Gwen Isaac, Director/Producer
Gwen, tell us a little about yourself: your background,
work history + why you decided to pursue a career
in film and television.
I recently returned to NZ
after a decade of working in broadcast television in the UK. As a
freelance television director I worked for RDF, Endemol, Lion
Television, and broadcasters ITV and the BBC.
In 2003, my documentary,
"Old Dogs, New Tricks", about retired racing greyhounds, was
selected as part of the prestigious ITV London young director's
series, Metroland and broadcast primetime to critical
acclaim.
In 2006 I established Midnight Swim Productions USA,
filming Sylvester Stallone in the Thai jungle as well as directing
for the BBC and NBC in the states.
Michael Apted's "29-up" aired when I was a child
which set off my interest in factual television. I have since set
out to tell unexpected and engaging human
stories.
Tell us about your current project.
For the last two years I've been filming an observational
documentary centred around Margaret, a Kiwi with Motor Neuron
disease. Margaret has a complex but joyful attitude towards dying.
MND - or 'locked-in syndrome' is a cruel and relentless illness.
But, says her neurologist, "as Margaret dies, she shows us how to
live".
This year I had my second child. Normally this
would coincide with downing tool for an observational documentary
film-maker. But I couldn't put this on hold, so now Hope (Margaret
helped me name her) is part of the crew, either in a front-pack
whilst filming, or being held by
contributors.
I would love to find a post-production house
in Wellington to come on board as a co-producer, and donate
expertise and facilities to help bring together an important film
with international appeal.
Why do you think it's important for women to
have access to the types of mentorship,
networking and professional
development opportunities that WIFT offers?
Thanks to WIFT, this year I was assigned a mentor in Pietra
Brettkelly. Pietra's professional advice and support has been
extremely valuable during the film-making process. Early on I
showed her footage and her belief in my subject matter has helped
me stay on message. It is an isolating experience shooting
documentaries, especially as a one-woman-band, yet WIFT enables
like-minded professionals to find each other.
Interviewed: Wed 05 December
View Gwen Isaac's membership profile.