Private Project

The Craftsmen's Castle

'The Craftsmen's Castle' is a documentary film that focuses on Chapman Castle. A middle ages styled house built by businessman Dennis Chapman and his wife Debbie Chapman. The documentary focuses on the history of the construction of Chapman Castle and its effects on architecture, design, engineering, environmentalism, and most importantly housing in New Zealand.

  • Michael Woods
    Director
  • Sam Neal
    Assistant Director
  • Debbie Chapman
    Executive Producers
  • Dennis Chapman
    Executive Producers
  • Michael Woods
    Producer
  • Gabi Maffey
    Presenter
  • Jon Aldridge
    Interviewees
  • Matt Blyth
    Interviewees
  • Boyd Chamberlain
    Interviewees
  • Debbie Chapman
    Interviewees
  • Dennis Chapman
    Interviewees
  • Dean Johnstone
    Interviewees
  • Peter May
    Interviewees
  • Gabi Maffey
    Writer
  • Michael Woods
    Writer
  • Sam Neal
    Cinematographer
  • Ella Waswo
    Sound Operator
    The Bostrom Scenario
  • Luke Douglas
    Production Assistant
  • Sam Neal
    Primary Camera Operator
  • Luke Douglas
    Secondary Camera Operators
  • Alex Lang
    Secondary Camera Operators
  • Ella Waswo
    Secondary Camera Operators
    The Bostrom Scenario
  • Jeff Horne
    Drone Operators
  • Luke Douglas
    Drone Operators
  • Ella Waswo
    Lead Editor
    The Bostrom Scenario
  • Luke Douglas
    Editors
  • Sam Neal
    Editors
  • Ella Waswo
    Editors
    The Bostrom Scenario
  • Nicolas Pegg
    Sound Post Production Supervisor and Sound Mix
  • Elaine Hague
    Sound Editor
  • Sam Neal
    Colour Grading
  • Holly Reiana
    Makeup
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Architecture
  • Runtime:
    40 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 13, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    46,045 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Tokyo International Short Film Festival
    Tokyo
    Japan
    November 2, 2024
    Asia Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Michael Woods

Michael Woods is a Canterbury based film maker, writer, actor, and drummer from New Zealand. Since 2015, Woods has been part of many theatre companies such as Dramasoc, Canterbury Repertory Theatre, Canterbury Children's Theatre, and Elmwood Players. He has also made many film projects under his production company banner of Abyssinian Productions. His most notable film projects is 'The Parcel' (2016) which was shown as part of the 12th International Autism Congress in Nice, France in 2019 and 'The Craftsmen's Castle' (2023) which was part of the Tokyo International Short Film Festival's official selection in 2024.

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Director Statement

In December 2021, I was approached by Dennis and Debbie Chapman to make a documentary on the story of their mediaeval home suitably called Chapman Castle. They gave me a large amount of archival footage from Chapman Castle’s construction from 2010-2013, filmed amazingly by Peter Somerville. Yet little did I realise the scale of that would entail with this documentary. While most filmmakers around my age would feel daunted by the aspect of this kind of production, I faced this daunting aspect head on. Leading to a two year adventure full of heartfelt stories, new perspectives of New Zealand history, and a middle ages styled sword fight.

A big influence for this film in the early stages of its production was Peter Greenaway’s 1982 feature film 'The Draughtsman's Contract'. Looking back at this there are a number of surprising parallels both me and the lead character of Mr. Neville. Both of us were commissioned to create art based on the homeowners own home and most importantly, both of us questioned the status quo of our societies. While I’m obviously not as conceited and Machiavellian like Mr. Neville who ends up paying for his indiscretions, both he and I both gained new perspectives of the world.

So, after two years of production. I’m happy as the director of this film to proudly present The Craftsmen’s Castle. A film which I hope will serve as an influence for not just young filmmakers in New Zealand, but also young architects and engineers to shape New Zealand’s architectural future.