'Uproar', skilled set decorators, funding news, unique certification and loads of Film Dunedin news....

Dunedin's red carpet treatment for ‘Uproar’

Over 1,200 film fans, extras and members of the public attended when Ōtepoti Dunedin rolled out the red carpet for the star-studded gala screening of feature film Uproar at the Regent Theatre on 1 October.

The film is a coming-of-age story set in Dunedin during the contentious 1981 Springbok Tour. It has an all-star cast of international and local actors including Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople), James Rolleston (Boy), Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), and Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death).

Co-directors, Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett, helmed the production, which was partially shot in Dunedin over five days, in locations such as Smaills Beach lookout, South Dunedin, and Bond Street, where the infamous riot renactment occurs.

The directors say, “One of the key elements of Uproar, and a character in itself, was the city of Ōtepoti Dunedin. Its central city buildings, many of them untouched since 1981, its dramatic coastline, its winding streets and steep hills peppered with houses... the landscape in the far south contributed so much to creating the distinct look and personality of our film. We genuinely can’t think how we could have pulled off the protest scenes in any other city.

“But the greatest contribution to our film came from the people. Starting with the mana whenua of Ōtākou me Puketeraki, who supported us on so many levels throughout production, the passion, enthusiasm, and generosity of all the people involved in the production, in front of and behind the camera, was something we will be forever grateful for.”

www.dunedinnz.com/insiders/filmed-in-dunedin-uproar

Industry Spotlight: Dallas Synnott – Set Decorator

Ōtepoti-based Set Decorator, Dallas Synnott, wrapped on major TV drama Dark City: The Cleaner earlier this year. The show is a six-part series based on the debut novel by bestselling Christchurch author Paul Cleave.

The show comes from legendary NZ producers Chloe Smith (The Power of The Dog, Dunedin-made features The Royal Treatment and Black Christmas) and John Barnett (Whale Rider, Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street, Sione’s Wedding) and was directed by Rick Jacobson (The Royal Treatment, Ash VS Evil Dead).

The crime drama stars Cohen Holloway (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and Chelsea Florence (M3gan, Nude Tuesday).

Dallas loved working on such a complex and creatively challenging job.

“Getting to work with and learn from production designer Neville Stevenson is always such a pleasure. I feel so lucky to have such trust placed in me by Chloe and Neville and to have learned a wealth of new skills, never having worked on a series like this before. Learning to collaborate so closely with our amazing off-set and on-set art directors (Amy Newbury and Sophie Janus) was a phenomenal learning curve for me and the continuity and logistics involved were both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

“I came away with a newfound affection for Ōtautahi Christchurch and created some really precious bonds with some very talented people. I’m looking forward to applying my skills to a Dunedin-based production soon!”

NZFC Development funding for ‘Tandem’

Ōtepoti Dunedin writer and director Pennie Hunt and her producer Alex Reed (Bloom Pictures) have received $25,000 in development funding from the New Zealand Film Commission for their debut feature drama Tandem. The film, set in the cycling world in Invercargill, focuses on the trust relationship between a highly ambitious low vision cyclist and her tandem pilot as they gun for a place at the Paralympics.

Pennie has been working on the script for several years alongside her mentor director Rob Sarkies, and was able to pitch the story to potential co-producers in Canberra earlier this year as part of a development programme run by Screen Canberra.

Alex Reed was one of a handful of producers awarded Boost investment funding from the NZFC in 2023. The funding has already been put to use in engaging Melbourne-based gold medallist and paracyclist Jess Gallagher as a consultant on the project. Alex and Pennie will travel to Melbourne in early 2024 to conduct a table read for Jess and other members of the paracycling and blind and low vision community.

Stefan Roesch receives AFCI Certificate

Congratulations to Film Dunedin Office lead / Film Otago Southland Coordinator, Stefan Roesch, for being accredited as a Certified Film Commissioner (CFC), having successfully completed the Master Class programme run by the Association of Film Commissioners International. Presently, Stefan is the only active Certified Film Commissioner in New Zealand.

Filming in Dunedin

• Local filmmakers Dan Eady, Emily Frith, Jason Holden and Reece Hallum filmed the pilot for Sandwich around town in August. Sandwich is a funding pitch initiative led by ScreenDUNEDIN that seeks to tell stories rooted in the lives of Dunedin locals that can also resonate with a wider audience. The project began from a collective desire to hone screen acting skills, a journey that has since seen the group partake in recent Film Otago Southland crewing workshops and look for opportunities that can help build the local film industry's capability and culture at a grassroots level. Sandwich has been presented for consideration to Sky Originals.
• In September, a major TV Christmas commercial for pharmacy chain Boots was partially filmed in Dunedin. Locations included the Railway Station, Carey’s Bay and the University of Otago. This resulted in the creation of 135 hotel room nights.
• In October, a production team from Wales filmed various sites around town for a travel show to be screened on Welsh TV.

Other Industry News

• Film Dunedin has changed its film permitting interface and recently launched FilmApp, a cloud-based software solution that has been in operation at Screen Auckland and Screen Wellington for several years.
• In September and October, Film Dunedin hosted a number of international filmmaking teams on recces for Dunedin-based projects.
• Uproar Co-Director Hamish Bennett facilitated a writing and directing workshop on 1 October. The workshop was organised by Film Otago Southland in collaboration with Film Dunedin, with funding support from the New Zealand Film Commission. It was fantastic to see such great turnout and the event sold out within two days.
• On 20 October, Film Otago Southland and Film Dunedin welcomed the Sky Originals Team who visited Dunedin as part of their Roadshow. The event had a great turnout and filmmakers had the opportunity to pitch their projects in the scripted or factual space.

• In early November, Script to Screen in collaboration with Film Dunedin and Film Otago Southland organised a TV series writing workshop which was facilitated by local screenwriter Pip Hall (One Lane Bridge, Brokenwood Mysteries, etc.) The workshop was attended by 38 filmakers from Otago and Southland.