Southern Screen Success

2017 has rolled by at pace with some memorable projects in the Southern Region such as Wrinkle in Time, MI6, some big TVCs ahead of the Winter Olympics, and three Chinese/NZ Co-Productions.

Two Hollywood Blockbusters brought A-list celebs including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Reece Witherspoon to work in the area and they ‘tweeted’ to the world how much they loved the country and the amazing people.

The big winter TVCs pushed many crew to their limits working in the freezing snow conditions, and delivered some impressive footage. Watch out for the upcoming IOC TVC that was filmed entirely at night in temperatures well below -10 degrees C, and involved some cutting edge drone technology, and athletes (not actors) performing in conditions beyond their normal comfort zone.

The three Chinese/NZ drama shoots were true cross cultural projects that both sides have enjoyed and learned from. Congratulations to Annie Weston for Line Producing the recent Dynasty Warrior shoot, a Chinese Hong Kong NZ Co Production shot around Queenstown, Central Otago and Castle Hill with its share of challenges like a large horse team, numerous extras in frocks with props and language / cultural barriers. Many of the crew have commented on how much they enjoyed working on the job and this comes from the job being well prepped, managed and resourced.

Research shows that one of the key reasons these jobs come here is because of the brilliance of the local crew - day one on the recent Dynasty Warrior shoot was described by the Director as “without fault”, so since December is a month of raised-glassed and celebration, I propose a toast to the players in this southern Screen Industry Guild. Nice work Aces!

And a very special toast to Mark ‘Goat’ Gillings. It was with the greatest sadness that we farewelled Goat in November. As a long time Guild member, friend and colleague to many in the industry here and overseas Goat will be sorely missed.

And onwards we roll into 2018...

I’m not sure if the new Government can deliver on its promise to “implement a long-term film industry strategy, developed with the sector, to better manage the boom / bust cycle of New Zealand’s film industry, so that emerging businesses can achieve the success enjoyed by Weta, which can ride through film’s economic cycles.” - but it certainly can’t do any harm to try!

The Southern lakes district has been boom and bust since the first gold rush so it may take bit of work and infrastructure to even things out now. A studio would be the obvious step to take away the reliance of needing to always be working outside on location so perhaps if the government is serious then that might be a good start.

While we are waiting for that to happen I’m looking forward to a few more busy months, quiet months and the variety of jobs and challenges this industry brings