Turning Your Ideas Into Cash When the Cameras Aren't Rolling

In a series of articles, **Nicci Lock **of Film Wellington talks to some savvy screen technicians who are earning income in other ways when projects are thin on the ground.

Okay, so the truth is that the last few years have been pretty tough for those working in this industry. A smattering of big budget feature films and local and international TV productions are providing work, albeit for limited periods of time, and production budgets are lean. Without a doubt, most of the screen industry is suffering and not just here – the pain is being felt across the globe.

This has only highlighted that the NZ screen industry must generate income in alternate, innovative ways if it is to be sustainable long term.

Filmmaking, by its very nature is an innovative process and when innovation is in the room – especially if it involves Kiwis – the by-products are new and clever ways to make the impossible possible or solve a problem, whilst delivering on the creative vision. But often that’s where it ends. Chances are if you’ve conjured a solution to a problem, someone else could probably use it to solve their dilemma – and what’s more they might pay for it. Ideas and inventions with the potential to be developed into commercially successful products and services are often left behind when their creators move onto the next job. What would happen if these were exploited beyond their initial use?

It’s said that lean times are good for innovation. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and all that. In our case it’s the talented, inventive and gutsy technicians that have got going. Some are putting their ideas and skills to good use and finding ways to generate income even when the cameras aren’t rolling.

And they’re also getting the help and support to make it happen. The Government has significantly boosted funds available to invest in business, innovation, and science and technology. And not just for the big guys.

It’s never been a better time for Kiwis to turn their ideas and talent into business ventures with the potential to make a real impact, not only on their bank balances but on the world stage. And we’re seeing some of our own prove it really is possible.

**Hil Cook **and her business partner Angela Duncan are a great example of this. Hil has been working as a prosthetics, SPFX makeup and hair artist in the screen industry for 20 years. With a team of three and herself to support, Hil has had to find new ways to put her considerable skills to good use, and generate new sources of revenue beyond contract film and TV work. They started off with makeup workshops to teach people the tricks of the trade. These became so popular that Bobbi Brown sponsored them, supplying them with products. Next came the development and launch of their very own product – the Hil Cook Solution Bud – now on shelves across New Zealand and on sale online, with more opportunities for distribution partners and channels further afield. Right now Hil and Angela are developing an iPhone application for the screen industry. “Everything relates to the film and TV industry and the work we love,” says Hil. “But we’ve had to think a little outside the square to make more cash”.

Recently Hil received an award for Best New Business in the 2010 HER Regional Wellington Businesswoman of the Year Awards (sponsored by Her Business Group). Hil and Angela are great examples of technicians who looked beyond the day-to-day demands of their work on set and found new ways to make money. Turning an idea into a product is a huge achievement and means they now have a source of income that’s not dependent on getting that next job. The potential to take their products global and reap the financial rewards is very real.

Turning an idea into a successful business enterprise isn’t easy. Having a good idea is one thing – making it happen is a whole new game. It was Thomas Edison who said that success was 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. But you’re not alone.

Chloe Dallaway from Grow Wellington, the region’s economic development agency is a great person to talk to about your ideas. “We act as a front door to help people make connections, access funding and advice, and to remove the bureaucracy that can exist” she says. “And the door is always open”.

For further info, Chloe can be contacted at chloe.dallaway@growwellington.com or on (04) 381 4448.