Tell us about Haunted & Devoted and Grand Finale: A New York Odyssey. What can we expect from these films?
I think one of our co-directors from Black Forest Films, Addison Heath, summed them up well: while they’re two very different films in terms of tone and subject (Haunted & Devoted is a brooding queer vampire romance, Grand Finale is a bold Giallo-style drag thriller), they both share a deep examination of mortality and are essentially about facing the inevitable. I think audiences can expect genuine, uncontrived filmmaking that comes from people who are passionate about film. Haunted & Devoted is currently in post-production and expected to do the festival circuit later this year, and Grand Finale: A New York Odyssey is in pre-production with filming taking place in November. Grand Finale is Black Forest Films’ biggest and boldest film yet, with drag superstar Love Connie (RuPaul’s Drag Race, Legally Blonde) taking centre stage as our protagonist and featuring actors who have starred previously on screens big and small in things like Donnie Darko, The Fabelmans, The Book of Boba Fett, Shortbus and Ghost World. We are also privileged to have Lloyd Kaufman on board, the legendary founder of Troma Entertainment and the creator of The Toxic Avenger. Both films are part of a 4-picture distribution deal with Black Mandala.
What do you enjoy most about producing films and how’d you get into this role?
I love producing because I get to be involved in so many aspects of the filmmaking process in a way that (hopefully!) takes the stress away from the director. It definitely scratches my organisational ‘itch’, that’s for sure! I initially started in the film industry in 2014 by providing publicity and social media marketing services to assist independent filmmakers who didn’t have a budget for marketing. At the indie level things like publicity and social media marketing can be a luxury, so it was my ‘foot in the door’ as it was. In the process, I also became self-taught in crowdfunding campaign strategy and implementation, which led to a role as Projects and Operations Assistant at Boosted, the crowdfunding platform of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand. I then worked as a Communications Assistant for the New Zealand International Film Festival in 2019 and at that stage I knew I wanted to be involved in film in a different capacity. That’s how I began producing, because I could use my prior skillset and build further skills from there. I’m also currently in the process of rewriting a feature script, so that’s been an enjoyable process as well.
You’ve worked with independent filmmakers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Aotearoa. Are there any significant differences within the film industry based on location?
One of the most noticeable differences between the regions is the differences in training and internship opportunities available. It’s very dependent on what’s happening in the region- e.g. how many international or domestic productions are being filmed, the population base, etcetera. Funding opportunities vary per country as wellsome regions or states have film offices that offer financial funding incentives or subsidies. It’s always worth investigating what’s available for you in your region in terms of funding, grants and subsidies to help get your film made.
Why do you think it is important to help share and promote stories of people from diverse backgrounds?
My mindset around diversity and inclusion in filmmaking comes from my own background being queer and Māori (Ngai Tahu) and seeing a welcome increase in diverse storytelling in Aotearoa and beyond. I take the phrase “nothing about us without us” very seriously. I think filmmakers in Aotearoa are doing an amazing job in terms of diversity in storytelling. Rūrangi, Ka Whahai Tonu, Creamerie are all fantastic domestic examples.
Hailing from Ōtautahi, did the city have an influence on your decision to stay and come to UC to study your BA?
I did my BA as an adult student in my late 20’s, so I was already firmly established here. That being said, when I was looking to do my BA I never really considered studying elsewhere! The reason for that was because there were so many courses available at UC that really appealed to me- in fact it was incredibly difficult to narrow my choices down! It was definitely very convenient to not have to uplift my life somewhere else and have to get to know a new city.
Do you have any favourite experiences or memories from your time at UC you’d like to share? I had a part-time job working for what used to be the Audiovisual Department. It had an office in the Undercroft which has now completely been transformed since my days as a student. It fantastic place to work. We would deliver AV equipment to tutorial rooms and lecture theatres when required but would also be on call to troubleshoot any difficulties. As a result, I’m now a proficient troubleshooter when it comes to AV and computer problems.
Any additional comments/remarks?
It’s never too late to do tertiary study. I found being an adult student at UC was a great experience.
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