December 13, 2025 • 14 mins
Kiwi actor Julian Dennison's built up an impressive acting resume between Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool 2, and How to Train Your Dragon, but he's about to make the switch to music next.
Dennison is confirmed to be playing a DJ set at the upcoming Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne at the end of December.
He says he needed another hobby to keep him going between acting gigs, and he felt inspired to explore the world of DJing after getting some advice from a friend.
"He's like - man, why don't you pick up some DJing, it's a fun hobby, you get to listen to music, curate music, you can kind of do whatever you want with it. And that's kind of how it started."
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News Talks, EDB Hunt.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
For the World of People, Deadpool, Godzilla Versus Kong and
now Rhythm and Vines. It turns out Julian Dennison is
a man of many talents. This summer, he's switching from
film set to turntables to play his very first festival
gig at Rhythm and Vines in Gisbon. We had to
find out more about this new found talent, so Jillian
Dennison joins me.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Now, good morning, good morning, how are we very good?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Thank you. Now, Julian Dennison, the DJ, tell me about this.
How did it all come about?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I know it's a pretty funny sentence, but.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
It came about. I was overseas. I was working over
in the UK for a little bit, maybe around two
years two and a half years ago, and I have
a friend who DJ's here in Auckland and yeah, I
think we were on FaceTime and I was like, man,
you know my works it's up and down and it's
like I need another hob when I'm here, and he's like, man,
(01:08):
why didn't you why didn't you pick up some DJing
Like it's a fun hobby, you know, you get to
listen to music, crew music, you know, kind of just
you can kind of do whatever you want with it.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
And yeah, and that's kind of how it started. You know.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
The place I was staying at was like above a
DJ shop, miraculously, so kind of went downstairs and asked
questions and then.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Kind of just got into it.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
I feel like how everyone gets into it, just like
curiosity and yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Then it's just kind of a vole from there. It's
been really fun.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
It was clearly meant to be if you were living
above a DJ shop rise.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, clearly, Yeah, clearly meant to be. Yeah yeah,
they're like, oh, this guy's got to come in here
one day.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
So there are a few videos on TikTok from around
May this year onwards, and I've watched a few of them.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
You're good, Thank you. I try, I really try.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
You kind of I think growing up you always just
think that you know, they're pressing buttons and they're like
you know, but what I've really fell in love with
is like the craft of it, you know what I mean.
Like it's about playing music that people want to hear,
that they want to dance to, and you know, you realize,
you kind of realize how extensive it is. Like it's
(02:19):
not just people pressing buttons and changing songs like this.
They're not just like the hit like the Master of
the Playlist, but they're really they're controlling a kind of
controlling a room and helping people kind of yeah, have
a good time, which I think I've that's the thing
I've really fell in love with, and that's why I've
like continued to.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Always wanting to get better at everything I do.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
You know, I was wanting did you did you pick
it up sort of naturally? Did you just teach yourself?
I'm wondering, if you're with one of these sort of
annoying people, it's just naturally good at everything.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
No, no, no, no, not at all, not at all.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
There was like a lot of YouTube, a lot of
like calling my friends and being like, yo, well what
do I do this?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
How do I do this?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
A lot of like, oh, how do I download this
song and like put it like this and mix it
like this?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
And you know, I think I think it's great.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I think a lot of DJs that I know now
and a lot of DJs and I meant, it's always like, oh,
my friends started, so I started, and now like we
get to do it together. Like it really is just
like a fun hobby, Like you know, my friends will
come around home and wall or play and we'll or
you know, go back to back and he'll play a
song and then I'll play a song. So it's kind
of just like it's also been I think, something that's
(03:25):
really kind of and in my circle being something that's
been quite cool.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Our R and V is your Is it your first festival?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yes, R and V first festival, which is yeah, I'm
very excited for that.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
How are you feeling about playing such an iconic festival.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
I know, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
I just I'm excited to kind of see what happens,
you know.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
What I mean. I've this will be my first R
and V as well. I remember all the times, you know,
coming you.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Know, fresh out of fresh out of college, and you know,
my friends are like, oh, let's go R and V.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
And I was like never, I was never really into it.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
And then as I've gotten into this kind of DJing
and kind of like fall in love with the music,
It's like, man, this is going to be fun.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
So I'm very excited. It's going to be a good time.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I'm excited to play some good music with some good
people and yeah, have a good time.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
So what is a Julian Dennison set Like?
Speaker 4 (04:23):
I think it's it's a lot of things that I
think I would listen to, Like if I'm hanging out
with friends and when you're tired and you need to
get home and you need to play the music that's
going to keep you awake and keep you going.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
That's the kind of music that I'm going to.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Play at R and V, Like very kind of high energy,
high bpm. I'm excited to play some stuff that I
wouldn't normally play at the places that I normally play
at here in Auckland. And yeah, I've been like really
wanting to get into move into dance music, which has
been something that's really kind of captured my ear this
(05:01):
past few months.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
So I'm excited to play some stuff that I want
to play.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Did you ever contemplate DJ name like dropping Julian Dinnerson
and going with something completely different?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yes, I did.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
There was like a few at the start, but I
was kind of like they never really stuck and a
lot of my friends were like, hey, bro, like just
use your name like your name is known, Like it's
not that you're it's not that you're because I, you know,
a classic New Zealander. I was like, you know, I
want to you know, I don't want to you know,
be too. You know, I don't want to, like, I
don't want to each drop my name. I don't want
(05:33):
to like and I'm not using for Cloud like it's
like I want to you know, everyone else has started
here and I want to start here at this and
they're like, you're not starting anywhere. It's like there's a
lot of DJs who just use their name, so yeah,
it's always just been Julian or Julian Dinnison, which is
which is so funny to think of that. And then
you see me like DJing like the amount of people
who have walked up to me and be like you're
(05:54):
the last person I expected to see here, and I
was like, thank thanks, man, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Talk to me about twenty twenty five. Obviously you've got
the new found career as a DJ. You played fish
Leagues and how to trying to Drag And how's the
year been for you?
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Yeah, it's been it's been fun.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
It's been really good, you know, being able to work
a little bit over seasons, some other films that will
be coming out soon. So it's just been nice to
to be working, like and doing something that I love.
And the DJs, I think the DJing has been something
that's really as creative people, right, Like our industry is
always so up and down, you know, like one season
(06:34):
you could be working like you know, you have two
three jobs in a year, and then one year maybe
you have one or maybe.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
You have nothing.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
And I think, you know, for myself these part of
the years, it's been like, man, what are other creative
processes that like scratch that itch? And I think for
me like being able to work and do how to
train your dragon and then have a few months breaks
and be able to do gigs and like kind of
build this thing that I have going here and then
and then go do film. It's just like, man, I
(07:01):
just feel really lucky to be able to be in
a creative space, you know, kind of constantly.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
And congratulations, I believe you got married.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
I did not get married. I got on gaged.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Oh you got engaged? Well marriage yes.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, one step towards marriage.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Uh yeah, very exciting going going into the into the
new year, very excited about the next step of life.
So yeah, I'm very excited. She's she's amazing and and
she's and she's always at like my gigs and stuff,
like she'll probably she'll be at R and B like
behind me, like making sure, you know, pressing the right buttons,
(07:42):
et cetera.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So congratulations, Hey, How to Train a Dragon? That was
one of my favorite films as a parent, taking my
kids to those animations, and of course they've redone them
with live action and things. Were you a fan of
the original animations.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I was.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
I remember the first one coming out and seeing that
in the movie theater and the second one, so.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Yeah, I kind of grew up like through those.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Early teens into the teenage years watching them and I
love them so much.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
So just being able to do yeah, do that film.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
Really like uh, really spoke a lot to like my
inner child, Like I was very kind of giddy that
whole time shooting that movie.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
So yeah, like very very very very excited to like
just be a part of that.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Julian, you have this incredible mix of sort of Hollywood
an ki Wee movies, on your resume. What do you
get out of those sort of different films that you
participate in. Do they fulfill sort of different things for you?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Yeah? I think.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Like whenever I do a film, I'm never really looking
for fulfillment, but I'm more just looking for like, man,
like what it's like, I always want to do films
that I know I'll enjoy watching and then I know
that I'll like I can, so I'll like to sit
down and I can like watch it with like my
family or my friends and actually enjoy it. So I
(09:13):
think I think the whole journey's just really been like, yeah,
all I'm wanting to do is like make great films
or like or make things that I enjoy and then
like see what I can get along the way, you know,
like you know, whether that's advice or whether that's you know,
how pul whether that's whatever. I'm working with people that
I've never worked with, or being able to travel. Like
(09:34):
really it's just like being a sponge for my whole
life and just like absorbing everything I can and like
making sure I'm reciprocating that to everyone I meet as well,
you know, giving giving back.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I guess.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
So yeah, that was kind of a It was kind
of a strange answer to that question.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I know, I know exactly what you think, because I mean,
there must be such a huge difference between doing some
of these, you know, these massive action films like Dead
pulland Godzilla and Kong and things that you do and
how to try and Dragon and then coming home and
making you know, a small and Zealand story like Uproar,
which I haven't had the chance to talk to you
about that film, but I just thought your performance was stunning.
(10:13):
I felt like I was watching you evolve from a
very competent young actor to an adult actor who just
has so much more to offer. I was so impressed
by that performance.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Oh, thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
I think for me that was, yeah, that was like
my first film, kind of like going to set by
myself and like and and and and Mum was like
obviously Mum was in the film, but yeah, it was
kind of just like a really interesting time for me.
And it kind of you know, I think in anyone's
career or anyone's life, you know, when you realize you
(10:50):
kind of oh the thing that I love, there's more
to it than just what I've always done. And I
think it really opened my eyes in terms of like
how much how important the craft is and how important
you know, everything about this is like a kind of
opened my eyes towards like producing and writing and directing
and kind of just made me realize, like, man, this
(11:12):
is like this is why I love it. You know,
like we're in New Zealand, we're shooting you know, not
a crazy budget, but like an importance or an important film,
and like that's that's that's what it's about.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
That's it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
I mean you're only twenty three, which seems crazy given
how much you've done and the experiences you've had, right.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
I Yeah, I think I'm very I'm just like very
blessed they like very lucky, and I think I think, yeah,
I'm just very thankful to be able to have done
the things I'm doing, and I just want to continue
to kind of do everything I can.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
And and yeah, just like keep going like yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
No, it's been an impressive transition sort of from child
to teen to sort of adult actor, and you've done,
I think, a really good job not to get type cast.
Is that something that plays on your mind?
Speaker 4 (12:06):
Of course, like all the time, like as Keywi's as
I guess you would say comedic relief. I mean like
at the end of the day, you know, like I'm
gonna do films that I enjoy and if that is
me like doing like a role that's similar to another
role that I've done, like all good like people like
(12:27):
oh man, I've sometimes been told like, oh, you're the
funny guy. I'm like, yep, And this funny guy is
able to pay his bills, this funny guy gets enjoys
his job, this funny guy loves what he does. And
I'm like, and there'll be a role that comes around
and it's different, and when I do that, I'll give
as much if it as I do in that role
then I do in my other role. So I think, Yeah,
(12:50):
I think I've been lucky to have like a quite
a diverse range of films under my belt, and I'm
just I'm just keen to like do more and see
what happens there.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
So what's on the cards for twenty twenty six? What's
coming up?
Speaker 4 (13:06):
From the DJing, Yeah, going to the going into the
New Year and Rhythm and Vines with the DJing with
this new thing that I got going on, and then
heading over to.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
The UK.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
To do a project over there, which I can't say
a lot about but very exciting, like just just nice
to know that going into the new year, like all
kind of aspects of life are on the up.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
So yeah, it's good. I'm excited. I'm excited to go
that Rhythm.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
And Vines and started off with like, oh yeah, like
a solid like a good a good, a good, solid
time with some good people.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Oh, Julian, it's been a pleasure to talk to you.
Thank you so much for your time. Have a good
time at Rhythm and Vines and all the best at
twenty twenty six.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Thank you so much. I'll see you there.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
You might see my kids. But I love the fact
he thinks that I'm going to be at Rhythm and Vines.
That was Julian Dennison. He'll be playing the Cellar stage
at Rhythm and Vines. The festival course kicks off and
gets been on December twenty eighth. Tickets are on sale.
If you want to check out the full lineup, head
to Rhythm and Vines dot co dot nz. I got
a text from someone who's said, young Julian Dennison, I
can't believe how mature and insightful he has become Onya Julian.
(14:17):
Do you know what I really enjoyed chatting to him.
I completely agree. He's clearly a young man who's had
some extraordinary experiences very early on in his career, going
from Hollywood blockbusters to small New Zealand films. He understands
the nature of the business that it's not always going
to be on a high and you know, there are
times when you don't have work and you've got to
(14:37):
be grateful for all the work you get. Yeah, no,
I agree. I thought he's very grounded and down to
earth young man.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to News Talks there'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News Talks, EDB Hunt.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
For the World of People, Deadpool, Godzilla Versus Kong and
now Rhythm and Vines. It turns out Julian Dennison is
a man of many talents. This summer, he's switching from
film set to turntables to play his very first festival
gig at Rhythm and Vines in Gisbon. We had to
find out more about this new found talent, so Jillian
Dennison joins me.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Now, good morning, good morning, how are we very good?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Thank you. Now, Julian Dennison, the DJ, tell me about this.
How did it all come about?
Speaker 3 (00:40):
I know it's a pretty funny sentence, but.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
It came about. I was overseas. I was working over
in the UK for a little bit, maybe around two
years two and a half years ago, and I have
a friend who DJ's here in Auckland and yeah, I
think we were on FaceTime and I was like, man,
you know my works it's up and down and it's
like I need another hob when I'm here, and he's like, man,
(01:08):
why didn't you why didn't you pick up some DJing
Like it's a fun hobby, you know, you get to
listen to music, crew music, you know, kind of just
you can kind of do whatever you want with it.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
And yeah, and that's kind of how it started. You know.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
The place I was staying at was like above a
DJ shop, miraculously, so kind of went downstairs and asked
questions and then.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Kind of just got into it.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
I feel like how everyone gets into it, just like
curiosity and yeah, and.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Then it's just kind of a vole from there. It's
been really fun.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
It was clearly meant to be if you were living
above a DJ shop rise.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, clearly, Yeah, clearly meant to be. Yeah yeah,
they're like, oh, this guy's got to come in here
one day.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
So there are a few videos on TikTok from around
May this year onwards, and I've watched a few of them.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
You're good, Thank you. I try, I really try.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
You kind of I think growing up you always just
think that you know, they're pressing buttons and they're like
you know, but what I've really fell in love with
is like the craft of it, you know what I mean.
Like it's about playing music that people want to hear,
that they want to dance to, and you know, you realize,
you kind of realize how extensive it is. Like it's
(02:19):
not just people pressing buttons and changing songs like this.
They're not just like the hit like the Master of
the Playlist, but they're really they're controlling a kind of
controlling a room and helping people kind of yeah, have
a good time, which I think I've that's the thing
I've really fell in love with, and that's why I've
like continued to.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Always wanting to get better at everything I do.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
You know, I was wanting did you did you pick
it up sort of naturally? Did you just teach yourself?
I'm wondering, if you're with one of these sort of
annoying people, it's just naturally good at everything.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
No, no, no, no, not at all, not at all.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
There was like a lot of YouTube, a lot of
like calling my friends and being like, yo, well what
do I do this?
Speaker 3 (02:55):
How do I do this?
Speaker 4 (02:56):
A lot of like, oh, how do I download this
song and like put it like this and mix it
like this?
Speaker 3 (03:01):
And you know, I think I think it's great.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
I think a lot of DJs that I know now
and a lot of DJs and I meant, it's always like, oh,
my friends started, so I started, and now like we
get to do it together. Like it really is just
like a fun hobby, Like you know, my friends will
come around home and wall or play and we'll or
you know, go back to back and he'll play a
song and then I'll play a song. So it's kind
of just like it's also been I think, something that's
(03:25):
really kind of and in my circle being something that's
been quite cool.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Our R and V is your Is it your first festival?
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yes, R and V first festival, which is yeah, I'm
very excited for that.
Speaker 2 (03:41):
How are you feeling about playing such an iconic festival.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
I know, I don't know.
Speaker 4 (03:46):
I just I'm excited to kind of see what happens,
you know.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
What I mean. I've this will be my first R
and V as well. I remember all the times, you know,
coming you.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Know, fresh out of fresh out of college, and you know,
my friends are like, oh, let's go R and V.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
And I was like never, I was never really into it.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
And then as I've gotten into this kind of DJing
and kind of like fall in love with the music,
It's like, man, this is going to be fun.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
So I'm very excited. It's going to be a good time.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
I'm excited to play some good music with some good
people and yeah, have a good time.
Speaker 2 (04:19):
So what is a Julian Dennison set Like?
Speaker 4 (04:23):
I think it's it's a lot of things that I
think I would listen to, Like if I'm hanging out
with friends and when you're tired and you need to
get home and you need to play the music that's
going to keep you awake and keep you going.
Speaker 3 (04:37):
That's the kind of music that I'm going to.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
Play at R and V, Like very kind of high energy,
high bpm. I'm excited to play some stuff that I
wouldn't normally play at the places that I normally play
at here in Auckland. And yeah, I've been like really
wanting to get into move into dance music, which has
been something that's really kind of captured my ear this
(05:01):
past few months.
Speaker 3 (05:02):
So I'm excited to play some stuff that I want
to play.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Did you ever contemplate DJ name like dropping Julian Dinnerson
and going with something completely different?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Yes, I did.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
There was like a few at the start, but I
was kind of like they never really stuck and a
lot of my friends were like, hey, bro, like just
use your name like your name is known, Like it's
not that you're it's not that you're because I, you know,
a classic New Zealander. I was like, you know, I
want to you know, I don't want to you know,
be too. You know, I don't want to, like, I
don't want to each drop my name. I don't want
(05:33):
to like and I'm not using for Cloud like it's
like I want to you know, everyone else has started
here and I want to start here at this and
they're like, you're not starting anywhere. It's like there's a
lot of DJs who just use their name, so yeah,
it's always just been Julian or Julian Dinnison, which is
which is so funny to think of that. And then
you see me like DJing like the amount of people
who have walked up to me and be like you're
(05:54):
the last person I expected to see here, and I
was like, thank thanks, man, I appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Talk to me about twenty twenty five. Obviously you've got
the new found career as a DJ. You played fish
Leagues and how to trying to Drag And how's the
year been for you?
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Yeah, it's been it's been fun.
Speaker 4 (06:11):
It's been really good, you know, being able to work
a little bit over seasons, some other films that will
be coming out soon. So it's just been nice to
to be working, like and doing something that I love.
And the DJs, I think the DJing has been something
that's really as creative people, right, Like our industry is
always so up and down, you know, like one season
(06:34):
you could be working like you know, you have two
three jobs in a year, and then one year maybe
you have one or maybe.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
You have nothing.
Speaker 4 (06:41):
And I think, you know, for myself these part of
the years, it's been like, man, what are other creative
processes that like scratch that itch? And I think for
me like being able to work and do how to
train your dragon and then have a few months breaks
and be able to do gigs and like kind of
build this thing that I have going here and then
and then go do film. It's just like, man, I
(07:01):
just feel really lucky to be able to be in
a creative space, you know, kind of constantly.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
And congratulations, I believe you got married.
Speaker 3 (07:11):
I did not get married. I got on gaged.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
Oh you got engaged? Well marriage yes.
Speaker 3 (07:18):
Yeah, one step towards marriage.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Uh yeah, very exciting going going into the into the
new year, very excited about the next step of life.
So yeah, I'm very excited. She's she's amazing and and
she's and she's always at like my gigs and stuff,
like she'll probably she'll be at R and B like
behind me, like making sure, you know, pressing the right buttons,
(07:42):
et cetera.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
So congratulations, Hey, How to Train a Dragon? That was
one of my favorite films as a parent, taking my
kids to those animations, and of course they've redone them
with live action and things. Were you a fan of
the original animations.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I was.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
I remember the first one coming out and seeing that
in the movie theater and the second one, so.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
Yeah, I kind of grew up like through those.
Speaker 4 (08:11):
Early teens into the teenage years watching them and I
love them so much.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
So just being able to do yeah, do that film.
Speaker 4 (08:18):
Really like uh, really spoke a lot to like my
inner child, Like I was very kind of giddy that
whole time shooting that movie.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
So yeah, like very very very very excited to like
just be a part of that.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
Julian, you have this incredible mix of sort of Hollywood
an ki Wee movies, on your resume. What do you
get out of those sort of different films that you
participate in. Do they fulfill sort of different things for you?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
Yeah? I think.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Like whenever I do a film, I'm never really looking
for fulfillment, but I'm more just looking for like, man,
like what it's like, I always want to do films
that I know I'll enjoy watching and then I know
that I'll like I can, so I'll like to sit
down and I can like watch it with like my
family or my friends and actually enjoy it. So I
(09:13):
think I think the whole journey's just really been like, yeah,
all I'm wanting to do is like make great films
or like or make things that I enjoy and then
like see what I can get along the way, you know,
like you know, whether that's advice or whether that's you know,
how pul whether that's whatever. I'm working with people that
I've never worked with, or being able to travel. Like
(09:34):
really it's just like being a sponge for my whole
life and just like absorbing everything I can and like
making sure I'm reciprocating that to everyone I meet as well,
you know, giving giving back.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I guess.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
So yeah, that was kind of a It was kind
of a strange answer to that question.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
I know, I know exactly what you think, because I mean,
there must be such a huge difference between doing some
of these, you know, these massive action films like Dead
pulland Godzilla and Kong and things that you do and
how to try and Dragon and then coming home and
making you know, a small and Zealand story like Uproar,
which I haven't had the chance to talk to you
about that film, but I just thought your performance was stunning.
(10:13):
I felt like I was watching you evolve from a
very competent young actor to an adult actor who just
has so much more to offer. I was so impressed
by that performance.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Oh, thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
I think for me that was, yeah, that was like
my first film, kind of like going to set by
myself and like and and and and Mum was like
obviously Mum was in the film, but yeah, it was
kind of just like a really interesting time for me.
And it kind of you know, I think in anyone's
career or anyone's life, you know, when you realize you
(10:50):
kind of oh the thing that I love, there's more
to it than just what I've always done. And I
think it really opened my eyes in terms of like
how much how important the craft is and how important
you know, everything about this is like a kind of
opened my eyes towards like producing and writing and directing
and kind of just made me realize, like, man, this
(11:12):
is like this is why I love it. You know,
like we're in New Zealand, we're shooting you know, not
a crazy budget, but like an importance or an important film,
and like that's that's that's what it's about.
Speaker 3 (11:24):
That's it. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
I mean you're only twenty three, which seems crazy given
how much you've done and the experiences you've had, right.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
I Yeah, I think I'm very I'm just like very
blessed they like very lucky, and I think I think, yeah,
I'm just very thankful to be able to have done
the things I'm doing, and I just want to continue
to kind of do everything I can.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
And and yeah, just like keep going like yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
No, it's been an impressive transition sort of from child
to teen to sort of adult actor, and you've done,
I think, a really good job not to get type cast.
Is that something that plays on your mind?
Speaker 4 (12:06):
Of course, like all the time, like as Keywi's as
I guess you would say comedic relief. I mean like
at the end of the day, you know, like I'm
gonna do films that I enjoy and if that is
me like doing like a role that's similar to another
role that I've done, like all good like people like
(12:27):
oh man, I've sometimes been told like, oh, you're the
funny guy. I'm like, yep, And this funny guy is
able to pay his bills, this funny guy gets enjoys
his job, this funny guy loves what he does. And
I'm like, and there'll be a role that comes around
and it's different, and when I do that, I'll give
as much if it as I do in that role
then I do in my other role. So I think, Yeah,
(12:50):
I think I've been lucky to have like a quite
a diverse range of films under my belt, and I'm
just I'm just keen to like do more and see
what happens there.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
So what's on the cards for twenty twenty six? What's
coming up?
Speaker 4 (13:06):
From the DJing, Yeah, going to the going into the
New Year and Rhythm and Vines with the DJing with
this new thing that I got going on, and then
heading over to.
Speaker 3 (13:18):
The UK.
Speaker 4 (13:20):
To do a project over there, which I can't say
a lot about but very exciting, like just just nice
to know that going into the new year, like all
kind of aspects of life are on the up.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
So yeah, it's good. I'm excited. I'm excited to go
that Rhythm.
Speaker 4 (13:35):
And Vines and started off with like, oh yeah, like
a solid like a good a good, a good, solid
time with some good people.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Oh, Julian, it's been a pleasure to talk to you.
Thank you so much for your time. Have a good
time at Rhythm and Vines and all the best at
twenty twenty six.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Thank you so much. I'll see you there.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
You might see my kids. But I love the fact
he thinks that I'm going to be at Rhythm and Vines.
That was Julian Dennison. He'll be playing the Cellar stage
at Rhythm and Vines. The festival course kicks off and
gets been on December twenty eighth. Tickets are on sale.
If you want to check out the full lineup, head
to Rhythm and Vines dot co dot nz. I got
a text from someone who's said, young Julian Dennison, I
can't believe how mature and insightful he has become Onya Julian.
(14:17):
Do you know what I really enjoyed chatting to him.
I completely agree. He's clearly a young man who's had
some extraordinary experiences very early on in his career, going
from Hollywood blockbusters to small New Zealand films. He understands
the nature of the business that it's not always going
to be on a high and you know, there are
times when you don't have work and you've got to
(14:37):
be grateful for all the work you get. Yeah, no,
I agree. I thought he's very grounded and down to
earth young man.
Speaker 1 (14:46):
For more from the Sunday session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
live to News Talks there'd be from nine am Sunday,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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