From Low Budget to Cinematic Excellence: How The Watson Journals Rivals Major Film Industries

The Watson Journals, a short film created by tutors, graduates, and students from Yoobee College of Creative Innovation in Wellington, was selected for the prestigious Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF) in San Diego this July, marking a major milestone for the film and its creators. Made on a modest budget of just $1,600, this film has captured international attention with its impressive production values and captivating storytelling. Its selection for the CCI-IFF highlights both the quality of the work and the growing presence of New Zealand talent in the global film industry.

The team—represented by Yoobee Film Graduate Georgia Hulley (Producer) and Yoobee Level 6 Film Tutor duo Michael Cox (Director) and Ebed Pohl (Cinematographer)—were sent by Yoobee to the US to attend the film screening, filmmakers panel, and other exciting events. The film’s success proves that creativity, resourcefulness, and passion can rival major film industries.

The Experience of Getting Into Comic-Con

For Georgia, the news of getting into Comic-Con was a thrilling surprise. “When we got the email saying that we’d got into the Comic-Con festival, it was like the most wild day,” she recalls. “It was something we thought we might as well try, and then to hear back saying, ‘Yeah, you're in,’ was just so crazy—especially for a small Kiwi team to be part of such a huge event on the other side of the world.”

Georgia had been working as a producer for The Watson Journals after completing her studies in Yoobee. “The biggest thing that I got out of Yoobee was definitely the networking and connection opportunities,” she reflects. “Without those, I definitely wouldn’t have come across this opportunity. And the course really gave me the confidence to step into a role like this and manage a larger production.”

(Michael and Ebed at the Set of The Watsons Journals, photo supplied by the TWJ team)

A Kiwi Achievement on a Shoestring Budget

The Watson Journals delivers a dark, gritty reimagining of Sherlock Holmes, focusing on Dr. John Watson’s journey in the post-WWII world. Despite a limited budget, the film has garnered attention for its impressive production values, driven by the dedication and expertise of Yoobee College’s tutors, graduates, and students. The project was made possible through a collaborative, hands-on approach, with many team members contributing their skills and time on a pro-bono basis.

But the film’s achievements extend beyond its innovative production. The Watson Journals has earned a nomination for Best Action/Adventure at the 2024 Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF), competing against films from the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. This recognition marks a monumental achievement for New Zealand cinema: it is the first Kiwi film nominated in the last six years and joins a distinguished group of only five New Zealand films ever shortlisted at CCI-IFF. Notable past Kiwi successes at the festival include Accidents, Blunders and Calamities (Best Animated Film 2016) and Shelldon, As You Command, and Kitten Witch (2018 nominees).

What truly sets The Watson Journals apart is the remarkable passion and creative resourcefulness behind its creation. Being a low-budget film, it demonstrates that quality storytelling and cinematic excellence don’t require massive budgets—just an inspired team with a shared vision. Through collaboration and sheer dedication, the project serves as a prime example of how emerging filmmakers can break through in the competitive global film industry.

(Yoobee Tutors, Graduates, and Students part of The Watsons Journals production team, photo supplied by TWJ team)

Yoobee Fostering Emerging Film Talent

For over 30 years, Yoobee College has played a pivotal role in nurturing New Zealand’s creative talent. The college’s involvement in The Watson Journals highlights its commitment to providing students with real-world experience in the film industry. By bringing together tutors and students from Yoobee Wellington, the film served as a platform to showcase the next generation of Kiwi filmmakers, providing them with invaluable opportunities to apply their skills in a professional setting.

Michael Cox, who taught Georgia and worked on the film as its director, notes, “Georgia was a fantastic student when she came through the programme. When we were making The Watson Journals, and we needed people to help with the production, after she graduated, we knew that there was somebody we could trust who had such an amazing skill set to come up with the project.”

This kind of hands-on experience was invaluable for Georgia. “Committing 100% to class and showing your skills can really lead to great things down the line,” Ebed Pohl says, echoing Michael’s sentiment. “For me, the best part about teaching at Yoobee is seeing students grow into industry professionals within the span of just a year. For aspiring filmmakers, it’s all about learning your craft and growing your network. Yoobee is a great place to start, but once you’ve graduated, you’ve got to keep making films.”

Yoobee’s support didn’t stop at the campus. Recognising the significance of The Watson Journals and its potential to make waves on the international stage, Yoobee went above and beyond to ensure the team’s success. Not only did they provide ongoing mentorship and resources throughout the film's production, but they also flew the team out to international film festivals to showcase their work. This invaluable support gave the filmmakers a platform to share their story with a global audience, amplifying their success and highlighting the talent emerging from Yoobee College of Creative Innovation.

From a modest budget of $1,600 to a nomination at one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, The Watson Journals demonstrates the power of passion, resourcefulness, and creative collaboration. As New Zealand’s only nominated film at the CCI-IFF 2024, it stands as a proud testament to the talent emerging from Yoobee College of Creative Innovation and the broader Kiwi film community. With a bright future ahead, we can only expect more groundbreaking achievements from New Zealand’s ever-evolving film industry.