Positive Change in the Industry

Accentuate the positive

I’ve been mulling over some of this year’s events and themes with a view to a piece for reading and digesting over summer…

Generally at this time the industry can be seen to be under a good deal of pressure – from changes to immigration, legislation, public broadcasting, the vagaries of worldwide economic ‘downturn’ and subsequent fluctuations in the value of the New Zealand dollar. All this can lead to a good deal of hand wringing and – ultimately – gloomy negativity.

I would argue that the ‘Hobbit Law’ is unjust and was brought in without due process, that actors – being easy targets – continue to be casually vilified with little substance to warrant such treatment, that changes to wording of employment law styled by the incumbent government as ‘minor’ are in fact profound in effect, that proposed immigration changes are poorly constructed and predicated on shaky arguments vaguely aimed at ‘encouraging business’. I could even be right.

The thing is, at the end of the day having logic, justice and other laudable things ‘on your side’ can be cold comfort when all seems continuously bleak. It can lead to a sense of overwhelming defeat that serves no useful purpose.

So how to be active (proactive, even)? How do we make positive changes? These things are not my personal forte – I am skilled at critique and analysis, finding flaws in minutiae and serving someone else’s bigger picture. But I do know there is a flip side, you just have to be looking from the right angle. What I need is to work with someone whose strengths complement mine: I do analysis, pedantic details, and they provide focus on the bigger picture. The theme that emerges here is positively-focused collaborative action.

Broadly speaking it’s producers who are naturally focused on the big picture. Crew tend to focus on the job at hand. I sympathise: we can’t become what we are not, and trying to expends too much energy. What is needed is your particular skills used in the right area. The more of us working together, the more likely we are to make headway with the bigger issues.

In a concrete sense I draw your collective attention to the Screen Sector Work Programme. A rather dense title, unhelpfully, not signalling what this actually means: a review of government-funded screen initiatives – all of ‘em. That is, a government review of all the areas in which government and the screen industry interact. [e.g. tourism (screen productions as publicity), culture and heritage (screen storytelling and recording of history), specialised screen bodies (NZ Film Commission and Film NZ), immigration (regulation of importation of labour) and economic development (screen as industry contributing to the economy).]

Where you come in is via consultation: “sector-wide feedback on [the] work programme, as well as more targeted consultation with interested groups.” The challenges are the timeframe, kicking off (rather sluggishly) in June 2011 the review findings “will inform advice to Cabinet in June 2012”. This leaves a short window in which to provide your thoughts; the other challenge is knowing when and how you can get your thoughts across…

I urge anyone with a view on any matter that seems to fit the scope of the review to contact one of the project managers, and indicate your interest, regardless of set timeframes:** Keith Conway (Project Manager, MCH keith.conway@mch.govt.nz, ph (04) 471 6440), Jane Cameron** (MED, jane.cameron@med.govt.nz, ph (04) 474 2675).

The latest of what they call workstreams (or ‘projects’) is the Large Budget Grant evaluation. As I write consultation should be underway, and by the time you read this it’s likely to be over, but note my advice above. Other projects identified initially are reviews of:

• SPIF (Screen Production Incentive Fund)
• Professional Development Training (a somewhat controversial survey may be headed your way)
• Current institutional arrangements for government-funded screen agencies (i.e. review of NZFC and Film NZ)
• Film and television international co-production agreements
• New Zealand Film Commission sales function
• Screen infrastructure.

My last say for the year is equally critical but referring to the Guild. The three positive ways you can interact with your Guild:

1. Talk about the Guild: the main reason cited for not joining a guild or union is ‘no one ever asked’, more members = more that can be achieved.
2. Communicate what you want and can offer: Can the Guild help you learn a new essential skill? Can newbies observe you for a day on the job? Can you throw a tailgate-barbeque with local gaffers and invite other crew along to check out their gear? (Thanks to Kevin Riley for that cracker suggestion),
3. Identify your interest: Does immigration intrigue you? Are you itching to update Blue Book entries? Small groups of three or four are needed to work on areas they enjoy in association with the office and committees.

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Have a safe summer, working or playing!