Join Taika Waititi, the much-loved filmmaker behind Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do In the Shadows and Thor: Ragnarok, for a hilarious lecture about starting late, taking 6 years to bring scripts to screen and the supreme difficulty of writing comedy.
Sponsored by The JJ Charitable Trust.
Listen to this talk on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/bafta/taika-wa...
Read the transcript on our website: www.bafta.org/media-centre/tr...
The Screenwriters' Lectures are presented as originally recorded. Some of the lectures may contain outdated comments or views which some listeners may find insensitive or offensive.
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#BAFTA #TaikaWaiti
What's your favourite Taika Waititi film and why? 🎥
Definitely “Boy”. His most vibrant, emotional and layered film.
BAFTA Guru I adore them all but boy holds a really special place in my heart because it’s the first Taika film that I watched after becoming a fan (What We Do In The Shadows was the first Taika (and Jemaine!) film.) With boy it’s just so obvious how passionate he is about the subject matter and that the film is totally /his/, like even though I haven’t experienced most of what the film deals with it feels so real that I can easily imagine that I’m there and empathise so much with the characters.
Thor Ragnarok - because witnessing that sized budget being trusted with his sense of humor is a truly unique scenario. And if you've seen Thor 1&2 you can see how Taika completely did a makeover on the Thor character and tone of those films. Thor went from being a boring Norse god to being the funniest marvel character. Also this is the closest I am going to get to an 80's Flash Gordon remake in this life.
I guess "Boy", as it very poetic and honest.
@@Putsim hahaha Flash Thordon
Its so refreshing to listen to filmmaker saying they started in their late 20s, Im tired of hearing about people starting when they were 8 and making me feel like shit.
Same...im doing Psychology but i want to make movies in the future and its really inspiring to know that I don’t need to have won a super 8 from my parents at the age of 5 or shit like that lol
Some of the greatest in their field started late. Jack Black didn't play guitar until his mid 20s ish, Conan O'Brien didn't do comedy until the same age. Rob Riggle was in the Marines first before acting. There's loads of them.
X2. In fact, there are many great filmmakers who started "late", and didn't even plan to be filmmakers. Some examples: Alejandro González Iñárritu, David Lynch, Bong Joon-ho, Brian De Palma, Clint Eastwood, etc.
This is NOT what you should be taking away from this. What you should take away: have a solid plan b, and most likely you won’t be a savant (like Taika - although he wrote comedy before movie making, which is the hardest to do) but you MAY be; shoot your shot… intelligently.
Notice the part where he said he got LUCKY to catch that short wave of New Zealand films. @8:45
🤣🤣🤣This man came in with a raging hangover, busted up head and absolutely no notes. I love him so much
hangover? man was still fully on. On what you ask? well, that's the game
This guys a natural entertainer.
this is the first time i have felt the interviewer has kept up with Taika's humour and managed to keep him on the subject.
he really did just improv this whole thing. I don't think it was an act, he seemed very anxious the whole time lmao
From what I’ve seen, he never brings notes to public speeches, including his Academy Awards win. I’m sure he thinks about what he wants to touch upon but that seems to be about it. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch him at the 2019 HFPA banquet and how hilariously he gets derailed by one distraction. Man oozes ADHD energy, which I’d guess is related to the lack of speech notes, as some ADHD type people would find them useless under stress.
@@crankyturtle9704 he does give me ADHD vibes as well haha
@@crankyturtle9704 I definitely think he has something similar to ADHD lol he talks over other people, dances between ideas very quickly, cites getting bored a huge motivator for his writing, loses focus, idk ahah
As a person who got a relatively late ADHD diagnoses it’s so funny to see Taika do absolutely anything because I just violently want to shake him and yell “get yourself diagnosed” because from his humor, to his movements, the way he talks and his stimming I can just recognize tiny undiagnosed me 100%. I’m glad he has found a way to live with it though that lets him use his unique experiences with life and the crazy energy outbursts to his advantage :) A true inspiration
YES YES YES YES I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO THOUGHT ABOUT THIS WHEN I JUST LOOKED AT HIS INTERVIEWS omg i love you
I hear you. when he was talking about researching Trans Ams and falling down a rabbit hole during writing, I thought: yes! He's one of us.
@@user-lv9eh5zy1d haha thanks! :D Yeah it also almost makes me angry how obvious it is and that, still, almost no one recognizes it. But honestly it just makes me love him even more because it just makes him even more relatable. He’s our Neurodivergent king 👑
@@debscooper9464 YES! I immediatly got flashbacks to that one time where I was supposed to do my history homework and I was reading a Wikipedia article as a source but my thoughts started to wander off to other historical events until I ended up reading the entire Wikipedia article about the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 for the rest of the night because I went into hyperfixation mode. Taika is truely one of us 🙏
U
No one told me that this isn't a lecture but a 70 mins straight comedy!
Everyone is trying to figure him out, and it’s fun watching them struggle. Just take in the fact you’re experiencing an artist you will never fully understand.
Nah, he's just a kiwi. We're not that complicated.
haha, very Waititi-ish response.
@John R Borges That's an odd way of saying funny and entertaining.
@John R Borges Attempting to draw illogical comparisons between the emperor's new clothes tale and an extremely successful comedian/screenwriter/director, who has time and again proven his talent, really demonstrates what a fuck-nugget you are. Regards, You'renotuniqueyoutwat
This feels like a r/Iamverysmart post in the making
i got secondhand embarrassment when the girl said she had a letter for him. but without fail taika handles awkwardness like a pro
I’m massively in love with him on every imaginable level. He’s amazing.
Taika Waititi is the coolest person alive
Haven't seen a movie from him I didn't like yet and his movies always hit different. Super unique style.
Hey man, my name is Korg. This man is a genius.
man I just love him
absolutely LOVED the question from the young lady about coming from a certain background and what one does about that because that is, unfortunately, still so important
Missed this guy. What a comedy genius 😉🤣
i was too distracted with Taika's hands doing things since the beginning of this video.😂
Love how something like someone leaving the room Taika notes it and puts it out there he has observed it and acknowledges it simple things are important
I love this man, his chaotic energy is everything
Finally got a talk from Taika about his screenwriting experience! All I need as a filmmaker ☀️
Wow
@@ashertheaudiophile1917 Indeed..
I work as a preproduction artist. And I don't what I can add to his production with my skillset but I really would want to work under him one day or in an alternate universe.
Go live in Wellington NZ and apply at Weta Studio's. They favour who you are more than what you've achieved or your credentials. From there, you'll have many doors open up. Seriously bro, just email him
This guy has me in tears for the first 2:30sec hahahahaha
He does the presentation the same way I would. Not writing anything, not bringing any visuals, and bullshitting my way through it all.
you are awesome
everything he'sever done, whether intentionally or not (pretty sure it was intentionally), has made me laugh and cry and THAT, Ladies and Gentlepeople is the real skill! Drama? yup Comedy? yeah, done Both, and with a genuine, heartfelt thing with twisted shit?! That's not easy to come by in films, especially when you do both sobbing and laughing withing 2 minutes?!
Finally, we got Taika. Previously we got...whatever we were fed.
Even the subtitles go crazy when he speaks hahah
That's a dope jacket
he is so underrated!
This has been a joy to watch.
This guys a huge influence to my sense of humour as he is very natural, quirky and offbeat.
Eagle vs shark is still one of my favorite movies :))
I really appreciate this thank you!
Great interview and great interviewer!
very great! such a wholesome and creative guy
This was the funniest! Watching that interviewee be uncomfortable and not get him at all. Carnage at its best!
A really down to earth, brilliantly funny gentleman.
you can't grasp Taika, Taika grasps you. And that is how it is supposed to be
this was honestly so helpful and so like understanding like holy shit this man is a genius
You're so right though Taika... lol so much I want to say. Yes some of us have had real shitty childhoods.. Where we had to fend out for ourselves as the adults were in la la land somewhere doing drugs or drinking etc. I know what you mean. And then there's the people who had perfect lives and they're like wtf. No they don't understand what it's like to survive on bologna sandwiches lolz. There's some comedy to this .. I know my own suffering had made me stronger as a person, writer,.. mother. I choose to be a stronger adult for my kids. When I write I also feel the world should know it's about learning and that hands on life experience. I like you Taika you always make me smile. Keep making movies sweetie. P.s I hope that you know how much of an inspiration you truly are to many. You're also my inspiration to complete my book. Not to put pressure on you lol. We love ya ..........I know right! I can't take those lil papers on the ends lol. Glad I'm not the only one. ;)~Tactics! You're brilliant! Pssst. ;) I am currently going to write after your interview. Eating lil pretzelz w a few beers. Cheers!
Bologna sandwiches, sounds real flash, We had salt and pepper on bread growing up, Well... not the pepper all the time, usually just salt, But we had some pepper too sometimes. That was real nice...
Yeah, bologna sandwiches would be on a good week. my brother and I were kept alive with cans of cream corn. Can't even look at the stuff to this day.
Ok I love that he decides where he needs to work on something because he feels uncomfortable with it.
"I came all the way from France" [the rest of them proceed to roast her]
Typical Maori, totally wings a lecture and is still great.
Honestly, this is accurate.
Wow
The dude can act like nobody else, totally nutty ! ... really looking up to such talented masters of the arts is an experience, totally brilliant guy these kids are lucky
Just say Thank-you sooo much and appreciate what's been taught 😅☺️ his name says it all, totally ruthless style.
☼ 1:03:00 writing 3 scripts 20mins at a time every hour
This guy is genius
Kia ora Mr Taititi xxxx
Pakeha need to zip it when they get the urge to criticise how we choose to express our culture. Since when should they get to decide what our Pasifika world looks/is like. Taihoa Pakeha
A oscar winning screenwriter talks about screenwriting.
this guy is fucking fascinating
The way you literally quoted his character in our flag means death two years before it came out
@@fedepa3 NAW LMAO I FORGOT ABOUT THIS COMMENT 😭😭😭 I love Ed teach born on a beach
@@NobtheBuilder_ eheh don't we all! Have a lovely week :)💕
@@fedepa3 you too gorgeous!
Cool jacket
Fookin love our Kiwi humour ♥
Does anyone know where to get that jacket lol
*ebay*
Taikas house
@@joscar062 nah trademe
Overlook hotel
టైక వటిటి గారి దర్శత్వం చాలా అద్భుతంగా ఉంటుంది...
I was expecting Korg to come on stage
I take that you didn't get a pamphlet
ohmy valhalla, please do whatwwever you want forvr Taika ('my keybard is garbageand im too "lazy" to "correct' it
What sweater is he wearing?
Watch 'Boy'....
Still sweating out some kind of exotic spirits from the night before, aka still a bit drunk.
He’s acting it out an loves all these comments 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Can anyone tell me what was the short film shown before his 'lecture'? Thanks.
2 cars one night mabye?
2 cars 1 night! He mentioned it being nominated in Oscars and then losing haha - kzhead.info/sun/lKqmkq2HlnyKe2g/bejne.html
the audience is so giddy i am so giddy
5:43
1:00
wow people got petty quick about the paris girl
She's a French girl at a British institution
New Zealanders are sorta mutant Aussies with all the wrong vowels. This guy is a genius. Go there one day its a wonderful place.
LIKE BLARDY HELL !!! We are the Mainland.
7:13 dont mind dis
6 years to write his scripts no wonder his movies are good ..
6 years to being made*
why does he remind me of tony stark?? o.O
He looks like Robert Downey jr don’t he?
Are these hosted in new york
BAFTA is a British thing so probably not
Xxi century Cantinflas!
The interviewer is acting like she's his Psychologyst lol
9:17
This is stand UP?
Wow he's so awkward. I love Taika, he makes amazing film, incredibly talented, but just self-deprecating to a fault. Even as a kiwi I feel like he's just way too 'aware'.
Is the red headed woman who asked about visuals Irish, thought I got that vibe off her accent, hard to tell
Yeah she sounds Irish to me too
@@julieluepke1952I have no memory of this, trying to find them in it now 😅
Is this before or after he left them for the new young hotness; and the story gets better 2B sure...
Old man 3-somes,the worse kind...
Little does he know he will be offered a role of a lifetime to play hitler 😆😆
This is really nothing to do with screen-writing... it's just a dude talking about his life.
Incredibly not funny but it's easier because people laugh anyway. Like when he says "BUT" and people laugh like that's a real punch line.
Lord have mercy. Self-involved attitude, uninspiring and flat out boring personality. Wake me when it’s over.
You must be a riot at parties
If u need help going to sleep I’m willing to help u bro
@@wer123456 You must be the perfect example of an fake, ass-kisser at parties.
@@audreyperson9221 Yeah? What u got for me bro
Martin M I just think people like you who feel like anyone’s gonna gain anything from saying someone is bland or self involved isn’t going to change anyone’s opinions. So if you don’t want to be around people who disagree and admire someone you don’t, feel welcome to leave :)