Member Spotlight: Julian Herrera

What was your very first job on set - and what did you learn from it?

I did worked casually on Practical Lighting on the Hollywood blockbuster Ghost in the Shell and simultaneously I worked as a Locations PA on Pork Pie (2016). I learnt so much from seeing how much goes into each project from each department. I learnt its important to buy tools often and take initiative and be proactive as much as possible to become relevant within your team. Also I learnt that offering conversation and a smile goes a long way, people will remember you and they may help you down the line.

What/who inspired you to start working in film?

It was wanting to work doing something different every time, instead of being locked into a routine. When I started working on film sets I felt it was right, because it was like playing children’s games and being paid for it.

What advice you’d give to those starting working in the industry?

Find a casual job that gives you flexibility so you can pay the bills and also say yes to whenever you are offered a chance to work in film again.

What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?

Hearing from a young trainee or a junior that they find my advice useful or when they praise my performance. Often I forget that I have come a long way and that what now I do at work even when it may still be challenging, once it seemed almost impossible to achieve.

What keeps you passionate about working in film?

The precision that’s required to perform. It’s easy to see whether you are bringing to the table what’s needed because others will push you deliver as much as everyone else is, which is high standards with a smile.

How do you define success in your work?

Being called again to do another project, but also being able to enjoy the downtime between jobs, knowing it is as necessary for the long run.

How do you think the NZ screen industry could better support crew?

I believe it would be really helpful to have system in place where we can bring up with our concerns on how the crew conditions are developing case by case from one job to another. This could be done via surveys across many and different crew for each project to determine their level of satisfaction and their health condition before and after the project.

What changes would you like to see in the next five years?

Lunch breaks reinstated, meaning continuous hours not being a thing anymore. Shorter days - longer projects.

How do you see technology (AI, VFX, sustainability) shaping the future of our industry?

I think we will lose some of the traditional way of making movies to younger generation audiences who won’t mind content being made by AI and/or who would find a 90 min movie too long to enjoy.
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I like to believe there will still be a considerable audience wanting to see old school films, long and made by humans.
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VFX will still be a tool, as it is today. It is incredibly boring to see how much VFX is involved in modern productions, it’s part of it, I don’t think that is going to change back, if anything we will see more and more of it, the problem is the common viewer doesn’t seem to be bothered by it, if they even notice most of it.

How has being part of the Guild supported you or your peers?

It’s been great being able to ask advice regarding contracts or legal matters.

What kind of Guild initiatives or training would you like to see more of?

Perhaps an apprenticeship model in which juniors would be specifically trained for technical departments.

What’s one thing you wish every crew member knew about the Guild?

The crew perks!

Coffee order or go-to snack on set?

A banana :)

Favourite filming location in NZ?

Poolburn, Otago.

What’s one skill or habit that helps you get through long shoot days?

Sleeping at least 7 hrs during work nights.

If you weren’t in film, what would you be doing instead?

I’d be running my own business.

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