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Tag Archives: Victoria Schmidt
Victoria Schmidt’s “Music & Me” Premiere
23 July 2009 Fono
Welcome to the after-match report. The July fono marked the twelfth monthly get together of the Banana Boat group. That’s our first year out of the way! Boo-ya!
Present were Arnette Arapai, David Grierson, Hayley Hansell, Jody Hoani, Matene Karena, Leilani, Christina Mamea, Chetan Patel, Victoria Schmidt, Stan Wolfgramm, Jenni Heka and David Mamea.
Apologies were received from the still-globe-trotting Stacey Leilua, and the quite busy Eric Smith.
2009 Banana Boat Jukebox
A final reminder rung out for the 2009 Jukebox season, which closed on Friday 31 July.
2010 Banana Boat Season
Jenni announced Banana Boat’s slate:
2010
– I Don’t Do Coconut by Chetan Patel & Eric Smith
– Makigi by Jonathan P Riley
– Road to Glory by Chetan Patel
– Then Sings My Soul by Victoria Schmidt
2011 onwards
– The NGG by Eric Smith
– Kingswood by D F Mamea
Congratulations to the above-named, thanks to all who submitted, and onwards to development, workshops and production!
2010 Pasifika Playwrights Development Initiative
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 25 September at 3:00pm.
Script Readings
The group was spoilt with readings this month:
– an untitled short piece by David G;
– Then Sings My Soul by Victoria Schmidt; and
– Skyblue by David M
David G’s piece showed dramatic and comedic promise as a short two-hander about an already dysfunctional bride and groom.
Victoria’s full-length script, based on her 10-minute monologue that electrified the 2009 Pasifika Forum, showed the group the challenges of expanding a short piece into a full-length play. The group looks forward to the next draft.
After group readings in December 2008 and May 2009 of earlier and varied incarnations of his project, David M finally had a complete draft to share. Feedback was balanced between those readers wanting more exposition and details, and those who were happy with filling in the blanks themselves.
Next Meeting —
— will be on Thursday, 27 August at the Toi Ora Live Art Trust, 6 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn.
Scripts to be Read —
— at the August 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. Scripts will need to be printed and copied at the writer’s expense.
To avoid disappointment, getting in touch with David or Jenni at least a week beforehand will increase the chances of your script being read.
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 – 25 September 2008 meeting
Welcome to the Pasifika Playwrights Group.
Our second meeting was held on Thursday, 25 September, and was a great success. Highlights included:
– Tarisi Vunidilo from Creative New Zealand (CNZ) gave us a talk on increasing the chances of getting CNZ funding, as well as about changes to the funding rounds to be implemented in 2009;
– Jenni Heka from Playmarket challenged the group to come up with three production-ready plays, and three reading-ready plays by September 2009 (see below for her Agenda);
– facilitator David Mamea laid down some ground rules for the group like “Thou shalt check thine ego at the door” and “Critique the work, not the writer”;
– Stan Wolfgramm of Drum Productions provided a producer’s insight into getting Pasifika stories Out There;
– Arnette Arapai told everyone to get off their arses and Just Do It;
– all of which was discussed, digested and enjoyed by Fasitua Amosa, Fiona Collins, Glen Compain, Michelle Johansson, Bronwyn Judd, Chetan Patel, Jonathan Riley, Eric Smith, Nina Tapu and Victoria Schmidt.
It was agreed – in principle, and to be formalised at the next meeting – that the Pasifika Playwrights Group will develop members’ writing, with the goal of putting on The Banana Boat Season – a season of Pasifika plays and readings in late 2009.
How will the group do this? Through monthly meetings where the following will happen:
– a practitioner will talk to the group about their experience, give advice and – most importantly – provide inspiration;
– general discussion of what the guest speaker had to say;
– and workshopping and/or exercises to stimulate, develop and inspire our own writing.
Sounds like a motto for the group: Develop – Support – Inspire. All we need now is a cooler name than ‘Pasifika Playwrights Group’ – all suggestions welcome, to be tossed about and voted on in the next couple of meetings.
NEXT MEETING will be on THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2008 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The location will be advised closer to the date.
And now for a word from our sponsor:
JENNI’S WORD!
Wow, did I leave the meeting last week motivated and inspired. I even started writing! Which is no small feat for me as I normally find every excuse under the sun to not even get started!
Things really got animated when David Mamea bravely put the opening scene for his play on the table for the group to discuss! Fiona Collins and Jonathan Riley have both offered to bring in their work to be discussed and/or workshopped for the next meeting on the 23rd October!
I have been filling in the rest of the Playmarket team about what we have been up to here in Auckland, and they are excited and can’t wait to see what we produce for the Banana Boat Season.
Yes, I have an agenda. My role as Maori and Pasifika Playwright Development Coordinator is to encourage and help our playwrights develop their skills. The Pasifika Playwrights Group has been formed to motivate, inspire and give playwrights the opportunity to develop. I also threw down the challenge for the group to have three fully developed works for production by September 2009. The first step is bring in your work so we can start workshopping. Tell me what you need and I will try to get those experts in to help.
I am currently talking to The Edge to have our meetings permanently hosted there. Watch this space for confirmation.
Look forward to seeing you at the next meeting on the 23rd October 2008!
Jenni Heka
Maori and Pasifika Playwright Development Coordinator
Playmarket
Thanks, Jenni!