Film Auckland's Film-friendly Aims

With over 6000 people employed in 1440 screen sector businesses in Auckland, it’s important the city has a film-friendly reputation. Film Auckland manager Michael Brook tells NZTECHO the new Auckland Film Protocol aims to redefine how the screen production industry and Auckland Council can work together to facilitate filming on public land.

While Auckland’s screen industry is quieter than usual right now, it certainly has been big business in the past – generating gross revenues of more than $2 billion a year and accounting for over a half of New Zealand’s screen industry dollars.

It’s hoped by all in the industry that things pick up soon. Michael Brook says the Auckland Film Protocol aims to give more clarity around the process involved in gaining consent to film in public places. Simple guidelines, agreed approval timelines, a clear fee structure, and a fast, transparent resolution process for disputed decisions are all part of it.

The protocol follows months of consultation and review, a process that included 21 local boards, seven council-controlled organizations (CCOs), 18 iwi, business associations, and local communities. Brook says feedback received from stakeholders, including valuable input from the industry, has helped to achieve the end result which took effect in March and is becoming widely accepted.

The protocol recognizes the screen industry’s important role in helping grow the Auckland and national economies, Brook says. The industry has a huge role to play in the social and cultural development of Auckland.

Film Auckland, as part of CCO Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), developed the protocol to attract and expedite local and international screen production. It aims to streamline processes across Auckland Council organizations to help the region better compete for domestic and international film productions.

Prior to Auckland becoming one local government area, only one of the previous councils – Auckland City Council – had a film protocol. The new protocol was based on that, and creates a platform for all of Auckland to say ‘yes’ to requests from the screen industry to work on public land.

Brook says the protocol is a key step in enhancing Auckland’s reputation as a truly film-friendly destination and has four distinct sections:

• The first outlines core commitments and how parties will work together.
• Section two is a guide for filming in Auckland, which provides the industry with a quick overview of the processes and costs associated with filming in public space.
• Section three provides a code of conduct. Key areas include parking/loading, consultation/communication, and dealing with sensitive areas. This was developed with residents, industry, and business associations across Auckland.
• The final section provides detail on approval processes and how they relate to the different functions of the wider council.

The protocol has been built upon commitments between the council, its CCOs, and the region’s screen production industry. These commitments include that council and its CCOs will continue to foster cooperative working relationships with the industry and that council and its CCOs will say ‘yes’ to the industry unless there are compelling and demonstrable reasons not to.

The protocol aims to:

• Create a film-friendly culture within council, its CCOs, and the region to attract and retain screen industry business.
• Deliver a cohesive, efficient, and customer-driven service that provides certainty to filmmakers to better compete globally.
• Enable public goodwill towards the film industry

The council’s support of the industry is based on an assumption that Film Auckland has received all relevant information concerning proposed shoots and the conditions of the film permit are understood and adhered to.

Where there are difficulties with a proposed shoot, the council will listen to and consider all mitigation options presented by the screen production industry and/or Film Auckland. Where it is not possible to say ‘yes’, this decision will be made promptly and transparently, and Film Auckland—along with relevant members of the wider council—will work with the industry to identify alternative options.

Film Auckland will consider the needs of all impacted stakeholders when facilitating filming applications and will work with the industry to mitigate any negative effects caused by filming.

The new protocol aims to make it as easy as possible for the industry to submit thorough and complete application forms—reducing delays caused by needing more information later in the process, and unanticipated complications with the filming activity.

Under the new protocol, staff and elected representatives will also be educated and regularly reminded of the unique needs of the industry (e.g., tight timeframes and frequent use of public spaces).

Forums with the industry and other key stakeholders will also be held to encourage communication and understanding and to identify opportunities to work together.

Film Auckland will seek opportunities to improve its service, and support local up-and-coming filmmakers by discounting or waiving fees where possible, and educating them on filming processes.

The full Auckland Film Protocol can be downloaded from Film Auckland’s website: www.filmauckland.com