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August 2010 Fono
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Welcome to an egregiously late after-match report.
Although ‘upcoming events’ in the minutes below are long past, ‘recording for posterity’ is a great stick to wave about when memory, inevitably, fails.
Present
– were DANNY AUMUA, GRANT BAYLEY, STUART HOARE, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, AHI KARUNAHARAN, NATANO KENI, MURRAY LYNCH, MARIA, CHRIS MOLLOY, CHETAN PATEL, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, SARITA SO, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, LEILANI UNASA, GERALDINE WARREN, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies
– were received from WILL ILOLAHIA, OLE MAIAVA, ERIC SMITH and JAY WILLIAMS.
Banana Boat Business
Banana Boat has been running for two years now. It has reached a point where it must decide what to do:
– to continue as a writers support group;
– to expand or somehow split off into active development and production;
– to find some middle ground; or
– to fold.
The decision is always in the hands of its members.
To this end, an AGM-style meeting is called for October for the group to discuss its future.
News to Use
JENNI plugged the Playmarket Aotearoa/Pasifika Playwrights Competition.
She also gave a gentle reminder about the final in the Playmarket Metro Reading series, Massive Theatre’s in-development Lenny James’ Havoc in the Garden.
LEILANI has been scheming about fundraising along the lines of a charity auction called Hot Chocolate Specials. Exactly what is on the auction block is still to be discussed but the possibilities are intriguing. Get those imaginations working.
It was agreed that the next meeting be held somewhere in South Auckland in recognition of a sizable proportion of the group hailing from down yonder. Details to follow.
Coming Up
JONATHAN RILEY is one of the writers involved with the Stir Fry series.
CHETAN PATEL and ERIC SMITH’s Retro Club Night fundraiser for their I Don’t Do Coconut play is on Friday 5 November at the Pull Bar on Karangahape Road.
Script Reading
LEILANI very generously shared her current script, “Apeshit”, which has been through a Banana Boat workshop earlier in the year. Its concepts and characterisations challenged and drove the group discussion that followed.
Next Meeting
– will be on THURSDAY 23 SEPTEMBER at a South Auckland venue to be arranged.
– will be on THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER at the usual time and place.
February 2010 Fono
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Welcome to the after-match report.
PRESENT were JASON GREENWOOD, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, CHETAN PATEL, REV. MUA PUA, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, ERIC SMITH, AARON TAOUMA, LEILANI UNASA, STAN WOLFGRAMM, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
APOLOGIES were gratefully received from JAMES NOKISE and LOUISE TU’U. (If you emailed your apologies and I haven’t namechecked you, my sincere apologies: my mailbox is a little chocker with funding queries, attachments, etc.)
CREATIVE CLINICS
JENNI was rather chuffed to report that eleven submissions were received for the creative clinics, with fifteen registrations received for the Newbies Workshop.
UPDATE: four pieces have been selected for workshops with Massive Theatre’s JAMES WILSON and the inimitable ALBERT BELZ:
– CHETAN PATEL’s Closing Time;
– MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s Strong Hands;
– JONATHAN RILEY’s Makigi; and
– LEILANI UNASA’s Ape Shit.
All submissions had strong ideas or concepts but what made the difference was how much development they had had to date. The selected scripts had this in common: they were sufficiently developed to take full advantage of the creative clinics.
Congratulations to the successful playwrights.
COMING UP
APRIL 2010
– PRODUCERS WORKSHOP, the shout-out to interested parties will happen once the Creative Clinics are safely out of the way (second week of March).
JUNE 2010
– More CREATIVE CLINICS, this time in Manukau, the shout out to interested parties will likely happen after the Producers Workshop have been put to bed (late April).
JULY 2010
– Maybe, just maybe, a JUKEBOX SEASON of short plays as part of a mainstream theatre programme. More details to follow in the coming months, universe allowing.
IN OTHER NEWS
– Many congratulations to JENNI HEKA who is directing Briar Grace-Smith’s Purapurawhetu with Cathy Downes.
– Congratulations also to OLE MAIAVA whose short radio play Skin Deep was broadcast on National Radio in mid-February, and is available to be heard online at Radio New Zealand.
– MICHELLE JOHANSSON’s Uso opens on WEDNEDAY 10 MARCH at the Musgrove Theatre. Banana Boat members get in free (email Michelle beforehand)! People wearing our bootiful Banana Boat t-shirts get in free (email Michelle beforehand), too!
(T-shirts are $25.00 plus postage via either David Mamea or 7K.)
– JONATHAN RILEY’s Pink Lighter is part of the Fringe 2010 season in Wellington. (I suspect JAMES NOKISE has something going on down there, too but… at least I namechecked ya, bud!)
– And DAVID MAMEA’s short film To’ona’i is part of Craig Fasi’s Pollywood 8 2010 short film festival of brown and proud, screening at MIC in the city (7 March), Mangere (16 March), and Henderson (18 March).
SCRIPT READING —
— was generously provided by ERIC SMITH with Soundtrack of My Life, a slice of public service nostalgia with layers of love and friendship and melancholy.
NEXT MEETING —
— is THURSDAY 25 MARCH, at the usual time and place.
January 2010 Fono
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Welcome to the after-match report.
Present were JODY HOANI, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, MATENE KARENA, CHETAN PATEL, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, ERIC SMITH, LOUISE TU’U, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies were received from the reverend MUA PUA.
INAUGURAL 2009 JUKEBOX
Good vibes were reported from various quarters about the Jukebox in December 2009. The evening was judged to be a success, and the group looks forward to making it a regular event on the theatre landscape.
2010 CREATIVE CLINICS
By the time these minutes have been posted, the deadline for Banana Boat’s Inaugural Creative Clinics will have come and gone – but if you’re on the right email-lists, that would be old news; and if you’re not, 2011 is another year.
These clinics give playwrights and their scripts the opportunity to have:
— a half-day workshop with Massive Theatre’s JAMES WILSON; and/or
— a half-day one-on-one script lab with ALBERT BELZ (“Where’s New Net”).
The clinics take place on MONDAY and TUESDAY, 8-9 MARCH, 10:00am to 4:30pm, at the COUNCIL CHAMBERS in the Auckland Town Hall. The clinics are open to the public for a look-behind-the-scenes kind of thing so don’t be shy.
The 2010 Banana Boat Creative Clinics are made possible with the support of AUCKLAND CITY CREATIVE COMMUNITIES and PLAYMARKET.
2010 PRODUCERS WORKSHOPS
The Banana Boat is ALSO proud to announce the upcoming 2010 Producers Workshops that will take place over two SATURDAYS, 10 and 17 APRIL 2010, at The Edge.
A call for applications will go out soon (once the flurry over the Creative Clinics dies down a little) but fear not: there will be a deadline, there will be application criteria, there are limited places – the whole kit and caboodle that you love so much.
EVEN MORE UPCOMING STUFF
Banana Boat is responding to the call for a LIGHTING & SET DESIGN WORKSHOP and is working on it for – hopefully – later this year.
There is a WRITERS’ RETREAT in planning stages for the last quarter of 2010. This replaces the Pasifika Forum that usually happens around now (or soon).
IN OTHER NEWS
– ERIC SMITH and CHETAN PATEL’s “I Don’t Do Coconut” will open the Banana Boat’s 2010 Reading Series in late March – watch this space (or email Eric).
– MICHELLE JOHANSSON’s “Uso” (previously titled “Impact”) premieres on 10 March 2010 at the Musgrove Theatre – for more details, go to http://blackfriarscompany.blogspot.com.
SCRIPT READINGS —
… were not possible due to an uncooperative printer.
So David got up, set up a whiteboard and said, “I’ve got this idea for a story…” Sixty minutes went rather quickly as —
— David outlined the bones of his concept: he had three – no, four – no, three – characters and specific production constraints —
— the group spitballed and discussed and took numerous detours about the concept —
— characters were modified and pummelled —
— themes were tossed into the ring and kicked about —
— and the narrative structure was hassled and harried.
People seemed to enjoy it. David’s just happy the group did the heavy lifiting for him on his project.
NEXT MEETING —
— is on THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2010 at the usual time and place.
SCRIPTS TO BE READ —
— at future meetings are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.
Only complete act/s for full-length plays, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group. First-time attendees’ scripts will not be read. Scripts will need to be printed and copied at the writer’s expense.
If you have any questions, suggestions or requests, please don’t hesitate to email me, or call Jenni on 09 365 2648 (Mondays, Thursday-Fridays, business hours).
22 October 2009 Fono
Welcome to the after-match report.
Present were MICHELLE JOHANSSON, VIOLA JOHANSSON, MATENE KARENA, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies were received with thanks from a work-waylaid CHETAN PATEL, a car-keys-seeking ERIC SMITH, the reverend MUA PUA, and the ever-gigging JAMES NOKISE.
At first there was just MATENE, JENNI and DAVID. Then they were joined by MICHELLE and VIOLA. But you don’t skim these missives for the Order of Appearance.
In the absence of the Usual Suspects, plans were made regarding future Banana Boat meetings. Executive decisions taken. Anticipation was rife. Strong plunger coffee was had.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER MEETING/S
The next meeting will:
– have rehearsed readings of scripts by Banana Boat writers;
– have a festive, summery, YULETIDE air; and
– be an end-of-year meeting to see out 2009!
And to this end:
– there will be no meeting in November*;
– the next meeting will be on THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER at a location and time to be advised closer to the date.
(* Addicts are welcome to arrange a more informal gathering if they wish on the fourth Thursday of the month if they so wish.)
IN OTHER NEWS
– JONATHAN P RILEY and PHOENIX SEVE graced the 2009 Titirangi 24 Hour Theatre Challenge with their writing. Louise Tu’u was also there as a director.
– Phoenix’s “Fale of Troy” will have a limited run at Henderson High School from TUESDAY 24 to SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER.
– David’s short film, TO’ONA’I, is having a wee screening at the Academy Cinemas in Lorne Street, Auckland city, on SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER at 12:30PM.
NEXT MEETING —
— is on THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER, location, time and juicy details to be advised.
24 September 2009 Fono
Welcome to the after-match report, and my apologies for the delay.
The September fono marked the beginning of Banana Boat’s second year – long may Banana Boat sail into uncharted waters in search of tales short and tall, and all sorts of other adjectives.
Present were MICHELLE JOHANSSON, OLE MAIAVA, VASITI PALIVI, CHETAN PATEL, JONATHAN P RILEY, ERIC SMITH, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.
Apologies were received from the island-hopping JAMES NOKISE and an either homework-marking- or just home-bound MATENE KARENA.
2009 BANANA BOAT JUKEBOX
Due to insufficient submissions, the 2009 Jukebox season was laid to rest. Maybe next year. ‘Nuff said.
2010 BANANA BOAT SEASON
JENNI HEKA exhorted those with projects on Banana Boat’s 2010 slate to apply for some development funding. The funders have the money. You have the story. Come together to make SOMETHING HAPPEN.
Jenni has been flat out writing funding proposals, which is preventing her from doing any creative writing of her own, so BACK OFF.
MEMBERS’ NEWS
OLE MAIAVA was roundly congratulated for being one of Radio New Zealand’s 2009 Short Drama Competition winners with “Skin Deep” – a theatrical version of which was read at the April 2009 meeting.
SCRIPT READINGS —
— were provided by ERIC SMITH and MICHELLE JOHANSSON.
Eric’s first act of “Le Va”, a scene of which had been read at the December 2008 meeting, was read and commented on by the group. We look forward to a complete script for its next group reading.
Michelle’s short piece, “In a Box”, was the second draft of a piece that had been read by the group in the previous month’s meeting. Discussion followed over what Michelle had added or taken away since the first draft’s reading, and what worked or didn’t work.
NEXT MEETING —
— is on THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
SCRIPTS TO BE READ —
— at the October meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.
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 – 23 April 2009 meeting
Autumn greetings and images of waving palm trees to you.
Welcome to a late after-match report for the 23 April Banana Boat meeting.
Present were Matene, Ole Maiava, Chetan Patel, Stacey Leilua, Jonathan P Riley, Fasitua Amosa, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson, Eric Smith, Albert Belz, Stan Wolfgramm, Arnette Arapai, Victoria Schmidt and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from Lee Aholima and Nina Tapu.
Guest speaker playwright Albert Belz gave an inspiring talk to the group about his career to date, including his tour of duty with “Shortland Street”, his process of writing and rewriting, and challenging being pigeonholed as ‘a Maori playwright’.
Housekeeping included:
– a BIG REMINDER that the 2009 Pasifika Playwright Development Forum takes place on Saturday, 2 May;
– the weekend 2-3 May is the deadline for the 2010 Banana Boat season;
– a gentle reminder that Massive will have Lennie James in the country, a resource that Banana Boat would be silly to ignore;
– and a gentle reminder that the Jukebox deadline is a mere three months away.
Readings were generously provided by Ole Maiava and Eric Smith.
Ole’s third draft of his Jukebox submission, “Skin Deep”, showed the group how much a script can change through drafts.
Eric’s own Jukebox submission, “Aitu”, showed how some stories and inspiration can come from the strangest of places.
We had a further two scripts available for reading, by Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve, but we had run out of time; they now have first dibs for the next meeting.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 28 May 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 May meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. If you want them printed beforehand, they must by forwarded to David by end of day Thursday 21 May. Scripts emailed after this date will need to be printed and copied at the author’s expense. Only complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group.
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 – 22 January 2009 meeting
Hot and sweaty Pasifika greetings to you all.
Our 22 January meeting saw the Banana Boat meet for the first time in 2009. Welcome to the after-match report.
Present at the meeting were: Arnette Arapai, Barbs Carpenter, Katrina Chandra, Ali Foai, Dianna Fuemana, Jenni Heka, Michelle Johanssen, Stacey Leilua, Ole Maiava, Tanya Muagututia, Jonathan P Riley, Eric Smith, Stan Wolfgramm and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from Bronwen Judd, Nina Tapu, Chetan Patel and Phoenix Seve.
Guest speaker duties were very kindly provided by Katrina Chandra, Agency Coordinator for Playmarket, who talked to the group about finding ideas, writing them into plays, and getting your plays out there to an audience – with Playmarket playing a role in representation and licensing, among other things. There followed some lively discussion around “not what [writers] can do for Playmarket, but what Playmarket can do for [writers]”.
Housekeeping this month was covered by David Mamea who reported that, besides his usual tussles with Jenni over making-a-big-splash versus taking-the-long-term-view, and (her) reality checks versus (his) I-have-a-dream, at the moment, Banana Boat ’09 comes down to:
– in order to put any production on, the group needs money;
– in order to get money from a funder like Creative New Zealand, the group needs something tangible like completed scripts to submit;
– and, as far as he was aware, the group has no completed scripts to apply for funding with.
In short, the group has a goal but, aside from a heap of talent and promise, nothing in place to achieve that goal. So. Jenni Heka, Michelle Johansson and David volunteered to meet before the February meeting to formulate a Real Plan for 2009 for the group to consider.
The script reading for January was courtesy of Ole Maiava. A short tale of preconceptions and familial love, the group enjoyed the reading, provided thorough feedback for Ole to play with, and look forward to the next draft.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 26 February 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 February. 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.