SimonBennett
- Director
- Producer
Simon Bennett's extensive CV includes producing and directing episodes of long-running successes Shortland Street and Outrageous Fortune — including helming Fortune's keenly-watched final episode — and producing fantasy series Maddigan's Quest. Bennett began in theatre, and has gone on to spend time as head of drama at South Pacific Pictures, the production house behind all three shows.
Screenography
Biography
Simon Bennett has worked in TV drama as a storyliner, director and producer, as well as in programme development.
His parents Robert and Jane would tour the globe as founders of company Mime International. Simon graduated from NZ Drama School Toi Whakaari in 1988. The same year, he joined forces with designer Simon Elson to relaunch Wellington's ailing Bats Theatre. Bennett later returned to Bats as a director, helming a hit season of Ken Duncum's Blue Sky Boys. The play starred future Shortland Street stars Tim Balme and Michael Galvin.
Awards
2018 Huawei Mate20 New Zealand Television Awards
Best Documentary: NZ Wars - The Stories of Ruapekapeka
Best Māori Programme: NZ Wars - The Stories of Ruapekapeka
2008 Qantas Film and Television Awards
“Stamina, the ability to remain clear under stress, the ability to understand what everyone does on a production and communicate clearly with them so they all share the same vision. Strong critical faculties. Diplomacy.”