Alan Brash giving seminar on writing a short film script
Check out the Magma Short Film Festival website
I’m delighted to not only have had my film invited to this great up-and-coming Kiwi short film festival, but I’ve also been invited to run a three hour workshop on writing successful short films. (I’ll mainly be speaking from my observations of other people’s award-winning shorts; not implying that I discovered all the answers with my humble effort!) I’ll also be speaking at the screening on Saturday night (April 30th, 2011) which includes my film, “Be Careful…”
For any readers from outside of Aotearoa/New Zealand, Rotorua is pretty much the cultural capital of the country as far as tourists seeking to get a glimpse of New Zealand’s pre-European indigenous culture. It’s a tourist Mecca, famous for its boiling mud pools, gysers, and other geothermal wonders. It’s been years since I’ve made the short road trip from Auckland and I can’t wait!)
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
Be Careful… makes its World Premiere Next Month in Auckland
We’re hugely excited to be accepted into New Zealand’s premiere short film festival. Now in its 5th year, Show Me Shorts showcases the best Kiwi and Aussie shorts every year. We’re delighted that Be Careful… has been honoured by being selected as the opening film of the “Noir Motive” compilation.
Be Careful... opens "Noir Motive" compilation
It will screen in Auckland at The Academy cinema – home of independent cinema in Auckland (and where we had our cast/crew/friends/industry screening of Be Careful… earlier this year – see this post) on the first Saturday night of the festival (8.15pm), as well as the following Tuesday afternoon (4.30) and Friday night (8.15)
During this time, it will also screen in Devonport on the North Shore, in the historic and recently refurbished Victoria Picture Palace as well as on Waiheke Island, before touring to:
Wellington (Paramount)
Christchurch
Dunedin and
Tauranga, before finishing up in
Whitianga in January 2011.
Other Kiwi films selected include Cannes favourite The Six Dollar Fifty Man (Mark Albiston), darling of Sundance This Is Her (Katie Wolfe) and international festival favourites Choice Night , Day Trip, Brave Donkey and Va Tapuia.
Clearly being amongst such illustrious competition means that winning any prizes will be an uphill battle! 
Show Me Shorts Progamme
But for me it’s enough that our film is being shown and that local audiences will have a chance to see it. So if you’re a local, check out the Show Me Shorts website to see when the screenings are coming to a theatre near you. (There’s some info up there now, with the full programme on its way.)
And a big shout-out too to Patricia Phelan and Lucy Zhou, Unitec graduates (and former students of mine!) who respectively directed and researched/wrote the fun short doco A Furry Tale about people with a fetish for dressing up as cartoon animals! This also made it into the festival, and is screening as part of the “Kissing Games” compilation.
Show Me Shorts Auckland Dates
Posted in 'Be Careful...' Production Diary | Leave a Comment »
While rejections from film festivals are always something of a kick in the guts, it’s gratifying to continue to get awesome feedback on the quality of the film.
This, a handwritten note from Kyle McKinnon, Lead Programmer for the Alabama Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival:
“This is a strong film with a very clever twist ending. Thank you for sending it our way.”
And remember: Keep an eye on the blog next week for an exciting film festival announcement…
Posted in 'Be Careful...' Production Diary | Tagged Alabama Film Festival, Be Careful, Film Festivals, short film, short film festivals, Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival | Leave a Comment »
This is a belated shout-out to my leading lady, Lisa Chappell, who took away the prize for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Qantas Film & TV Awards for her excellent work on the prime-time TV drama, The Cult.
WELL DONE LISA!
And keep an eye out next week for an exciting announcement about a film festival accepting our short film “Be Careful…”
Stay tuned…
Posted in 'Be Careful...' Production Diary | Tagged Be Careful, Lisa Chappell, Qantas Film & TV Awards | Leave a Comment »
Lisa Chappell a finalist for Best Supporting Actress in 2010 Qantas Film & TV Awards
Exciting news today that the lead actress in our short film, Be Careful… has reached the finals of the 2010 New Zealand Qantas Film & TV Awards for her great work on the prime-time drama series, The Cult, made for TVNZ.
We wish Lisa all the best, and have our fingers crossed that she’ll also reach the finals (announced tomorrow) for Best Actress in a Short Film for her role in Be Careful…
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
At Auckland Uni’s Centre for Continuing Education
If you’re interested in getting an introduction to screenwriting from a working writer and lecturer – i.e: me (I teach in Unitec’s Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts) – then enrol for this two day intensive workshop on May 28th 29th, 2011. (NOTE NEW DATES.)
The good people at Auckland University’s Centre for Continuing Education are running it, and I promise it’ll be as entertaining as it is educational! It’ll take place in Auckland central (Short Street, near Anzac Ave).
It’s the second year I’ve run this course which comes off the back of other very successful screenwriting workshops I’ve run over the last few years at Unitec, in conjunction with the V48 Hours Furious Film-making competition, and Auckland Museum’s Outrageous Fortune exhibition. I’m looking forward to running another course where I’ll be able to go deeper into both the machinations of the NZ film & TV industry (and beyond), and how the screenwriter fits into it – as well as delving deeper into the “secrets” of writing great scripts.
It’s limited to 16 people, so get in quick!
If you have any questions, either email me here: info@shootfirst-production.com
Or contact Auckland Uni CCE directly. Their details are:
Phone
0800 UNICONTED (0800 864 266)
+64 9 373 7599 ext 87831/87832 for telephone receptionists, or
+64 9 373 7599 and the appropriate extension
Email
conted@auckland.ac.nz
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Auckland University, Centre for Continuing Education, how to write screenplays, how to write scripts, how to write short films, learn to write, screenwriting course, script analyst, script course, script courses, short film, Unitec | 1 Comment »
Alan Brash at premiere screening of Be Careful...
Nearly 100 crew, colleagues, friends, family, film students and industry-ites braved a miserable mid-winter night in Auckland to be the first in the world to see my short film up on the big screen.
Four lucky members of the audience also scored bottles of 26000 vodka from McCashin’s Brewery, and Cable Bay Vineyards Chardonnay and Rose in a draw on the night.
The staff at The Academy did a great job and I thought the film looked (and sounded) awesome. The crowd enjoyed a drink beforehand, and many stayed on for a drink and chat afterwards.
Personally, I wasn’t drinking – mainly because I’d spent much of the previous night throwing up due to a stomach bug… (But, hey, “the show went on!”)
….
….
…
The Auckland audience who braved a cold, wet night to see Be Careful...
…
Here are some comments about the film from people who’ve seen it:
…
“A treat of subtlety, layers of innuendo upon layers of expose…”
“Really enjoyed your short – it was slick!”
“Excellent!”
“[My wife] and I loved your film, the ride home we kept on picking up on little allusions that you have made throughout the story. Very nice… Congratulations on a superb effort.”
“I really enjoyed your film last night. Hopefully it’s the first of many.”
“[My wife] and I very much enjoyed the premier of your first film. It was a thoroughly professional movie and was an excellent script with interesting twists in the presentation. Many thanks for allowing us to be part of the evening.”
“Very well done. You have every reason to be really pleased with yourself.”
“I liked the film immediately… the actors were great. Good direction and editing. Good job.”
“Well done, it’s cool! I really liked it!”
“The look of the film was great, but the story really stood out – loved the twist! What I admired the most is you had a script that wasn’t overly written, pretty minimal dialogue-wise, didn’t feel the need to waffle on and explain everything, good sh*t.”
“I was delighted with the way the film hung together on the big screen. As well as the quality of the sound and images.”
“A strong film… intriguing. The storyline concise and mysterious. The cinematography, acting, sound design were all very good.”
“Loved the twist in the story.”
“Big congrats… You must be thrilled with it. If I was more expert I could offer specific comments – but I just know it looked bloody good!”
“Congratulations on a great accomplishment! I really liked the film – everything was top notch: the writing, directing, acting, cinematography. It looks really good. It seems to me that it would be a great calling card for future work.”
“It’s everything a short film should be, and more. Well crafted, superbly acted, tightly scripted, and just the right length. Technical elements and casting are top-notch.”
“Thanks for the absolute pleasure of your film. Your story was unique, surprising, different. Your look and sets suited the story well. The pace and performances were very good. And there was a wonderfully bizarre and ironic and smart humor to the piece.”
“I loved your film. It looks fantastic.”
"One ticket to Be Careful... please"
…
Now we just have to get that response from some film festivals… and the judges of the New Zealand Qantas Film & Television Awards!
Posted in 'Be Careful...' Production Diary | Tagged Be Careful, independent film, premiere, Qantas Film & Television Awards, short film, The Academy Cinema | 3 Comments »
“BE CAREFUL…” IS FINALLY COMPLETE
If you’re in Auckland, come check it out on the big screen:
Date: Monday, June 28, 2010
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: The Academy Cinema
Street: Auckland Central Library Bldg, 44 Lorne Street
City: Auckland
Time: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: The Academy Cinema
Street: Auckland Central Library Bldg, 44 Lorne Street
City: Auckland
…
Description:
An independently-funded short film, ‘Be Careful…’ is my directing debut. It’s a cautionary modern fable starring Craig Hall and Lisa Chappell, Lynette Forday and Narelle Ahrens. (Cameos from Mike Edward, Michael Saccente, Elizabeth Hawthorne & Milton Justice.)
8pm drinks; 8.30 screening. 13 minutes long. Stay for another drink after.
For cast, crew, friends, family, & industry. Get there early to ensure a seat!
A koha/donation (gold coin or orange bank note…) to cover costs would be hugely appreciated. “Ticket holders” will go into draw for wine from Cable Bay, vodka from 26000 and other goodies.
If you can’t make it but are interested, here’s the URL for the relevant website page. There’s a link at the bottom of the page to the shooting script in pdf:
http://shootfirst-productions.com/projects/be-careful-short-film/
And here are some stills:
http://shootfirst-productions.com/2009/03/23/2-days-down-2-to-go/
and
http://shootfirst-productions.com/2009/04/09/photos-from-the-2nd-weekend/
http://shootfirst-productions.com/projects/be-careful-short-film/
And here are some stills:
http://shootfirst-productions.com/2009/03/23/2-days-down-2-to-go/
and
http://shootfirst-productions.com/2009/04/09/photos-from-the-2nd-weekend/
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Check out the following message from Wade Jackson:
I’m writing to let you know about a play I’ve co-written called Eulogy that opens at the end of this month on the 30th June at the Maidment Theatre mainstage (400 seats) and runs till 16 July. Eulogy is a dark comedy that shows the rise and fall of a religious leader told through the eyes of his son who may or may not be the reincarnation of Christ. We’ve got Scott Wills, one of the country’s top actors starring in it. Scott was in the TV2 show The Cult and has twice won Best Actor for his roles in the films Stickmen and Aprons Strings.
The play received absolutely no funding from local or national government but it’s been truly humbling the amount of people who’ve come on board to help make the show work;
- Half a dozen mac operators and a video editor are inserting our lead actor into famous moments in history
- The Orange Group are providing all props and set at no cost
- Image Centre are covering our printing expenses
- Kurt from Cut Collective has created some phenomenal art direction
- Ruban from the Mint Chicks has produced a haunting soundscape
- Misery is creating animation for the audio-visual material
Because we have zero dollars for traditional marketing we’re having to do it more guerilla style. This is where you come in! We’re asking people we know to send this information out to their work & personal databases/networks with a special offer. What we can offer in return for your support is a cheaper ticket price for the people in your networks. All they have to do when they book a ticket is say Network Ticket and they can get tickets for $23 instead of $28. They’ll see a great show and you get to be a hero by giving them the bargain! And yes, you yourself can also take advantage of this offer.
Of course if you don’t feel comfortable doing this then no worries. But please know, your support is truly appreciated. And if you know someone who has $5k / $10k or $15k burning a hole in their pocket and wants to be a patron and/or sponsor of an exciting play, please let me know – we have a great sponsorship package.
“As the Director of a performance venue that hosts more than 30 theatrical productions each year, Eulogy is a breath of fresh air. The work is contemporary, cleverly conceived, without apology and has the potential to leave audiences gasping. Eulogy is certainly not easy middle of the road material. It is mercilessly satirical; of our time and could well take Auckland by storm. I believe that it will be one of the more significant productions of 2010 in Auckland.”
Paul Minifie, the Director of the Maidment Theatre
I trust all is well and hope to see you at the show!
Best,
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged auckland plays, auckland theatre, Colin Mitchell, independent theatre, Maidment Theatre, new zealand theatre, plays, Scott Wills, theatre, Wade Jackson | Leave a Comment »
