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Regional Wrap
Wellington Film Scene Buzzing

Regional Wrap
Wellington Film Scene Buzzing
Graeme Tuckett discusses a busy year with The Hobbit, Taika Waititi’s projects, and Wellington’s thriving film industry.
Wellington, The Hobbit, Stone Street Studios, Taika Waititi, film production, TVCs, music videos, Wellington crew, Avatar 2, underwater shooting, Miramar, feature films, Existence, How to Meet Girls From a Distance, Louis Sutherland, Mark Albiston, Rob Sarkies, Two Little Boys, crew Wellington, New Zealand International Film Festival, film industry, production facilities, accommodation, vehicle rentals, catering, local features, Auckland producers.
Graeme Tuckett discusses a busy year with The Hobbit, Taika Waititi’s projects, and Wellington’s thriving film industry.


Regional Wrap
Queenstown's Quiet Winter for Film Workers

Regional Wrap
Queenstown's Quiet Winter for Film Workers
Joshua Dunn reflects on a quieter winter season for Queenstown’s film industry, with a few standout projects and personal milestones.
Queenstown, film workers, Vodafone TVC, James Rolleston, Woo Sung Jung, Korean TVC, Japanese tyre job, Robbers Dog, Walking with Dinosaurs 3D, Top of the Lake, New Zealand Film Commission, Southern Institute of Technology, gripping, Southern Hemisphere, TVC shoots, documentary drama, Erebus crash, Great Wall of China project, rumors, snow shoots, winter film work, personal milestones, Stacy, baby.
Joshua Dunn reflects on a quieter winter season for Queenstown’s film industry, with a few standout projects and personal milestones.


Point of View
Let's Keep the Light Burning

Point of View
Let's Keep the Light Burning
Tui Ruwhiu discusses the financial challenges and the impact of piracy on New Zealand's independent film producers.
independent producers, Tui Ruwhiu, New Zealand Film Commission, feature films, production funding, private investment, crowd-funding, distribution, revenue streams, film piracy, digital distribution, financing, producers' fees, government funding, film investors, international sales, DVD, Blu-ray, video on demand, in-flight entertainment, production costs, equity recoupment, profit shares, film industry, Wero: Ultimate Challenge.
Tui Ruwhiu discusses the financial challenges and the impact of piracy on New Zealand's independent film producers.


Regional Wrap
Busy Winter for Crew

Regional Wrap
Busy Winter for Crew
Despite challenges, the Auckland film industry sees a busy winter with multiple projects and returning crew.
Auckland, commercial film, crew, Pacific Renaissance, Spartacus, Power Rangers, pre-production, Harry, Blue Rose, The Hobbit, feature films, The Blue Book, film industry, production, crew bookings, personnel, resources, strong dollar, film projects, Guild vice president, Sioux Macdonald, industry health, film shoots, film market.
Despite challenges, the Auckland film industry sees a busy winter with multiple projects and returning crew.


Extreme Close Up
Murray Milne

Extreme Close Up
Murray Milne
Veteran camera assistant and DoP reflects on his 30+ years in screen production, industry changes, and New Zealand’s strengths.
cinematography, camera assistant, DoP, Graeme Cowley, Peter Jackson, Wellington, Utu, Goodbye Pork Pie, Steadicam, underwater filming, aerial filming, freelance, focus puller, television series, location scouting, sun path, industry trends, second generation filmmakers, camera assist, Kiwi ingenuity, film industry, screen production, New Zealand film industry, passion for work, apprenticeship, crew roles, film-to-video transition.
Veteran camera assistant and DoP reflects on his 30+ years in screen production, industry changes, and New Zealand’s strengths.


Feature
Waving Goodbye to Film

Feature
Waving Goodbye to Film
Peter Parnham reflects on the ongoing film-to-digital transition and its impact on filmmaking technology and budgets.
digital cameras, film cameras, Avid, non-linear editing, 35mm film, Alexa camera, 4K, 48 frames per second, film vs digital, Canon 5D, DSLR cameras, Sony F65, digital cinema, filmmaking technology, low-budget films, digital projection, feature films, filmmaking economics, cinematography, Paul Swadel, Blue Harvest Shorts, film festivals, production costs, digital cinema package.
Peter Parnham reflects on the ongoing film-to-digital transition and its impact on filmmaking technology and budgets.


Back in the Day
Reflecting on Our Industry

Back in the Day
Reflecting on Our Industry
Peter Janes recalls his experience on The Killing of Kane, New Zealand’s first big drama production.
Peter Janes, NZBC, The Killing of Kane, 1970, Chris Thompson, Waynne Williams, Leo Shelton, Derek Williams, Janice Finn, Geoffrey Murphy, Alun Bollinger, Acme Sausage Company crane, Arri BL 16, film stock, black and white, Miller tripods, vintage TV, New Zealand drama, early television, camera operator, TV history, production memories, film photos, NZTECHO.
Peter Janes recalls his experience on The Killing of Kane, New Zealand’s first big drama production.


Close Up
Face-to-face With the Elements

Close Up
Face-to-face With the Elements
Cameraman recounts thrilling experiences capturing dangerous landscapes for First Crossings, from cliffs to icy rivers.
First Crossings, cameraman, New Zealand, Canon 5D, camera gear, adventure filming, mountain climbing, abseiling, waterproof bag, Ewamarine, outdoor filming, river shooting, snow conditions, filming equipment, LED torches, sound, radio mics, Fiordland, Darren mountains, Mt Cook, crevasses, ice climbing, safety, filming challenges, filming locations.
Cameraman recounts thrilling experiences capturing dangerous landscapes for First Crossings, from cliffs to icy rivers.


The Fine Print
The Contract

The Fine Print
The Contract
Examining common but problematic contract clauses and offering advice on negotiation and protections for contractors.
contract clauses, contract negotiation, reputation, confidentiality, producer, contractor, additional work, work hours, flexibility, production schedules, shooting days, contract law, slave contracts, commercial realities, legal advice, film industry, legal protections, production manager, work conditions, best endeavors, contract review.
Examining common but problematic contract clauses and offering advice on negotiation and protections for contractors.


President's Rave
Adventures in Ireland

President's Rave
Adventures in Ireland
A cultural exchange in Ireland, blending Maori and Irish music, with film crew adventures and workshops.
Ireland, Maori musicians, Irish musicians, Green Fire Islands, Tyrone Guthrie Center, County Monaghan, County Cork, cross-cultural exchange, Dublin, London, Edinburgh, Guild workshops, New Zealand Film Commission, creative technicians, Oscar-winning technicians, film crew, costume, Apple MacBook, interviews, camera gear, filming, outdoor education, adventure, cultural fusion.
A cultural exchange in Ireland, blending Maori and Irish music, with film crew adventures and workshops.


Behind the Scenes
Guild's Positive Developments

Behind the Scenes
Guild's Positive Developments
Updates on funding, member benefits, workshops, fuel discounts, and immigration issues affecting local crew.
Guild funding, New Zealand Film Commission, Professional Training Partnership Programme, workshops, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Guild membership, fuel discounts, FnF Fuels, Bunnings, Repco, Onfilm magazine, Data Book, membership growth, immigration laws, Industry Accreditation, technicians, overseas workers, crew positions, local crew, immigration lawyer.
Updates on funding, member benefits, workshops, fuel discounts, and immigration issues affecting local crew.


Editorial
Exciting Times Ahead

Editorial
Exciting Times Ahead
The Guild covers advancements in camera technology, contractual advice, health, safety, and industry updates.
Guild, camera technology, digital transition, Peter Parnham, Alun Bollinger, Murray Milne, First Crossings, Tim Riley, contracts, negotiation, health and wellbeing, stress reduction, physical injury, Crombie Lockwood, public liability insurance, regional updates, Auckland, Queenstown, Wellington, The Hobbit, member benefits, industry developments.
The Guild covers advancements in camera technology, contractual advice, health, safety, and industry updates.


News
NZIFF Finalist and Editing Challenge

News
NZIFF Finalist and Editing Challenge
Marina McCartney’s short film Milk & Honey competes in NZIFF, while Guild members are invited to enter the 90to5 Editing Challenge.
Marina McCartney, NZIFF, New Zealand's Best, short film, Roger Donaldson, Milk & Honey, Pasifika families, dawn raids, editing competition, Techos' Guild, editing challenge, 90to5, film competition, Madman Entertainment Jury Prize, Friends of the Civic Award, public voting, editing festival, film students, international competition.
Marina McCartney’s short film Milk & Honey competes in NZIFF, while Guild members are invited to enter the 90to5 Editing Challenge.


Extreme Close Up
Laura 'Lou' Taylor

Extreme Close Up
Laura 'Lou' Taylor
A lighting and special effects professional reflects on the evolution of their career and the future of the New Zealand film industry.
screen production, lighting, special effects, rigging, pyrotechnics, IATSE, film industry, New Zealand, film school graduates, networking, industry trends, Guild, film location, overseas funding, career progression, design engineer, industry sustainability, drama, commercials, post-production, job security.
A lighting and special effects professional reflects on the evolution of their career and the future of the New Zealand film industry.


Point of View
Can We Not Make a Stand?

Point of View
Can We Not Make a Stand?
An anonymous crew member shares insights on the decline of crew reps and the difficulties of standing up on big-budget productions.
crew rep, film industry, crew representation, New Zealand film, The Blue Book, Guild, production issues, meal breaks, working hours, unionization, crew concerns, Hollywood productions, crew problems, film contracts, crew environment, unpaid meetings, job security, unionize, big-budget films, producer influence, crew rights.
An anonymous crew member shares insights on the decline of crew reps and the difficulties of standing up on big-budget productions.


Point of View
A Lost Craft Perhaps?

Point of View
A Lost Craft Perhaps?
Alun Bollinger reflects on the diminishing role of crew reps and the need for standard contracts in the film industry.
Alun Bollinger, crew reps, film industry, crew communication, production contracts, contract anomalies, renegotiation, standard contracts, dismissal clauses, legal issues, production agreements, crew management, contract contradictions, industry practices, contractual terms, production issues, crew representation, film crew roles, working conditions, industry standards, contract negotiations, legal oversight.
Alun Bollinger reflects on the diminishing role of crew reps and the need for standard contracts in the film industry.