Reflecting on Leadership and Future Goals

Winter has happened in spasms this year. The last couple of weeks in Kapiti have been beautiful clear sunny days and now the rain has set in again and the temperature has dropped. Perfect time to sit down and write my last article for NZTECHO as the SIGANZ President.

I have just completed my Presidents Report for the AGM and thanked the fantastic group of people who have been part of the Guild during my Presidency. So, I won’t repeat the thanks apart from a special thanks to Karla Rodgers and Sioux MacDonald who have guided me through the four years. It has been an empowering experience representing the SIGANZ members. It is a great Guild with committed member representatives and a strong member base.

I am sure the new President will have their own vision and together with the elected officers and committees they will take the Guild forward. I have some thoughts on some of the things that we should continue to work on.

There are two important documents that are the bedrock of the Guild. The Blue Book and ScreenSafe. They are living documents and they need to be able to be updated as the screen industry changes. They are not document’s to be disrespected by changing terms and conditions to the lowest common dominator, they are documents that need to reflect the changes that will occur in the industry in a positive way that looks after our members and keeps the industry viable.

Over the next few years the nature of the industry will change as the pace of technology increases. The Guild needs to track with these changes and ensure we shape safe and positive workplaces whatever they may become.

The Guild needs to receive continuing feedback from its members as to how the industry is working and practical solutions to the problems that arise. Continuing dialogue between all aspects of the industry is essential to make this happen. The consequences of funding decisions flow on to the Producers, flow on to the Creatives, flow on to the crew and often flow on to the Audiences experience on the Screen. So, we need to be part of the dialogue to get the best outcome for all concerned.

So, my dream is for us to all keep talking. By doing so we can achieve greater outcomes, happier workplaces, and ultimately inspired creative projects.

There has been a project waiting in the wings that we have never got around to following through and I think it is worth pursuing. Sally Meiklejohn proposed a Benevolent Fund that is available for Screen Industry members and their families who are in financial difficulty due to unforeseen circumstances. It has been discussed by Branch Committees and the National Executive but has never been followed through. I think it is a great initiative. We have had many members who have had heart breaking stories and loss of family members and have needed support to help them through a difficult time.

The fund would be created through fundraising events and there would be a mechanism for members to apply and receive assistance. Benevolent Funds are a commonplace idea in other countries and shows we have a respect for the contribution members and their families make to the industry.

Ideally it would be an industry wide initiative as that makes it the most viable financial model. It is a chance for the industry as a whole to come together and make this happen.

To me a safe and empowering industry is the goal we should be aspiring to. An industry that is talking to each other, sharing ideas and ways of improving our product is what will help us to solve the challenges of the future. I look forward to seeing the Guild meet these problems and raise above them and empower our members to provide solutions and continue to make this a world class screen industry.