Developing a Grassroots Screenwriting Culture

May 25 2006
For Immediate Release

Script to Screen
Developing a Grassroots Screenwriting Culture

The NZ Writers Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the development of NZ screenwriting, has a new name and an exciting new programme. Script to Screen, as the Foundation will now be known, will be launching its new programme at an invitation only event on June 7th.

Script to Screen Executive Director Rebecca Kunin says the re-branding will see a shift in focus, offering events accessible to a broader range of both experienced and emerging writers from the film and television industries.

‘Script to Screen aims to develop screenwriting culture at the grassroots level,’ said Ms Kunin. ‘The Foundation was well known for workshops, scholarships and educational events with international screenwriting tutors. Script to Screen will continue to offer these opportunities, adding a monthly public series called ‘The Writer’s Room’. For a long time we've felt there hasn’t been enough sharing of ideas and experience among screenwriters. The Writer’s Room is an opportunity for both experienced and emerging writers to meet regularly to discuss their craft and hot industry topics. Writers have been telling us for a long time that this kind of dialogue or serious discussion is long overdue, so we hope now they will attend the Writer’s Room sessions and help give the series a real buzz.’

The NZ Writers Foundation has fostered many successful projects since its inception in 2001. The Foundation has run script workshops for Brad McGann’s critically acclaimed In My Father’s Den, and the forthcoming features Eagle Versus Shark by Taika Waititi, and Black Sheep by Jonathan King. In partnership with the British Council New Zealand, The Foundation has organised UK scholarships for New Zealand screenwriters. Scholarship winners include Vanessa Alexander (Magik and Rose, Being Eve), Kathryn Burnett (The Strip, Street Legal) and Michael Bennett (Jubilee, Mataku, Kerosene Creek).

Script to Screen will build on the outstanding work that the Foundation has done over the past 5 years and extend the focus to include events that are accessible to a broad range of writers.

‘Script to Screen is about placing writers at the centre of the New Zealand screen industry. We work to support screenwriters as we recognise that great scripts are crucial to the overall success of our film and television industries.’

ENDS

About Script to Screen

Script to Screen is an independent, industry wide initiative, established to develop the culture of screenwriting Aotearoa / New Zealand. Script to Screen is a charitable trust that is core funded by the New Zealand Film Commission and governed by a board of trustees. Our trustees are appointed by the New Zealand Writers Guild, Nga Aho Whakaari, and the New Zealand Film Commission.

Rebecca Kunin

Rebecca Kunin became the Executive Director of Script to Screen in February 2006. She brings to Script to Screen a background in arts administration gained from work in large and small-scale art museums in the United States. She has recently completed an MA in Film, Television and Media Studies at the University of Auckland. Her MA thesis is a behind the scenes look at Indian film production in New Zealand.

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