Summer Shoots in the South
Another Techos Mag – Another Season. Comments from the deep south:
Big International TVCs have kept us fed & watered over the summer. Pharmaceuticals, Banks, Chain-Stores, Milk, and even some local brands joining in.
At one point, we had 4 largish productions rolling at the same time – all local crew were engaged, and North Island crew and gear warmly welcomed to fill the gaps.
The whole region saw some action, with crews travelling and shooting on the beach in Dunedin, at the waterfalls in Milford Sound, on the farm in Southland, and miles up the Matukituki Valley. We have been out on the water in boats, up in the sky in hot air balloons, and in temporary production offices staring out at the amazing summer sunshine!
As usual, we have seen creative genius, fabulous footage, laughable storyboards, incredible technology, and impressive Art Department builds. A prefabricated Kashmiri village and market was shipped down from Auckland and assembled and dressed by a team of northern and local art crew, authentically aged with Central Otago dust… conditions that saw some members of crew working in swim goggles!
Down here, summer is the season of long daylight hours. Magic hour at 7.30am and again at 8.30pm, and more hours in-between than you are legally allowed to work if you will then drive home with a log-book requirement… kudos to a recent TVC Production that provided swing-drivers to all crew to get everyone home safe at the end of long days.
Finally, a wee request from Production. In addition to legal invoicing requirements (worth Googling what these are if you don’t know):
- Try and get your invoice on one page.
- Note on the invoice whose labour is being charged for – important if you have an obscure (albeit witty or creative) company name.
See you out there...
