John O'Shea (director)
Encyclopedia
John Dempsey O'Shea was a New Zealand independent filmmaker; he was a director, producer, writer and actor.
He was active from 1940 to 1970, and in 1952 set up Pacific Films
in Wellington with Roger Mirams
. He produced numerous short films and the three New Zealand feature films made in that period: Broken Barrier
(1952) with Roger Mirams
, Runaway (1964), and Don't Let It Get You (1966) for which he is most remembered.
He was involved with the Tangata Whenua television documentary series (1974), and in the 1980s with Pictures (1981), Among the Cinders
(1983), Leave All Fair (1985) and Ngati
(1987). He appeared in the spoof Forgotten Silver
(1995).
He was a lecturer, research historian, and assistant film censor and was a founding member of the New Zealand Film Archive in 1981.
He was born in New Plymouth, and served in the New Zealand Army in the Pacific and Italy in World War II. He married (Jean) Cormie Douglas in 1946; and had three children who followed in his footsteps: Kathy, Pat and Rory
He was awarded the OBE in 1990 and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for services to the film industry.
He was active from 1940 to 1970, and in 1952 set up Pacific Films
Pacific Films
The Pacific Film Unit was established in Wellington, New Zealand in 1948 by ex-National Film Unit staff Alun Falconer and Roger Mirams. At this time most films produced in New Zealand were documentaries made by the government’s National Film Unit...
in Wellington with Roger Mirams
Roger Mirams
Roger Eastgate Holden Mirams was a New Zealand film director, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years...
. He produced numerous short films and the three New Zealand feature films made in that period: Broken Barrier
Broken Barrier
Broken Barrier is a 1952 New Zealand film. It was directed and produced by John O'Shea and Roger Mirams, and written by O'Shea. It starred Kay Ngarimu and Terence Bayler, and also featured Mira Hape, Bill Merito and George Ormond....
(1952) with Roger Mirams
Roger Mirams
Roger Eastgate Holden Mirams was a New Zealand film director, well known for the children's television series he produced throughout his career which extended over 70 years...
, Runaway (1964), and Don't Let It Get You (1966) for which he is most remembered.
He was involved with the Tangata Whenua television documentary series (1974), and in the 1980s with Pictures (1981), Among the Cinders
Among the Cinders
Among the Cinders is a 1983 New Zealand drama film directed by Rolf Hädrich and starring Paul O'Shea, Amanda Jones Derek Hardwick and Yvonne Lawley. It is based on the 1965 novel of the same name by New Zealander Maurice Shadbolt...
(1983), Leave All Fair (1985) and Ngati
Ngati
Ngati is a 1987 New Zealand feature film directed by Barry Barclay, written by Tama Poata and produced by John O'Shea.-Production:Ngati is of historical and cultural significance in New Zealand as it is the first feature film written and directed by Māori. Producer John O'Shea, an icon in New...
(1987). He appeared in the spoof Forgotten Silver
Forgotten Silver
Forgotten Silver is a New Zealand film mockumentary that purports to tell the story of a pioneering New Zealand filmmaker. It was written and directed by Peter Jackson and Costa Botes, both of whom appear in the film in their roles as makers of the documentary.-Synopsis:Forgotten Silver purports...
(1995).
He was a lecturer, research historian, and assistant film censor and was a founding member of the New Zealand Film Archive in 1981.
He was born in New Plymouth, and served in the New Zealand Army in the Pacific and Italy in World War II. He married (Jean) Cormie Douglas in 1946; and had three children who followed in his footsteps: Kathy, Pat and Rory
He was awarded the OBE in 1990 and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal for services to the film industry.