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April 2010 Fono
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Welcome to the after-match report.
Present
— were JASON GREENWOOD, CHRIS MOLLOY, CHETAN PATEL, RASHMI PILAPITIYA, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, JONATHAN RILEY, JOHNNY SAGALA, ERIC SMITH, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, LEILANI UNASA, JAY WILLIAMS and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies
– were received from REVEREND MUA PUA, JAMES NOKISE, STAN WOLFGRAMM and JENNI HEKA.
News to Use
The Producers Workshop was judged a success, equipping attendees with the knowledge to take their scripts to stage. Feedback included “a good, fantastic workshop”, “maybe it could be a bit more practical”, and “[that there was] so much information it could easily have been three days”. A workshop-crashing JONATHAN was grateful for the good feed put on my the multi-talented Matene Karena. Something to be made available to Banana Boat’s target communities in 2011.
Coming Up
The Jukebox 2010 Season call-out has come and gone.
Anyone who takes their writing seriously are urged to attend the Wellington Matariki Hui which will take place sometime in June – details to follow, probably from JENNI.
To help defray travel costs for the abovementioned Hui, there will be some Fundraising in the throes of organisation by MICHAEL. Beware your Inboxes. Book some wallet- and purse-space.
Banana Boat is taking its Creative Clinics to Manukau on 1-2 July 2010. Watch your email Inboxes and ready your Forward-ing fingers.
Script Reading
— was replaced by dissection and discussion of a couple of two-minute scenes. Questions and answers flowed, including: How much information can you fit into dialogue without boring your audience to tears? More than you think. How much character can you show through action and with no dialogue? You’d be surprised.
DAVID then facilitated a session of spitballing ideas and methods of execution with the opening words, “I’ve got this idea for a project…” Possibly not as satisfying as his January foray because the project under discussion was at a very early conceptual stage. He should stop doing this as there are all sorts of intellectual property issues waiting to ambush him down the track. Unless of course he made the project up on the night and the whole thing was just, like, an exercise.
Next Meeting
— is THURSDAY 27 MAY 2010 at the usual time and place.
Minutes: 27 August 2009
Bananaboat Monthly Meeting
Bananaboat Monthly Meeting
Chair: Jenni Heka
Present: Arnette Arapai, Albert Belz, Tina, Phoenix Seve, Michelle Johansson, Eric Smith
Guests: Year 13 drama students from Henderson High School
Present: Arnette Arapai, Albert Belz, Tina, Phoenix Seve, Michelle Johansson, Eric Smith
Guests: Year 13 drama students from Henderson High School
The meeting began with the traditional opening prayer lead by a newcomer, in this case one of our visiting students.
Discussion around the on-going search for funding and the effect of that on what Bananaboat has been looking at doing for some months eg. Productions, jukebox etc.
Jenni gave an account of what she has been doing in terms of constantly trying to find ways to secure some sort of funding to realise something. There appears to be no real change other than a continuous slog to attain something going forward.
The financial reality and the toil that has eventuated out of trying to stage something from the groups support efforts to encourage writing has begged that we perhaps look at formalising the function/tenets of the group. A clear indication is required of what the group is about and what its goals are. In Jenni’s words, “laying down what the group is about.” eg. Are we a writer’s support group that focuses solely on writers support sans any aspirations to produce the work of its members?
This is something that may need to be looked at future meetings.
Arnette has also offered to look at getting some information from the Companies Office as part of providing the group information around the formation of a trust which will help in giving the group some legitimacy around this entire issue of funding and formalising the group. This will also be an on-going point likely to be discussed going forward.
After the requisite tea-break Introductions were called for so that we would get some background as per usual on our visitors and vice versa our visitors on the attending group members. The resading session ensued with 3 pieces provided generously by Chetan Patel, Dena Kennedy and Michelle Johansson. Each of the pieces were well received and feedback was provided.
As is normal the meeting moved to a recap of where attendees were at in terms of their work following which our guests were rightfully acknowledged for their participation and contribution of energy to a meeting that struggled for positive fiscal news but was boundless in positive creative energy.
The meeting was duly closed with a brief and heartfelt prayer from one of our visiting drama students.
ARCHIVE – 26 March 2009 meeting
Warm, indian summer greetings to you all
Welcome to the after-match report for the 26 March Banana Boat meeting.
Present were Michelle Johansson, Lauie Sila, Eric Smith, Chetan Patel, Lee Aholima, Ole Maiava, Phoenix Seve, Jason Wu and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from Jenni Heka, Stacey Leilua, Stan Wolfgramm, Mua Strickson-Pua, James Nokise, Jonathan Riley and Ezekiel Kennedy. Bronwen Judd sent a Stateside shout-out.
2009-2010 Banana Boat Seasons
Draft one-pagers for the 2009 Jukebox and 2010 Banana Boat seasons were distributed and discussed. They are attached. They are, by and large, self-explanatory.
The only things set in stone are the dates. Specifics like entry criteria, process of development/production, how you can be more of a part of it, etc, will be advised in coming Banana Boat meetings.
Readings
Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve generously shared their work with the group.
Chetan’s piece, a first draft of his Jukebox submission, “The Cook’s Son”, provided a good amount of discussion on the craft of telling a complete story within a 10-minute running time.
Phoenix’s piece, a complete second act of his full-length play, “The Fale of Troy”, provided the group with some meaty back-and-forth on style, narrative and dialogue.
Props to Chetan and Phoenix for baring their writing to the group.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 23 April at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn. Please note the new street number – Toi Ora has shifted up the road, directly (and by destiny’s hand) behind McDonalds Family Restaurant on Great North Road.
Scripts to be read at the April meeting should be emailed to David by end of day Thursday 16 April. Don’t forget: only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays will be read by the group.
ARCHIVE – 26 February 2009 meeting
Welcome to the 26 February after-match report.
Present at the meeting were: Lee Aholima, Ben, Jenni Heka, Stacey Leilua, David Mamea, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Phoenix Seve, Eric Smith, Misa Tupou, Stan Wolfgramm.
Apologies were received from Ali Foa’i, Michelle Johansen, Ezekiel Kennedy and Zora.
Housekeeping The group can look forward to the following guest speakers this year, schedules permitting and stars aligning: Hone Kouka, Oscar Kightley, Albert Belz, and others.
2009-2010 Banana Boat Seasons
David Mamea did an awful job of pitching the following proposals to the group (just as well he has this after-match report to make sense with).
As noted in the January 2009 meeting, Jenni, David and Michelle Johannson drew up a two-year plan for the Banana Boat:
– the 2009 Banana Boat Jukebox Season where group members will write, develop and produce 10-minute plays to premiere in a revue-style show to premiere in November as part of the Manukau Festival;
– and the 2010 Banana Boat Season where the group can showcase full-length plays, but with development starting now.
The 2009 Banana Boat Jukebox Season:
– a revue of short plays by Banana Boat writers premiering in November 2009;
– each play must be ten minutes long; have a maximum of four actors; and contain 1 x banana, 1 x boat, and 1 x “Day-o”;
– each revue night will show between four and five short plays;
– the season will be over three or four nights, in November 2009;
– any writer who has attended at least one Banana Boat meeting can enter;
– all writers who enter will be required to pull together a production crew (producer, director, actors) who will turn their script into a play.
The timeline is as follows (more specific dates will be advised soon):
– February-September – entries open
– September – deadline for all scripts
– October – deadline for crews to be in place
– November – Banana Boat Jukebox season!
The 2010 Banana Boat Season
– a possible double-bill of full-length plays to premiere in late 2010;
– this will be the platform from which any/all members can premiere their long-form plays;
– development starts now.
The 2010 season is open to all Banana Boat members. An eighteen-month development period is envisaged where plays will go from first draft, through to workshops, dramaturgy, and readings, until production and premieres in late 2010.
The timeline is as follows (proper dates will be advised soon):
– February-May 2009 – entries open
– June 2009 – candidates for official development announced
– July 2009-July 2010 – workshops and development
– November 2010 – Banana Boat season!
A document detailing both seasons will be emailed out soon.
The script reading for February was kindly provided by Eric Smith. Two snap-shots of male-bonding and -dynamics, the group forced Eric to dig deep with his writing and characterisations. Props to Eric for sharing, and we look forward to the next draft!
The whip-’round – a new feature of Banana Boat meetings – was introduced with no consultation by David. It’s essentially a ‘whatchabinupto?’ for all in attendance. And it’s great to see that most everyone is writing.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 26 March at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
Scripts to be read at the February meeting should be emailed to David by end of day Thursday 19 March. Don’t forget: only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays will be read by the group.
ARCHIVE – 4 December 2008 meeting
Season’s greetings to you all.
Thursday 4 December saw the Pasifika Playwrights Group meet for the last time for 2008. Welcome to the after-match report.
Present at the meeting were: Arnette Arapai, Aroha Awarau, Jenni Heka, Bronwen Judd, Ezekiel Kennedy, Stacey Leilua, Ole Maiava, Tanya Muagututia, Chetan Patel, Phieng Phongsa, Jonathan Riley, Phoenix Seve, Eric Smith, Nina Tapu, Stan Wolfgramm and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from Michelle Johannson and Sandra Kailahi.
Group Name
After a few months of operating under the descriptive but mouthful of “Pasifika Playwrights Group”, a new, ideally sexier, name has been mooted since September. Despite some last-second suggestions by Jonathan – the highlight being “Shak(in)spears” replete with Pasifika-style hunting/fishing spears in its emblem – BANANA BOAT garnered the most votes.
And then on the brink of ratification, Stan rightly pointed out that maybe BANANA BOAT should mean something – at the moment, it’s just a name. With September 2009 screaming towards the group, it was agreed that BANANA BOAT be a working title of sorts, and open to change.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 January 2009 at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
2009
David and Jenni spoke about the challenges confronting the group, uppermost being that the inaugural BANANA BOAT SEASON is a mere ten months away. Things have to happen, like:
– scripts, if they’re not already in progress, need to start now;
– full-length plays are not the only way to go – one act plays, short pieces and anything else in between (within reason) are welcome for consideration;
– the selection process will be done by assessors who will be independent of the group and/or its participants (ie., likely to be Palagi, male and middle-aged).
(There was also some discussion of The Edge’s offer of The Basement as a venue but this has changed substantially since the 4 December meeting. Updates to follow.)
This is our tentative timeline:
– 22 JANUARY 2009 – monthly meetings resume
– MARCH – official call for submissions
– MAY – submissions close
– JUNE – selections made; teams are formed
– JULY – pre-production commences
– AUGUST – rehearsals commence
– SEPTEMBER – inaugural 2009 Banana Boat Season
‘Ka fefe! E faigofie!
Readings
Scenes were read by the group and discussed in depth. Material was generously supplied by:
– Phoenix, from his play-in-development, “Fale of Troy”;
– Eric, from his play-in-progress, “Le Va”; and
– David, from his radio-play-in-progress, “Skyblue”.
Speaking of Eric and Phoenix’s scenes – and all the other writing we’ve read at earlier meetings – the quality of writing we have amongst our group continues to astound me. The inaugural Banana Boat season is going to knock some socks (and jandals) off. I’m excited. Aren’t you excited?
Scenes to be read at the next meeting are due to David by end of day Thursday 15 January 2009. Readings will be changing up a gear: no single scenes, please – either a complete act for full-length plays or complete one-act and shorter plays.
Jenni’s busy with the Christmas spirit at the moment but I’m sure she’d like to spread the news that Arnette has been accepted onto the 2009 intake of prestigious Masters in Creative Writing Course (Scriptwriting) at Victoria University in Wellington.
ARCHIVE – 23 October 2008 meeting
Yo sup, homes.
Our third meeting was held on Thursday, 23 October in the Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, and was another brilliant meeting of minds.
Highlights:
– Chapman-Tripp award-winning playwright Kirk Torrance, talked about his approaches to structure, and very generously answered heaps of questions on his work and craft; check out his next play, Flintlock Musket, being read at Double Shot at The Edge on 6 December 2008;
– a cooler name for the group was discussed and the front-runners are: Niu Voices, Niu Ink; Niu Blood; The Banana Boat; more suggestions welcome between now and the next meeting when all names will be put to a vote;
– a questionnaire was handed out for members’ perusal and optional completion; a self-explanatory copy is attached;
– after a brief discussion, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson and David Mamea will look at putting together a funding proposal for the inaugural 2009 Banana Boat season;
– Jonathan Riley’s scene, a romantic romp in Auckland Zoo, was read by the group with much hilarity, with Mark Amery gamely reading the part of a lavalava- and beanie-wearing Samoan fairy called Makigi;
– Eric Smith’s scene, an intense cross-cultural family drama, provided the group with an excellent change of pace and tone, provoking in-depth discussion followed by Eric having to put up with demands of “What happens next?!”;
– all of the above was done with Bayley Johansson, Bronwen Judd, Sandra Kailahi and Child, Ollie Maiava, Chetan Patel, Phoenix Seve, and Stan Wolfgramm also in attendance;
– and apologies were received from Fasitua Amosa, Tarisi Vunidilo, Louise Tu’u, Nina Tapu and Fiona Collins.
If you want to share your scene/s with the group, please email it/them to David by Thursday, 27 November 2008.
NEXT MEETING will be on THURSDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm – this is not the fourth Thursday of November; this will be the last meeting for 2008. It will be held at the funky Toi Ora Live Art Trust Studio, 19 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
And since this will be the last meeting for 2008, please bring a plate for some after-meeting eating and drinking.
Usually there’d be a word from our sponsor Playmarket, by way of Jenni, but she’s pretty busy – but I’m sure she’d say something like…
– big ups to Chetan and Eric, whose script was chosen for development as part of Playmarket’s Pasifika Playwright Development Forum for 2009; Ali Foa’i was the other playwright to be chosen for development;
– look at the Manukau Festival of Arts (www.mfa.org.nz) for some great free opportunities to learn and share and be inspired;
– and see you at the next meeting!
Thanks, ah, Jenni!