ScreenTalk

Will Hall fell into a screen career by accident after hanging out with filmmakers at Lincoln University – an unlikely scenario given his study towards a commerce degree. Since then, Hall has forged a career both in front of and behind the camera. Hall’s introduction to trans-Tasman film work had some teething problems, but on returning to NZ the “boy from Christchurch” landed a key role in The Insiders Guide to Happiness. Roles in Eagle vs Shark, Shortland Street and tele-feature Bloodlines followed, as well as Underbelly – Land of the Long Green Cloud and 30-something TV series Nothing Trivial. Hall also co-produced and acted in his own feature film Netherwood, described as NZ’s first modern day western thriller.

In this ScreenTalk interview, Hall talks about:

• His earliest experiences with filmmaking at university
• Being cast in Australian feature Fat Pizza
• Troubles with his first Australian agent
• How he landed his role in The Insiders Guide to Happiness
• Breaking expensive props on Eagle vs Shark
• His role as a pot smoking, skateboarding doctor on Shortland Street
• Producing and acting in feature film Netherwood, NZ’s first modern day western thriller
• How he approached his role as Detective Roberts in Bloodlines
• Insights into his portrayal of Greg Ollard in Underbelly – Land of the Long Green Cloud
• Violent public reaction to his character in Nothing Trivial

This video is available on YouTube to embed and distribute via a Creative Commons licence.

Taika Waititi [Te-Whānau-a-Apanui] discovered drama at secondary school. Having previously had aspirations for careers in deep sea diving, painting and hospitality, the lure of the entertainment industry led him towards acting, and a high school drama teacher – who he admits “changed my life”.

Waititi, aka Taika Cohen, appeared in feature films Scarfies (Alex), and Snakeskin (Nelson), the TV show The Strip, and on stage as a stand up comedian and one half of the comedy duo Humourbeasts, before turning his creative energies towards writing and directing.

His award-winning short film Tama Tū, based on the experiences of The Maori Battalion in WWII, was recognised at festivals in Berlin, Stockholm and at Sundance.

Waititi’s first short Two Cars, One Night was nominated for an Academy Award, and his debut feature film Eagle vs Shark was released in 2007 to critical acclaim.

He has directed several music videos, including two for Wellington band The Phoenix Foundation.

In this ScreenTalk interview, Waititi reveals:

• The trials of working with kids in Two Cars, One Night
• The story behind the now infamous “falling asleep” gag at the Oscars, and how he was left holding the baby
• Details on how the amazing, lifelike set for short film Tama Tū was realised
• The crazy story behind creation of the script for Eagle vs Shark
• How he approached writing and directing on Flight of the Conchords
• His general thoughts on choosing a career as a filmmaker
• An insight into the layout of his hill-top castle-themed mansion

This video is available on YouTube to embed and distribute via a Creative Commons licence