From Stage to Screen: Presentation Wisdom from Julian Arahanga

Actor. Director. Storyteller. TEDx Speaker.

We spent the day at AWA Films in the heart of Wellywood — soaking up the creative energy with none other than Julian Arahanga. You might know him from Once Were Warriors or The Matrix, but his true superpower is storytelling — across film, television, and now TEDx stages.

Julian first crossed our radar when he delivered a powerful talk at TEDxChristchurch about his groundbreaking TV series Songs from the Inside, where inmates transform their lives through songwriting.

Between editing his new Māori TV series TOA: Hunter Gatherer and coaching his son’s basketball team, Julian generously took the time to talk all things presenting — from nerves and note-taking to open-handed delivery and whiskey rituals.

Julian working on his new Māori TV series TOA: Hunter Gatherer

🎒 Our Day in Wellywood

While in town, Michael and I made the most of being in the filmmaking capital of Aotearoa. Between creative chats with Julian, we also snuck in a visit to:

🎥 Wētā Workshop – the legendary effects and prop studio behind The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and more
🎞️ Park Road Post Production – a state-of-the-art facility used by James Cameron, Peter Jackson, and Steven Spielberg
🏍️ The Britten Motorbike at Te Papa – one of New Zealand’s greatest feats of engineering and innovation

This trip wasn’t just about filming, it was about fuelling up on inspiration.

🎤 Julian’s 10 Takeaways on Presenting

Here's what stuck with us from our kōrero with Julian:

Fake it till you believe it
Set a deadline — and commit
Do it, no matter how it feels
Learn from every moment
Nerves don’t go away — and that’s normal
Use a 3-part story structure with visual anchors
Rehearse with projection and intention
Use both hands when speaking
Move symmetrically — it creates openness
Step away from distractions before you go on stage

🧠 Q: How do you build confidence for a presentation?

Julian:

“Fake it till you believe it. Confidence takes time — and you’ve got to start somewhere.”

He shared how he never saw himself as a performer. He was a sports kid. But a teacher at school taught him the value of just getting up and doing it — even when it feels uncomfortable.

“You’d get upset, then the teacher would say, ‘OK, we’re all waiting now — do your performance.’”

Confidence didn’t come first. Action did. And from that came learning.

“Even now, it’s not like it’s easier — the nerves are still there. But you just keep doing it.”

And deadlines help.

“A delivery date forces you to front up and commit.”

Michael Philpott with Julian, Bex (Julian's wife), and Tama

🧠 Q: How did you prepare for your TEDx talk?

Julian’s method? Minimal notes. Maximum memory.

“I had mental markers — like cue cards in my mind. Just nine key points: three in the intro, three in the middle, and three at the end.”

He structured the talk as a linear timeline:
    •    The beginning: how it all started
    •    The middle: milestone moments
    •    The end: the impact and lessons

“I wrote everything by hand — because when you make the word yourself, it sticks better.”

He also practiced in different physical positions — lying down, walking, sitting — and trained himself to use both hands while speaking.

“Symmetry helps me feel more open. Just using one hand can come across a bit ‘preachy’.”

🧠 Q: What was going through your mind just before walking on stage?

Julian’s answer gives you a real glimpse behind the curtain:

“I was pacing, rehearsing, doing a karakia to call on every single advantage I had.”

“At the event, I wanted to watch the other speakers, but I had to remove myself, go upstairs, go over it again in my head. I even had a little nip of whiskey.”

Because sometimes, your pre-stage ritual isn’t about calming down. It’s about calling yourself in — mentally, physically, spiritually.