International filmmaker visits campus
Internationally acclaimed Australian filmmaker Rolf de Heer (Bad Boy Bubby, The Tracker, Dance Me to My Song, Ten Canoes), in New Zealand courtesy of the New Zealand Film Commission, recently held a half-day seminar for screenwriters, directors, and producers at Otago Polytechnic.
Using his own work as case studies Rolf shared his filmmaking philosophy, from the writing process to delivery to an audience, with particular focus on the relationship between budget level and story ideas and the crafting of low budget cinema for the international marketplace.
Rolf de Heer has consistently produced feature films which have been recognised internationally for their cinematic excellence (he has won the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes, the Jury Prize for Un Certain Regard at Cannes and the International Film Critics Prize at Venice). The key to his ability to regularly write, direct, and co-produce feature films has been his decision to conceive and write scripts that can be produced on a modest budget (from $500,000 – 2.5 million), combined with an ongoing process of defining his own cinematic voice.
Rolf de Heer Selected Filmography
- The Quiet Room (1996), in competition at Cannes
- Dance Me To My Song (1998), in competition at Cannes
- The Tracker (2002), premiered to critical acclaim at Venice
- Alexandra’s Project (2003), in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival
- Ten Canoes (2006), won the Special Jury Prize for Un Certain Regard at Cannes
- Dr. Plonk (2007), Toronto International Film Festival
To view an interview with Rolf de Heer on the relationship between budget and cinematic approach here.