My special guest for this episode is Selene Dudley-Bateman, the Chief Executive Officer of Auspicious Arts Projects (AAP) , a not-for-profit creative community management organisation. They provide independent artists with a secure and accessible framework to assist them with creative developments and producing work. AAP were fantastic last year when I wanted to apply for some funding through my local council. I was so impressed by them and thought other artists I know might wanna know more abou...
Feb 20, 2024•45 min
Today's Two Words: YOUNG FIRE In this episode, hear our first ever guest host Adongwot Manyoul in a conversation with Devon Lewis. He’s a pioneering IT professional and the Chapter Lead for Blacks in Technology Australia, a non-for-profit championing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, providing invaluable resources, and a safe space for black professionals to connect. Recorded in late November as an ode to World Youth Day, these two special people share their insights on leadership on...
Jan 23, 2024•42 min
Today's Two Words: FUNNY BUSINESS In this episode, I’m joined by Janet McLeod, the Fairy Godmother of Melbourne Comedy. Janet runs Local Laughs , which at 20 years, is the longest running comedy room in Australia with a sole operator/programmer...and one of my fave spots to perform. We discuss comedy in all its glory — what is comedy, really? What makes a great comedian? How do you filter out the a**holes to make comedy rooms safe workplaces? Janet shares all her magical insights and wisdom, muc...
Jan 16, 2024•51 min
Today's Two Words: MADE IT In this episode, hear Esther Fwati and Ratidzo Mambo share about their careers as actors, producers and writers based in Australia. We discuss story ownership, collaborating with an abundance mindset and how being an actor influences their approach to writing their own stories. About Esther Fwati Esther Fwati is an actor, writer and producer based in Melbourne, Australia. In 2022 her Web Series NO ORDINARY LOVE , presented by Screen Australia was released to an interna...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Hi, I'm Taku and welcome to Season 5 of Two Words with Taku . Whether you're a seasoned listener or stumbled upon this podcast for the first time, I'm genuinely thrilled to have you here. The podcast Two Words with Taku is a safe space for writers and storytellers navigating the labyrinth of creativity, from books and films to plays and podcasts and even stand-up comedy - all works-in-progress waiting to be written and shared. Since 2017, Two Words with Taku has been my platform to unpack the un...
Jan 02, 2024•7 min
Today’s Two Words: Blast Off! Thanks to everyone who's watched my film Gugu naGogo and shared their lovely messages of support. I'm so pleased you're enjoying it! Here are a few fun bloopers for you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26wnTc3wcJU It was also pretty magical celebrating our film launch at Melbourne Planetarium. Gugu naGogo played on the large dome, surrounded by twinkly stars in a dark night sky. It was wonderful hearing people’s different reactions as it played and I was so emotiona...
Nov 30, 2022•10 min
Today's Two Words: Film Community What does the future of community-led content creation look like in Australia? My filmmaker friends and I discuss the Kaleidoscope Project, our films and much more. Watch all our films Viv’s Silly Mango , Gugu naGogo , Namaste Yoga , and Yaz Queens on ABC iview: linktr.ee/kaleidoscopeproject and our video chat here. Our Collective Viv's Silly Mango Mary Duong (Writer/Producer) Rae Choi (Writer/Producer) Rachel Maxine Anderson (Director) Gugu naGogo Taku Mbudzi (...
Nov 23, 2022•10 min
Today's two words: Safe Space In this episode I discuss how I handled creative, business, emotional and cultural safety during the making of my film Gugu naGogo . I also give special thanks to some of the black and African women who have supported me and my project along the way. Karine Larché – costume designer Ratidzo Mambo – actor, producer Portia Jamu – set nurse Rufaro Ndoro – actor Aunty Emily Chifadza – community elder, actor Aunty Vongai Nzenza – community elder, actor Dorcas Maphakela –...
Nov 16, 2022•20 min
Escape velocity requires an object to propel itself with enough speed and thrust to break through a barrier. — NASA Today's Two Words: Escape Velocity In Season 4, I'm going behind the scenes to break down how I made my first short film Gugu naGogo , premiering on ABC ME and iview on World Children’s Day, 20 November 2022. More at https://taku.com.au/escape-velocity Original music composed by Audius Mtawarira. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 08, 2022•13 min
Today's Two Words: Casting Call I'm joined by guest co-host Tariro Mukando to share the casting call for my short film Gugu naGogo. We discuss the film synopsis, what we're looking for and how you can apply for the roles. Shoot date: September 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. More information at https://tsvaga.com/gugunagogo/ . Timestamps: 3:26 — How to apply 4:30 — About our project and team 5:33 — Gugu character breakdown (12) 6:06 — Mama character breakdown (36) 6:36 — Gogo character breakdown (...
Jul 10, 2021•8 min
Today's two words are: Access Granted and in this episode I'm answering your question, "How do I find the money to write my story?" More at https://taku.com.au/access-granted/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2021•43 min
Today’s two words are: Canon Eyes and in this episode I ponder, “Where do we want our stories to sit amongst others like them?” More at https://taku.com.au/canon-eyes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 18, 2021•8 min
Today’s two words are: Same Same and in this episode we explore, “How do we know when a story’s dead and it’s time to write a new one?” More at https://taku.com.au/same-same/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 11, 2021•16 min
Today’s two words are: About Face and in this episode I ask, “What do we want the world to know about us?” More at https://taku.com.au/about-face/ . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 04, 2021•10 min
So, you call yourself a writer, huh? Where’ve you been published? Can we watch your films? What’s on your IMDB profile? Oh... you’ve self -published… on your blog? Oh, you’re just, sort of starting out? Oh, so are you even a real writer? Ignore all that. You are a writer. You love words. You find them delicious and eat them for breakfast. You love putting them together and tearing them apart. You love testing and teasing them. You. Love. Words. Except sometimes your own words terrify you. What d...
Nov 22, 2020•3 min
Episode 100! I finally took to Instagram LIVE to answer your burning questions about podcasting. Watch the whole video, complete with show-and-tell of my recording gear at https://www.instagram.com/takumbudzi . Thank you for listening and supporting Two Words with Taku since 2017 — here's to 100 more episodes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2020•56 min
I've finally made it to Episode 99 of this podcast! Here's a quick update on what's happening with my TV stuff and what I'm planning for my 100th podcast episode. Thanks for listening and stay safe! x See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2020•11 min
"Pitching is a verbal way of selling your story, and I like to leave something visual so they remember my pitch." — Sher-Li Tan I thought I was the Queen of Pitch Preparation until I met producer and filmmaker Sher-Li Tan. We first met at YouTube conference VidCon and she blew me away with how passionately she spruiked her projects. In this episode we talk about how she prepares for pitching her shows — everything from the documents she creates to how she researches her audience and the people s...
Nov 16, 2019•45 min
"Children's television is wonderful for people starting out in the industry because there tends to be more opportunity for people who don't have a long list of credits." — Wendy Gray I've fast-tracked a few skills after discovering the short courses offered by the Australian Film Television Radio School (AFTRS). In this episode, I chat to Wendy Gray from AFTRS about their courses and who they're designed for. We also chat about Wendy's career in the screen industry, including her extensive exper...
Nov 15, 2019•24 min
"…without the proper documentation proving the ownership of the work, there’s no protection from legal action." The world of television is full of great ideas and magic... and contracts and legal agreements that underpin how all that magic comes together. In this episode, lawyer Dee Mbugua explains what 'chain of title' means and why it's so important in the media industry. She also gives useful tips for seeking legal advice, especially when it comes to the fineprint. If in doubt, don't make a w...
Nov 14, 2019•26 min
"The way that we can tell stories if we use audio, specifically fiction, is so interesting and diverse. Audio is such a freeing medium." I joined the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) so I could meet inspiring young screenwriters like Evrim Şen. We met at an Animation Writing Workshop and hit it off instantly — we're both fired up about stories for and about young people. In this episode, Evrim shares how joining the AWG is helping her writing career and how things are different in real-life write...
Nov 14, 2019•27 min
"I love that this younger generation is being more expressive and feeling their emotions, instead of trying to not feel things. " We keep hearing that we need more authentic voices telling their own stories. But what does that look like when you’re creating a TV show with different characters? How do you, as a writer, make their stories feel authentic, if you haven’t personally lived those experiences? In this episode, I chat candidly with YouTuber and content creator AJ Clementine about why she...
Nov 13, 2019•42 min
"Read scripts from the shows you like and shows you don't like. Have a good look at how they lay things out. " Wendy Hanna's episode is full of great tips about writing, finding other writers, growing your community of writers and even entering writing competitions. Hear how we first met at an Animation Writing Workshop and how the mock writers' room she created inspired me to re-think how I'd find writers for my show. Podcast Guest Profile Wendy Hanna is an AWGie nominated screenwriter and crea...
Nov 11, 2019•41 min
"The key thing is, these funding bodies want you to contact them. They'll give you the time to explain what's required because they want people to succeed as well. " How can you fund your creative projects whilst working a day job? Who do you need on your team to make your funding applications more competitive? How important is it to create a proof of concept to get more funding? In this episode I chat to filmmaker Hawanatu about how she's managed to get her films and web series made. We also di...
Nov 07, 2019•40 min
"Don't settle for a relationship with your accountant or bookkeeper that isn't working for you. " I know too many artists and creative people who don't feel comfortable talking about money — how much to charge, how to get more of it, how to manage it, how to grow it etc. I've finally had to confront my own fears and insecurities about money because my creative projects need proper funding to happen. In this episode I share how I manage the finances in my production company and how I unexpectedly...
Nov 05, 2019•38 min
"You keep the ship afloat by making sure everyone feels heard and happy." I met Meg O'Connell last year at Screen Forever, a conference hosted by Screen Producers Australia. When I found out she'd worked on Doodles , a kids' show I'd been following, I asked if I could pick her brain about 'producer stuff'. She agreed! In this episode, Meg shares how she went from studying law to working in the screen industry. We also discuss what it's really like being a TV producer and her fun experiences work...
Oct 28, 2019•35 min
‘You’re selling the sizzle, not the steak.” My first guest in Season 2 of the podcast is screenwriter, script producer and script editor John Armstrong. We first met at a screenwriters’ pitch event in Sydney in 2017 and have since co-created a teen drama series which is in early stage development. In this episode we discuss what goes into different story bibles from the pitch ones used to sell a television show, to the more detailed series or writers’ bible used to help writers before and during...
Oct 28, 2019•56 min
Last November I applied for PRX‘s Google Podcasts Creator program, pitching the second season of Two Words with Taku. My pitch made it to the semi-finalist round out of 1000s of applications from around the world (OMG!),
Aug 26, 2019•2 min
So you’ve got an idea for a killer article you’d like to see in your favourite magazine? Sophie Kalagas, editor at frankie magazine shares some simple tips about how to get your submissions noticed. We recorded this episode in her lovely home and Woody...
Dec 07, 2018•37 min
Facing fear. Writing. More fear. Standup comedy. Zimbo politics. Aussie politics. Jokes about my Mama. Feminism. Typos in sexts. Working with kids. Developing TV characters. Running a company. Story. Creative freedom. And laughter…lots of laughter!
Sep 12, 2018•1 hr 8 min
