News
NZFC Review (10 Aug 2009)
Headstrong have recently submitted material for the upcoming NZFC review by the Ministry of Arts. This review will be overseen by Peter Jackson and David Courts.
Headstrong's proposal centered on the following :
– Creating excitement amongst the next generation of filmmakers
– Cutting back on red tape for low-fi films
– Ongoing Infrastructure Support for Low Budget Features.
– Funding set aside ultra low budget features.
– Assistance for filmmakers to get their work seen
Headstrong will also be calling out for scripts soon that fit into this ultra low-budget area.
LOW FI FEATURES vs SHORTS (03 Aug 2009)
The NZFC have just done a call out for applications for the Short Film Fund. What this means is that three devolved exec-producer teams will eventually be in control of the final funding to do call outs for scripts. Headstrong asks where is the support for low budget features when so many resources go towards shorts?
A debate was initiated on Facebook that got many responses. Well worth reading and contributing if you have thoughts on the subject.
SONG'S SWEET SUCCESS (25 Feb 2009)
25th Feb 2009
Source: HEADSTRONG PRESS RELEASE
Chaos ensued after Gregory King's award winning feature film A SONG OF GOOD streamed free on the internet to the New Zealand public a week ago. The online experiment, a first of its kind for New Zealand, was highly successful.
Initial estimates of 500 viewers, were exceeded after reports on Close-Up, TV One News and Sunrise drove 2500 people to their computers to watch the acclaimed feature. Local content delivery company, E-Cast 's Gresham Bradley said the result was "fantastic and an exciting preview of things to come".
Unfortunately for producers, a miscommunication between the New Zealand distributor (Rialto) and the sub-distributor (Vendetta) resulted in the film being pulled from release the morning after the streaming.
Vendetta's Jill McNab released a statement to all retailers intending to stock the film, "We were not made aware of the free streaming and understand fully the threat this poses to you, our customers. Therefore we have made the decision to cancel the release of the dvd as we do not think it is fair to supply you with a product which is legally available for free in the marketplace already. We will be cancelling all orders of this movie."
Luckily many others in the industry saw the enormous value of the online promotion and the resultant media coverage. First up to the support the film were movie champions Video Ezy who boosted their initial order by 500%. Then other believers (JB Hifi, Warehouse and Fatso) joined suit, much to the relief of filmmakers and producers. Rialto's Distribution Manager Karen Cartwright is shocked by the reversal of fortune, happily exclaiming "the stock intended to cope with demand has run out already!"
The film is finally being released to dvd today, Wednesday Feb 25th.
Exec Producer Ant Timpson is reflective after the roller-coaster week, "In the end, the film will be enjoying a much larger dvd release, which at the end of the day is all that counts. It should enjoy a long life as its topical subject matter makes it compelling viewing in these turbulent times. I completely understand Vendetta's initial reaction and I hope they understand that all parties had the best of intentions with this successful experiment."
A SONG OF GOOD is the story of 28-year-old Gary Cradle's struggle for redemption after committing an horrific crime.
The film stars Gareth Reeves, Danielle Cormack, Ian Mune and Matthew Sunderland. The film was invited to Rotterdam Film Festival for its World Premiere and also won Best Film* at the New Zealand Film and Television Awards.
This online screening was made possible by the good folks at Headstrong, Robbers Dog, New Zealand Film Commission, Rialto Distribution, Cactus Lab, e-Cast and of course the film gurus at Flicks.co.nz
A 100% Free Web Screening of the Acclaimed New Zealand Feature Film 'A SONG OF GOOD'.
Book Your Free Online Seat on Facebook Now!
Facebook Event
Gregory King's award winning feature film A SONG OF GOOD will be available for a free online viewing on Feb 16th. Yes thats right 100% Free!
Any kiwi over 18 can visit the official site at Official site and watch the film at the Official Website during a 24hr period.
The film stars Gareth Reeves, Danielle Cormack, Ian Mune, Matthew Sunderland. The film was invited to Rotterdam Film Festival for its world premiere and since then has gone onto acclaim at many others.
This cool experiment has been made available by the good folks at Headstrong, NZFC, Robbers Dog, Rialto Distribution, Vendetta Films and Cactuslab.
And of course the film gurus at Flicks.co.nz
The film will be released on DVD late Feb by Vendetta.
SONG OF PRAISE FOR GRITTY LOCAL FILM (15 Sep 2008)
SONG OF PRAISE FOR GRITTY LOCAL FILM
Writer/ director Gregory King cements his place as the local king of low budget filmmaking with his second feature A SONG OF GOOD following in his debut's feature's CHRISTMAS footsteps and picking up all the major awards in its' category at the 2008 Qantas Film and Television Awards last night.
A SONG OF GOOD was awarded Best Picture – Budget Under $1 Million, and Cinematographer Virginia Loane won Outstanding Technical Contribution in Film – Budget under $1 Miillion.
Other nominations for the film included Gareth Reeves, Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, and Ian Mune, Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.
The film was executive produced by <b>Headstrong</b> in association with the New Zealand Film Commission under an innovative scheme to nurture filmmaking talent through a digital initiative similar to other successful models overseas.
The film premiered to sold out audiences at Rotterdam Film Festival earlier in the year.
"Although the social milieu is tough, there is tenderness and emotion in the story, which is ultimately redemptive. "A SONG OF GOOD is a dynamic human drama of second chances and personal change…" said the Philadelphia Film Festival 2008
The cast includes New Zealand's brightest, best, and most experienced actors: Matthew Sunderland (OUT OF THE BLUE), Ian Mune (SLEEPING DOGS), Danielle Cormack (THE PRICE OF MILK, TOPLESS WOMEN TALK ABOUT THEIR LIVES) and newcomer, Gareth Reeves (Best Actor – Television Drama, NZ Screen Awards 2006) in lead role of Gary Cradle.
A SONG OF GOOD will be released late 2008 by Rialto Distribution.
Contact: Leanne Saunders, Executive Producer,
Headstrong website: www.headstrong.co.nz
Ph: + 64 21 764 198
Email : severe@ihug.co.nz
Full presskit, images and film trailer : www.asongofgood.com
A SONG OF GOOD - Knocks Audience Out (26 Jul 2008)
Raves have been coming in following its NZ premiere.
"I really loved the movie! It was great to see it at the festival, there was a real air of anticipation in the audience. I was riveted from the start, and enjoyed it so much. Very stunned silence at the end followed after a long intense pause in the dark by big applause – lots of people stayed around afterwards to talk. A great screening."
The film has been picked up by Rialto Distribution for release in NZ/AUS.