THE FACES BEHIND THE SCENES
MEET THE TEAM
Company Director
DIRECTOR/D.O.P JAKE MOKOMOKO
Jake has over 16 years of experience in the television industry building a solid foundation to expand his craft and leadership capabilities. He is an experienced Director of Photography and worked on many film projects throughout New Zealand and around the world.
Adept in prominent roles in film and media has enabled Jake to transition seamlessly to the role of confident Director. Jake’s shot preferences to enhance a scene and an eye for composition is one of his many strengths.
Jake has an incredible work ethic, he is meticulous concerning his craft, independent and creative and has the strength and agility to tackle shooting in harsh environments.
In 2014 Jake formed his production company Ten Canaries at a time when he left the comfort of salary income with Maori Television to back himself as a freelance cameraman. Ever since then, he has produced and directed high-quality content
In 2018 Jake directed his first short film, Hangi Pants. This film was chosen as an official entry of the Oscar Academy accredited, Show me Shorts Festival and it won the Peoples Choice Award.
Ten Canaries most recent project " STOLEN LANDS | Betrayal of a Chief " . Jake Mokomoko | Te Whakatōhea, Te Rarawa, Te Arawa and Tūhoe, is a direct descendant of Chief Mokomoko who takes a role as Director and Narrator for of the series. He not only brings his lineage to this project but a vision which translates his personal creative flare to the screen through his directing. Jake has a very distinct and cinematic style to all projects that carry his brand, Mokomoko Films, through his production company Ten Canaries. He is a master of capturing beautiful moments and powerful imagery, which is on full display through the Kaupapa “Stolen Lands”. He has a depth of knowledge garnered from over 18 years in the film and television industry in both local and international markets. As a Director of Photography Jake has accumulated many credits with some of the biggest broadcasters on a global platform, taking him around the world many times over. Jake's latest outing as a director for the project Stolen Lands will become a benchmark for New Zealand documentary cinema. Jake is a visionary with a passion for his craft who is taking leaps towards mastering the art of directing.
Company Director
WRITER/PRODUCER CLAIRE VARLEY
Claire is a proficient writer and researcher but always willing to learn more about both. Her first debut into scriptwriting, she wrote the script for a movie, Hangi Pants, based on a memory of her mother’s past and this film had significant success in New Zealand and Australia. She was very proud that this film won the Peoples Choice awards at two prestigious festivals.
A producer, assistant director and production manager, Claire brings a wealth of knowledge and practicality to the table. As a team leader at Ten Canaries Ltd, a company formed in 2014 by her partner, Claire is tasked with the delivery of content with requires dedication and persistent background research.
Claire's ability to develop and grow new and existing relationships with clients and partner organizations has in no small way helped Ten Canaries Ltd to thrive.
Claire is adept at bringing a story to life with imagination and creative insight where storytelling is concerned. Claire understands the complexity required to ensure smooth delivery and completion of the project.
STILLS PHOTOGRAPHER THERESA BARNES
Theresa is a highly organised commercial video and stills editor with a background in TV production. She has a broad range of experience on film and TV sets. Theresa is a reliable team player with a can-do attitude, who is passionate about the creative collaboration of any production small or big. Editor of “Hangi Pants”, the opening film at the Academy Awards-accredited Show Me Shorts Film Festival and winner of the peoples choice award at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival.
Theresa has expertise in Pre-production organisation and planning of shoot logistics, production, photography, videography, post-production and image/video editing on photoshop, capture one, Premiere pro and final cut.
Theresa has a post-graduate degree in media and information systems from the University of Applied Science Offenburg, Germany
2000 - 2005
Contact:theresa.barn3s@gmail.com
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WRITER/SCRIPT CONSULTANT EMMA POWER
Emma’s first foray into screenwriting began at just 19 when, having graduated from film college in Ireland, a short film she wrote called ‘Freddy’s Blues’ was screened at the Cork Film Festival back in 2000. Having worked with an independent production company for a number of years, she went back to college to study journalism and worked as an entertainment journalist for a variety of newspapers and magazines in Ireland before emigrating to New Zealand in 2013.
Scriptwriting was always the dream and with more time to write at home raising three children, Emma spent her spare time perfecting her craft, completing an online Television spec scriptwriting course through the New York Film Academy and most recently graduating from UCLA professional writing for a TV program. Her ‘Grace and Frankie’ spec script entitled ‘The Party’ placed in second place out of 5,000 entries in the US-based Fresh Voices screenwriting competition, garnering the attention of agents and managers in LA.
Emma worked as a script consultant on the short NZ made film ‘Hangi Pants’, produced by Papamoa based Ten Canaries production company. ‘Hangi Pants’, a comedy, premiered at the Oscar-accredited Show Me Shorts Film Festival, winning the People’s Choice award and winning the same award at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival. In 2021, ‘Hangi Pants’ will be screened around the globe, representing New Zealand in a number of international film festivals.