Behind the scenes

Now in its second season, The Jaquie Brown Diaries—slogan, ‘New Zealand’s least shit sitcom’—is back with a vengeance. The show’s success is in large part due to the talents of Gerard Johnstone, the show’s writer, director and editor. He talks to Florence Noble (intern Nanette in the show) about comedy, critics and keeping the creative juices flowing. Read the full story in the current issue of Idealog and on our website.

Da Vinci comes to life

Leonardo Da Vinci may be long gone, but his genius lives on and you can see it for yourself right here in Auckland. Catch the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition any time over the next month. It’s pretty self-explanatory—more than 60 reproductions of his best designs and inventions will be up for show; some are life-sized, some interactive. Da Vinci-sized genius doesn’t come to town too often so don’t miss out. For the chance to win one of five double passes, all you need to do is answer this question: What is the address of the venue where the Da Vinci Machines exhibition is being held? Send your answer to info@davincinz.com with ‘Idealog Giveaway’ in the subject line. Passes will be drawn on Friday, November 20.

Building a brand

Follow the journey of TCHO, a San Francisco-based chocolate manufacturer, from inception through to the brand and design development. Typography, packaging, and a unique “flavour wheel” (beans from Peru taste nutty; Madagascar beans boast a citrus undertone) have all contributed to the company’s success. Taste of Yellow guy, take note. This is how it’s done.

Calling all creatives

If open, intelligent conversation on the changing nature of performance and media arts sounds like your kind of thing, the Misperforming Symposium at AUT on November 28 could be right up your alley. Local practitioners and theorists will give presentations on two topics: Utopic Misfits and Are You Partial, while keynote speakers Hellen Sky and Brandon Hur will explore the growth of transdisciplinary performance art in the face of our changing creative and technology industries—all followed by a three-hour evening performance event (GLITCH) at St Paul St Gallery. If you’re hungry for more, check out Hellen and Brandon’s workshop on November 29 on Waiheke Island—it’s for creatives from all disciplines with an interest in experimental design concepts. Visit www.colab.org.nz for more information or to register your interest.

Paranormal take-off

Clever use of viral and social media marketing paid off for low-budget horror flick Paranormal Activity, propelling it to number one at the US box office last month. Now another studio has responded with a spoof trailer—The Men Who Stare At Goats.

Tribute to an icon

The music industry has rallied around in the wake of Kiwi artist Chris Knox’s stroke earlier this year, with tribute album Stroke—the Songs of Chris Knox due out on Monday and a special gig at the Kings Arms on the Friday. The lineup includes Dimmer, Don McGlashan and David Kilgour; proceeds will be going toward Knox’s rehabilitation. On top of all that, NZ On Air has just released a collection of Chris Knox videos from as far back as the 80s, which you can view for free online.

The write way

Got a great song or short story to share with the world? AUT, Idealog and bFM have teamed up to make your dream a reality. Enter the creative writing competition online by January 31 and be in to win one of two Sony VAIO laptops as well as the chance to snag a top Kiwi writing mentor or hear your song on bFM—and, of course, be published in Idealog.

Quote of the week

“He’ll probably get some sort of stomach disease later in life for keeping his stress and frustration inside, but for now I appreciate that, because I’m sensitive to noises.”

– Jaquie Brown on working with Gerard Johnstone