The Hazelwood script has reached the quarter finals of the Stage 32 Feature Drama Screenwriting Contest.
“A modest achievement,” says writer John Harris, “but worth celebrating. We writers need all the encouragement we can get.”
Blog: Festival awards for Prequel’87
Prequel’87 has won a platinum award at the Asia Pacific International Filmmaker festival.
Previously the film has won an award of excellence at the IndieFEST Film Awards, and selection at the Manhattan Film Festival and the Nice International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema.
‘Taniwha’ story optioned
In Depths Below (aka Taniwha) has been optioned to Kerry Warkia and Kiel McNaughton at Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions.
BSAG are producers of the acclaimed movie Waru and TV series such as Find me a Maori bride, Auckland Daze, This is Piki and Nia’s Extra Ordinary Life.
Boy Fell In Pond principal John Harris says he is thrilled that the Taniwha story has been taken up by such a talented producer.
Prequel’87 completed
The short film Prequel’87 has been completed, and a cast and crew viewing will be held on 10 May.
Prequel (16mins) tells the story of young mother Jean Bracewell whose daughter is knocked over on a pedestrian crossing in the small township of Hazelwood. Jean begins a friendship with the priest who brings the girl home. But her life is turned upside down when a car crash claims the lives of her husband Stan and her husband’s sleazy boss Nixon.
Prequel sets the scene for a full length feature, It’s Not What Happens, which will be filmed later this year.
PICTURED (from left): Trevor Nixon (played by Peter Feeney), Jean Bracewell (Holly Shervey), Father Josef (Chris Nicholls), Sophie Bracewell (Scarlett Featherstone), Constable George Manaia (Tainui Tukiwaho) and Rafael Nixon (Arlo Feeney). Not pictured is Stan Bracewell (played by Neill Rea). PHOTO: Bridget Webber.
Cannes – ‘a wakeup call’
Boy Fell In Pond was represented by John Harris and Jan Zane at the 70th Cannes film festival and market in May. (Picture: John hard at work in Cannes cafe.)
“If you love movies,” says John, “it’s an exhilarating place to be, surrounded by thousands of producers, distributors, directors and movie buffs.
“But if you’re planning to launch your own movies, Cannes provides a brutal wakeup call. There are so MANY movies! I was forcefully reminded that my project needs to STAND OUT! or it will get lost among the thousands of lacklustre films that will go nowhere.
“Ideally, your movie will have a high concept, a clear premise, and offer something different, memorable, special. It should be a story with standout factors which will attract the attention of the audience.”
John completed his short film “Every Little Thing” earlier this year, and is polishing the script for his first feature, “It’s Not What Happens”, along with three other projects.
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