NZ writer's stories to be filmed

WELLINGTON - Two short stories by former New Zealand writer Emily Perkins are being turned into films.

Perkins, a former Wellington writer living in London, has adapted her story The Shared Experience for a BBC short film series.

And Auckland filmmaker Brita McVeigh is filming Thinking About Sleep, Perkins' tale about a group of friends the day after one of their number commits suicide.

Money for the project came from the Film Commission short film fund.

Both stories are from her first book, Not Her Real Name, published in 1996.
Perkins spent the summer in Auckland and returns to London this month.

On a visit to Wellington this month, she said adapting The Shared Experience was her first shot at writing for film.

"I thought I knew how to do it, I go to the movies all the time. It's my great joy."

She recently finished the first draft.

"I hope that [the BBC] will keep the tone of the story - it's quite funny but quite dark too, quite a lonely little tale." - NZPA