Wednesday
02
Mar
2022
In Conversation with producer Desray Armstrong

In Conversation with producer Desray Armstrong

Posted Wednesday 16 Feb 2022

SOLD OUT - but there is a waitlist
Since winning the WIFT Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch award in 2016, Desray Armstrong has progressed from running an extremely successful Boosted campaign (for the feature film Stray), to releasing two celebrated feature films in 2021 (Coming Home in the DarkJuniper) and premiering a third at NZIFF 2021 (Millie Lies Low) before it’s theatrical release this year.

In this workshop you'll have the chance to hear...

  • How Desray created the pathway to success as a producer;
  • What challenges she often faces and how she navigates them;
  • What she looks for in a story and creative partnerships;
  • How she manages multiple projects;  
  • Her tips for securing finance, including running an effective crowd funding campaign.

Spaces are limited!
This event will be complying with the Covid-19 Red traffic light requirements so there are seating restrictions. Book
early to avoid disappointment! 
This event is a vaccine passport event.

WIFT NZ members free, non-members $15 cash at the door (sorry eftpos won't be available). 

Date: Wednesday 02 Mar 2022
Location: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Road, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Time: 6pm drinks for a 6:30pm start

Wednesday
02
Mar
2022

Upcoming events...

Wednesday 13 Nov 2024

Costume Design with Barbara Darragh - Auckland

Join Leanne Pooley 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. In 2013, she worked on Beyond The Edge, directed by Leanne Pooley. 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 13 November 2024

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

Location: Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd. 

Facilitator: Leanne Pooley is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over 25 years of experience. She has directed films globally, winning numerous accolades, including Best Documentary at TIFF. In 2011, she was recognized as a New Zealand Arts Laureate, and in 2017, she became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her contributions to documentary filmmaking. She is also a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Leanne collaborated with Barbara Darragh on the 2013 feature documentary BEYOND THE EDGE, about the conquest of Everest. Her recent works include Dame Valerie Adams: MORE THAN GOLD, which tells the inspiring story of the Olympic champion, and Beyond Conversion, focusing on the ban of conversion practices in Aotearoa. She also directed FIGHTBACK – JOSEPH PARKER, an intimate look at the heavyweight boxer's journey. In 2020, she released two feature films: THE GIRL ON THE BRIDGE, about suicide survivor Jazz Thornton, and WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT A.I., which examines the risks and benefits of Artificial General Intelligence.

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.

Wednesday 20 Nov 2024

Costume Design with Barbara Darragh - Wellington

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 StreetNothing TrivialGo 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.

Sunday 01 Dec 2024

All Guilds Xmas Parties ~ Save the Dates

Can you believe it's that time of year again?! I bet you can because that's how Christmas likes to arrive...Unfashionably early, sooner than expected! The great news is we get to party and celebrate the highs and lows of the year been, together! 

SAVE THE DATE:

Christchurch: 1 December 2024 *Note the date change* BOOK HERE

Wellington: 4 December 2024 BOOK HERE

Auckland: 11 December 2024 BOOK HERE

Friday 06 Dec 2024

SPECIAL EVENT “From Hell to Hollywood”

Free: SPECIAL EVENT “From Hell to Hollywood” in Tāmaki Makaurau

Proudly brought to you by Leica New Zealand’

From Hell to Hollywood tells the incredible story of Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer Nick Ut, whose photo, The Terror of War, is credited with bringing an end to the Vietnam War. Ut was just 21 when he shot the prize-winning photo, and the film includes exclusive interviews and never-before-seen footage of this seminal moment in history. After the fall of Saigon, Ut was transferred to the A.P.’s Los Angeles bureau where he went on to cover earthquakes, riots, fires and celebrity trials for the next 40 years, before retiring in 2017. In this unprecedented biographical portrait, this legendary photojournalist finally tells his most compelling story of all… his own. 

Join us for this special event, which will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Jon Kroll and Scott Templeton, along with the subject of the film, Nick Ut, who is making his first trip to New Zealand for this unforgettable event. The panel will be moderated by filmmaker Robyn Paterson with Dakota Brown from Leica. 

Among the many Pulitzer Prize winners interviewed is New Zealand’s own Peter Arnett who was in the news room when Nick brought home the now-iconic image.

In September 2012, Nick Ut was inducted into the Leica Hall of Fame for his work in photojournalism.

Get Ticket HERE 

Link to the trailer 

Date: Friday 6th December

Time: 5.30PM arrival for 6PM sharp screening

Location: The Capitol Cinema

WIFT and NZCS members are free with a plus one, and Leica special guests free.

 

Programme is brought to you with generous support from the NZ Film Commission and Foundation North.