Outrageous Fortune writer Rachel Lang says she didn’t have to "live next door to bogans" to write a convincing TV series about the residents of West Auckland.
Ms Lang is in Dunedin for a screenwriting conference and yesterday revealed to delegates her secret to creating compelling characters.
Ms Lang spoke to the Otago Daily Times before her first appearance at the Screenwriting Research Network International Conference. At the seminar at the University of Otago, she used a workshop designed to ask actors to analyse characters, including deciphering what made the character different.
"It’s a similar process for writers."
A compelling character needed a "strong and true flavour" even though she "pretty much made up" the characters in Outrageous Fortune.
"You don’t have to live that [bogan] life, although I was working out west, so walking around the mall was quite inspirational."
She will also present a workshop today on the essential elements for creating a television series, such as the story, the premise and the target audience.
Her final appearance will be as keynote speaker at the conference tomorrow. She plans to talk about creating and making several of her shows.
Maintaining a career as a screenwriter in New Zealand was "very difficult" but there were "never enough good writers".
"It’s an international problem, so if you really want to do it, and you are good at it, then there is a market for your skills."
Writer Rachel Lang
• Script editor at TVNZ in the 1980s, working on police show Shark in the Park, ensemble drama Open House and movie Mark II.
• Began working as a storyliner on Shortland Street in 1992; became first New Zealand story editor on the show. Executive producer until 2000.
• Co-created TV shows Jackson’s Wharf, Mercy Peak, Maddigan’s Quest, Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, This is Not My Life, The Almighty Johnsons, Blue Rose, Westside, Nothing Trivial, Filthy Rich, Dirty Laundry and Hyde & Seek.
Made Member of New Zealand Order of Merit for services to television this year.
