Member Arka Gupta Launches Campaign for Next Project

The team behind Dirty Dishes, a heartfelt short drama, is seeking support for their boosted crowdfunding campaign. 

Written, directed and produced by Palmerston North member Arka Gupta, this short film follows teenager Max who begins re-evaluating the relationship with his single mother after he has a sudden encounter with his estranged father.  

Arka’s previous short, Distancing, was recognised internationally at various film festivals. After moving to Palmerston North to undertake a PhD at Massey University, Arka became heavily involved in the theatre community. Speaking to Stuff, he outlined his decision to take on a sole director role following Distancing. 

“Because I…was doing 20 different things at once, I couldn’t direct my actors as much as I wanted to. The director should be the one just to collaborate, he or she should be open to collaboration.”

Dirty Dishes aims to bring attention to the film and wider art community of Palmerston North as it features a local crew. 

There will be a public fundraiser at the Hancock Community House, Palmerston North, from 4 to 6 pm on Mar 26 where the cast will perform a scene from the script.

Help bring Arka’s vision to life. Learn more about the project and donate here.

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Screen Investment Review

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At the end of 2021 the Government announced a review of government investment in the screen sector. The review will be led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. There is a document outlining the terms of reference for the review here.

This review is one part of a strategic review of the New Zealand screen industry, primarily focused on the New Zealand Film Commission’s direction and activity, including the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG) for both domestic and international productions. However, NZ On Air’s direction and activity obviously falls into this because of the changing nature of the shifts occurring worldwide, as well as the fact that some NZ On Air funded productions utilise the NZSPG.

Our screen industry falls into two camps: domestic production, and international production (and post-production) that takes place here.

International production as we all know provides wonderful opportunities for New Zealand crew, and brings foreign investment to New Zealand. From DEGANZ’s perspective, what it does not do is bring great opportunity for New Zealand directors and editors. Only a very select few Kiwis get to direct, and sometimes edit on these international productions, being the international drama or sometimes documentary series shot here.

While we continue to push for more Kiwi directors and editors to work on these international shows, our main focus has got be on what we can do with domestic production to tell our stories here and internationally, and employ our directors and editors—and our actors, writers, producer and crews—so that they all can have thriving and sustainable careers.

Over the next three months, MBIE and MCH will be conducting a wide consultation with the NZ public and those who make up the NZ screen sector as part of the review. DEGANZ is now formulating its thoughts to bring to MBIE and MCH.

But there is an opportunity for each of our DEGANZ members to share their own thoughts in the consultation process.

When the call comes for submissions, we will inform you. Your voice counts and we want as many of you as possible to have your voices heard. This is a really opportunity for us all to have some influence on the future direction of NZ screen.

 

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director

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Imagine On Ice Brings Jackpot of Axis Awards Nominations

The Guild congratulates Jamie Lawrence (DEGANZ) for being a finalist at the 2022 Axis Awards as the director of Lotto NZ’s Imagine On Ice campaign. Fellow member Ben Chesters is also a featured editor for the campaign.

The Imagine On Ice campaign commercial explores the scope and potential of Lotto to change the lives of New Zealanders. Produced by Eight Productions, the commercial is a finalist in multiple categories at the Axis Awards. Along with being up for Direction, the campaign is nominated for Editing, Cinematography, Visual Effects and Art Direction.

The 2022 Axis Awards ceremony will be streamed on March 17 from 2pm. Click here to see the complete list of finalists.

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Benee MV Among Finalists at CLIPPED Music Video Festival

The CLIPPED Music Video Festival has announced its finalists. Among the finalists for the Best Video NZ category was the music video for Benee’s Happen To Me, directed and edited by DEGANZ Member Charlotte Evans. Congratulations to Charlotte and the crew for their achievement.

The CLIPPED Music Video Festival is Australia’s premier music video festival and returns for its sixth year on the 25th of March. The Festival also celebrates New Zealand talent.

 

Correction: A previous version of this post incorrectly said the music video finalist was Benee’s Blu. Blu was a finalist at CLIPPED 2020.

 

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TVNZ Drops Beyond the Veil

Congratulations to our members involved with Beyond the Veil as the anthology series has dropped on TVNZ OnDemand. Episode 3, Tappy, was written and directed by DEGANZ member Tim Worrall. Mia Maramara (DEGANZ) is behind the fourth episode, Albularyo, as both writer and director, while editor Brendon Chan (DEGANZ) cut the episode.

Beyond the Veil explores supernatural stories from the Māori, Pasifika, Filipino and Chinese people of Aotearoa. Episode 3 sees a hesitant young man embark on a road trip to fetch a body, while Episode 4 follows a Kiwi-Filipino doctor facing up to her troubled family dynamic.

Episodes of Beyond the Veil are dropping weekly on Mondays at 8:30 pm on TVNZ 2. But if you can’t wait to see it, the entire season is now streaming on TVNZ OnDemand.

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