Taika Waititi | BAFTA Screenwriters' Lecture Series

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 Some of the lectures may contain outdated comments or views which some listeners may find insensitive or offensive.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

[@baftaguru]

What's your favourite Taika Waititi film and why? 🎥

[@volcancism.a.d6010]

Definitely “Boy”. His most vibrant, emotional and layered film.

[@bellarose5296]

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.

[@Putsim]

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.

[@hasde_fo]

I guess "Boy", as it very poetic and honest.

[@joscar062]

@@Putsim hahaha Flash Thordon

[@eyedeasneverdie3348]

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.

[@jessica5497]

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

[@TheMijman]

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.

[@Almanzar_]

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.

[@shumayelkhan8154]

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.

[@shumayelkhan8154]

Notice the part where he said he got LUCKY to catch that short wave of New Zealand films. @8:45

[@finnhonrinevideography9760]

🤣🤣🤣This man came in with a raging hangover, busted up head and absolutely no notes. I love him so much

[@pia91]

hangover? man was still fully on. On what you ask? well, that's the game

[@cjstryder5441]

This guys a natural entertainer.

[@kenjigathecha]

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.

[@dannyg1392]

he really did just improv this whole thing. I don't think it was an act, he seemed very anxious the whole time lmao

[@crankyturtle9704]

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.

[@dannyg1392]

@@crankyturtle9704 he does give me ADHD vibes as well haha

[@herb_rolls3929]

@@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

[@joyallobo3354]

No one told me that this isn't a lecture but a 70 mins straight comedy!

[@lara3540]

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

[@user-lv9eh5zy1d]

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

[@debscooper9464]

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.

[@lara3540]

@@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 👑

[@lara3540]

@@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 🙏

[@isabelramirez2071]

U

[@j.jmarlon1417]

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.

[@bradenrodriguez5183]

Nah, he's just a kiwi. We're not that complicated.

[@j.jmarlon1417]

haha, very Waititi-ish response.

[@kimiorahenry179]

@John R Borges That's an odd way of saying funny and entertaining.

[@evangelionaddict8212]

@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

[@JarbsAt]

This feels like a r/Iamverysmart post in the making

[@coolecology75]

i got secondhand embarrassment when the girl said she had a letter for him. but without fail taika handles awkwardness like a pro

[@marielavalon]

I’m massively in love with him on every imaginable level. He’s amazing.

[@TopShelfization]

Haven't seen a movie from him I didn't like yet and his movies always hit different. Super unique style.

[@Petepeatpeet]

Taika Waititi is the coolest person alive

[@talinehowse1953]

man I just love him

[@BSJINTHEHOUSE420]

Hey man, my name is Korg. This man is a genius.

[@stacyrakatairi-herewini5306]

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

[@pia91]

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

[@xanderholland6086]

He does the presentation the same way I would. Not writing anything, not bringing any visuals, and bullshitting my way through it all.

[@Ankeneering]

you are awesome

[@nothajzl]

Missed this guy. What a comedy genius 😉🤣

[@viovipar]

i was too distracted with Taika's hands doing things since the beginning of this video.😂

[@ThomasMendenhall]

This guy has me in tears for the first 2:30sec hahahahaha

[@aadrienne33]

I love this man, his chaotic energy is everything

[@jolana_]

Finally got a talk from Taika about his screenwriting experience! All I need as a filmmaker ☀️

[@ashertheaudiophile1917]

Wow

[@ArabKatib]

@@ashertheaudiophile1917 Indeed..

[@aditi013]

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.

[@organikness]

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

[@pia91]

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?!

[@mohammedalifazal8495]

This has been a joy to watch.

[@oliviagiles]

Typical Maori, totally wings a lecture and is still great.

[@KiedisHaze]

Honestly, this is accurate.

[@ashertheaudiophile1917]

Wow

[@MsRockstella]

I really appreciate this thank you!

[@brukehintsa2207]

This guys a huge influence to my sense of humour as he is very natural, quirky and offbeat.

[@AdzzCx]

very great! such a wholesome and creative guy

[@RomekTheCreator]

Great interview and great interviewer!

[@May04bwu]

Even the subtitles go crazy when he speaks hahah

[@jacindahalcrow3291]

Finally, we got Taika. Previously we got...whatever we were fed.

[@wjnhui]

this was honestly so helpful and so like understanding like holy shit this man is a genius

[@JohnWick-np3ww]

he is so underrated!

[@pia91]

you can't grasp Taika, Taika grasps you. And that is how it is supposed to be

[@mwstriker98]

That's a dope jacket

[@nicholasdickens2801]

A really down to earth, brilliantly funny gentleman.

[@Hashslingingslasher-]

Eagle vs shark is still one of my favorite movies :))

[@atlantiasea4315]

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!

[@TJL1093]

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...

[@ASTesanovic]

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.

[@florencinemarearai-nash]

This was the funniest! Watching that interviewee be uncomfortable and not get him at all. Carnage at its best!

[@TrappedinSLC]

Ok I love that he decides where he needs to work on something because he feels uncomfortable with it.

[@JCResDoc94]

☼ 1:03:00 writing 3 scripts 20mins at a time every hour

[@AndrewNation13]

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

[@AndrewNation13]

Just say Thank-you sooo much and appreciate what's been taught 😅☺️ his name says it all, totally ruthless style.

[@hallease]

"I came all the way from France" [the rest of them proceed to roast her]

[@Thecinesthetic]

This guy is genius

[@eastchchkea6475]

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

[@rakshith_4eal]

A oscar winning screenwriter talks about screenwriting.

[@dosomething4800]

టైక వటిటి గారి దర్శత్వం చాలా అద్భుతంగా ఉంటుంది...

[@sloakz]

Kia ora Mr Taititi xxxx

[@dawnezone8491]

Fookin love our Kiwi humour ♥

[@thresholdguardian1174]

Cool jacket

[@summerjams3650]

ohmy valhalla, please do whatwwever you want forvr Taika ('my keybard is garbageand im too "lazy" to "correct' it

[@Johnny-pi7xf]

What sweater is he wearing?

[@matygol01]

I was expecting Korg to come on stage

[@Jamac007]

I take that you didn't get a pamphlet

[@NobtheBuilder_]

this guy is fucking fascinating

[@fedepa3]

The way you literally quoted his character in our flag means death two years before it came out

[@NobtheBuilder_]

@@fedepa3 NAW LMAO I FORGOT ABOUT THIS COMMENT 😭😭😭 I love Ed teach born on a beach

[@fedepa3]

@@NobtheBuilder_ eheh don't we all! Have a lovely week :)💕

[@NobtheBuilder_]

@@fedepa3 you too gorgeous!

[@kathchristian6781]

Watch 'Boy'....

[@MK-pg6cc]

Can anyone tell me what was the short film shown before his 'lecture'? Thanks.

[@fuckyshityfuckshit]

2 cars one night mabye?

[@OliviaGriselda]

2 cars 1 night! He mentioned it being nominated in Oscars and then losing haha - kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3fQk3yFlK-HfpI

[@stefanos1602]

Does anyone know where to get that jacket lol

[@joscar062]

*ebay*

[@reubencommons8818]

Taikas house

[@steinhuysegems4608]

@@joscar062 nah trademe

[@davbooms]

Overlook hotel

[@wilwilson8146]

Still sweating out some kind of exotic spirits from the night before, aka still a bit drunk.

[@Paris45627]

He’s acting it out an loves all these comments 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@snehaseema1179]

the audience is so giddy i am so giddy

[@anEyePhil]

New Zealanders are sorta mutant Aussies with all the wrong vowels. This guy is a genius. Go there one day its a wonderful place.

[@LadyOaksNZ]

LIKE BLARDY HELL !!! We are the Mainland.

[@gyanchudasama4412]

wow people got petty quick about the paris girl

[@lnfreeman]

She's a French girl at a British institution

[@kienstar7]

5:43

[@cameronkauhega2962]

6 years to write his scripts no wonder his movies are good ..

[@shumayelkhan8154]

6 years to being made*

[@mrd168]

1:00

[@mikazvis6231]

7:13 dont mind dis

[@jessica5497]

The interviewer is acting like she's his Psychologyst lol

[@donaldashtray9943]

why does he remind me of tony stark?? o.O

[@jimmysmith5418]

He looks like Robert Downey jr don’t he?

[@savedbygrace.slowedreverb]

Are these hosted in new york

[@julieluepke1952]

BAFTA is a British thing so probably not

[@CuquiLopezCasas]

Xxi century Cantinflas!

[@dominikbudzynski4775]

This is stand UP?

[@An_Arbitrary_Miscellany]

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'.

[@jinitghelani5860]

9:17

[@faherty87]

Is the red headed woman who asked about visuals Irish, thought I got that vibe off her accent, hard to tell

[@julieluepke1952]

Yeah she sounds Irish to me too

[@faherty87]

​@@julieluepke1952I have no memory of this, trying to find them in it now 😅

[@sirloin869]

Is this before or after he left them for the new young hotness; and the story gets better 2B sure...

[@sirloin869]

Old man 3-somes,the worse kind...

[@Vancityoliver]

Little does he know he will be offered a role of a lifetime to play hitler 😆😆

[@noeldacosta7621]

This is really nothing to do with screen-writing... it's just a dude talking about his life.

[@xodz]

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.

[@Marty13153]

Lord have mercy. Self-involved attitude, uninspiring and flat out boring personality. Wake me when it’s over.

[@wer123456]

You must be a riot at parties

[@audreyperson9221]

If u need help going to sleep I’m willing to help u bro

[@Marty13153]

@@wer123456 You must be the perfect example of an fake, ass-kisser at parties.

[@Marty13153]

@@audreyperson9221 Yeah? What u got for me bro

[@audreyperson9221]

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 :)