Will Hall fell into a screen career by accident after hanging out with filmmakers at Lincoln University – an unlikely scenario given his study towards a commerce degree. Since then, Hall has forged a career both in front of and behind the camera.

Hall’s introduction to trans-Tasman film work had some teething problems, but on returning to NZ the “boy from Christchurch” landed a key role in The Insiders Guide to Happiness. Roles in Eagle vs Shark, Shortland Street and tele-feature Bloodlines followed, as well as Underbelly – Land of the Long Green Cloud and 30-something TV series Nothing Trivial. Hall also co-produced and acted in his own feature film Netherwood, described as NZ’s first modern day western thriller.

In this ScreenTalk interview, Hall talks about:

• His earliest experiences with filmmaking at university
• Being cast in Australian feature Fat Pizza
• Troubles with his first Australian agent
• How he landed his role in The Insiders Guide to Happiness
• Breaking expensive props on Eagle vs Shark
• His role as a pot smoking, skateboarding doctor on Shortland Street
• Producing and acting in feature film Netherwood, NZ’s first modern day western thriller
• How he approached his role as Detective Roberts in Bloodlines
• Insights into his portrayal of Greg Ollard in Underbelly – Land of the Long Green Cloud
• Violent public reaction to his character in Nothing Trivial

This video is available on YouTube to embed and distribute via a Creative Commons licence.

NZ On Screen: Camera & Editing - James Coleman