Resilience in Film
This year we have heard the word ‘unprecedented’ so often in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic that our ears started to hurt. We were rolling from day to day hearing nothing but bad news from around the world, and our own back yards. Jobs fell over, dramas packed up, feature film bookings fizzled, and then we locked down.
The panic and uncertainty of unemployment prospects were rife, and were soon overtaken by a feeling of surrender as the whole world started to experience the same thing. At least for many in the film industry we are familiar with peaks and troughs of work flow, so we are somewhat more resilient than other industries when it comes to being resourceful and putting our survival kits on.
The second Auckland ‘lockdown’ came with little-to-no notice, and meant that over 22 television commercials had to abandon their shooting options and rebook/rejuggle and re quote, along with another stall of the preproduction of the Auckland based large productions, although this time, I felt everyone was a little more relaxed, and could see the wood for the trees, so in true kiwi style we carried on organising what we could for when the city stepped down into a shootable level.
With the help of the Screensafe guidelines, crew can be sure that they have the right skills, knowledge and pathways to shoot safely and confidently without putting themselves, or the public at risk of catching Covid-19. What this second lockdown has highlighted is that we cannot become complacent, and that our personal hygiene and health needs to be our first and foremost consideration when we step on set amongst our peers from now on, and probably for the next year or two.
It does however, give me great pleasure to say, that the last month, including lockdown, has seen the largest, ‘unprecedented’ increase in crew working in the Auckland area. The stimulation that we have seen has been incredible to say the least. It has also highlighted the fact that we need to continue to take the younger, greener technicians under our wings and train them up, because we are experiencing a huge shortage of skilled camera assistants, 2nd AD’s, production coordinators, lighting and grip assists, key grips and sound recordists for the first time in over 20 years! What
an unbelievable turnaround from six months ago, when we were all forced to sit idle for 6 weeks. I would urge all of you to continue to help grow our industry, so that we can all enjoy the rewards of New Zealand being that safe little haven in the Southern Hemisphere where all the studios want to come to shoot. Take a trainee on, teach them what you know, and encourage productions to find a little extra in their budgets to let you bring them to set as often as you can.
