Adrian 'Wookie' Hebron
What were you doing before your first film job, and how did you start in the film industry? When?
As part of my electrical apprenticeship with the Hutt Valley Electricity and Gas Board apprentices we were seconded to different businesses in the region. One of mine was TVNZ Avalon for a 3-month stint in the electrical maintenance department.
As a member of the maintenance department I got to go everywhere in the building but it was the studios that grabbed my attention.
Fast forward a few years to 1986. I am out of my time working in Eastbourne for a local electrician and a mate of mine noticed an advert at the National Film Unit for a maintenance sparky. Realising that this was a way into the ‘industry’ I applied and got the job starting on November 17th. I was now in the NFU, but wanted to move into lighting. Middle of 1987 Mike Slater – the then current studio lighting tech – decided to go freelance and his position became vacant. So I applied and got the job, sharing it with Brian Laird. I stayed at the NFU until TVNZ (that circle complete) bought the NFU in 1990. My first job as a freelancer was generator operator for gaffer Danny Williams on Te Rua.
What have been the biggest changes in the years since you have started in film?
The almost complete shift to digital filmmaking would be the biggest technical change.
The biggest change that personally affects me is that Wellington has almost been forgotten as a place to shoot.
Wellington is not just what happens in Miramar, no matter how much work it does and how fantastic it all is.
We also have an amazing studio complex at Avalon.
Our film office bends over backwards to allow almost anything to be filmed here.
We have stunning locations in the lower North Island.
We have incredibly experienced crew that love to work.
And best of all we are nice people!
Please don’t just pass through on the way south.
What do you think we do better now, and what do you think has gone backwards?
Whether changes are for the good or bad we have to adapt and work with them.
Unit tables are a lot healthier but they are also a lot smaller!
Multiple jobs are now done by one person which means other crew members are denied work. This is great for the production financial line but is it really that good for crew? When doing these jobs you become a jack of all but master of none, is that what we really want of our industry?
We have a lot more ‘Instant DoPs’ and directors – just add water. Their technical know-how is ok, but a lot of what is learnt through ‘doing the time’ is sadly missing. The important parts our industry cannot be learnt off YouTube.
What have your favourite jobs been?
My favourite jobs have been the ones where the crew are made to feel like they have contributed to the final outcome and are appreciated by those above them. Too many jobs are like working in a factory. Clock in, clock out and no ‘thank you’ at the end of the day.
A thank you at the end of the day means a hell of a lot!
What would you change about the film industry if you could?
More money available to create more work to keep us all busy.
Be it film, television, TVC, documentary, online etc.
How quickly after starting in film did you join the guild? What is important about being a guild member to you?
I think it was a couple of years after becoming a freelancer that I joined the Guild.
Being a member of the Guild is about supporting the organisation and people that fought for and still fight for the conditions we have today. It is about solidarity as a group to fight issues that affect us all. It is also about trying to give something back to the industry I love.
And the discounts!
How do you see the next decade in film unfolding?
As we all are, I am hoping it will be for the better.
Technology is advancing at a hell of a rate and hopefully it will be for our benefit.
