Rejuvenating the Industry
Despite work being slow for film and TV crew around the country in recent months, many of our members have still managed to find themselves busy. Through my dual roles for The Techos’ Guild, it has been heart-warming to witness, the dedication, passion and hard work from so many committee members and technicians in trying to rejuvenate our industry. This work is of course unpaid and is also largely unrecognised.
A lot goes on behind the scenes on behalf of all NZ technicians, whether or not you all realise it is a different matter.
Guild vice-president Sioux Macdonald and treasurer Brendon Durey are busy people running businesses and with families, but both have put so much into talks and meetings in recent months. You can read about November’s screen industry forum on pages 16 and 17. A special thanks to them both.
Thanks also to Dot Kyle for not only being a driving force behind the November meeting but for putting a face to the crisis (The New Zealand Herald, Cruel cut for NZ film industry, 9 November 2013). These are only a few names and there are many more who should be thanked.
While on the subject of doing a lot for not much money, I’ll introduce our cover article on micro-budget, Escalator-funded, feature-length film Orphans & Kingdoms. Writer/director Paolo Rotondo and producer** Fraser Brown **certainly came up with creative strategies to reach audiences for this project. We wish them all the very best for the film’s release in 2014.
Film Otago Southland executive manager** Kevin (KJ) Jennings **writes of the importance in keeping access open for filming in Queenstown’s idyllic landscape sustainable in our ‘close-up’ section. Congratulations are due to KJ also, for his recent reappointment to the Association of Film Commissioners International board of directors.
We bring you not one but two member profiles this issue. We’re chuffed to feature highly-acclaimed production designer and art director** Kim Sinclair** and at the other end of the career spectrum we have started a section for newbie profiles. We’ve just got so much talent to show off.
We’re also pleased to bring you our ‘back in the day’ section. This time we hear from retired gaffer Tony Eversden about a Japanese film shoot at Eden Park in the 1980s.
Just as we go to print there are further congratulations due, this time to** Dave Gibson**, who has been appointed as the next chief executive for New Zealand Film Commission. Dave founded The Gibson Group and has worked in film and TV for 35 years.
Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year everyone. Hope you enjoy this read.
Carolyn Brooke, editor
