There is something oh so sweet about being assigned a job - to interview someone who is not only part of the same community, but someone you attended the same school with - it’s pretty spesh! To kick-start Rialto’s month of ‘Made in NZ’ films, I got to interview the super talented Zoe McIntosh about her latest film, The Deadly Ponies Gang. I’m a big fan of Zoe, who has seemingly accomplished so much already – just take a look at her portfolio. Her work has varied from politically charged short film to directing heartfelt real life stories for some of New Zealand’s top advertising agencies.
There is something oh so sweet about being assigned a job - to interview someone who is not only part of the same community, but someone you attended the same school with - it’s pretty spesh! To kick-start Rialto’s month of ‘Made in NZ’ films, I got to interview the super talented Zoe McIntosh about her latest film, The Deadly Ponies Gang. I’m a big fan of Zoe, who has seemingly accomplished so much already – just take a look at her portfolio. Her work has varied from politically charged short film to directing heartfelt real life stories for some of New Zealand’s top advertising agencies.
Deadly Ponies is the story of the bromance between best buddies Clint and Dwayne who get around on blinged out horses on the West coast of Auckland - Clint organises a fundraiser to help Dwayne get some teeth. I loved this film for its blast of raw kiwi culture and its way too many laugh out loud moments. The film premiered last year at the New Zealand International Film Festival and has since screened in Amsterdam, New York and Houston where it won Best Comedy at the 2014 Houston Comedy Film Festival.
Zoe – loved your film! How did you discover the story?
I was immediately intrigued when one day Clint showed me photos of his best mate (Dwayne) amongst a sea of miniature ponies, pulling D.P.G gang signs and grinning an unforgettable toothless smile. I loved this off beat horsey world, their tight friendship and hearing the extraordinary lengths in which Clint was going to go, to get his best mate a new set of teeth.
Clint and Dwayne are something else! How accessible or perhaps, receptive were they to letting you and your crew film them?
Yep, they were extremely receptive and into having a film crew around. The spirit on set was always fun, collaborative and inclusive.
And, how did you manage to be there to capture the moments?
We managed to capture ‘the moments’ because we knew what we were there to shoot and we were hanging out filming a hell of a lot. That much time together meant we were bound to strike gold at some point.
How important do you think characters are to a story? Or how important is the subject to a story?
To be honest, the story structure of this film is like a poorly pieced together patchwork blanket. Given this, I believe the charm and success of the film is very much due to the combination of extraordinary characters and the unusual dilemma at the heart of it - will Dwayne get a new set of teeth or not.
As filmmakers, they say ‘we make sense of things in our own lives through our work’. Do you feel you do that?
Although The Deadly Ponies Gang is by no means a deeply serious film, I wanted to explore and encapsulate some core values and themes that I feel are important and interesting. One of these is the idea that we should celebrate people who walk to the beat of their own drum. Clint and Dwayne are what some might clarify as ‘on the fringes’, but this is what makes them massively refreshing, witty and entertaining! It kills me when people dismiss others too quickly, simply due to how they look, talk or act. They miss out on so much GOLD. I also wanted to make a film that reminded people, you don’t need money to show you care for them. Part of Clint’s charm is that he’s consistently creating and constructing gifts and events to show people he loves or appreciates them. Often these acts of kindness are painful fails, but they’re also extremely creative, admirable and endearing. Hopefully he inspires people to go do something cool and thoughtful for the people they care for.
I noticed your name was down as the ‘Horse jump double’ … you obviously know a bit about horses… how would you say you connect to the subject of the film?
Ha, good detective work. I was one of those annoying kids obsessed with horses. Disgusting really. But it exposed me to a world that was upright and full of comedy to draw from. I guess for this reason I connected with Mel (the pony club chick in the film).
From pre-production to post - how long did the process take? Being your first feature, what challenges did you come across?
Due to the fact that it was entirely self-funded, it took much longer to make than the usual film. It relied on me making money first, before we could shoot, and then we’d do a few scenes over our weekends. It took nearly a year to complete on and off. The process was pretty organic. Not much research just a ‘get stuck into it and shoot it’ approach. Find the material and story as we go kind of thing.
The biggest challenge for me was trying to do too much - directing, producing, sound, marketing and distribution. For my next film, I’d like to stick to just directing. But I suspect I’m dreaming – haha.
What comments can you make about the existing documentary funding industry in New Zealand?
Although there seems to be a hunger to watch our local stories, it’s so hard to get funding for one off, independent docos. The networks seem to just want series about cooking or people losing weight. These subjects aren’t my bag to be honest. So yeah, I would say documentary funding in NZ is extremely difficult/ virtually impossible for the types of stories that I want to tell.
I’ve looked at your website and love your work - you have an impressive portfolio… how did you get into writing and directing for television and film?
Thanks. I studied at Canterbury University for four years and majored in film. When I left Uni, based on the short films I made while studying, I was lucky to have some good breaks. This meant I could quickly jump into directing docos for TV and the Museum. However, I soon discovered how hard it is to make a living from documentaries, so I changed course and I now direct commercials as well.
Why do you think documentary is important – why should we make documentaries?
I feel NZ documentaries are very important and we should make an effort to support and go see them. They capture our contemporary culture and people, and I think there’s something really special about experiencing life in another person’s shoes.
Where do you think the NZ film industry is heading?
I’m optimistic. Dave Gibson, at the New Zealand Film Commission, is an energetic force with a good business brain on him. He knows the New Zealand film industry well. So hopefully he’ll rark it up and support some great new films.
Do you have any advice for up and coming filmmakers in this country?
Go out and experience life, culture and people in all their delicious facets. Most of my stories come from genuine fascination and curiosity into unfamiliar worlds - gangs, caravan parks and brave characters. Just go out and explore.
This article - http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/09/04/werner-herzog-advice-to-filmmakers/ - by Werner Herzog is a great read for up and coming filmmakers.
As Deadly Ponies is your feature debut, we are excited to see what you come up with next – no pressure – ;)
Have you any other projects you’re working on at the moment?
I’m currently working on a short film, which is funded by the New Zealand film commission, several doco ideas and I’ve become obsessed with Magicians?! Which has led me to organising a gig with Magicians, musicians and cocktails. Not a film as such, but a project that I’m pretty excited about.