April Phillips, Writer/Director/Actress
April wrote both original screenplays and her company Godiva
Productions Limited co-produced. "Letter For
Hope" is a contemporary and inspirational drama and the other
film could not be more different. "Utu
Pihikete"is a period piece set in colonial New Zealand.
Both films were executive produced by CAS'n'OVA Productions and
self-funded with a budget of over $50,000 each and employing over
80 Wellington cast and crew. "We benefitted from a lot of
goodwill from experienced and professional film-makers who were
inspired by the personnel and the script to join the projects".
"Letter For Hope" was directed by WIFT member Raquel
Roderick ("Baby") and "Utu Pihikete"
was directed by CAS'n'OVA director, Craig Hutchison.
Cinematographer on both films was Matt Sharp ("Eternity",
"When Night Falls", "Broken Glass"). Fortunately for Phillips,
both directors cast her in lead roles although she explains it
wasn't obligatory!
"I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to see my scripts
brought to life by extremely talented film practitioners, and to
have been able to act in them as well is living the dream."
After a frantic year in 2013 when, in addition to making two
short films, Phillips also saw the professional premiere of her
stage play "Motel" in Auckland, won an NZWG film
treatment competition, received her second SWANZ nomination, and
was the recipient of the PANZ Doug Wrenn Award for Achievement,
what's next in 2014?
Godiva and CAS'n'OVA are in pre-production to make a feature
film based on Phillips' critically acclaimed stage
play "Motel". There will be more productions of the
stage play, and the premiere of April's latest theatre drama.
She's also working on a comedy feature script and bound to be
including a role for herself!
View April Phillips's membership profile.