Moderated by Brita McVeigh.

“When writing, drawing from the subconscious is slower and more arduous, difficult to find – but perhaps in the end the pain creates something beautiful and idiosyncratic, and this is often the part that the viewer takes away and remembers, the part that gets under our skin.”

Cate Shortland is the acclaimed writer/director of the award-winning and profoundly memorable features SOMERSAULT and LORE, as well as a screenwriter on some of Australia’s most renowned television drama.

Cate uses examples from her film work to chart her writing process: from the genesis of an idea, to taking risks with character, to building scenes from the page up with actors and choreographers – and the vital role of imagery, landscape, and the subconscious.

Cate's session took place on Saturday 24th September, 2:45pm at the Big Screen Symposium 2016, in Auckland, NZ.

The Big Screen Symposium is New Zealand's annual premiere film event, proudly brought to you by Script to Screen and J&A Productions.