Remembering Paul Chattington

I first met Paul at Avalon, TVNZ, when he was transferred to the Film Sound Department. He joined me on several training occasions recording news and current affairs items. That was in the early 1980s.

It wasn’t until much later that we met again, by which time he had left TV and was entering the world of the freelancer. I was well established in the Wellington film sound scene by this time, and whenever a production needed a 2nd unit recordist, or I needed someone to take over my position, I called Paul. He was friendly, jovial, a team player but most importantly, he listened. I could always rely on him to turn in a great sounding product.

He also found his niche in documentaries. Became highly regarded by doco producers and directors. On those shows, a mutual respect is needed between cameraman and soundman. Paul always gained that respect and gave back as good as he got.

It was with OB sport crews however that he was most comfortable and confident. All major sporting events in New Zealand had Chats on site, and many overseas events such as the Americas Cup. He was a true professional who loved his craft.

A thoroughly good bloke, excellent sound man, loving husband and father.

Faded out much too soon.

Ken Saville

Paul Chattington - Chatts - was a long serving and enormously well-liked and respected member of the Wellington, New Zealand and international film-making community.

After arriving from England as a child with his parents, Chatts grew up in Wainuiomata and secured a job at the new Avalon Studios as a school leaver. He worked in many departments - especially in lighting - as was normal at the time, before he and the sound department found each other.

Paul was something of a natural for the sound department. Although he maybe didn't even realise it himself, he had a great gift for listening and for picking up the details of any conversation or soundscape he was exposed to. Maybe a childhood spent living with dyslexia, struggling at school even though he was a naturally bright and attentive boy, turned out to be his sound-recording superpower.

Paul worked consistently in drama, news and current affairs - he had stories about what went on behind the scenes at Telethon that will never be told - before the job began to take him all around the world. Paul travelled to Australia, the USA, the UK, France and most of Europe, Thailand and much of Asia. All the while, he delivered perfectly recorded dialogue and soundtracks every time. The skill and compassion he brought to this sensitive and detailed work were well known.

For the drama department of TVNZ, Paul was entrusted with recording episodes of Marching Girls, Pioneer Women and most of the other premium local content of the time.

After TVNZ - back when that organisation decided that the way forward was to make its key crew redundant and re-hire them as contractors - Paul became a mainstay at Sky Sport. The work took him all over New Zealand - again - as he recorded international cricket and rugby, and then around the world for Football World Cups, the Commonwealth and Olympic Games - and then the Americas Cup, from which Chats gathered even more brilliant yarns.

Chatts eventually spent his entire working life in film and sound. He travelled the world, met Judith - his first girlfriend, who would become his wife and life-time companion, and together they became parents to Amy, Emma and Simon, and Grand Parents to Ryan, Indie and Piper.

Chatts was a true gentleman of the industry, a valued and trusted colleague and an absolutely lovely bloke. Go well.

GT