Your Big Break

one line synopsis

Through their shared connection with the land, a grandfather helps his granddaughter recover from illness.

about me

I'm a kiwi who's lived in Brisbane for nearly 12 years. I love my country of birth and I love the idea of my own 'homecoming' to connect with the land! :)

Homecoming is adapted from a short story I wrote when I was 14 at Glendowie College, Auckland (http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1630299-Homecoming). I've kept it all these years because I love the story!

I've made a number of films (http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3617798/resume, http://www.youtube.com/user/clintonjisle), but mostly I teach young people how to make theirs (http://fnz.org.au/). I'm very comfortable working with a film crew, working to a tight budget, and working to a tight schedule.

director's treatment

The story of Homecoming is analogous to the New Zealand experience... Aoteroa is a land of hope, healing and courage. Come to New Zealand to connect with the land, and connect with people.

Homecoming will be shot in the visual style of Luhrmann (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQGMuxJ0vCc), with the spirit of Herbs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HBpvfQ2-Q4), and substance of 100% pure New Zealand (http://www.youtube.com/user/purenewzealand?blend=1&ob=4). The flashback uses a combination of still and moving images as displayed in the Band of Brothers opening credits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFSKgx6L6xc)

locations: Possibly Otakou marae (http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/ngai-tahu/8/1); definitely Glenorchy (http://www.dartstables.com/).

language: there is only one line of dialogue - in Maori - which means Homecoming is entirely in Maori.

soundtrack: I imagine something similar (if not identical) to Hayley Westenra's Pokerekere Ana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GXua6gD4Hc&feature=fvw). Moody, evocative, challenging (Koroua 's plea, "E hine e, hoki mai ra. Ka mate ahau, I te aroha e", is taken directly from Pokarekare Ana.) If rights are too hard to obtain, something similar to Falling Slowly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuokG3OR47Q) can be easily and quickly composed.

production: One day in Glenorchy (three locations close to each other, 3 set ups - the rest are digital stills); one day on the marae (up to 8 set-ups).

Ok, thanks for your patience, here's the script!

EXT. MARAE GROUNDS — DAY

Rain beats down. A gate is unlatched and opened. KOROUA, 60, walks steadily up a path to the whare nui — the meeting house. His urgency suggests a troubled mind.

INT. WHARE NUI — DAY

Passing the threshold of the whare nui, Koroua's whanau — family — stands before him. Behind them lies RATUI, 8. He moves slowly to her mattress. Her face is quiet but pale. He smiles warmly. She struggles to return a smile.

He presses his nose to hers. Hongi — the sharing of life.

KOROUA: E hine e, hoki mai ra. Ka mate ahau, I te aroha e.

He lifts her hand and places it on his.

EXT. GLENORCHY HIGHLANDS — DAY

Koroua's hand is on Ratui's. She is on a horse, and provides support to him as he attempts — clumsily — to mount it as well. She giggles. He grumbles something in Maori. Together they ride through the tussock covered hills of the Glenorchy Highlands. 

EXT. GLENORCHY DOCK — DAY

Koroua and Ratiu are at the edge of the Glenorchy dock, alone except for the expansive mountain ranges surrounding them. Koroua takes Ratiu's hand as he shows her how to cast a reel.

She catches a very small fish.

EXT. GLENORCHY LAKE — SUNSET

Koroua and Ratiu hold hands, watching over the lake. They are silhouetted by the setting sun.

EXT. MARAE GROUNDS — SUNSET

Koroua stands alone, at the edge of the marae. His face glows from the last of the day's sun.

He hears movement behind him. He turns to see Ratui standing at the entrance to the whare nui. She smiles at him.

He stands and walks to her. She runs to him, stopping just short.

Ratui holds up her hand. Koroua places his hand on hers.

She laughs. They hongi.

END.

thanks to cultural advisor Wayne "Bushie" Morrow