DEGANZ member Rebecca Tansley’s second film for the New Zealand Opera, The Strangest of Angels, is currently in pre-production. While her first film with NZO, Semele, was of the titular opera’s live performance, this new project will be filmed on location.
The Strangest of Angels is a new opera inspired by the life of internationally renowned New Zealand author Janet Frame. Set in Seacliff Mental Hospital in 1945, this story sheds light on mental health from the past and present. The story contrasts the experiences of a traumatised nurse torn between power and empathy with that of a calm, rational person trapped in the asylum.
Semele was well received internationally; Naxos/Opus Arte picked up the DVD rights, and audiences can stream it on Marquee TV.
Additionally, Rebecca’s narrative short film The Finding adds two more international festival selections to its list. It was screened in Vermont on 24 August at the 8th annual Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, a festival dedicated to celebrating first or second-time filmmakers. The 14th annual Lady Filmmakers Festival, which celebrates women filmmakers, will feature the project in Los Angeles in September.
Congratulations, Rebecca! We wish you all the best for your upcoming project.
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Earlier in the year, DEGANZ was joined by UK director/writer Steven Chatterton to discuss his approach when directing kids. He shares the tools he found useful when working with a first time child actor in his short film Adnan.
Steven discusses how important the tools were when working on every aspect of Adnan, through auditions, rehearsals and on set. Enjoy this seminar on The DEGANZ Podcast.
Adnan is the story of an imaginative ten year old Syrian refugee boy who has had to flee his home country with his mother after the rest of their family were killed and their neighbourhood destroyed. Now settled in the UK, he must use all his creativity to break through his mother’s PTSD or risk losing her forever.
The short film is not currently available to watch online. Head here to read more about it.
http://degnz.sensedesign.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/The-DEGANZ-Podcast-banner.png4561200admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2022-08-25 10:42:392022-08-25 11:30:29On the Podcast: Directing Kids – A Case Study with Steven Chatterton
DEGANZ member Michelle Ang explores the tumultuous journey of healing and self-improvement in the new comedy web series, Self Help, out now on YouTube! She and Rawiri Jobe directed four episodes each of the eight-part series, produced by Wrestler and made with the support of NZOA.
In the aftermath of a devastating break-up with his boyfriend, Nikau begrudgingly searches for healing through any means possible. After episode one, aptly titled Intervention, Nikau fumbles through the advice of his friends and whānau to get out of his heartbreak rut. From working out to pottery to chakra cleansing crystals, the series comedically unpacks the growing pains that stem from young heartache.
While this is Michelle’s first series directing gig, she has quickly proven herself as an acting and directing powerhouse. The Emmy-nominated actress for her role in Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462 has also recently worked on Hair Now, a docuseries that explores the relationship between Pan-Asian women and hair.
http://degnz.sensedesign.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Self-Help-comp.jpg4561200admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2022-08-25 10:12:242022-08-25 10:12:24Beings Being Better Beings in Comedy Web Series Self Help
Kim is a documentary maker with over 30 years of experience and a dozen documentaries and long-form television series. The Price of Peace, her first feature doco, won four international awards in 2015. Her recent work includes directing three modern art documentaries for television and two features in development.
Marina Alofagia McCartney (writer/director)
Marina is an award-winning filmmaker and scholar. Her last film Vai, an anthology feature that explored 9 Moana Pasifika wahine, opened the NATIVE programme at the 2019 Berlinale and screened in NZIFF, SXSW, Edinburgh Film Festival, MIFF, and more. Additionally, she is a PhD candidate studying Moana Pasifika film.
Tom Augustine (writer/director)
Tom is a well-known Tāmaki Makaurau writer and filmmaker. He won the NZ Writers Guild Seed Advanced Grant (2020) and participated in Script to Screen’s Story Camp (2020) to develop Arsonist, his debut feature screenplay. Other credits include directing and producing The Story of Te Awe for Auckland Museum, his short film Long Time Coming, and many music videos.
This six-month professional development programme, run by Script to Screen, for writers, directors, and producers selects eight filmmakers each year. The participants are supported to take the next steps in their careers through mentorship with an experienced industry professional, group work, and round tables. See the full list of participants.
http://degnz.sensedesign.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/FilmUp-comp-e1748912849751.jpg456902admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2022-08-25 09:18:432025-06-03 14:07:54DEGANZ Members Selected for Script to Screen’s FilmUp
Learn professional best practices in this introduction to directing on-screen intimacy.
Participants will receive training on considerations and respectful processes when working on a range of ‘intimate scenes’ in this one-day workshop on September 10. The workshop will be led by intimacy coordinator, actor and director Jennifer Ward-Lealand.
We will start the day with discussion, real world examples and demonstrations. Afterwards, we will practise working with actors on developing intimate scenes in a safe, supportive and creative space. Participants will learn how these processes ensure that the work is consensual, engaging and best serves the story.
Who’s it for?
All drama directors – professionals and film school graduates – welcome. Producers and First Assistant directors are also invited to attend.
Breakout Directors
DEGANZ welcomes directors to apply for 1 of 4 places to direct a scene in the breakouts. Other directors can elect to observe the breakouts.
Breakout directors will take turns directing pairs of actors on an intimate scene under the tutors’ guidance. Upon selection, breakout directors may submit a short, intimate scene for two characters – either with or without dialogue – for consideration ahead of the workshop. We can also provide scene options if preferred.
Breakout directors must have experience directing actors for screen, but don’t need experience with directing intimacy.
About Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand
A founding member of Intimacy Coordinators Aotearoa, Jennifer is one of the first fully accredited intimacy coordinators in NZ beginning her training with Ita O’Brien (Intimacy on Set, UK) in 2018. As Equity NZ President, she co-authored the Intimacy Guidelines for Stage and Screen in NZ.
Jennifer has taught intimacy workshops for Toi Whakaari, Te Pou theatre, The Actors’ Program, Pan-Asian Screen Collective, Proudly Asian Theatre, Covert Theatre, South Seas Film and TV School, Howick Little Theatre, Catch Casting and The Equity Foundation. She regularly gives seminars at the SWAG/Screensafe Professional Respect Training workshops and other events.
Her intimacy coordinator screen credits include The Wilds (Disney); Creamerie; Heaven and Hell – the Centrepoint Story (Warners); Ahikāroa series 3 & 4; One of Us is Lying (NBC/Universal), Don’t Make Me Go (Amazon) and numerous short films and web series.
Jennifer is also an experienced actor of 40 years and a director and teacher of 20 years.
To keep everyone, and in particular our performers safe, directors must abide by the following:
Do not attend if you are sick with COVID-19, cold or flu symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate.
Wear a face mask unless you have an exemption.
Take a Rapid Antigen Test before the start of the workshop. Tests will be provided by DEGANZ.
To Apply
Applications Close: Monday 5 September, 10AM
Please complete the application form below and email your CV to admin@deganz.co.nz. Your CV should clearly list your directing credits and include details such as festival selection and year, commissioners and/or platforms where your work has publicly screened.
DEGANZ will email you to confirm if your application has been accepted.
