Two Words with Taku

"The way that we can tell stories if we use audio, specifically fiction, is so interesting and diverse. Audio is such a freeing medium." 

I joined the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) so I could meet inspiring young screenwriters like Evrim Şen. We met at an Animation Writing Workshop and hit it off instantly — we're both fired up about stories for and about young people. In this episode, Evrim shares how joining the AWG is helping her writing career and how things are different in real-life writers' rooms vs what she learnt at film school.

We also chat about her fun podcast Script Roulette, where in each episode, she and her team produce an audio drama based on a random prompt, written by an emerging writer. 

Podcast Guest Profile

Evrim Şen is a podcast producer and screenwriter, working in creative and youth sector non-for-profits with a focus on social enterprise and social impact.

She has a Masters in Screenwriting from the Victorian College of the Arts, and her passion is representing the perspectives of and writing for young people and children.

She’s been part of the production of numerous podcasts including, the fiction / talked-based podcast Script Roulette, and radio play series Troll Foods.

Time Stamps

0:53 | Why I joined the Australian Writers' Guild

8:08 | Interview with Evrim Şen

Interesting Links

• Australian Writers' Guild https://www.awg.com.au/
• Evrim's website https://www.evrimsen.com.au/
• Script Roulette Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/script-roulette-podcast
• Script Roulette Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scriptroulettepodcast/
• Troll Foods Podcast http://syn.org.au/show/troll-foods/

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I love that this younger generation is being more expressive and feeling their emotions, instead of trying to not feel things. "

We keep hearing that we need more authentic voices telling their own stories. But what does that look like when you’re creating a TV show with different characters? How do you, as a writer, make their stories feel authentic, if you haven’t personally lived those experiences? In this episode, I chat candidly with YouTuber and content creator AJ Clementine about why she started sharing her stories online. We also discuss how young people in the LGBTQI+ community are representing themselves and supporting each other online.

Podcast Guest Profile

AJ Clementine is an Australian creator known for being an LGBTQI+ advocate for the community. She is also a vlogger who often shares life experiences about being transgender, while also covering lifestyle and fashion content. This year AJ was featured on the 'Barcroft TV' YouTube channel for the 'My Trans Life' series, and walked the Mardi Gras parade with Instagram in Sydney. She has been a Featured Creator at VidCon AU in 2017, 2018 and now 2019.

Time Stamps

0:53 | Why I want to include authentic voices in my show

5:29 | Interview with AJ Clementine

Interesting Links

• AJ Clementine LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/in/ajclementine
• AJ Clementine YouTube, Instagram
• Minus 18 https://www.minus18.org.au/
• Kids Helpline https://kidshelpline.com.au/
• Fazed web series https://www.instagram.com/fazed.series/
• Euphoria starring Zendaya https://www.hbo.com/euphoria

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Read scripts from the shows you like and shows you don't like. Have a good look at how they lay things out. " 

Wendy Hanna's episode is full of great tips about writing, finding other writers, growing your community of writers and even entering writing competitions. Hear how we first met at an Animation Writing Workshop and how the mock writers' room she created inspired me to re-think how I'd find writers for my show. 

Podcast Guest Profile

Wendy Hanna is an AWGie nominated screenwriter and creative development consultant with a passion for people, characters and big ideas.

Her credits include iconic serial Neighbours, popular drama Love Child and docu-drama Dating the H-Bomb, as well as numerous children’s programs including Giggle & Hoot, Dumbotz and Sydney Sailboat. She is also is co-creator of factual teen format MY:24. A former Development Executive for Essential Media & Entertainment, she has extensive development experience across genres including kids, drama, animation and factual, and regularly works with creative teams to help concepts find their best form. In 2017, Wendy was nominated for an AWGie for her work on ABC’s Hoot Hoot Go!

Time Stamps

0:53 | How I've set up my writers' room...so far

7:20 | Interview with Wendy Hanna

Interesting Links

• Wendy's website https://wendylikesstories.com/
• Wendy's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wendylikesstories/
• Australian Writers Guild https://www.awg.com.au/
• Women In Film and TV Australia https://wiftaustralia.org.au/
• NYC Midnight Competition http://www.nycmidnight.com/

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The key thing is, these funding bodies want you to contact them. They'll give you the time to explain what's required because they want people to succeed as well. "

How can you fund your creative projects whilst working a day job? Who do you need on your team to make your funding applications more competitive? How important is it to create a proof of concept to get more funding? In this episode I chat to filmmaker Hawanatu about how she's managed to get her films and web series made.

We also discuss the importance of valuing time and talent — yours and that of the people you're working with. The numbers start to add up and that's when you can look at applying to screen agencies for support. Hawanatu's latest project Afro Sistahs recently received funding from Screen Australia's Generate initiative.

Podcast Guest Profile

Hawanatu Bangura is an Afro-Australian writer, director and producer. Born in Sierra Leone, she migrated to Australia in 2002 and as a teenager discovered her interest in filmmaking when she was involved in a youth film project.

Since then, she has written and directed six short films in various genres including dance, experimental, drama, documentary and animation. Her films have been screened both in Australia and internationally at film festivals including the Legacy Film Festival (United Kingdom), Shaan-E-Awadh International Film Festival (India), Adelaide Kids Film Festival, African Film festival Australia and International Pan African Film Festival (Cannes), Toronto International Film Festival Kids. Her short animation film, ‘Money Tree’, about a boy who wants to become rich by planting a stolen coin was nominated for best animation at Montreal International Black Film Festival (Canada).

Recently, she joined forces with a group of Afro-Australian female filmmakers to create a web series titled Afro Sistahs a short form narrative comedy/drama that explores the complex nature in which culture, gender, race, love and of course, hair, intersect.

Hawanatu’s films are driven by her personal values – so themes of social justice, empowerment, identity, peace, hope and wisdom are strong in her work. The stories in her films are universal, resonating with audiences far and wide. Hawanatu is passionate about using her films as a platform to raise consciousness about social issues and social injustices. She was part of the prestigious Screen Producers Australia: One to Watch program in 2017.

Time Stamps

0:53 | How I've sought funding for my project  

4:45 | Interview with Hawanatu Bangura

Interesting Links

• Hawanatu’s website https://www.hawanatu.com/
• Afro Sistahs website https://www.afrosistahs.com
• Screen Australia funding page https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Don't settle for a relationship with your accountant or bookkeeper that isn't working for you. "

I know too many artists and creative people who don't feel comfortable talking about money — how much to charge, how to get more of it, how to manage it, how to grow it etc. I've finally had to confront my own fears and insecurities about money because my creative projects need proper funding to happen.

In this episode I share how I manage the finances in my production company and how I unexpectedly scored my first investor. I've also invited Amanda Newton from Xero Australia to explain the difference between an accountant and a bookkeeper, and how to know which one is best for you. Amanda's very friendly and also shares tips about working with people who can handle your finances and tax obligations.

Friendly manners: I've been using Xero for a couple of years and genuinely find that it helps me in my business. This episode is not a paid endorsement for Xero; I invited Amanda on the show because I wanted to interview an expert about accounting.

Podcast Guest Profile

Amanda Newton is Xero Australia’s Head of Community where she works closely alongside their valued community of bookkeepers and accountants on a daily basis to create, foster and nurture safe and engaging spaces for these partners to meaningfully connect.

In addition to serving as a liaison for Xero's accountant and bookkeeping partners, Amanda is a passionate advocate for the industry - presenting at industry conferences and events, and maintaining an active voice on social media.

Combining a Masters of Accounting with undergraduate studies in Marketing and Communications, Amanda's career currently spans two decades and has included leadership roles in small business, politics, large enterprise and non-profit sectors.

Amanda featured in the Top 50 Women in Accounting in 2018.

Time Stamps

0:53 | Managing money in my business and how I got my first investor

14:06 | Interview with Amanda Newton

Interesting Links

• Amanda on LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/in/amandajnewton
• Xero website https://www.xero.com/au and Xero's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/xero/
• Xero Advisor Directory https://www.xero.com/au/advisors/
• Small Business Mentoring Services Victoria https://www.business.gov.au/advisory-services/small-business-mentoring-service-sbms-victoria
• Small Business Development Corporation Western Australia https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"You keep the ship afloat by making sure everyone feels heard and happy."

I met Meg O'Connell last year at Screen Forever, a conference hosted by Screen Producers Australia. When I found out she'd worked on Doodles, a kids' show I'd been following, I asked if I could pick her brain about 'producer stuff'. She agreed!

In this episode, Meg shares how she went from studying law to working in the screen industry. We also discuss what it's really like being a TV producer and her fun experiences working with young actors. 

Podcast Guest Profile

Meg O’Connell is an International Emmy® Award award winning producer. In the past year she produced two digital series: Robbie Hood for SBS On Demand and Content for ABC iview; both series have been nominated for AACTA® Awards. Content is a digital series set entirely on a mobile phone and is the first of its kind to be made in Australia.

Meg also produced the International Emmy® Award, SPA Award winning and AACTA® nominated ABC ME show Doodles for Ludo Studio, and was the development manager on Ludo’s series Bluey.

Time Stamps

0:53 | Why I decided to become a producer

6:37 | Interview with Meg O'Connell

Interesting Links

• Meg on Twitter https://twitter.com/megmegmehg
• Australian Writers' Guild https://www.awg.com.au/
• Screen Forever Conference https://www.screenforever.org.au/
• Content Series https://iview.abc.net.au/show/content #contenttvshow
• Robbie Hood Series https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/robbie-hood #robbiehoodshow

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘You’re selling the sizzle, not the steak.”

My first guest in Season 2 of the podcast is screenwriter, script producer and script editor John Armstrong. We first met at a screenwriters’ pitch event in Sydney in 2017 and have since co-created a teen drama series which is in early stage development.

In this episode we discuss what goes into different story bibles from the pitch ones used to sell a television show, to the more detailed series or writers’ bible used to help writers before and during production.

We also discuss the US showrunner model of creating shows versus Australia’s producer-created model and how that informs how TV pitch/series bibles are compiled.

Podcast Guest Profile

John Armstrong is a screenwriter, script editor and script producer with over 20 years’ experience in creating television for younger audiences.

Most recently he was the script producer and writer for the Netflix animated series Beat Bugs (featuring the music of The Beatles) which won the 2017 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in Preschool Animation, and the 2016 AACTA Award for Best Children’s Series.

John has also won three Australian Writers’ Guild Awards (AWGIES) and been nominated seven times.

Time Stamps

0:51 | Why I’m making a kids’ TV show in Australia

9:11 | Interview with John Armstrong

Interesting Links

• Australian Writers' Guild https://www.awg.com.au/
• Examples of successful TV series bibles on Carol Kirschner’s website https://www.carolekirschner.com/blog/series-bible
• Stranger Things Series Bible http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/Stranger_Things/Stranger_Things_-_Bible.pdf
• Beat Bugs on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80057611
• Motown Magic on Netflix https://www.netflix.com/au/title/80134440

Say Hello!

I'm at taku.com.au, Instagram/Twitter: @takuspeaks or Facebook: @TakuTV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last November I applied for PRX‘s Google Podcasts Creator program, pitching the second season of Two Words with Taku. My pitch made it to the semi-finalist round out of 1000s of applications from around the world (OMG!),

So you’ve got an idea for a killer article you’d like to see in your favourite magazine? Sophie Kalagas, editor at frankie magazine shares some simple tips about how to get your submissions noticed. We recorded this episode in her lovely home and Woody...

Facing fear. Writing. More fear. Standup comedy. Zimbo politics. Aussie politics. Jokes about my Mama. Feminism. Typos in sexts. Working with kids. Developing TV characters. Running a company. Story. Creative freedom. And laughter…lots of laughter!