Dane Giraud's Southside Comedy Writers Program

Kia ora, I’m Dane Giraud, Otahuhu-raised comedy writer (Find Me A Māori Bride) and assh#le extraordinaire.

The team and I are about to kick-off "Dane Giraud's Southside Comedy Writers Program" a pilot development project I’ve put together for emerging comedy writers from my old 'hood South Auckland. 

THE PLAN

We're going to run a writer's table for aspiring writers - workshopping content that will go on to become an original audio comedy album. This diverse group of writers will learn on the job through a writing assignment designed to closely reflect the process of creating TV comedy. 

WHY AUDIO?

I’ve chosen audio and a comedy album because it’s going to be cheap to produce so we can take real risks. Not just with the content, but on the talent themselves. We’re going to tell a story from the ‘hood, the likes of which we never see on mainstream platforms.

WE'RE DEVELOPING TALENT

In Aotearoa, we’re not exploiting audio the way we could in order to showcase new talent. BBC Radio has long produced audio-comedy series, many of which are being developed into TV shows and spawning careers. ‘Flight of the Conchords’ is one such example.

My hope is that this comedy album becomes the first of many and that the program will eventually become a real bridge between one of our hard-to-reach communities and Aotearoa’s TV, film, and media industry. 

WHAT YOUR DONATION PAYS FOR

We’re asking for $5000. This will help us pay for the four days of the workshop, a cut-rate recording session, and some dope artwork for the final product. Dig deep and maybe change a young writer’s life! And please, share this kaupapa with EVERYONE you know. 

WHY I'M MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION

I had big dreams too, back when I was a kid, but being in the ‘hood the thought of earning a TV writing credit felt a universe away. However, a few people took me under their wing and gave me confidence while opening doors, so this is my way of giving back.

I ask you all to open those wallets to help me help the next generation of South Auckland writers. Let's get some authentic Kiwi ‘hood comedy into the world! 

Thank you for your generosity.

Dane Giraud