Tag Archives: Ole Maiava

May Fono

13/06/2012Boat BusinessArnette Arapai, D F Mamea, Enter the Banana, Grant Bayley, Jonathan Riley, Kahurangi Carter, Ole Maiava, Rob Mokaraka, Suli MoaThe Administrative Banana

Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula

Taloha ni

Welcome to a belated after-match report from Banana Boat’s May fono in Grey Lynn.

Present were GRANT BAYLEY, KAHURANGI CARTER, OLE MAIAVA, JONATHAN RILEY, ARNETTE ARAPAI and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies were received from a Big Apple-devouring JENNI HEKA, a Wellington-swingin’ AROHA AWARAU, an ever-gigging JAMES NOKISE, a child-wrangling LEILANI UNASA, and a wish-I-was-there-but-I-am-writing GERALDINE WARREN.

My apologies if you were present but are not listed or gave apologies but are not listed – I have lost my notes, and my memory was never… something. Email me and I shall make the corrections.

16Jun12: My profuse apologies to the one, the only Ole for having forgotten his presence – an unexplainable mistake given how his reading of Jonathan‘s script had everyone in stitches.

BANANA BOAT BUSINESS

Enter the Banana‘s inaugural writers are Suli Moa and Rob Mokaraka. Go hard, boys! We look forward to your next reading at a future Banana Boat fono!

NEWS TO USE

Playmarket’s Brown Ink 2012 development programme is now open for applications – the deadline is Friday 1 June 2012.

COMING UP

GreyView Productions’ – that’s members Eric Smith & Chetan Patel – 3 Up season opens on 14 June and runs for a mere three nights until 16 June. 3 Up is three short plays by Chetan, David Mamea and Eric, all at the Herald Theatre, all that quality for a mere $25/$15/$15. Tickets can be bought online here. Details about the evening are rampant on Facebook, GreyView, and Chocolate Stigmata.

SCRIPT READING

Jonathan shared his latest script with those assembled, the prolific so-and-so. It was, as always with Mr Riley’s scribblings, a hoot to read and we look forward to it’s next stage of development… after his long-awaited Makigi has been staged.

18Jun12: My further apologies for the typos and ambiguous phrases that made this post so confusing, second-rate and potentially upsetting to those present. They have been fixed.

NEXT FONO

– will be on THURSDAY 28 JUNE, at Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

July 2010 Fono

15/08/2010Boat BusinessD F Mamea, Eric Smith, Geraldine Warren, Grant Bayley, Jenni Heka, Ole Maiava, Shona Tarai, Stan Wolfgramm, Venus StephensThe Administrative Banana

Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei

Welcome to the very late after-match report.

Present

— were GRANT BAYLEY, OLE MAIAVA, ERIC SMITH, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, GERALDINE WARREN, STAN WOLFGRAMM, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from LOUISE TU’U, WILL ILOLAHIA, JAY WILLIAMS, CHETAN PATEL and LEILANI UNASA.

News to Use

JUKEBOX SELECTOR was a success with great feedback and $800 dollars raised towards the Jukebox season. Another one of these is in the works so watch those Inboxes and cellphones.

Any day now, David will resume development of the Jukebox short plays. Any day now.

Coming Up

WORKSHOPS Workshops and More Damned Workshops are coming, including one on 19-20 NOVEMBER which will very likely be tied in with Jukebox. More details to follow.

MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s “Strong Hands” will be mounted with a lo-fi vibe at the Pull Bar in the first week of December.

The LOCK-IN WORKSHOP will take place in early 2011. Three days, two nights, no mod-cons or KFC within walking distance – be very careful what you register for.

LOUISE TU’U’s “Le Tauvaga” is having its reading as part of the Playmarket Metro series on THURSDAY 20 AUGUST, 7pm at the Metro Theatre, Mangere.

Script Reading

— did not happen because DAVID facilitated a group exercise showing them first hand the triumphs and tribulations of writing by committee. There was laughter, discussion, negotiation, compromise and a whole lot of imagination running hot-damned-hot.

Next Meeting

— is THURSDAY 26 AUGUST 2010 at the usual time and place.

May 2010 Fono

15/06/2010Boat Business, TheatreAhi Karunaharan, Chetan Patel, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, James Wilson, Jenni Heka, Johnny Sagala, Leilani Unasa, Miria George, Ole Maiava, Richard Foulkes, Sarita So, Shona Tarai, Venus Stephens, Zora FeiloThe Administrative Banana

Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni
Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu

Welcome to the very late after-match report.

Present

— were ZORA FEILO, RICHARD FOULKES, MIRIA GEORGE, AHI KARUNAHARAN, OLE MAIAVA, CHETAN PATEL, JOHN SAGALA, ERIC SMITH, SARITA SO, VENUS STEPHENS, SHONA TARAI, LEILANI UNASA, JAMES WILSON, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from JASON GREENWOOD, JONATHAN P RILEY and LOUISE TU’U.

News to Use

MIRIA – another Writers Block stalwart from Wellington – was warmly welcomed (along with fellow newbies and first-timers, and she brought warm greetings and tidings from down the line.

David updated the group on progress with the JUKEBOX SEASON. Congratulations to those who were selected for development.

UPDATE: Due to not receiving a Creative New Zealand grant this round , it has been agreed with The Edge that the Jukebox season is not viable this year. Being a Polynesian project, it is typically hard to kill. Moves are a-jandle to mount it later in the year. Watch this corner of the boat.

Coming Up

Briar Grace-Smith’s Purapurawhetu – which JENNI HEKA has been full-on busy with lately – will be at the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura from 16-18 June.

MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN’s Strong Hands has its reading at the Metro Theatre in Mangere on 17 June.

There’s a MATARIKI INDIGENOUS PEOPLES THEATRE HUI in Wellington 24-26 June. For more details, go to Tawata.

The MANUKAU CREATIVE CLINICS will be taking place on 1-2 July.

Script Reading

DAVID dusted off some old scripts – another television pilot, and a feature script – for the meeting attendees’ entertainment. One was stodgy. One was a howl – though that was largely due to RICHARD’s reading voice.

Next Meeting

— is THURSDAY 24 JUNE 2010 at the usual time and place.

March 2010 Fono

12/04/2010Boat Business, TheatreBanging Cymbal Clanging Gong, Chetan Patel, Chris Molloy, D F Mamea, Elena Bollino, Eric Smith, Jason Te Kare, Jenni Heka, Johnny Sagala, Leilani Unasa, Louise Tu'u, Mesepa Edwards, Michael Rwiri-Thorsen, Ole Maiava, Richard Foulkes, Will IlolahiaThe Administrative Banana

Talofa lava
Fakaalofa lahi atu
Malo e lelei
Kia orana
Tena koutou
Ni sa bula
Taloha ni

Welcome to the after-match report.

Present

— were ELENA BOLLINO, MESEPA EDWARDS, RICHARD FOULKES, WILL ILOLAHIA, OLE MAIAVA, CHRIS MOLLOY, CHETAN PATEL, MICHAEL REWIRI-THORSEN, JOHNNY SAGALA, ERIC SMITH, JASON TE KARE, LOUISE TU’U, LEILANI UNASA, JENNI HEKA and DAVID MAMEA.

Apologies

– were received from JASON GREENWOOD, MICHELLE JOHANSSON, JONATHAN RILEY and STAN WOLFGRAMM.

Stuff

JASON brought greetings from the legendary Writers Block writers group in Wellington, established by Hone Kouka in 1999.

The March Creative Clinics were judged a success – participants gained a lot from all three workshops provided, whether it was the one-on-one with Albert Belz, the workshop with James Wilson and some tame actors, or writing-for-newbies by DAVID.

A gentle reminder was given regarding the Producers Workshop in early April.

UPDATE: The workshop was fully booked and is half-way through as this is being typed.

Coming Up

Banana Boat is working to mount a Jukebox 2010 Season in late July with help from Creative New Zealand. Watch your email Inboxes.

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.

Banana Boat is taking its Creative Clinics to Manukau on 1-2 July 2010. Watch your email Inboxes.

Script Reading

— was courtesy of Playmarket: Jo Randerson‘s Banging Cymbal, Clanging Gong. MICHAEL was very game in reading all seven pages of this one-hander despite being the wrong gender.

Next Meeting

— is THURSDAY 22 APRIL at the usual time and place.

24 September 2009 Fono

07/10/2009Boat Business, TheatreChetan Patel, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, In a Box, Jenni Heka, Jonathan Riley, Le Va, Michelle Johansson, Ole Maiava, Vasiti PaliviThe Administrative Banana

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.

25 June 2009 Meeting

08/07/2009Boat BusinessAlbert Belz, Amy Rountree, Arnette Arapai, Chetan Patel, D F Mamea, Devo, Eric Smith, Jenni Heka, Jonathan Riley, Matene Karena, Mua Pua, Ole Maiava, Raising the Titanics, Stan Wolfgramm, Wanjiku KiarieThe Administrative Banana

Welcome to the after-match report. Thank you for your patience.

Present were Arnette Arapai, Devo, Albert Belz, Matene Karena, Ole Maiava, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Amy Rountree, Eric Smith, Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua, Stan Wolfgramm, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from the still-globe-trotting Stacey Leilua, the enigmatic Nina Tapu, David Grierson, and the double-booked Michelle Johansson.

Stuff

Jenni kicked things off with reminders like:
– Matariki and all the theatre and writing opportunities available to the group during this auspicious time;
– Jukebox 2009 deadline is 31 July; and
– Banana Boat 2010 submissions have been received and are still being considered – expect an announcement by the next meeting.

Arnette followed up with an impassioned exhortation to the younger writers to do the Postgraduate Masters in Creative Writing at Victoria University in Wellington. What. Are. You. Waiting. For?

Guest Speakers

Wanjiku Kiarie shared her theatre experiences – both on- and behind-stage – from her early days in Kenya through to her time in New Zealand. She promoted the visit of Kenyan playwright Wakanyote Njuguna later in the year. Schedules permitting, Mr Njuguna could give a talk at the October Banana Boat meeting, or even hold a workshop on theatre with a unique perspective (at least for New Zealand). Watch this space.

Sydney resident Devo, in town for Matariki (among other things, I’m sure), is a member of Sydney writing group, Black Men Writing. He shared with the group the possibilities of staging shows: a space for an audience and actors is limited only by our imagination.

Reading

Albert shared the first act of his work in progress Raising the Titanics. The group was treated to a first draft chocker with solid characterisation and narrative through dialogue, behaviour and careful plotting.

Quote of the month goes to Mr Belz for his response to the question of how long it took him to write 35 pages of script: after thinking about it, he said, Since Monday.

Next Meeting —

— will be on Thursday, 23 July at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be Read —

— at the July meeting are welcome on a first-in, first-served and time-permitting basis. 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. Contact David for further information.

28 May 2009 Meeting

07/06/2009Boat Business, TheatreArnette Arapai, Chetan Patel, D F Mamea, David Grierson, Eric Smith, Ezekiel Kennedy, James Nokise, Jenni Heka, Ole Maiava, Road to Glory, Sara Cole, Sima UraleThe Administrative Banana

Present were Arnette Arapai, Sara Cole, David Grierson, Ezekiel Kennedy, Ole Maiava, James Nokise, Chetan Patel, Eric Smith, Sima Urale, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.

Apologies were received from Mua Strickson-Pua, Wellington-bound Michelle Johansson, a bed-ridden Jonathan Riley, Phoenix Seve, a house-bound Matene, and a globe-trotting Stacey Leilua.

Housekeeping – through circumstance rather than any gender-typing behaviour on anyone’s part – was done by Jenni who said:
– Jason Te Kare, Radio New Zealand producer, is looking for people to attend his Writing for Radio workshop;
– the Maori playwrights Matariki Hui is in early June, and all are welcome;
– Misa Tupou, who attended our February meeting, is planning a Honolulu Fringe Festival for October 2010;
– hot New Zealand playwright, Thomas Sainsbury, has new work that the group should savour: “Cindy and Eric Go To Hell” in early June;
– Albert Belz’s “Whero’s New Net” will be touring the country soon, and will be in Hamilton for those Banana Boaters wanting a road trip;
– further afield, Tania Muagututia’s “Angels” is close to production, for those who’ll be in the Garden City in the near future;
– and from the bedridden Mr Riley, Stir Fried Plays II are looking for ten-minute plays to put on in short order (no pun intended).

For further information, ask Jenni directly.

Script readings were kindly provided by Chetan and David M.

David provided the group with an old pilot script of his so that they could sink their teeth into a complete, longer-form script. He exhorted them to tear into it with their feedback and criticism. “I don’t care for it any more,” he said. “Don’t hold back.” He then showed everyone that even though the script was old and out of date, he still cared enough for it to politely disagree with most of the feedback and criticism.

Chetan shared the first act of his play in progress, “Road to Glory”, with much laughter, support and comments. The group looks forward to the remaining two acts. No pressure, Chetan.

The next meeting will be on Thursday 25 June at the Toi Ora Live Art Studio, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.

Scripts to be read at the June 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 (david@dfmamea.com) by end of day Thursday 18 June. Scripts emailed after this date will need to be printed and copied at the author’s expense. Only a complete act for a full-length play, or complete one-act or short plays are read by the group.

ARCHIVE – 23 April 2009 meeting

04/05/2009Boat Business, TheatreAitu, Albert Belz, Arnette Arapai, Chetan Patel, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, Fasitua Amosa, Jenni Heka, Jonathan Riley, Matene Karena, Michelle Johansson, Ole Maiava, Skin Deep, Stacey Leilua, Stan Wolfgramm, Victoria SchmidtThe Administrative Banana

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

03/04/2009Boat Business, TheatreChetan Patel, D F Mamea, Eric Smith, Jason Wu, Jay Williams, Lauie Sila, Lee Aholima, Michelle Johansson, Ole Maiava, The Cook's Son, The Fale of TroyThe Administrative Banana

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

15/02/2009Boat Business, TheatreAli Foai, Arnette Arapai, Barbs Carpenter, D F Mamea, Dianna Fuemana, Eric Smith, Jenni Heka, Jonathan Riley, Katrina Chandra, Michelle Johansson, Ole Maiava, Playmarket, Reading, Skin Deep, Stacey Leilua, Stan Wolfgramm, Tanya MuagututiaThe Administrative Banana

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.