Robert Johnson is a Napier writer easily identified by his left-handedness, Byronic good looks and unique brand of gentle misanthropy. He is well known in the city for his two and a half year stint as General Manager of the Hawkes Bay SPCA. While there, Robert oversaw major renovations to the Animal Centre, established an award-winning opportunity shop Fetch! and also assisted in the formation of two Animal Ethics Committees in the region.
A life-long cinéphile, Robert first became interested in screenwriting when his sister worked as a film critic for the local rag. Since 2008 he has been developing Silvertops as a feature film script, in collaboration with Christopher Webb.
In 2009, his short film script The Right Man for the Job (also co-written with Webb) was a Finalist in the NZWG Final Draft Short Film Script competition.
When not hunched over a laptop, Robert can often be found wandering aimlessly along Westshore beach with his dog, armchair philosophising or indulging in his enthusiasm for video-games. He also works as a creative talent on the Campaign Executive of his local Labour list-MP.
Roberts cynicism is kept in check by his beautiful partner Emma, their dog Stanley and Ralph the cat.
Robert is a member of the New Zealand Writers Guild.
Matthew Grainger [insert blurb about Matt here.]
Catherine Juniot is a Film Producer and Entertainment Lawyer with over 10 years' experience working in the NZ and International Film and Television Industries. Catherine is currently producing a short film, Pacific Dreams, and three feature films through her company, Inspire Films: Make a Joyful Noise, Silvertops and The Pilgrim.
Apart from working on her own projects, Catherine is a Freelance Legal & Business Affairs Advisor to the NZ Film and Television Industries. In this capacity, she has worked for the award-winning website NZ On Screen; as well as alongside director Yvonne Mackay on Kaitangata Twitch, a 13-part childrens television series. Catherine also worked alongside producers on Home by Christmas directed by Gaylene Preston.
Catherine returned to NZ in early 2008 after two years in France where she was Associate Producer on an independent film, Inconceivable, which was developed in France and shot in London and Las Vegas, with an ensemble cast including Andie MacDowell, Jennifer Tilly, Kerry Fox, and Colm Feore.
Prior to going overseas, Catherine was Business Affairs Manager at the NZ Film Commission during which time she played a key role in the financing, contracting, selling and production monitoring of the following feature films: The Worlds Fastest Indian, Number 2, Black Sheep, Siones Wedding, Eagle vs Shark and Out of the Blue.
Previous positions held by Catherine include: Project Manager for SPADA; Production Manager (Television Commercials) for Catalyst Productions; Floor Manager for Sky Sport; Human Resources Advisor for Garon Bonvalot (France) and Solicitor specialising in Employment Law for Cullen Law.
Catherine has a BA/LLB from Victoria University of Wellington; was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the High Court of New Zealand in 1997; graduated from the Avalon Film and TV School in Wellington in 1989; and was an Executive Member and Treasurer of Women in Film and Television (WIFT) Wellington in 2008/2009/2010.
