2010 AGM Round Up

All three branches of the Guild met on Tuesday 28 September for the 2010 Annual General Meeting. Read on for edited highlights…

Not surprisingly, The Hobbit continued to spark debate. However, after electing their Branch Committee and National Executive representatives, Guild members also took time out to discuss a number of issues, including:

Immigration

The current Government review of the immigration approval process may impact heavily on the Guild’s Executive Office viability. The lack of appropriate consultation with industry representatives during the current review has been exacerbated by the absence of a pan-industry representative organisation.

State of the Screen Industry summit

Both the Auckland and Wellington Branch Committees suggested bringing together representatives from across the industry to discuss the nature of the film industry in New Zealand today and the state of the industry skill base.

TVC productions take the proverbial

Across the country several members noted a worrying increase in the number of TVC production companies – domestic and international – flouting Blue Book guidelines on crew rates and working conditions e.g. unpaid prep, 12 hour days at 10 hour rates, and no midnight loading; suggestions to help abate this included: developing an iPhone app to make it easier for producers to access the Blue Book ;-) and ensuring the soon-to-be released Blue Book Basics guide for short term shoots is made widely available and specifically distributed to production companies.

Membership drive

The need to find ‘new blood’ for Guild membership and committees was discussed, both to ensure continued financial viability and to inject new ideas and energy into Guild work (please note this isn’t to suggest that existing post holders aren’t enthusiastic or energetic…)

Financials

The Guild made an operational loss of $19,000 in the 2009/2010 year. This is a significant loss and is primarily attributable to: a cyclical downturn in membership; the increased membership fee not having full effect as many members transitioned to the new rate as their rolling membership was renewed; along with a less-than-average income from work permit ‘Letters of Non Objection’ due to a downturn in international production. The Guild needs to grow its membership from a current 430 to preferably 750 or more if it is to ensure long-term viability.

Executive Office 2010

2010 has seen a number of Executive Office initiatives to improve the effectiveness of Guild operations. These included: upgrading the membership database, engagement of an Office Assistant to systematise administrative and membership tasks (thanks Lukas!), refreshing the Guild’s visual identity and associated assets, and reviewing Guild communications with key internal and external audiences. 2011 is set to be another year of continued refinement of Guild processes and tools, with the SCOP upgrade and a governance review already on the table.

Farewell and thanks

A number of long-standing National Executive or Branch Committee members stood down and their efforts and enthusiasm over many years are much appreciated.

Thanks again to David Madigan, Annie Frear, George Wilson and Paul Richards. Thanks to Jennifer Butcher who is standing down for a year from the National Executive and her role as Auckland Chair, and also to Carey Johnson for her work as Wellington Chair and on the National Exec. Carey will continue to support the Guild in her new role as Wellington Treasurer.

Over the next few issues, we hope to briefly profile your National Exec. To get the ball rolling, we’d like to introduce you to your newly-appointed Vice-President and Treasurer:

Sioux Macdonald, Vice-President

Sioux spent nine years working in post-production and facilities before she bought Filmcrews Ltd in 1997. Today, Filmcrews represents over 300 freelance film technicians’ diaries, equipment and services.

A Guild member for thirteen years and on the National Exec for just over a year, Sioux says she originally joined the Guild because she believes in the Blue Book standards and conditions of employment, and wanted to support it financially. She enjoys being involved in the larger interests of freelancers in New Zealand, and “believes it’s important that they have a central place to go with their concerns, gossip, memories, issues, enquiries etc.”

Brendon Durey, Treasurer

SPFX Supervisor Brendon Durey has worked in the screen production industry since 1995. His CV includes time on well-known film and television productions such as Spartacus, Under the Mountain, the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, and Power Rangers. With the Film Effects Co, he has also provided special effects expertise on large-scale events such as product launches, dance parties, conventions and festivals.

Brendon has been on the National Exec for three years, and is glad that he can be actively involved in maintaining good work terms and conditions for film industry workers.

Branch committees

Queenstown

Josh Dunn, chair, grip

Brett Mills, gaffer

Jamie Couper, lighting

Wellington

Dave Brown, chair, gaffer

Jules Lovelock, secretary, AD, production

Carey Johnson, treasurer,

production manager

Ken Saville, sound

Adrian ‘Wookie’ Hebron, gaffer

Darren Mackie, AD

Sally Cunningham, production

Roger Feenstra, focus puller

Belindalee Hope, production manager

Chris Hiles, sound

Auckland

Brendon Durey, interim chair, spfx

Sioux Macdonald, crew booking

Dot Kyle, production

Murray Milne, camera

Nick Treacy, sound

Zara Hayden, production

Corrin Ellingford, sound

CJ Withey, sound

Pieter Huismann, camera

For full minutes of the branch meetings and copies of the annual reports from the President, Treasurer and Executive Office, please visit our website:

www.nztecho.com