‘My Cyclone Gabrielle’: Confronting the Aftermath

In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle sweeping across Aotearoa communities, multiple DEGANZ members worked on the new RNZ docuseries, My Cyclone Gabrielle. With a new director, location, and story in each episode, they share their personal experience and give voice to the residents’ tragedies. The four episodes look at the cyclone from a community perspective and depict their struggles and bravery.

The first episode, Aftermath, edited by DEGANZ member Jai Waite, tells the story of Hawke’s Bay families picking up the pieces of their lives after the destruction. The families reunite on the region’s ruins and share their pain with viewers.

The final episode, Lifeline, featured Kim Webby (DEGANZ) as director and fellow member Ben Murray as assistant editor. It depicts a hard-working community of Ruatoria, supporting each other and fearing a lack of governmental support. The other episodes examine similar themes of loss and grief in Muriwai and the Waitakere Ranges.

All four stories are different, isolated in their personal losses but united in their communal pain. The series reveals previously unheard voices and shows what is hard to ignore. It forces viewers to re-evaluate their perceptions of the cyclone and be motivated to address the existing restoration challenges.

You can watch the full series here.

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‘Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead’ and She’s Off to Bootcamp

Jaya Beach-Robertson, DEGANZ member and current Incubator participant, has made the cut for Script to Screen’s Series Bootcamp 2023. She is credited as a co-writer with Roo Reihana-Wilson on the drama/comedy entitled Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead.

Series Bootcamp aims to nurture emerging and mid-career writers and producers, selecting six teams to undergo a three-stage development process. The teams will forge pitch decks and scripts, starting with an intensive two-day workshop with guest speakers and advisor sessions. They will receive feedback from a script developer on the quality, originality, and viability of their concept and pilot episode before the final pitching day to industry professionals. They also have the opportunity to pitch in front of commissioners who could help bring their ideas to life.

While not much is available about the projects, Jaya’s protagonists are often outsiders, othered, flawed, and land somewhere from unusual to outright strange. Her previous series work includes her self-funded web series, PSUSY, and RNZ’s TAHI Point of View. We are excited to see how her voice and perspective are reflected in this project.

Best of luck to Jaya and the team for Bootcamp!

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DEGANZ Strikes the Clock on TikTok

When it was least expected, DEGANZ went for it… we are proud to present our brand-new TikTok account. Join us to hear about the latest DEGANZ news, events, and workshops, all while enjoying some funny memes (we promise).

@deganz_online

#CapCut wanna learn more about SIWA? Come to one of our huis 🫶 (l!nk !n b!0)

♬ original sound – Directors & Editors Guild NZ

What people (the marketing team mainly) say about our TikTok:

  • “A place to unwind, plus something worth keeping an eye on.”
  • “10/10 for that Office meme.”
  • “The marketing manager sure knows their job!”
  • “Followed yesterday and never regretted.”
  • “Can’t wait for more SIWA Hui memes!”
@deganz_online

wanna enjoy this feeling? sign up to be a member at the 🔗 in our insta b!0 #deganz #nzdirectors #nzfilm #nz #fyp #abcxyz #meme

♬ Ill do it – 2000s☆

Content warning: Only hilarious, DEGANZ-oriented content.

“We wish we discovered them earlier…” – Weekly Entertainment (if they followed)

 

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DEGANZ Members’ Projects go on a Spring Holiday to HIFF

While Aotearoa trudges into winter, feature films Dame Valerie Adams: MORE THAN GOLD and Red, White & Brass head to the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) 2023 Spring Showcase.

This follows MORE THAN GOLD‘s recent success at the International Oceanian Documentary Film Festival (FIFO) in Tahiti, where it won the 1st Special Jury and the Youth Jury Awards. Edited by DEGANZ board member Margot Francis and produced by fellow member Leanne Pooley, the feature doco follows the candid and inspirational story of Olympic champion, Kiwi icon, and Tongan leader Dame Valerie Adams.

On the other hand, Red, White & Brass, co-edited by DEGANZ board member Ben Powdrell, is just beginning its festival run. The feel-good drama about Tongan pride and community is earning rave reviews following its very recent NZ theatrical release.

Featuring in the HIFF Spring Showcase is incredibly exciting for both films as it will be both of their US premieres. Additionally, this is HIFF’s first run with a completely in-theatre festival after COVID-19.

Along with these two features, NZ-made Muru is also screening in the programme.

Congratulations to all DEGANZ members involved!

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Zhu Continues Having ‘Conversations With My Immigrant Parents’

Season three of DEGANZ member Julie Zhu‘s podcast and video series Conversations With My Immigrant Parents comes out on 3 April. In addition to directing, producing, and hosting the series with co-creator Saraid de Silva, Julie is also the series’ cinematographer.

The deeply personal series dives into conversations between immigrant parents and their children across Aotearoa. They cover topics of ancestry, home, food, expectation, acceptance, and love. Through these conversations, whānau learn new things about each other and confront complex issues that are deepened by generational and cultural differences. Previous episodes tackle balancing cultures in an Indian-Māori whānau, interrogating colonial tools in NZ within a Zimbabwean family, and divorce with a Korean mum and daughter.

Julie is a Chinese-born, Aotearoa-raised multi-disciplined creative. She is passionate about telling stories that champion marginalised voices and stories, as seen in her work on Conversations With My Immigrant Parents.

Watch the trailer for season three here, or catch up on previous seasons here!

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