Members Involved in the Making of Action-Thriller Vegas

The first of six-episode series Vegas, kicked off this week, on screens across Aotearoa. DEGNZ members were involved in the production and post-production of this action-thriller, filmed entirely in Rotorua. Peter Roberts (DEGNZ) edited the series alongside Carly Turner, while DEGNZ’s TV Drama Director Attachment Scheme allowed members Tim Worall and Cian Elyse White to develop as directors during production.

Tim directed an episode as part of his attachment, and Cian was given some scenes to direct. Cian also stars in Vegas as wahine toa Toni Poulan, a local business owner who becomes the central suspect in a drug deal gone wrong.

New episodes Mondays.

Watch now

/by

Rehearsal & Performance Workshops with Danny Mulheron

Rehearsal & Performance logo

The Rehearsal & Performance series provides regular opportunities for directors and actors to practise their craft and communication. Each workshop brings in an experienced moderator to guide participants as they explore a workshop scene in groups (one director, two actors) in a safe and non-pressured environment.

This May, join us for workshops in Auckland and Wellington with director Danny Mulheron.

Moderator

Danny Mulheron graduated from the New Zealand Drama School in 1983, becoming an experienced director, writer and actor in all mediums – stage, screen and television. He is known as an ‘actor’s director’ due to his particular strength in directing actors and getting extraordinary performances. 

Danny has directed award-winning television dramas (One Lane Bridge, Jonah, Runaway Millionaires), feature-length documentaries and episodic documentary series (The Kick, Why does love?, Hillary), and smash hit theatre productions. In the 2020 New Zealand Television Awards, Danny won Best Feature Drama for the TV movie Runaway Millionaires. 

Danny is currently editing Under the Vines, which he co-directed with Erin White. The film’s set in Central Otago and stars Rebecca Gibney (Wanted) and Charles Edwards (The Crown).  

Preparation

Selected directors and actors will be expected to do some script prep beforehand. DEGNZ will provide the scene at least one week in advance.

Cost:

DEGNZ / Equity NZ member – Free
Ngā Aho Whakaari Full member – Free
Non-member – $69
(Includes lunch and tea/coffee)

Register your interest:

Registrations close Wednesday 12 May, 11pm.
Spots are limited to four directors and eight actors. If your name is selected, DEGNZ will contact you directly to confirm your participation.

Auckland

When: Sat 22 May, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: MTG RM, 2 Kingsland Terrace, Kingsland, Auckland

Register now for Auckland

Wellington

When: Sun 23 May, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Where: Massey University, Wallace Street, Mt Cook, Wellington 6021, NZ

Register now for Wellington

 

The Rehearsal & Performance series is hosted by Directors & Editors Guild of NZ with the support of Equity New Zealand and funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.

/by

Cousins Screens at Parliament

On April 12, Hon. Carmel Sepuloni MP hosted a screening of Cousins at Parliament’s Beehive Theaterette. The feature, edited by Alex Boyd (DEGNZ), has been a kiwi box office hit, and is currently sitting at 1.436 million in Aotearoa.

Co-directors Briar Grace-Smith and Ainsley Gardiner addressed over 100 people at the screening, including MPs, screen industry members, diplomats and media. Our Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu attended the screening with other guild EDs.

In Cousins, orphaned Mata believes she has no whānau and lives out her lonely childhood in fear and bewilderment. Back home on the land, educated Makareta flees an arranged marriage to study law and begin the search for her missing cousin.

/by

Harris a ScreenCraft 2021 Finalist

Best of luck to Chaz Harris (DEGNZ), who was recently announced as a finalist in the ScreenCraft 2021 Family Screenplay competition for his family/fantasy screenplay The Glassmaker. Chaz was also a Quarterfinalist in the 2021 BlueCat Screenplay Competition for his sci-fi/thriller screenplay Endurance.

Following the creation of his award-winning web series End of Term, and producing independent feature film Encounters, Chaz recently signed with LA-based Manager John E. Ferraro of Valleywood Entertainment in March.

/by

The Last Man on Earth Wins Festival Humanitarian Award

Following her last award-winning sci-fi/fantasy film R.E.M, DEGNZ member April Phillips’ compelling short film The Last Man on Earth, recently won the Outstanding Achievement Humanitarian Award, from The Best Shorts Competition, California. In an unexpected twist of “life imitating art”, the film which was completed in 2019 is set in the aftermath of a global pandemic where a handful of survivors learn what makes a human being worthy of survival. Congrats April!

/by