Screen Industry Skills Shift! - Ep 1

Insights from recent creative sector research suggest that the future of screen work lies in adaptability and diversification. For crew, that means broadening skill sets, blending creative and technical strengths, and staying flexible as new tools and workflows emerge.

The takeaway is simple - the more you can connect art, craft, and technology, the more valuable you become on every production.
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1. Film Is a Real Industry — Treat It Like One

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‍In Aotearoa the screen production sector supports over 14,000 people working on the “production” side of filming (camera, lighting, grips, set build and more).

Crew Hack: Think like a small business owner. Keep a skills inventory, track what you can do now and what you’ll need to learn to make yourself even more valuable!

Check out out Leadership Fundamentals Micro-Credential Course HERE!

2. The Skills Gap is REAL!

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Crew Fact: There’s now a major gap between what’s taught and what’s needed on set - and the ones who bridge it win.
Crew who cross disciplines are the most in-demand nationwide.

Learning on the job isn’t just practical - it’s profitable.

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3. Hybrid skills are the future

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Crew Fact: The best crew are creative problem-solvers with range.
Whether you work with cameras, costumes, cables, brushes, or budgets — the more you can cross skill lines, the more valuable you become.
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- Art dept who can 3D-model? - Genius.
- Costume team fluent in budgeting software? - Power move.
- Camera assist who understands lighting data? - Gold.
- Make-up artist who knows how to prep for virtual lighting - Ahead of the game!
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💡 Crew Hack: With every new job, pick up one crossover skill that helps you work smarter, faster, or more sustainably.

‍Every extra string you add makes the whole team stronger.

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4. Don’t Wait for the System to Catch Up!

Crew Fact: The industry’s still playing catch-up — training pathways aren’t always built for how real crews work.So we can either wait… or teach ourselves.The best knowledge often comes on the floor, not in a classroom.

Ask questions. Swap tricks between departments. Jump into Guild workshops, Zoom sessions, or mentoring chats when they pop up.
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Every conversation is a shortcut someone else had to learn the long way.
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💡 Crew Hack: Treat every job like a workshop.Ask another department how they do it — lighting, makeup, art, camera, sound — whatever’s nearby.

It’s free up-skilling, and it builds the kind of collaboration you can’t buy.

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5. Keep the Human Skills Sharp

Crew Fact: Gear can’t fix bad vibes. No matter your department - camera, costume, lighting, makeup, art, sound — people skills keep the set running.

Clear comms, patience under pressure, kindness on long days - that’s what gets you called back.

You can’t automate teamwork, and you can’t fake respect.‍

💡 Crew Hack: Be the calm in chaos.Respect turnaround. Eat, hydrate, rest, remember names.
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Your next job usually comes from how you made people feel at wrap, not what was on your CV.

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Crew Takeaway: The Skill Shift

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The screen industry’s changing fast — and the crew who keep learning, sharing, and staying human are the ones who’ll thrive.

- Know your value. Screen work isn’t a side hustle — it’s a major industry built by skilled professionals.

- Stay curious. The real power move is learning on the job and crossing lanes.

- Mix it up. Creative and technical crew together drive the future — every new skill makes the team stronger.

- Share the knowledge. Don’t wait for perfect training systems — every job is a workshop if you ask questions.

- ❤️ Keep it human. Kindness, communication, and calm under pressure are your best tools on set.

The gear will keep evolving — but it’s people who make the magic happen.

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Further Reading: https://toimai.nz/publications/skills-in-the-creative-sector

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