Piata co-directed and co-wrote the six-episode crime podcast. When a young woman disappears, three estranged cousins must join forces to solve the mystery. But all paths lead to a river that flows both ways – Waihara.
Other DEGANZ members’ mahi also screened during the festival. Among the 13 Kiwi productions accepted to the festival were Inky Pinky Ponky, directed by Ramon Te Wake; Red, White & Brass, co-edited by Ben Powdrell; and No Maori Allowed, edited by Cushla Dillon.
ImagineNATIVE, based in Toronto, is the world’s largest presenter of indigenous film and media arts. This year’s festival featured films spanning 74 Indigenous Nations and 40 Indigenous languages.
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!
https://www.deganz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Conversations-w-my-Immigrant-Parents.jpg4561200admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2023-03-30 11:34:572023-03-30 16:58:20Zhu Continues Having ‘Conversations With My Immigrant Parents’
Recently DEGANZ was lucky enough to be joined by Sharon Lark, an independent VFX producer and consultant, and Stan Alley, a VFX supervisor, to shed light on the power of VFX and how it can open doors to new story possibilities.
With examples from their own work and from the audience, Sharon and Stan share advice on the ideal relationship between directors and VFX, what different budgets can get you, and how VFX can serve your story. Enjoy this talk on The DEGANZ Podcast.
About Sharon Lark
Having worked for 20 years as an independent VFX Producer in the UK on films such as Prince of Persia (Disney/Bruckheimer), Tomb Raider (Paramount), Chronicles of Narnia (Disney) and Casino Royale (Colombia Pictures/Eon Productions), Sharon returned nine years ago to NZ. Here, she was originating Producer for the award-winning Children’s TV series Thunderbirds are Go, before moving onto TV Drama series Cleverman (Aus-NZ co-pro) for two seasons.
Sharon has also been working as a VFX Consultant matching projects and budgets to VFX Facilities & Post Houses. Her most recent work in this role has been on The Luminaries (BBC / Working Title) as well as feature films I am Woman and Invisible Man (Goalpost Pictures Aus). Her latest show Mr Corman (A24/Apple) encompassed working with multiple VFX Facilities and building an in-house team of graphic artists to create a unique collaged world integrated over the 10-part series.
About Stan Alley
With nearly 17 years of experience working in the visual effects department, Stan has worked onset on films from independent local features to some of the most ambitious effects driven movies ever produced. From local films, such as What We Do in the Shadows, to big budget films, such as The Hobbit and The Avengers.
His most recent work includes being a VFX Supervisor on Wellington Paranormal and Mr Corman. Stan is well versed in pre, principle and post production for VFX.
https://www.deganz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/The-DEGANZ-Podcast-banner.png4561200admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2022-10-06 14:34:112022-10-06 14:34:11On the Podcast: The Director & VFX with Sharon Lark and Stan Alley
Last year, DEGANZ was joined by director James Ashcroft and editor Annie Collins to discuss why they worked so well together on New Zealand thriller Coming Home in the Dark, and why trusting each other was an important factor. Enjoy this largely spoiler-free Q&A, moderated by DEGANZ member/director Rob Sarkies, on The DEGANZ Podcast.
Content warning:
This episode is for mature audiences only.
It contains references to abuse in state care.
Starring Daniel Gillies (The Vampire Diaries), Erik Thomson (The Luminaries), Miriama McDowell (Head High) and Matthias Luafutu (Ghost in the Shell), Coming Home in the Dark garnered rave reviews after premiering at Sundance 2021. It won Best Narrative, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Matthias Luafutu) at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival.
Coming Home in the Dark is on streaming platforms. Click here for a list on where to find it.
Coming Home in the Dark / Photo: Sandy Lane Productions
https://www.deganz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/The-DEGANZ-Podcast-banner.png4561200admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2022-07-28 09:29:422022-07-28 09:29:42On the Podcast: Coming Home in the Dark with James Ashcroft & Annie Collins
Writer/director Sam Kelly (Savage, Lambs), DOP Jess Charlton (Loimata, The Sweetest Tears) and DOP Richard Bluck NZCS (Black Sheep) weigh in on the creative advantages of filmmaking and collaborating on a small budget. We all want to make amazing work that looks exceptional. But what can you do when your budget doesn’t look so great?
Moderated by director Kathy McRae, this event was held in Wellington in June 2022 as part of the Screenlink series, and presented by DEGANZ and the New Zealand Cinematographers Society.
LGBTQ+ Film Festival Directors Q&A
Meet film festival directors Andrea Coloma (MIX COPENHAGEN), Spiro Economopoulos (Melbourne Queer Film Festival) and James Wooley (Frameline: San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival), joining us to discuss the rich histories and stories of how their Queer film festivals came to be.
Talking to filmmaker Kayne Ngātokowha Peters, our international guests discuss the social, political and creative landscape of gay cinema; and how New Zealanders can submit their films and join their global communities.
Content warning:
Strong language.
Contains sexual references.
This Q&A can also be viewed on the DEGANZ Youtube channel.
https://www.deganz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/The-DEGANZ-Podcast-banner.png4561200admin/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/DEGANZ_logo_home.pngadmin2022-06-30 15:18:192022-06-30 15:28:02On the Podcast: Budget Filmmaking and Queer Film Festival Directors Q&A
