Vincent Ward a director study

Vincent Warda director study

By Oliver Ryan

Early years• Born 1956 Greytown, youngest child• Art degree at the Ilam School of Fine

Arts Christchurch.• => Led to (first) film “A state of

seige”• Had no permanent residence in the

80’s• Originally an illustrator

Filmography• A state of seige- 1978, produced by Timothy white written by Ward. • In spring one plants alone- 1981, produced by Ward and written =

(documentary). • Vigil- 1984, produced by John Maynard Productions, co-written by

Ward, Graeme Tetley• The Navigator- 1998, produced by John Maynard Productions,

written by Vincent Ward, Kely Lyons, Geoff Chapple• Map of the human heart- 1993, written by Louis Nowra. Working

Title Films, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, Australian Film Finance Corporation

• What Dreams May Come- 1998, written by  Ronald Bass, Interscope Communications.

• River queen – 2005, written by Ward, Silverscreen Films/The Film Consortium.

• Rain of the children- 2008, written by Ward, Forward Films.

Favourite co-workers• Alun Bollinger- camera man. Director

of photography on A state of seige, In spring one plants alone, and Vigil.

• “With Vigil we spent several weeks just sitting down, pencil in hand, drawing up the images.”

• Jack Body- sound on In spring.. and Vigil.

Preferred film styles/themes

• Isolation• Intense emotions- through colours,

etc• Hand-held camera• “Invisible camera” or documentary

style• Minimalist

music• Often uses

colour schemes t to express emotion, such a as Vigil, River Queen.

Current projects• Currently, Ward is focused on more

traditional art, especially painting and sculpture.

Impact on society• First NZ film to Cannes (Vigil).• “What dreams may come”

nominated for best production design and best visual effect at Academy Awards.

• Order of New Zealand Merit award (2007).

• Only step in Hollywood was his Aliens 3 and Last Samurai screenwriting- stayed true to his roots.

Notable Awards• Silver Hugo Award, Chicago Festival, 1978, for A State of

Siege;• Silver Hugo Award, Chicago Festival, 1980, for In Spring One

Plants Alone; • Grand Prix Award, Prades Festival, Grand Prix Award, Madrid

Festival, and Best Film, Imag Fic Festival, all 1984, all for Vigil; • Australian Film Awards, Best Picture and Best Director, 1988,

for The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey.

Bibliography

• http://vincentwardfilms.com/vw/biography/• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911910/• http://www.art-newzealand.com/Issues21to3

0/ward.htm• http://www.art-newzealand.com/Issues21to3

0/ward.htm