Chris Hiles
How long have you been in screen production and how did you get started?
A long time when I do the math, started at RNZ in 1986, moved to the dark (screen) side in 1989 when TV3 was invented. Grew up in a “film family” so inevitable that I was going to end up in the industry somewhere.
Why did you choose film/TV as a career?
When I left school all I knew was I wanted to work in the broadcasting sector, doing what exactly I wasn’t sure. There was very little known about working in broadcasting from a school careers council pov in the mid 80’s and even less (nothing) known about what was then a very small film sector. Certainly no film schools. I applied for one of the coveted trainee positions at Avalon TV studios, it was highly competitive with 100’s of applicants and only a couple of spots available per year. I made the short list of the final 4 but they said I was to young and told me to go back to school. They were right, I was only 16 - and looked about 12. Not wanting to go back to school I applied to RNZ for an electronics technician apprenticeship (I also liked doing stuff with wires). They said as long as I passed yr 12 English they’d give me a job. I got 37% - thankfully they still gave me the job.
Although I later dabbled in the camera side of the industry also it was my early years in radio that ultimately brought me back to sound, I have a lot of good memories and learnings from those formative years.
What do you believe the industry - and the government - should do to strengthen the industry?
Ooh, a bit of a pandoras box type question… the NZ film industry has grown exponentially in the last 2 decades and on the whole I think the leaders of it through those years have done well at helming it through often uncharted waters. The respective governments also have and continue to support it via various local screen granting bodies and the continued funding of NZ On Air and the Film Commission. Keeping in line with the international industry in regards to the tax rebate is also vitally important. (Note this opinion is from my crew pov, I know creatively there are many other opinions, and rightly so as without our creatives none of us would be here). The fact that our industry is “not unionised” is a double edge sword, it does make things much more attractive from a producer pov which helps secure projects but it also allows for ongoing grey areas in working conditions and makes it more difficult for such to be addressed. 4 things that I would like to see addressed are:
- The inclusion of some sort of late lunch penalty - our lack of one is too often taken advantage of, especially by international productions.
- Superannuation / kiwi saver contributions - the industry has no infrastructure to support it’s people in our later years and it should have.
- Stat hols - should also include days that are “Mondayised” for the rest of the nation, like Anzac Day.
- Points system for low budget shoots - I’m not sure what it is but all I know is there has to be a better, more transparent / consistent way of facilitating this. It should also be overseen by an independent body like the film commission as this really only relates to local productions. Done correctly I think it could both benefit crew and production more than it does now. Could also be a giant can of worms.
Why have you chosen to rejoin the Guild. What do you want and expect of the Guild?
Around about the same time I got disillusioned by the industry I also moved from Wellington to a village in the Sth Island which has no local Guild branch, my guild membership lapsed and I was for a time unenthused to re join. Fast fwd a few years and I’m 'reillusioned' now I’ve sorted my work life balance. I still have some issues with the Guild being a dog with dentures (appears to have teeth but when provoked to bark they have a tendency to fall out) I know it is a vital and important part of our industry that only survives by the support of its members. The Guilds work already carried out in formalising our current working conditions and the continuation of its ability to do so in the future is critical to the ongoing success of our industry as a whole. If you’re reading this and are not a current Guild member or like me let your membership lapse for whatever reason please give some thought to re-joining to support your fellow crew and a Guild that is constantly in the background supporting you.
What strengths do you think the NZ industry has? How do you see New Zealand's industry growing in the future?
Key strength - it’s people. While all industries have their schmucks I feel ours has very few. Other than that it's all cliche stuff, number 8 wire, strong moral and work ethics along with creative can do attitudes from all levels of all departments puts us in high regard as crew. Well done us. The industry has the opportunity to grow now more than ever but it can’t grow without infrastructure or ground up personnel support.
Shoutouts (a personal addition)
While I can I’d like to do a few career shoutouts. Firstly to my dear recently departed Dad (Tony), a trail blazer, a rule bending and breaking creative, an inspiring industry icon and always entertaining father. Chris Sara, my boss at my time at TV3, taught me many things about being a good human and a good boss, died way too young. Ken Saville and Tony Johnson, fellow sound mixers who I have much to thank for and are unlike my father and Chris, thankfully both still alive. And lastly my mate Sam Spicer (also still alive) 1st AS / Boom Operator / collector of shoes, jackets, bags, and all the best bits in prop sales. Our work partnership is now well over 20 yrs! Regards to the rest of ya too of course, it’s you people that I love the most about our industry.
