Director

Rosemary Riddell

Rosemary Riddell is possibly the world’s first feature director to have a day job as a District Court Judge. She is the award-winning director of the short film Cake Tin, and brings to film an extensive background in acting and directing for theatre. She began her career acting at Downstage theatre in Wellington in the early seventies. Directing her first feature in The Insatiable Moon, Rosemary brings a keen eye for performances and for story. She has collaborated with writer husband Mike on a number of projects, including the hit play Jerusalem, Jerusalem which toured New Zealand and Britain.

Cinematographer

Thomas Burstyn

Tom Burstyn is a multi award-winning Canadian cinematographer, now resident in New Zealand. With vast experience in both feature film and television cinematography, he has worked with legendary directors and actors in the course of a long career that included a stint in Hollywood. Tom’s credits include films such as Mr Wrong, Lotus Eaters, Boys from County Clare, and The 4400. Widely respected within the international film community, Tom has a flair for the use of natural light. He is the promoter of a philosophy of making films which he calls ‘Frugal Filmmaking’. Tom was the director of the recent award-winning film This Way of Life.

Writer/Producer

Mike Riddell

Mike is primarily a writer, with ten published books to his credit including three novels. In latter years he has become a playwright and screenwriter. When Pip Piper optioned Mike’s first novel, The Insatiable Moon (HarperCollins), he asked Mike to write the screenplay. Mike, who runs a small production house called Holy Bucket Productions, became New Zealand producer of the film as well as writer of it. He has production credits for short films and documentaries, as well as for his own play Jerusalem, Jerusalem. Mike holds a PhD from the University of Otago.

Producer

Pip Piper

Pip Piper took an option on the novel The Insatiable Moon in 2002. A UK producer based in Birmingham, Pip is one of the principals of a production house Blue Hippo Media. He has produced hundreds of projects including the award-winning documentary A Life in Adaptation. His company is currently responsible for a slate of feature films in development. Pip is a director of the West Midlands Producers Forum. He travelled out to New Zealand for the shoot of The Insatiable Moon.

Producer

Rob Taylor

The other director of Blue Hippo Media, Rob Taylor has a background in the music industry, and in the business administration of charitable organisations. A fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Rob is a champion of black and ethnic minority music and art. Now based in Blue Hippo’s production house, Rob still does consultant work for some charities. He has been instrumental in The Insatiable Moon from the earliest days of development, and has overseen much of the legal and administrative work throughout the process.

Composer

Neville Copland

Based in Dunedin, Neville has a stellar background in creating music for film and television. Holding a Mus.B Hons, he is a former Mozart Fellow at the University of Otago. For many years he was in-house composer for NHNZ (owned by Fox Studios) where he completed soundtracks for a wide range of international documentaries. Neville’s many accomplishments include winning best music for the NZ Film & Television awards an astonishing four times. He is also an accomplished live performer.

Executive Producer

Tim Sanders

Arguably the most experienced producer in New Zealand, Tim Sanders is a double BAFTA award winner. An Australian national, he has been resident in New Zealand for many years. Tim’s credits in both film and television are legendary and include The Year of Living Dangerously, Reckless Kelly, The Frighteners, Whale Rider, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Perfect Creature. Tim has been involved with The Insatiable Moon in one form or another since 2003, and has helped to guide it through development. He brings vast experience and insight to the role.