Producer for Festival-Style Doco Film

I am an independent filmmaker based in Christchurch, with an MA in scriptwriting, a degree in filmmaking and years' worth of practical experience in the field. I've been working on the script for a documentary on Christchurch history and culture, using the occasion of the earthquake to examine the city's origins and its inner life. The project also asks questions as to the city's rebirth and future.

The script uses the techniques of psychogeography pioneered by artists such as Iain Sinclair, Patrick Keiller and Will Self to provide a unique picture of a city's spirit and meaning. As the reader may suspect from such a description, this project is less of a straight doco-style explanation (there are already plenty of those, many of them excellent) and more of an intimate, poetic exploration of what cities mean to their inhabitants. The project is aimed at a festival-type audience and explores universal themes such as urban life, modernity, community and myth: just as a psychogeographic history such as the graphic novel From Hell appeals to audiences far beyond its London locale, so this project is aimed at drawing in audiences with an interest in the themes explored, wherever they may be found. A sample chapter can be downloaded below to help get a better idea of the project's aims.

I'm currently seeking a producer to help bring this project to fruition. I have extensive notes as to how I intend to shoot and direct the picture. I have been in touch with local musicians and voiceover actors. I've been conducting preliminary photography for the piece but suspect that I may not be the person capable of bringing the best possible imagery to the piece.

I'm seeking a producer, then, to help bring the project to the production stage and beyond, and to discuss how to craft the work I've done so far into a product worthy of putting out there and getting seen. Other avenues of discussion might include festival criteria to work toward or avenues for securing funding and publicity.

I can't offer payment but I believe this project is one that, handled correctly, could be worthwhile and even profitable. I'd love to discuss what ideas you as a prospective producer might have for the work.