From Shortland Street to Outrageous Fortune - An Inside Look At NZ Drama with Simon Bennett

In this episode of the Beyond Broadcast podcast, I speak with Simon Bennett, a renowned director, showrunner and producer in New Zealand television.The conversation delves into the fast-paced world of Shortland Street, the corporate side of drama production, and the creative tension in television writing. Simon reflects on the legacy of Outrageous Fortune and its impact on Kiwi culture, as well as the future of New Zealand television in the evolving media landscape. Additionally, we briefly touch on his time helming the culturally iconic Power Rangers franchise.Among other topics we discuss the importance of soundtracks, the challenges of sequels, and the balance between comedy and seriousness in storytelling.Simon also shares insights on collaboration in production and the future trends in television, emphasizing the need for understanding audience expectations while maintaining creative integrity.