Canterbury's Sizzling Film Season

What a year we have had, and now with the start of Summer, the industry in Canterbury is on fire as the headlong dash towards the Christmas break brings scorching weather, the odd scrub fire and peoples busy calendars, the region could be officially classified as ‘hot'.

The commercial and corporate sectors have seen a steady rate of work as business confidence is strong and companies are keen to spend again domestically. Demand on crew is welcomed with a high volume of work for the local scene.

Larger commercial work seems be mainly staying up in Auckland for the time being, but their demand for crew has managed to entice a few up to the big smoke for the odd job.

As the world settles into the new pandemic normal, nearly a year after the initial lockdowns, the industry has become custom to the concept of remote filming. January and February finally see China and European jobs coming back for their off season filming with Screen CanterburyNZ supporting Enquiries with their growing locations database.

Special shout outs to Michael Paletta and Justin Rypma for hosting Camera Assisting and Lighting workshops respectively. Also the Directors workshop with Rob Sarkies was well attended and well enjoyed. WIFT hosted a valuable legal workshop with lawyers Anchali Anandanayagam and Caitlin Hadlee from Hudson Gavin Martin, who shared a wealth of knowledge including the important contracts, areas of IP and Chain of title to apply to upcoming projects, great to see that knowledge and experience being passed on to a new and hungry generation.

Highlight of this last month was definitely an 8 golf cart convoy to set at dawn. Might have to swap the truck out for a fleet of them...

As I said on the last one, keep slapping on the sun block, watch those gennie exhausts in the long grass, look after each other on the long days, and put you feet up over the xmas break (if you get one).