. Pip's most recent works are Jonah and One Lane Bridge.   Briar Grace Smith – Writes for feature films and tv series. Most recently, Briar wrote and co-directed the Feature film Cousins and was a writer for  Season 2 of Rurangi.  Michael Bennett – writes across many mediums, including novels, Tv series and feature films. His most recent release is The Gone, but our audience will also know mini-series In Dark Places and the feature film Matariki.   His novel Better the Blood is currently being adapted for the screen.  Jackie Dennis, Executive Director of Script to Screen, moderated the conversation held in August of 2023 at the Screen CanterburyNZ offices. ----more---- This podcast is brought to you thanks to generous support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Te Puna Matarau, Screen CanterburyNZ, Images & Sound and South Island Media. ----more---- The voice-over was recorded by Jamie Irvine, and the music is by Podington Bear.   You can read more about these speakers at our website www.script-to-screen.co.nz   

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.  ----more---- Nicole is referencing slides throughout this talk, but it is easy to following her development essentials without them.  This podcast contains one moment of strong language which hasn't been censored.   ----more---- ABOUT NICOLE DADE:  Nicole Dade is a screenwriter, story developer and story/script producer with 15 years' international experience in TV, film and online scripted content. She is a screenwriter of original and commissioned work and also contributes to writers' rooms as writer, script editor or script producer. A skilled story and script consultant, Nicole is highly regarded for her creative and strategic insight and for her expertise in screen story and genre craft...----more---- This podcast is brought to you thanks to generous support from the New Zealand Film Commission,  Te Puna Matarau,  Screen CanterburyNZ, White Studios and Images and Sound.  The voiceover was recorded by Jamie Irvine, and the music is by Podington Bear.   You can read more about these speakers at our website www.script-to-screen.co.nz 

What story have you got to tell? Hear from Anthony Mullins about how to expand your possibilities as a storyteller and widen your storytelling landscape. This talk delves into the art of screenwriting and explores how writers can excel in crafting more complex intricate and authentic stories through character arcs that go beyond the hero's journey.   This talk was recorded in Wellington, in May 2023.  ----more---- Episode Example (13min): The Beach | Full Episode | Bluey ----more---- This podcast is brought to you thanks to generous support from the: New Zealand Film Commission, Foundation North, Te Auaha NZ Institute of Creativity, The Capitol Cinema, White Studios and Images and Sound.   ----more---- The voiceover was recorded by Jamie Irvine and the music is by Podington Bear.    You can read more about these speakers at our website www.script-to-screen.co.nz 

Three outstanding writer-directors, Welby Ings, Mathew 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. ----more---- This talk was recorded live in Auckland, in March 2023.  ----more---- This podcast is brought to you thanks to generous support from the New Zealand Film Commission, Foundation North, White Studios and Images and Sound.   ----more---- The voice-over was recorded by Jamie Irvine, and the music is by Podington Bear. You can read more about these speakers at our website www.script-to-screen.co.nz   

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

In this session, celebrated writer director Destin Daniel Cretton speaks with NZ writer director Roseanne Liang about his journey developing his directing and storytelling voice throughout his career. They discuss his experience making the award-winning Short Term 12, and how its success eventually led to him directing Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - the first film in the MCU to be led by an Asian actor and have a mostly Asian cast. Destin joined the Big Screen Symposium via live stream. This session is presented by Wingnut Group.  The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

In this session, series creator Simone Nathan and director Aidee Walker discuss the process of making the binge-worthy Jewish comedy series Kid Sister, from conception through to post-production. They speak with journalist Alex Casey about the writing process, the wearing of multiple creative ‘hats', the joys of working with other female creatives, and the challenges of overcoming budget limitations.   The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

In this session, NZ On Air gives an update on what it's been working on since December 2020, and where to from here. Chief Executive, Cameron Harland and Head of Funding, Amie Mills take us through topics such as innovative data framework for pan-sector audience measurement, new frontiers in children's content, success of collaborations including Te Puna Kairangi and the co-fund with Te Māngai Pāho, some insights on what opportunities changes to NZSPG [SPIG] might bring, proposed updates to funding policies in the wake of the NZMF Review, and the win-win of bringing together New Zealand music and local screen content.  The Big Screen Symposium was held in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of July 2022. 

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 is 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. 

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 podcast, storyteller and film director Sebastián Lelio gives a masterclass on the film experience, conceived as a two-way dialogue between filmmaker and spectator. Sebastián uses examples from his Academy Award-winning feature film A Fantastic Woman to demonstrate ways a filmmaker can offer opportunities to a spectator to reframe how they see the world. This session is presented by Images and Sound. Sebastián is introduced by Script to Screen's Executive Director Jackie Dennis.   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.

What happens when the process for taking your film to market, securing international sales, attending festivals and ensuring an audience sees your film is disrupted by a pandemic? In this Podcast New Zealand feature film producers Georgina Conder (co-producer of Cousins) and Vicky Pope (producer of Savage) talk to entertainment lawyer Sarah Cull about their experiences taking Cousins and Savage to audiences in a world seriously impacted by Covid-19. They discuss how they dealt with disruptions to cinematic releases both here and abroad, the unexpected opportunities that arose along the way, and what they think will be helpful for you to know while the world adapts to this pandemic and a new normal.

In this TALK, globally recognised speaker on fans and online communities Sacha Judd and Gemma Gracewood editor-in-chief at Letterboxd go through some case studies to show the power of fans. They discuss fans, merchandise, cosplay, conventions, and the delightful power of letting your audience help chart your project's course—all the way to a sequel, a franchise, a spin-off and beyond.