Auckland Wrap
As we once again find ourselves facing global uncertainty with the emergence of a new conflict in the northern hemisphere, it’s a reminder of how fortunate we are here in Aotearoa to be geographically distant from the direct impacts of such events. That said, like the rest of the world we continue to feel the ripple effects, whether through energy costs, currency pressures, or the ongoing challenge of maintaining momentum across what has been a very healthy production slate over the past nine months.
Encouragingly, Auckland is still experiencing a degree of buoyancy at the time of writing. Umami has recently wrapped, while Minecraft is currently underway with pre-production. Several productions are continuing through the year, including Evil Dead Wrath, Shortland Street, Dead Losi, Disney’s next Zombie film Make a Splash, and Brokenwood Mysteries Season 13. There are also whispers of another large project potentially heading our way.
The commercial market has also enjoyed a welcome bounce-back over the past several months. Many crew who weathered the difficult period following Covid are now finding themselves back in the game on semi-regular contracts. It has been genuinely heartening to see the smiles returning to faces across the industry. In fact, for the first time in quite a while, I’ve found myself telling productions that I simply couldn’t supply crew in certain departments because everyone was already working…something we haven’t been able to say for years!
That said, our industry has always operated on a somewhat “boom or bust” cycle. Because of this, it remains as important as ever to keep nurturing your networks, both among your existing contacts and your wider peer group. For those in a position to hire or mentor emerging crew, please continue doing so. Bringing enthusiastic young people into the fold ensures they can learn from the experience and skills you’ve developed over your careers, helping sustain the craft and creativity that defines our industry.
At a time when technological advancement, particularly AI, continues to accelerate, it’s vital that we remember what makes our work truly special. People matter. Our art form matters. Passing on your knowledge and experience to the next generation is invaluable, and it’s how we ensure the strength and longevity of our industry for years to come.
