Auckland Festival Associate Director Mark Burlace answered questions from The Big Idea members about selecting works for the festival, cultivating activity in Auckland's arts community and the role the creative industries (and events such as AK09) have to play in improving the region's economy and New Zealand's global competitive advantage.

"As well as being an active member in the Auckland arts community we do benchmark ourselves with other festivals in the region. We often work with festivals in Australia and Asia to assist with the costs associated in bringing work this far, also we actively try to on sell our New Zealand work through these networks."Auckland Festival Associate Director Mark Burlace answered questions from The Big Idea members about selecting works for the festival, cultivating activity in Auckland's arts community and the role the creative industries (and events such as AK09) have to play in improving the region's economy and New Zealand's global competitive advantage.

"As well as being an active member in the Auckland arts community we do benchmark ourselves with other festivals in the region. We often work with festivals in Australia and Asia to assist with the costs associated in bringing work this far, also we actively try to on sell our New Zealand work through these networks."During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
10am - 1pm or after 6 after a glass of wine

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
My nickname is Mad Dog which relates to his disbelief of the transient lifestyle I have had for the last 10 years as well as a few personality traits -

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
I enjoy the pressure and teamwork that is generated by an up and coming festival. No matter the festival, the intensity is the same.

How does your environment affect your work?
We are very lucky with waterfront views which have a great effect on my work. We also sit in an open office which is good for eavesdropping on potential issues but can be a noisy environment.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I like to look at the big picture but the detail is unavoidable

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Making sure there is enough variety and change to keep stimulated and if possible pop out of New Zealand occasionally to remind you how good we have it here.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
I have been lucky and worked on many great projects. My 8 years with Assembly Theatre in Edinburgh, living in New York for a year with Selecon NZ and my current role at the Festival are highlights

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Spending time in Auckland this summer and getting out on the water has reminded me what a great city it is.

Do you see the festival as having an active agenda to cultivate activity in Auckland's arts community, or is it more about the success of the festival as it stands alone or in relation to other festivals globally? In other words, do you approach the festival as an opportunity for strengthening and expanding arts venues and organisations in the city, and if so what measures do you focus on?
- Andrew de Freitas

Yes, the festival does have a role in the arts community in Auckland and New Zealand as well. We run a programme called Watch This Space which supports the development of new work and assists existing work by developing further for an Auckland or international season. Our programme has a high number of local productions and we provide networking opportunities between both local and international artists.

Festivals do strengthen the arts environment; there is a huge amount of opportunities for arts professionals as well as audiences. A good example of growth since the first festival in 2003 is the Auckland Fringe which has its first outing this year. This is something we have been talking about for a few years and now the festival is established it is the right time for a fringe to flourish.

As well as being an active member in the Auckland arts community we do benchmark ourselves with other festivals in the region. We often work with festivals in Australia and Asia to assist with the costs associated in bringing work this far, also we actively try to on sell our New Zealand work through these networks. This year we are sharing Ishinha with Perth Festival, co-commissioning White Body with Hong Kong Festival and Holland Festival and sharing Siren with Tasmania's festival.

What was it like to select the visual arts and contemporary music works which will show in the Auckland Festival 2009? Are there any particular performances or works in the Auckland Festival 2009 which you feel are not to be missed?"
- Kristina Heep

We have a team of people here that look after specific parts of the programme and work with David and I to put it together. The two areas you have asked about are looked after by Natasha Beckman (Visual Arts) and Jessica Smith (Festival Club). They are both highly experienced in their areas and have been working for the last 6 - 8 months putting it together. I think they have created excellent programmes for 2009.

It is a hard question to be asked what is not to be missed as I find it difficult not to say see everything as it is all there for a reason. I think Ishinha and Andersen Project are two very different but great pieces of international theatre. White Body will be an unknown (as it premieres just before us at the Hong Kong Festival) but very interesting piece of work. Red Square has a huge range of very interesting music and cabaret plus an outdoor bar making it a true festival hub. I could go on and on, I would see as much as you can -

What kind of role do you think that creative industries (and events such as AK09) have to play in improving the Auckland region's economy, and also as a factor of New Zealand's competitive advantage globally?
- Elise Sterback

The festival (and other events) does spend a fair amount of money locally, especially with hotels and set-up costs etc. There is also an increasing amount of visitors coming from beyond the Auckland region. There is a lot of activity during March making Auckland a great destination.

Festivals and events do raise the profile of a city/country through the press generated and the visitors having a positive experience. We have in the past commissioned economic impact reports which have always shown a positive impact on the region.

Kia Ora Mark, what were the challenges in building "The White Body" co-production with the Dutch, Hong Kong and French festivals/venues to bring this intriguing work to life for the Hong Kong premiere and onto AK09.
- Tanemahuta Gray

Most of the negotiations surrounding The White Body have been straight forward. The company have put the tour/co-commission together which has made the process much easier.

Some of the challenges have been around the unknown nature of a new work being created from afar. For instance because of the time difference between Hong Kong and Auckland seasons we have to air freight the set, props and costumes which is a costly procedure. Without a confirmed set design it hasn't been until recently that we could budget it. Also other technical elements are coming together now and will probably change once they do the Hong Kong season. As you know, just the same pit falls of new work but with the added complexity of it being created in another country.

The White Body is a good example of how becoming part of an international festival/venue circuit can be of benefit. The premiere in Hong Kong is literally days before we get it so it is an exciting situation. While there are risks and complexity around commissioning works like this it is well worth it.

In future we would like to see the co commissioning process benefit New Zealand companies looking to secure seasons overseas. Being part of this process hopefully will assist us in the future.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Foreign Service - living in different countries and learning the culture.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Kohukohu, Hokianga, Northland

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
IPOD, complete isolation. Unless you have personal access to a large PA system and no neighbors.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
A flag - like the one in the Ishinha poster.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
I don't sleep very well and tend to think through scenarios to do with work so was told to write it all done. Never done it but the thought of writing it down seems to work -

What's great about today?
It is a beautiful summer day and I just got told our first company (Ishinha) arrives in a month which was a bit of a shock.

What's great about the Auckland Festival 2009?
We have a great programme and this year our Red Square programme is very strong. There are too many highlights to mention and I would recommend everything so I suggest people get out there and enjoy what festivals are about - an intense couple of weeks with some of the best arts and entertainment the world has to offer.

A new venture in this programme is the co commission process for The White Body. We are jointly supporting this new Ea Sola production with Hong Kong Festival, Holland Festival, Theatre de la Ville (Paris) and Grand Theatre Groningen and are presenting the New Zealand premiere days after its world premiere in Hong Kong. This is a first for us and something we are very excited about.

What's your big idea for 2009?
2009 is so far about delivering the big ideas of the last two years with the festival coming up. We have started planning for 2011 as well so ideas are going to paper. The big idea will be further developing our Watch This Space programme that is set-up to support and develop New Zealand work for future festivals and overseas touring.

More information: Auckland Festival

29/01/09