Mental Health & Industry Updates
Finally, we have arrived at the end of the Traffic Light System! Yay!
Even though COVID is still present in our lives, hopefully, we will continue to see a decline in numbers, and with the sun starting to shine, our summer will be a little more 'normal' than we have seen for a while. We still need to be vigilant about our health, and please do not head to work if you are feeling unwell. Some productions will continue to utilise some measures, but looking out for each other will be essential.
We are also partnering with Miranda Rivers, SPADA and with the support of WIFT and Equity to highlight mental health in the sector. Miranda is organising three screenings of "The Show Must Go On" by Ben Steele. Ben will travel from Australia to join in a Q&A regarding the film and discuss his mental health journey. The film will be screened in Christchurch in late October and Wellington and Auckland in early November. This screening will be free to everyone in the screen industry, so please ensure you secure your tickets when they become available. We will share more details soon. The Mental Health conversation needs to be brought to the table and addressed; this is a great way to start the conversation.
We held our AGM last week, and I would like to thank Brendon Durey, Sioux Ferguson, and Tyrone Payne for continuing their support as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the Guild. A big thank you to the Executive committee for volunteering their time and making the hard decisions on where and what the Guild needs to do to continue to support its members. And to the branch committee members who have put their hands up. We welcome back Christian Gower as Chair for Auckland, Zac Beckett-Knight as Chair for Christchurch, and Wayne Allen for Queenstown, and thank Sally Cunningham for putting up her hand for Wellington Chair. A big thank you to Adrian (Wookie) Hebron, for all of his support as Wellington Chair over the years. Wookie is staying on the Executive committee. Please bring us your ideas so we can ensure we deliver what you need.
The Rate Card project is still working its way through its process. See Brendon’s – President Rave for more information.
The Screen Industry Workers Act has passed. We will release some information and hold workshops on what that means for all crew. I encourage all of our members to familiarise themselves with this information to make sure they are informed.
The Online Bullying and Harassment Prevention module will be available on the ScreenSafe website next month – we encourage all crew to take the time to sit the module and become aware of what bullying and all forms of harassment are. In early November, we will host the next Professional Respect Training workshop in Christchurch.
Our website is going through a significant overhaul, so watch this space – this will be live before Christmas.
I want to also send my heartfelt thoughts to Stephen Buckland, who has been an incredible supporter of the Guild and the NZTECHO magazine for the last 30 years. Stephen will be closing Sound Techniques due to ill health. I want to recognise his contribution to the industry and say a massive thank you from all of us past and present here at the Guild. Aroha Nui.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kelly.
