Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

Tesia Dhall, Project Manager: Hi! My name is Tesia Dhall. My passion lies in the film industry, which I ventured into in late 2022, beginning with a role in a short film titled “The Seed,” produced by Apex Academy of Performing Arts. This experience ignited my love for filmmaking and led me to seize various opportunities within the industry. Presently, I wear multiple hats – as a producer at Seña Pictures, a Project Manager at Apex Academy, and an Event Manager for the upcoming Third Culture Film Festival in Tauranga.

Elizabeth Montesena, Project Coordinator: I’m a partner, and I look after the company finances.

Ana Haskett, Sales Associate: I’m Ana, I wear many hats – I’m  an actress, photographer and also a sales associate for the Third Culture Film Festival!

Marcus D’Meschief, Marketing Associate: I’m the marketing associate for Third Culture Film Festival, though I have greater-ambitions than mere sales and sponsorship. I aim to be a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to the artistic performance and expression, having capability in all aspects of the film industry.

 

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in) beginning with the place of your birth?

Elizabeth: Hong Kong. Somerset, England. Lugano, Switzerland. Mount Maunganui, New Zealand.

Marcus: I was born in Whangarei (so they say), and my fleeting memory of the place was enough to fan the flames and live anywhere else. I studied at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, moved to Auckland to explore my avenues, and finally have come to Tauranga.

What are the earliest stories you remember hearing? The ones that told you about the world? 

Tesia: My mother always told me not to talk to strangers… It’s now what I do on a daily basis.

Elizabeth: Stories about my parents eloping to Shanghai, China, in the 1930s, and getting caught up in the second world war.

Marcus: The earliest I can recall are the stories I told myself in 2009, nothing before this time comes to mind. Stories of sorrow and misery, of unjust treatment and lowly deeds. I aim to explain in the due course of time.

What’s your favourite Bay of Plenty landscape, park, building, location, suburb, or side street? Why?

Tesia: The view from the top of the Mount is unbeatable, especially after the climb. Relaxing up there, looking at the ocean, brings a feeling of endless possibilities and adventures, especially during sunset/sunrise.

Elizabeth: The Mount. The Mount is not only beautiful, but it has miles of beautiful beaches, hot pools, outdoro sports, walks, and surfing.

Ana: There’s a little spot at The Strand, you walk down some stairs to a little beach area in front of some houses. I like it because it’s quiet and away from everything else but not totally isolated.

Marcus: The gorgeous foreign woods and shrubs found at Yatton Park, from which I live a stone’s throw away.

 

What’s an average day in your life at present?  

Tesia: Some things remain constant, like catching the sunrise at 6 am and hitting the gym late at night after work. Yet, truth be told, each day is a unique adventure. One day might find me on set, capturing moments; the next, engaging with potential VIP guests over the phone. I could be immersed in planning events and workshops for the acting school. Every day brings something different and exciting, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Elizabeth: As a grandmother my scheduling is split between time with our grandson, or busy working on the projects we have planned for 2024.

Marcus: Other than the humdrum of office-work, I’m currently rehearsing for a part for a Shakespearean part for early next year, with another planned for April soon
thereafter.

What initially sparked your interest in filmmaking, and how did it evolve into a career/passion?

Tesia: Like any young kid, I always dreamed of being an actor – I mean, who didn’t? However, that passion took a back seat until I crossed paths with Apex Academy of Performing Arts. Acting in my first short film reignited the flame, experiencing the thrill of being on set. My transition from acting to producing is motivated by a profound curiosity to immerse myself in and shape the diverse landscape of film creation.

Ana: When I was a kid and watching movies, I was always curious as to how they were made, and what it was like being on set. I loved looking up behind-the-scenes stuff for my favourite films, so I decided to start getting involved with acting and see where it took me.

Marcus: Games, specifically video games. I’ve been raised under the discipline of Miyazakisensei and Kojima-sensei, and the flame that flickers in the distance is what I achieve to recreate.

What music was present and still memorable from your youth/adolescence? 

Tesia: Honestly, my music taste is all over the place, but there’s one song that never loses its charm for me – ‘We Built This City’ by Starship. There’s something about it, hard to pinpoint, that just brings me joy and transports me to a happy memory. It’s definitely one of my go-to energy-boosting songs.

Elizabeth: I love to listen to classical music, so that it will live forever.

Ana: Songs by Tracey Chapman, Sheryl Crow, Eagles, Outkast and other artists like them was the kind of music I was raised on. My mum would always play their music with me in the car and I still listen to them.

Marcus: I suffer from psychogenic amnesia, which removed my foundational memories. So I cannot say for certain; likely some popular nonsense of which there’s a dime-a-dozen. I prefer the influence of Paganini, Lizst, Sarasate, Doga, Shostakovich… the list can go on, but I think this insight is sufficient to infer a cultured mind.

 

For you as a creative person, who are three influential artists or thinkers?  

Tesia: Harry Oram, Elizabeth Montesena, and, controversially, Luka Tomić! But, in all seriousness, as a motorsports enthusiast, Lewis Hamilton’s strategic mindset and adept handling of situations truly inspire me. Additionally, Susie Wolf stands out for her pivotal role in establishing opportunities for women in motorsports, championing women’s rights in the industry. Drew Barrymore, with her unwavering positivity and infectious cheerfulness, makes me aspire to embody that uplifting spirit.

Ana: Christine de Pizan: she celebrated the capabilities of women and advocated for women’s education during the renaissance. Alain de Botton: he talks about self fulfilment, relationships and failure. Shayna Klee, AKA the Purple Palace. Shayna is an artist based in Paris. She really inspired me to dream big and expand creatively. She shares a lot of positive affirmations and encouragement for young artists. She’s a big reason why I ventured into acting and decided that I wanted to take risks in my life.

Marcus: Having studied philosophy and religion, I could say those from which without their input, we would have nothing, yet this would also reveal nothing. So I shall say: Johan Huizinga, a Dutch-historian who formalized the concept of the Homo Ludens and presented it during the onset of the Twice-Great War; it explores the nature of sacred spaces, created for the display of pomp and posture, from which the laws that govern are agreed and enacted. The second would be Hideo Kojima, a prominent figure in the innovation of modern video games. Death Stranding, being his most recent release, successfully incorporates aspects of his directorial vision with the variability of play-style from the game operator(s), providing a truly unique sequence of events in a cinematic fashion. The last, but far from least, would be Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary auteur responsible for the creation of the souls-like genre. An insight into the harrowing nature of survival through the curse of existence and the potential of prosperity should the drive be sufficient to thrive.

 

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?  

Tesia: I’d climb the mount because it’s something you have to do when visiting BOP! Grab a coffee at Banana Blossom Care, love the energy and vibe in there. Knowing myself I’d probably end up at the hockey turf eventually for a hit around.

Elizabeth: I live at the Mount, so I would walk around the Mount, buy fish and chips and have it by the beach, then walk around the boardwalk.

Ana: I would go climb Mt Maunganui and have a beach day, go do some pottery at the little pottery studio in the city, and spend lots of time with my loved ones.

In one sentence, can you define creativity?

Tesia: Creativity is like a playful game in your mind, where ideas come together to make everyday thoughts a bit more interesting.

Elizabeth: Creativity is the ability to come up with innovative and valuable ideas and solutions.

Ana: Creativity is looking at the same thing as everyone else but seeing something different, drawing outside the lines, sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically, and having fun.

Marcus: The capacity for unique expression, based upon factors such as the brutality of nature and the deception of nurture.

What is missing or lacking from your Bay of Plenty community or environment?

Marcus: A venue created specifically for the cultivation of culture. There was to be something promising at the Domain, but few are inspired by change. The most would prefer to maintain the status-quo and revert all technological advancement for the appeasement of some.

Name a few films that you consider profound, moving or extraordinary? 

Ana: Cleo de 5 à 7 is a film that I really enjoyed. It was one of the first black and white films I watched. It’s about a French singer navigating her fear of death after she finds out she might have cancer.

Marcus: The Hateful Eight (2015). The Lighthouse (2019). Tenet (2020).

 

What was your first real job, second, third?

Ana: My first real job was at Countdown and after that I worked as a waitress and barista. Hospitality jobs are probably the best acting gigs you can get, haha.

Marcus: Water-reticulation waste manager. Live sound and events technician. Animal husbandry.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person? 

Tesia: Explore freely, don’t fear mistakes, follow your curiosity, and, in the wise words of Nike, just do it.

Elizabeth: Stay open minded and don’t fear failure; view it as a stepping stone to learning and refining your creative skills.

Ana: Just get stuck in and do whatever you can to feed your soul and creativity will come to you. You don’t need to be objectively good at what you love, you just need to have passion.

Marcus: Be not the same as the rest; strive to assert your difference.

What’s the biggest problem about life in New Zealand? How would you solve it?

Elizabeth: Housing affordability. Addressing it requires a comprehensive approach involving increased housing supply and support for first-time home buyers.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about your work?

Tesia: I’m genuinely open to meeting new people, expanding my network, and immersing myself in the local community. Whether it’s grabbing a coffee or having a e-chat, I’m always up for it. Let’s make some plans and connect!

Marcus: I’m currently conceptualising a short-film titled ‘Of Blood And Darkness’, which will prominently-feature the stonework & statues of graves. I’m looking to shoot the project sometime this summer, and submit it for the Third Culture Film Festival 2025.

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