Don’t be too surprised to hear that in the heart of the Waikato there is a collection of talented writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, cutting their own path away from the main centers of Auckland and Wellington.  They share their unique voices and stories which speak to a lot of New Zealanders.

I was lucky enough to get to talk with Scott Granville from Chasing Time English.  I was curious to find out more about his journey as a writer, director and producer, how he has taken his creative drive and matched it with business opportunity to make something the gave him a vehicle to create and earn money,  something we all are searching for as working creatives.

Masters of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing graduate from Waikato University, Scott set up production company Chasing Time with his film making partner and cinematographer Ben Woollen in 2008.   Together they have won a series of awards with many of their short films.

2013 Show Me Shorts Film Festival (New Zealand)
People's Choice Award

Serve and Protect

2014 High Desert International Film Festival (United States)

Audience Choice Award

Serve and Protect

2014 Red Dirt Film Festival (USA) – Nominated for Best Comedy

Serve and Protect

2015 World Film Awards (Indonesia)  – Golden Award – Winner

Paths We Walk (short film documentary)

2016 Skyline Independent Film Festival (USA)  – Best Screenplay

Breakery (short film comedy)

2016 Winner Red Dirt Film Festival (USA) – Nominated for Best Comedy

Breakery (short film comedy)

2018 PIEONEER Awards  (UK) – Digital Innovation of the Year - Finalist

Fortune (TV series drama)

Scott and Ben have found a unique gap in the market and  moved their productions into the world of education, making short series specifically for learners and teachers of the English language.

What we hope to do is to push dramatic narrative as a viable way for students to either learn independently, or for teachers to use alongside communicative based classroom activities. Scott Granville on production company Chasing Time English, ELTjam website, 27 November 2017

Now in their 5th season and going from strength to strength Scott talks about  his plans for the future and how his full length feature still remains an important goal for him and Ben.  Find out more about the Chasing Time English team here.

Hopefully my next guest will be his producing partner and cinematographer Ben Wollen,  if I can drag him away from his tight filming schedule!