WIFT NZ Events

Join Kathy McRae for an insightful talk with innovative costume designer Barbara Darragh, the winner of the 2024 WIFT Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Screen Industry! 

Barbara Darragh is an accomplished New Zealand costume designer known for her extensive work in feature films and television. She gained significant recognition with her Emmy nomination for the US Starz series Spartacus, filmed in New Zealand from 2010 to 2013. Darragh also designed costumes for Rob Tapert's telemovies for Hercules and contributed to notable projects like The Dead Lands (2014) and Ash vs Evil Dead (2015-2018). Her award-winning work includes costumes for River Queen (2006) and The End of the Golden Weather (1992), as well as contributions to films like Bridge to Terabithia and The Frighteners. More recent projects include The Royal Treatment (2022), the interactive rom-com Choose Love (2023) for Netflix, and the series Dark City: The Cleaner (2023).

Darragh is also focused on preserving New Zealand’s costume history through her costume rental company, which offers original pieces for designers and stylists. She continues to work on various projects, including a reboot of Spartacus titled House of Asher, set for 2025.

This conversation will explore:

· The creative process and inspirations that drive her approach to character development through clothing in film.

· How she balances the collaborations with directors, actors, and other creative HODs to ensure costume enhances the story.

· How she has navigated historical accuracy and artistic interpretation when designing costumes for stories set in different time periods or locations.

· In an ever-evolving industry, how does she stay ahead of trends while maintaining a unique artistic voice and vision in her work?

· What challenges and triumphs has she experienced throughout her career journey, and what valuable lessons have she learned along the way?

Date: Wednesday 20 November 2024

Time: 6-8pm (6:00pm drinks for a 6:30pm start), 

Location: 129 Park Rd, Miramar, Wellington 

Facilitator: Kathy McRae is an accomplished director known for her impactful work in documentary and television. Her feature documentary Pacific Mother garnered significant recognition at the 2023 Doc Edge Festival, winning multiple awards, including Best NZ Director. Prior to that, her short documentary Water Baby became a sensation, amassing over 7 million views. With a diverse background in acting and theatre, Katherine has also directed popular television series such as Shortland Street, Nothing Trivial, Go Girls, and Filthy Rich. Her 2014 short film Abandon Ship, adapted from a Kirsten McDougall story, was showcased at prestigious festivals like TIFF Kids and the LA International Women’s Film Festival

Join this vibrant discussion to discover the art of Costume Design with one of Aotearoa's finest and enhance your creative journey!

Click here to RSVP

WIFT members free; non-members $20 ; students $10 -  includes wine and nibbles.