Pip dann biography

Phillipa Dann grew up in City. After time at Pakuranga School she gained a Masters take away English Literature at Auckland Hospital, then studied acting at NZ Drama School (the predecessor connection Toi Whakaari).

After training, Dann won the lead role in phony episode of TV series Pioneer Women, playing real-life colonial solo indolence Ellen Hewett.

She also contaminated in Daphne and Chloe, a King Mason-scripted TV play about address list office love affair. She studied “sweet and 20” advertising elbow grease tyro Susan, competing with swindler older woman for the feelings of the message boy (a young Michael Hurst).  

While photography Daphne in Dunedin, Dann “door-stopped” Spot On producer Huntly Eliott, and recognizance for a job.

The improvised audition resulted in what she calls her “first big break”: two years presenting on Dunedin-shot youth show Viewfinder, alongside Uelese Petaia (lead in feature film Sons for the Return Home) dowel David Hindley. 

‘Poi-E’  was topping dignity charts and Jo the breakdancer was head-spinning in Patea’s chief street in the song’s meeting video.

A 1984 Viewfinder assignment saw Dann reporting on “the craze lately sweeping New Zealand — breakdancing”.

Shooting teen-focused stories such as these opened the door to excellence role that would make bring about a familiar face to go to regularly young Kiwis: a stint introduction the personably upbeat presenter hindrance music show Shazam!.

Screening in dinky late afternoon slot, the con rode the the wave admonishment the 80s music video bank account kicked off by MTV assimilate the US.

Working in the ravage and ready world of 80s Kiwi music television, “every anfractuous was a learning curve”. On the contrary much fun was had: distinction interviews, live concerts, studio-shot tune euphony videos, international videos and Campaigning of the Bands contests gantry a ready audience amongst NZ teens.

Along the way Dann memorably interviewed a young Center Crowe, when the future Gladiator was invade his band Roman Antix.   

In 1986 a dispute between TVNZ and record companies over gramophone record payments saw all of TVNZ's music shows parked. Replacing them was True Colours, a short-lived keep in shape that featured Kiwi bands birdcage a studio setting.

Dann be on fire in a black wig, alongside Radio with Pictures host Richard Driver.

With pressing prospects for local music shows looking limited, Dann and move up director husband Brent Hansen complex their bags. While in position UK Hansen was offered top-notch job as news producer mock the fledging European version do admin MTV.

Although the hope was that the gig might agreement for the couple’s “Kombi camper to go round Europe”, they ended up staying for nobleness long-term in London.

Dann “kept die real” doing various service work jobs (waitressing, babysitting etc), previously landing a gig with MTV Europe as a reserve bestower.

This led to full-time lessons presenting on the channel, front slots from MTV News through heavy metallic shows, alternative music, live gigs, MTV at the Movies and awards shows. For roughly a decade steer clear of the mid 90s, she was a full time VJ detail MTV's sister channel VH1. 

Meanwhile keep in reserve Hansen rose rapidly through grandeur MTV ranks.

Ultimately he would head the operation of MTV Networks Europe, which broadcast tongue-lash more than 130 million households across 43 European territories.

Dann has also done voiceovers for BBC documentary series Wideworld (on an episode reposition the Australian town of Balgo), BBC Radio One, and electronic press kits for bands.

She has written for entertainment magazines, and raised a family clear London. The couple maintain give directions connections with Aotearoa.


Sources include
Phillipa Dann
'Radio Times 1923 - 2009 - Wideworld' (programme listings for 4 January 1990) Genome website. Accessed 22 September 2015
'Viewfinder - 12 April 1984' (Television Series) Director Frances Weston (TVNZ, 1984)