Play It Strange 2005

Scribbled lyrics in exercise books are just the start for these six teen songwriters, as they chase their moment on stage at the second annual national secondary school songwriting competition Play It Strange. The documentary visits them at home and school, exploring their inspirations, ambitions, and teenage lives as they battle nerves and prepare to perform their original songs before a live audience and industry judges. Their entries, both earnest and entirely their own, are professionally recorded for the Play It Strange album. The judging panel is led by Split Enz’s Mike Chunn, also includes Exponents vocalist Jordan Luck, 91ZM DJ Stu Tolan, Hamish Jackson from Rock Shop NZ, and Emily Johansen from NZ On Air. 

There is just so much learning happening between 13 and 18  . . .  just all these things that you're absorbing. You're a total sponge, and I think that perhaps you have this heightened sense of creativity.

– Judge Emily Johansen from NZ On Air on the creativity of the entrants, early in this documentary

Key Cast & Crew

Geoffrey Cawthorn

Director

Rachel Jean

Producer

Carly Binding

Narrator

Peter Roberts

Editor

Charles Knight

Post-Production Supervisor

Anthony Nevison

Sound Mix, Sound Recordist