Tag Archive for: comedy

Educators is Back for a Third Chaotic School Year

After two critically acclaimed seasons, Educators is back for a third season. Directed by DEGANZ member Jesse Griffin, the show stars co-creators Jackie van Beek (DEGANZ) and Jonny Brugh.

The comedy sitcom follows the hilariously inept teachers in charge of educating the next generation. Set behind the scenes of a typical New Zealand secondary school, the teaching staff is made up of local comedy legends, including Kura Forrester and Rick Donald. Primarily unscripted and improvised, the entire cast’s comedy strengths are on full display.

The show first aired in 2019 with the support of NZOA and has since won the Bronze World Medal in the 2020 New York Festival Streaming Comedy category. It also received nominations for the 2021 NZTV Awards for Best Comedy Series and the 2019 Huawei Mate30 Pro New Zealand Television Awards for Best Web Series.

Watch the series here.

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Jackie van Beek Nominated for AACTA Awards

Congratulations to DEGANZ member Jackie van Beek who has been nominated in two categories at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) for her work on Nude Tuesday.

Jackie is nominated for a Best Lead Actress in Film award as well as a Best Screenplay in Film award for Nude Tuesday.

Directed by fellow DEGANZ member Armağan Ballantyne, comedy film Nude Tuesday follows a conservative, middle-aged couple, played by Jackie van Beek and Damon Herriman, trying to save a failing marriage with a trip to a new-age relationship retreat rich in sexual liberation and extreme nudity.

Jemaine Clement has also been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award for his work on the film.

The 2022 AACTA Awards will be presented across two ceremonies at The Hordern in Sydney, on December 5 and December 7.

Good luck Jackie!

 

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Film Talk: Nude Tuesday – June 13

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On June 13, before its release in NZ cinemas, DEGANZ is thrilled to be hosting a Film Talk of Nude Tuesday in association with Rialto Cinemas.

Join us for what is sure to be an hilarious night with a screening of Nude Tuesday, followed by a Q&A with director Armagan Ballantyne (DEGANZ) and writer/lead actress Jackie van Beek (DEGANZ), moderated by comedian/actor Chris Parker.

The unique comedy, filled with eccentric characters and a made up language, follows a conservative middle-aged couple who are on a mission to save a failing marriage. The couple end up at a new-age relationship retreat rich in sexual liberation and extreme nudity.

When: Monday 13 June, 7pm
Where: Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, 167-169 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland

$14.50 concession for Film Industry members!
Standard Adult $20.50

Book now

 

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Nude Tuesday Drops Trailer 

After months of waiting, the trailer for Nude Tuesday has dropped this week, capturing the unique comedy’s entirely made-up language and eccentric characters.

Written by DEGANZ member Jackie van Beek and directed by member Armağan Ballantyne, the film follows a conservative middle-aged couple, played by Jackie van Beek and Damon Herriman, who are on a mission to save a failing marriage. The couple end up at a new-age relationship retreat rich in sexual liberation and extreme nudity.

The movie also stars Jesse Griffin (DEGANZ), Jemaine Clement, Jodie Rimmer, Chris Parker and Yvette Parsons.

The film is set to release on 16 June in cinemas. In the meantime, watch the trailer below.

 

 

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Curtis Vowell Directs British Comedy Seize Them!

DEGANZ member Curtis Vowell is currently directing Seize Them!, a British comedy financed by Entertainment Film Distributors, which will handle the UK and Ireland release. According to Collider, the movie has begun principal photography in London and will take six weeks to shoot in Kent and Wales.

Starring Amiee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Loffy Adefope (Shrills), Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz) and Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), the comedy is set in the dark ages and follows Queen Dagan as she is toppled by a revolution led by Humble Joan. Queen Dagan must face up to hardship and danger to win her kingdom back.

Curtis adds Seize Them! to his directorial filmography, alongside New Zealand movies Baby Done and micro-budget feature Fantail.

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