Striving for Equality in our Tech Departments: Masterclass with Fabian Wagner ASC BSC
The NZCS and WIFT NZ Ltd, in association with Portal Productions, invite you to an afternoon with Fabian Wagner ASC, BSC, founder of the award-winning mentee scheme First Steps Cinematography.
Fabian is currently shooting in NZ on the Obsidian project and is delighted to share with Kiwi HODs, producers and crews his desire to see film crews globally support gender equality and cultural diversity.
Fabian will share First Steps Cinematography's mission, which is to provide opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to enter the camera, lighting and grip departments. Its main focus is promoting diversity and gender equality, regardless of age or experience, with the aim of creating a more diverse and inclusive industry, and investing in the future by prioritising the growth and development of aspiring filmmakers.
The masterclass will be followed by a panel discussion with a select group of tech crew who can speak to their own experiences, share their insights and analyse the state of the NZ industry - where we have come from, where we are, and what our desire for a more equitable NZ crew looks like in the future.
Who is Fabian Wagner?
Fabian Wagner is an acclaimed cinematographer known for his striking visual storytelling and atmospheric imagery across film and television. Best known for his work on Game of Thrones where he earned Emmy recognition for the iconic “Battle of the Bastards” episode, Wagner has built a reputation for crafting immersive, cinematic worlds through bold composition and dynamic lighting. His credits span major productions including Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Sherlock, The Crown, and House of the Dragon, showcasing a versatile style that blends technical precision with emotional depth, and jumping between big Hollywood blockbusters and smaller more independent movies. Wagner continues to be one of the industry’s most respected cinematographers, he is a member of both the American and British Society of Cinematographers.
Aside from shooting he is a keen and active supporter of diversity and equality in the film industry and his program ‘First Steps Cinematography’ is now in its 13th year and has helped numerous young people from different backgrounds start a career in the industry. In 2024 First Steps Cinematography was honoured with the Special Achievement Award by the British Society of Cinematography.
Date: Saturday 18th July
Time: 2pm-5:30pm
Location: The Capitol Cinema - 610 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
Free event, must register here via Humanitix on the WIFT NZ website.
Light refreshments provided.
