- Hot Rob - nearly complete!: dated 02 Feb 2012
This year's most anticipated action-comedy epic short film "Hot Rob" is nearing completion, and Tom's score is all but mixed. Still to be recorded are the majestic and powerful 'Rob Choir' who will undoubtedly bring another whole layer of pathos to this extraordinary saga. Check out the latest Production Diary to see how Tom and the film's producers confront the development challenges of this unique film. Hot Rob Production Diary No.12 "Hot Rob" is the story of one man - car salesman Rob Hart, and his love for nubile car-yard receptionist Anna, which leads him into and out of danger, and then back into it again - culminating in a spectacular and destructive finale on Wellington's waterfront that is indeed quite 'Hot'. Hot Rob will premiere very soon...
Visit the "Hot Rob" Facebook page at: HOT-ROB-THE-MOVIE
- Dr Grordbort's "The Deadliest Game": dated 27 Nov 2011
Tom has just completed the score for award winning director James Cunningham's latest film "Dr. Grordbort's presents: The Deadliest Game". Working with advanced 3D production students at the Media Design School, Cunningham has created a short film for the globally recognised property Dr. Grordbort's, with full support from Greg Broadmore (creator) and Richard Taylor (co-owner of Stardog and Weta Workshop). The film stars Geoff Houtman and Morgana O'Reilly, and will be viewable online from December.
Media Design School article about the project
- Last Dogs selected for IDFA: dated 01 Nov 2011
"The Last Dogs Of Winter" has been selected for the prestigious International Documentary Festival - Amsterdam. One of the leading doco festivals in the world, the IDFA has been held annually since 1988. Director Costa Botes and one of the featured players in the film Caleb Ross, will travel to Amsterdam this month to present the film.
- Standing Ovation for Last Dogs at Toronto Festival: dated 12 Sep 2011
"New Zealand documentary feature The Last Dogs of Winter, debuted in Toronto yesterday afternoon to a capacity audience that gave director/producer Costa Botes and film subjects Brian Ladoon and Caleb Ross a standing ovation when they took the stage for the film's post-screening Q&A session..." see more http://www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/standing-ovation-nz-doco-international-film-festival/5/101059 See Variety review... http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117946023/
- Toronto Festival selection!: dated 04 Aug 2011
Costa Botes' new film 'The Last Dogs Of Winter' has been selected for the Toronto International Film Festival. The film featuring actor Caleb Ross (The Tribe) explores the quest of Canadian Brian Ladoon to save one of the rarest breeds of dog on the planet - the Canadian Eskimo Dog (or Qimmiq). Tom is currently composing the score... http://www.voxy.co.nz/entertainment/nz-film-rare-dogs-toronto-festival/5/97062
- Duncan's Lady - German romance film: dated 22 Jul 2011
Tom just completed his 4th feature this year - another Emile Richards adaptation 'Duncan's Lady' (working title), set in Puhoi, Northland. The score and songs were written intensively in a little over 3 weeks, and feature the beautiful vocal talents of Lisa Tomlins, Esther Melody and Louis Baker.
- More German romance on 'Whiskey Island': dated 22 Jun 2011
Tom has just completed the score for romance tele-feature 'Whiskey Island' (working title), based on the novel by American author Emilie Richards. It will screen on Germany's ZDF later this year.
- Daytime Tiger: dated 21 Jun 2011
Costa Botes latest doco Daytime Tiger, which Tom scored alongside Harley Green, is screening at the 2011 NZ International Film Festival. It's a portrait of New Zealand writer Michael Morrissey – an up-close encounter with an extremely intelligent man in the grip of bipolar disorder. It’s also a harrowing portrait of marriage vows tested to the extreme. http://costabotes.com/daytime-tiger/
- Western feature "Netherwood": dated 09 May 2011
Tom has just completed the score for Kiwi western feature film 'Netherwood'. Starring Owen Black, Will Hall, Miriama Smith, Mick Innes, Peter McCauley and Peter Rowley, the film was shot in the stunning Waipara district of North Canterbury. It's the story of a man who enters the small country town Netherwood and unwittingly inherits a prime piece of land coveted by a local wealthy landowner. What ensues is a conflict over land driven by a primal battle between men for power and dominance. http://netherwoodmovie.wordpress.com/
- German romance film : dated 09 Mar 2011
Tom has just completed scoring the romance-adventure tele-feature "Sehnsucht nach Paradise Island", based on the novel by American author Emilie Richards 'Das Geheimnis des Opals' ('The Secret Of The Opal'). A Germany / NZ co-production starring Liane Forestieri, Wayne Carpendale and Helmut Zierl, and Kiwi actors Michelle Leuthart and Peter McAuley, the film was shot in Wellington, New Zealand, and airs on ZDF (Germany) in April.
- Candyman selected for U.S. Documentary Channel's Top Premieres: dated 03 Dec 2010
After screening on The Documentary Channel in the U.S during Thanksgiving weekend, Candyman has been selected as one of The Doc Channel's 2010 Top Premieres. During the month of December, the channel will re-screen the top premieres from throughout the year each night at 8pm, with Candyman screening on Christmas night! Of the 31 “Best of Doc” films, the Documentary of the Year will be selected by an online public vote as part of a sweepstakes. You can vote here: http://documentarychannel.com/sweepstakes
- Alone Against The Tasman: dated 28 Oct 2010
Tom has just completed scoring a doco for Gibson Group, about trans-Tasman solo rower Shaun Quincey. It follows his remarkable journey from Australia to New Zealand - only the second person to row the crossing solo, more than 30 years after his father Colin crossed the Tasman in the opposite direction. It will screen on TV1 Wednesday 11th November at 9:30pm. Watch online:
http://tvnz.co.nz/real-life/s2010-alone-against-tasman-video-3887588
- "Lost In Wonderland" wins two Qantas Awards: dated 20 Sep 2010
Lost In Wonderland picked up the award for BEST POPULAR DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES at the Qantas 2010 Film & Television Awards. It also won BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY DOCUMENTARY/FACTUAL - a pretty good haul for a mostly self-funded doco (unfortunately there is no music award in the documentary category!)
- Tom's work selected for NZSO broadcast recording: dated 24 Aug 2010
The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will record Tom's piece 'A Hero's Tale' again in September 2010 - this time for Radio New Zealand. It is one of only 6 works being recorded for this years September SOUNZ Readings chosen from previous years readings, and will be a broadcast standard recording.
- ONFILM Magazine - review of Candyman: dated 21 Jul 2010
Check out this link: http://www.onfilm.co.nz/editorial.asp?EditorialID=52109&src=H
Also, read ONFILM interview with director Costa Botes about the making of Candyman http://www.archivesearch.co.nz/default.aspx?webid=ONF&articleid=51597
- Candyman to screen at New Zealand International Film Festival: dated 06 Jul 2010
"Candyman: The David Klein Story" has been selected to screen at the NZIFF in 2010. It will play at Wellington's Paramount Theatre on July 19th at 6pm.
- Candyman to screen at 'Hot Docs' in Toronto: dated 30 Mar 2010
Candyman has been selected to screen at the "Hot Docs" Festival in Toronto in May 2010, after a rapturous reception at it's premiere at "Slamdance" in Utah in January.
- Pavlova Western: dated 01 Sep 2009
Tom is currently writing the score for the feature film "The Sun Sets West" - a western shot in NZ, directed by Mike Wallis and starring Cohen Holloway and Inge Rademeyer.
- New TV show "One Night Only" : dated 21 Jul 2009
Tom has just completed filming as Music Director for the new TVNZ entertainment series "One Night Only". The show which features song, dance and a live studio orchestra, is due to air in late 2009.
- Candyman: dated 07 Jul 2009
Scoring work has just begun for Costa Botes new film about David Klein - the man who invented the "Jellybelly jellybean". The film featuring, Weird Al Yankovich, follows the rise and rise of one of America's most most iconic candies, while it's creator reveals the personal cost for him and his family in this sweet'n sour doco-feature.
- NZ International Film Festival: dated 15 Jun 2009
Lost In Wonderland will feature in this year's NZ International Film Festival, with screenings at Wellington's Paramount and NZ Film Archive, and at Auckland's Academy theatre, between July 19-25.
http://www.nzff.co.nz/default.aspx?id=7522®ion=1
- "Lost In Wonderland": dated 22 Mar 2009
Tom has just completed the score for this feature documentary directed by Zoe McIntosh and produced by Costa Botes. The film explores the life of the colourful and controversial figure Rob Moodie, and his journey from abandoned child to cop, public figure, farmer and crusading lawyer.
- Tommy Love's Valentine Spectacular!: dated 22 Feb 2009
Tom's uniquely cheesy lounge persona - the Las Vegas sensation Tommy Love, made an unforgettable appearance on Wellington's waterfront this Valentines day. The show featured a cast of 34 including showgirls, hiphop dancers, rollerskaters and some of of NZ's finest musicians in a musical comedy extravaganza like no other. See photos at: http://alanpix.blogspot.com/
- NZ Symphony Orchestra to record Tom's music: dated 22 Jan 2009
Tom's orchestral score "Cut To: Music" was selected to be recorded at the SOUNZ/NZSO Readings in September 2009. The work which was commissioned for a short film competition, was premiered by the Auckland Philharmonia in 2008. It will be conducted by Ben Northey from Australia. - Luke Buda Album: dated 07 Oct 2008
Tom has just arranged strings for Luke Buda's soon to be released single "My Imminent Demise", from the upcoming album "Vesuvius". - CUT TO: MUSIC Short Film Competition: dated 22 Aug 2008
In April, Tom was commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to write the score for an innovative new film competition - where contestants had to create a film inspired by his score. The winning film was Eden by Oran Franco, and the film was screened at the recent A Night At The Movies concert at the Aotea Centre, with the Orchestra (conducted by Brett Kelly) playing the music live to the film.
View TV3 news item. View TV9 news item - Amazing Extraordinary Friends – Series 3: dated 22 Jul 2008
Tom is currently completing the music for Series 3 of AEF - which promises to be more epic than ever. - NZ Premiere of The Last Five Years – the off-Broadway hit musical.: dated 22 May 2008
In May Tom was Music Director and Pianist for this two-handed stage musical - starring Sarah Lineham and Nigel Edgecombe. The score includes beautiful orchestrations for violin, 2 cellos, piano, guitar and bass.
