ScreenTalk

Over a decade ago Robbie Magasiva gave himself two choices – rugby or acting. Since then, Magasiva has made audiences laugh in Skitz, The Semisis and Sione’s Wedding, and has starred in numerous screen dramas including Shortland Street, Cover Story, Jackson’s Wharf, Doves of War and The Tattooist. He made the acting call and hasn’t looked back.

In this ScreenTalkStreet interview, Magasiva talks about:

• His first on screen acting role in a party political broadcast
• How he landed roles in Skitz and The Semisis
• Recently catching his buttoned-down character in Jackson’s Wharf on late night TV and cringing
• Behind the scenes dynamics on and off the set of Stickmen
• His amusing audition process for The Strip
• How he joined The Naked Samoans and the joys of making Sione’s Wedding
• Cultural insights from the set of The Tattooist
• Auditioning for his role on Shortland Street

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

David Fane failed comedy at drama school. But since leaving Toi Whakaari, Fane has delighted audiences with his comic performances in Skitz, The Semisis, Tongan Ninja, bro’Town, Sione’s Wedding, Outrageous Fortune, Eagle vs Shark and Radiradirah. Fane has also appeared in the drama series The Market and The Strip, and the feature film The Tattooist.

In this ScreenTalk interview, Fane discusses:

• His feelings about Toi Whakaari
• How he landed his first TV role on Skitz
• What it was like acting with his mates on The Semisis
• How his character’s name came about in Tongan Ninja
• Behind-the-scenes observations from The Strip
• How bro’Town began, and the important messages behind some of the silliness
• The joys of playing Falani in Outrageous Fortune
• Hilarious behind-the-scenes details from Eagle vs Shark
• How performances were worked up in Radiradirah
• An insight into upcoming feature film Love Birds

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

Hori Ahipene could perhaps be described as New Zealand’s most ‘diverse’ actor, having played both male and female characters in TV comedies and dramas.

In the 90s Ahipene gained a loyal fan base by appearing in the TV sketch shows Away Laughing, Skitz and Telly Laughs. Two of Ahipene’s popular gender-swapping roles were Mrs Semisi in Skitz and The Semesis, and Beverley Best in the Maori Television sitcom/chat show B&B. Ahipene has also appeared in TV dramas such as Maddigan’s Quest, Mataku, and Shortland Street. In 2009, Ahipene returned to wearing a frock on screen playing ‘Angel’ – a transgender prostitute in Outrageous Fortune. Ahipene’s film credits include Jubilee and The Piano.

In this ScreenTalk interview, Ahipene discusses:

• His love of Skitz and the chance it gave him to become a director
• Why hosting the 1998 Hero Parade terrified him
• Dedicating his role in Jubilee to the memory of his father
• How satisfying it was to work with Māori crew on the TV series Mataku
• Working with Te Radar on the sitcom/chat show B&B
• Learning acrobatic skills on the set of Maddigan’s Quest
• And playing a transgender hooker in Outrageous Fortune

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

Credits: Interview, Camera & Editing – Andrew Whiteside