Spada Podcast

Paul Wiegard, Co-Founder and CEO of Madman Entertainment, in conversation with Dr David Court, as he reflects on 30 years of Australia and New Zealand’s most progressive indie film distributor. Discover the story behind Madman Entertainment’s evolution, from releasing over 35 Oscar®-nominated films to launching DocPlay,  a dedicated documentary streaming platform. Recorded live during the 2025 Spada Conference.www.spada.co.nzwww.madman.co.nzwww.docplay.comSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Co-Productions are key to ambitious storytelling. As funding tightens and audiences expand, producers are looking offshore for scale and opportunity. This discussion explores what's changing, and how NZ-supported partnerships can go global.Panel: Poppy Dowle (Film Finances), Michele McDonald (Screen Australia), Emma Slade (Producer, Velvet Moss) and moderator Jennifer Wilton (NZ Film Commission).Recorded live at the 2025 Spada Conference, held in Auckland, NZ, 20 & 21 November 2025.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

The 2025 NZ On Air John O'Shea Memorial Address: In Coversation with Stephen Stehlin, was the opening session of the 30th Spada Conference.A producer with four decades experience in the Aotearoa New Zealand screen industry, Taualeo'o Stephen Stehlin spoke with Ngaire Fuata about his career, creating Pasifika stories for screen, and 38 years of Tagata Pasifika.The John O'Shea Memorial Address is sponsored by NZ On Air, with CEO Cameron Harland providing the introduction. This conversation was recorded live during the 30th Spada Conference, held 20 & 21 November 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Producers face unique pressures. This session explores strategies that support producers' mental health on and off set, with insights from data, case studies, and real world experiences. Panel: Kelly Lucas (ScreenSafe), Miranda Rivers (Casting / Mental Health First Aid), Emmett Skilton (Director / Actor) and Kevin Denholm (Film Chaplain / Director). Recorded live at the 2025 Spada Conference, held 20 & 21 November 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Award-winning New Zealand author J.P. (Josh) Pomare (Ngā Puhi) takes the stage with Paula Browning (We Create) to share insights into IP ownership, screen adaptation rights, and building on an international profile as a writer.Recorded live during the 30th Spada Conference, held 20 & 21 November 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Join Steve Crombie, CEO and Founder of Totem Global, and TVNZ’s Chief News and Content Officer, Nadia Tolich, for an engaging conversation on the strategies   and steps needed to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a digital-first content landscape. Moderated by Natalie Apostolou (C21 Media Aus/NZ Editor).Recrded live at the 2025 Spada Conference, held 20 & 21 November 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Frances Valintine (CNZM, academyEX) last set the tone for Spada in 2016, exploring disruption, AI, and the future of screen. Nearly a decade on, the world she forecast has arrived at speed. In this keynote Frances revisits her predictions and charts the next frontier for a sector in rapid transition. Recorded live at the 2025 Spada Conference, held 20 & 21 November 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

The path to profit, growth, and career longevity lies through audiences. Our panel  discusses how understanding your audience can unlock elusive private investment. Panel: Paul Wiegard (Madman Entertainment), Jas McSweeney (Umbrella Entertainment),  Dr David Court (Compton School). Moderator: Rosie Hole (Hinterland). Recorded live at the 2025 Spada Conference held in Auckland, NZ, on 20 & 21 November 2025.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

A new generation of producers share how they craft bold, authentic stories for the fast-moving  world of social media – connecting rangatahi with local content that resonates. Panel: Jessica Todd (Cable Maiden Prod.), Perrin Hastings (Director), Hope Papali’I (Producer). Moderator: Sheldene Seth (Able). > 'First Place' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzXb-XlI3f8> 'The Sender' https://www.instagram.com/thesendernz/?hl=en> 'The Gender Agenda' https://www.youtube.com/@The_Gender_Agenda> 'Sight Unseen' https://able.co.nz/our-productions/sight-unseen/'Hook, Hold, Repeat: Capturing Rangatahi Attention Online' was recorded live at the 30th Spada Conference, 20 & 21 November 2025.www.spada.co.nz Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

"LIGHTS, ACTION, IMPACT" -  A presentation and discussion of the high-level takeouts from recently completed research into the economic and cultural value of the screen production  sector in New Zealand. This Mahi Tahi initiative from NZ On Air, NZ Film Commission and Te Māngai Pāho demonstrates how impactful our cultural storytelling really is, both at home and globally.View full report on the three funders websites, or HERE: https://temngaipho.cmail19.com/t/t-l-wljmjt-tttrnklhk-r/www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

This webinar provides insights from screen production Access Coordinators and those working with them, along with details of how to factor this emerging role in your future projects in Aotearoa. Panelists are Access Coordinators Felicity Hamill and Jared Flitcroft, Tayla Hancock from NZ Film Commission, and Producer Jazz dos Santos.  Hosted by Ness Simons of Spada (Screen Producers NZ) with NZSL interpreters Taryn and Jeremy.For more information on Access Cordinators visit: https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/resources/access-coordinatorsTo contact an Access Coordinator email: [email protected] view a captioned version of this discussion: https://youtu.be/S0g_jNYc0kESubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Spada and Greenlit webinar about Greenlit's sustainability initiative for the screen industry. Topics include practical strategies for integrating sustainability into your projects, inspiring success stories from those working in the area of sustainability for the screen industry, and an introduction to the tools and resources Greenlit offers to help productions reduce their environmental impact. Panelists are Rose Archer, Sustainability Manager, Ilai Amar, Producer, and the session was hosted by Greenlit's J9.- Watch a Captioned Version of this webinar HERE- Visit www.greenlit.org.nz for more information on Greenlit. - Visit www.spada.co.nz for more information on Spada, New Zealand Screen Producers Guild.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Irene Gardiner, president of the Spada Executive, launched Spada's 'Love Local / Arohaina tō Hapori' campaign at the 2023 Spada Conference. Learn more about the Love Local / Arohaina tō Hapori campaign HERE Learn more about the 2023 Spada Conference HERESubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Join the NZFC’s CEO Annie Murray as she sets out some of the challenges and opportunities for the agency in the coming months alongside Pou Whakahaere o te Rautaki Māori Te O Kahurangi Waaka.  Recorded live at the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Join New Zealand screen funding agencies’ CEOs – Annie Murray (NZ Film Commission), Larry Parr (Te Māngai Pāho) and Cameron Harland (NZ On Air) – as they share their joint vision and ideas for a more collaborative approach for our screen sector. Recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference. Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

The NZ Screen Production Rebate plays a significant role in the complex landscape of film and TV financing. In this session Ian Murray (113 Partners) sits down with Sharon Menzies (Hinterland) and Richard Fletcher (Libertine Pictures) to delve into the fundamentals of the Rebate, and other financial mechanisms available in the new commercial environment, to help practitioners optimise their financing strategies.  Recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Through the lens of some of our longest running companies and productions we explore the true value of longevity in our sector. From career pathways, to developing storytelling and building businesses, to providing our audiences with rich local stories and experiences. Panel includes Grant Baker (Images & Sound), Ngaire Fuata (Tagata Pasifika), Kelly Martin (Shortland Street ). Moderator: Andrew Szusterman (South Pacific Pictures) 'The Economic and Cultural Benefits of Longevity' was proudly brought to you by Budget, and recorded live at the 2023 SPADA Conference. Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

An opportunity to hear direct from the platforms – what they’re looking for, how their commissioning strategies have evolved, and which trends are impacting their commissioning priorities. Speakers: Vicki Keogh and Juliet Peterson – Warner Bros. Discovery NZ,  Nevak Rogers – TVNZ, Maramena Roderick - Whakaata Māori and Thomas Robins – SKY Originals.  'Meet the Platforms' was recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Over the past decade the TV and film business has been defined by the disruption of content distribution — the next decade will be defined by the disruption of content creation. What are the opportunities and what are the challenges? Speaker: Paul Muller (CEO, ANZSA) with questions posed by Natalie Apostolou (Freelance Screen journalist and Consultant). 'Will AI Democratise Content Creation?' was recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference. Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

A check in on how NZ On Air's new screen investment strategy is tracking five months post implementation, a look ahead to the coming year, and addressing your most pressing questions. NZ On Air presenters are Cameron Harland, Amie Mills, Allanah Kalafatelis, Teresa Patterson and Nicole Rex.You can view the Power Point from the presentation HERE, and their press release following this presentation at the SPADA Conference HEREView the NZ On Air Strategy HERE'NZ ON AIR: The New Strategy In Action' was recorded live at the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Selling unscripted shows into the international marketplace is highly competitive and involves navigating a hornet’s nest of entertainment conglomerates. How can those of us living at the bottom of the world compete? Is it possible to make the shows we want… and give the buyers what they are looking for?  Listen to our guest speaker, Emmy Award winning producer, and newly minted Wellingtonian, Jon Kroll, Avocado Entertainment. This session was proudly brought to you by Screen Wellington, and was introduced by Mark Westerby.'The Collision of Art & Commerce in the Unscripted Space' was recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

The disability sector is full of rich and engaging stories. This session’s panel is well-versed in navigating what can be a challenging territory for the uninitiated and offers delegates insights into authentic representation of disability, and how to create space and amplify disabled people’s voices. Panel: Dan Buckingham (CEO, Able / Chair, Disability Media Collective), Jai Waite (Sweet Productions), and Rachale Davies (Boxed Media). View 'This is Wheel Life' (as mentioned in the discussion). Recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Listen as Craig Gainsborough (Producer / Greenlit NZ), Fenella Bowater (Whitebait Media) and facilitator Irene Gardiner (SPADA / Greenlit NZ) share their experiences of developing tools for sustainable screen practices and putting them into action on local productions. Recorded live during the 2023 SPADA Conference.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Join host Karin Williams and guest panelists for this SPADA Masterclass on navigating the mentor / mentee relationship, and making space for the people and the projects to thrive. Sharlene George and Rickylee Russell-Waipuka share their experiences of a producer mentorship evolving over several years, while writers Nick Ward and Rosie Howells share experiences of their mentor relationship as part of the NZFC's Hunga Taunaki ā Rorohiko online mentoring programme.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

Join host DK (TEDxWellington) and panelists Rhonda Kite (Kiwa Digital, VoiceQ), Aliesha Staples (Staples VR) and Dan Milward (Gamefroot Game Creator) as they discuss how to grow robust businesses in a creative sector.www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

In this episode, we discover how the smash hit comedy special ‘SIS’ came to be commissioned by Comedy Central on Prime. Our panellists are producer and director Hanelle Harris executive producer Karin Williams, commissioners from Prime Dana Youngman and Annie Murray, with Daniel Morrison from Viacom. Hosting the discussion is Pan-Asian screen collective co-founder and screenwriter Shuchi Kothari. A quick warning if you have younger ears listening, the occasional swear word will pop up during this discussion.Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

An exploration of the Writer / Producer Relationship for screen, including insight and tips on how to develop your own strong and successful creative collaborations. Hosting the Masterclass are Karin Williams (SPADA) and Kathryn Burnett (NZWG). Our guest panelists include writer / producer collaborators Nick Ward & Michelle Turner, and Tusi Tamasese & Catherine Fitzgerald. Subscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).

In this episode we’re joined by a wonderful group with different perspectives from the world of television, with Producer Julian Arahanga of Awa Films, Commissioners Kay Ellmers from RNZ and Tony Manson from TVNZ, Writers Agent, and ED of the NZ Writers Guild, Alice Shearman, and Amie Mills from NZ On Air. Join the panel as they discuss how to approach producing stories for TV with host, Producer and former Commissioner -  Irene GardinerFind supporting documents at www.spada.co.nzSubscribe for more screen industry conversations from Spada (Screen Producers NZ).