Reflecting on 2023

2023 had been a haphazard year forscreen industry crew in New Zealand and around the world. For the local productions we have had a busy time of local film and ongoing TV productions many brought about by the premium fund that was established during Covid. This has led to productions such as “the Convert” directed by the amazing Lee Tamahori which from all counts is a great watch, an historical period piece depicting New Zealand past and tensions between warring tribal Chieftains using new weapons and tactics imported by British colonists. General Film Co has also filmed a project from the otherend of the spectrum a Sci-Fi thrillerset on another planet in the future. These projects combined with the local productions brought in by the Bradley Brothers have made it a busy last few months of the year for crew servicing these productions. This combinedwith changes to the Screen Production Rebates that offer further assistance to local production funding indicated we can be optimistic of more quality local content and project to come in the next few years.

The sector of our industry that services the offshore/ international productions has had a “year of two half’s” to use a sporting phrase. This sector has been heavily affected by the review of the Screen Production Grant/Rebate system that took six months to be evaluated through to June this year. This meant that offshore productions were hesitant to consider New Zealand as a destination until they knew the rebate environment they were committing to. This andthe US writers’ strike beginning inApril really dampened preproduction and the ability for productions to commit to where they shoot and to get productions up and running. The first half of the year for the international sector was dominated by “Chief of War” a Hawaiian period piece filmed in the upper North Island. As this was winding up the SAG actors strike happened. This really only halted one show shootingin NZ, “Minecraft” as the SPG review and writers’ strike had been stalling preproduction for other projects. It appears now the strikes have ended the flood gates are opening for a range of projects in the New Year coming to a town near you.

It's been a busy year for the Guild, and I want to give thanks Kelly our EO, Tracy our Project Manager for all the great work and huge accomplishments over the year, Sioux, Tyrone, Christian and all the Exec who volunteer so much of their time for the Guild. And happy holidays to all our members.