Watch Season Two of Drama Head High 

The second season of Head High from DEGNZ member Tim Worrall has been playing Monday nights on Three. Recommended by The Spinoff as one to watch with the whānau, you can stream season one and two of the award-winning series on ThreeNow.

Tim Worrall served as lead-writer and directed part of the series. The drama follows the rise of high school rugby stars, Mana and Tai (Jayden Daniels and Lionel Wellington), who with the guidance of their step-father and coach, Vince (Craig Hall), and police officer mum Renee (Miriama McDowell), fight to achieve the ‘Kiwi’ dream of wearing the black jersey.

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Jaspers’ Milk Travels During Lockdown

Celia Jaspers with her daughter on set

DEGNZ member Celia Jaspers’ zero budget short film, Milk, has been accepted into a further seven festivals internationally:

Tirana International Film Festival in Albania, Montana International Film Festival, Sidewalk Film Festival (USA), Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, New Creators Film Awards and Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.

Congrats, Celia! Milk is the story of a young girl who has a change of heart when she sees an old man unable to pay for his milk.

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ScreenSafe – COVID-19 / Delta Outbreak / Level 2 Update

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7th September 2021 – SCREEN INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTION

Kia ora koutou katoa to all in the Screen Industry, hoping you are all staying safe in your bubbles!

Please note the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety team is currently looking at what Protocols need to be reviewed, particularly in light of the new Delta variant.

For now, please refer to the ScreenSafe website – https://screensafe.co.nz/covid-19-coronavirus/ – particularly the Protocols and Summary Guidelines around L4, L3, and Level 2.

These are still a really great guide for what is allowed at each level.

You can download today’s update in PDF here.

For the avoidance of doubt, please note the following:

Level 4: NO filming is possible/other than registered news organisations and essential programming.

Level 3: Very limited production activities may be possible. Please carefully assess whether your activities can be postponed to L2. If not, please carefully assess each action and whether it complies with the guidelines and works to minimise risk at all points.

The key issue to consider for Level 3 is physical distancing. For instance – location scouting, with appropriate PPE, and in controlled circumstances, can be undertaken – depending on the ability to minimise contact / risk / avoidance of breaking bubbles.

Any activity needs to be able to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. This limits both prep and filming activities – e.g. close contact between crew such as a camera team who cannot be physically distanced, or performers and makeup/hair. Please see L3 guidance for full details.


Yesterday the government made some more changes to the COVID-19 rules. The below changes will be reflected in the updated Protocols, but since we know a lot of you are preparing for filming in Level 2, the below will hopefully answer your most pressing questions for Level 2 filming.

Level 2 / Mask Wearing

Mask wearing is now mandatory for anyone aged 12+ in indoor public places like shops, malls and public spaces: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-2/#work-and-business.

For screen work, ScreenSafe highly recommends mask wearing at Level 2. And some productions may require it.

Level 2 / Restrictions on Gatherings

Gatherings (social gatherings, concerts, hospitality businesses, etc.) are now restricted to 50 people for indoor venues and 100 for outdoor venues.

However, work sites like film productions do NOT adhere to number restrictions, PROVIDED they are a working in a fully controlled environment (with contact tracing and health questionnaire for everyone on site, and with all necessary hygiene and PPE measures in place).

Note: Due to the aggressive nature of the Delta virus, productions are advised to take careful consideration before filming with extras and/or large crew numbers during Level 2.

Level 2 / Physical Distancing in Public Spaces

Physical distancing in public places, e.g. retail stores, libraries, gyms and museums will be 2 metres.

However, for work sites like film productions the physical distancing requirement is still 1 metre, PROVIDED they are a working in a fully controlled environment (with contact tracing and health questionnaire for everyone on site, and with all necessary hygiene and PPE measures in place).

Note: Close Proximity work (work within 0-1 metres) like hair and make up are still allowed for, and for screen work is specifically addressed in the Close Proximity Environment sections of the Screen Industry COVID-19 Protocols.

Travel Out of Auckland – Current

While Auckland remains in a higher COVID level to the rest of the country, essential workers traveling out of the Auckland region will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the last week. Note: Only news and media outlets are classified as essential work, so for most of Auckland screen workers regional travel is not allowed until Auckland is in Level 2.

Delta / Other Likely Updates to the Protocols:

As per the updated Government guidance – some recommended guidelines are now mandatory or should be applied in all circumstances, namely:

Check-In/Contact Tracing – while everyone seemed to be doing well on this before, it is now mandatory in all circumstances for all sites, so ensure this is very closely adhered to.

Risk Minimisation – e.g. Hygiene Procedures, Airflow, Contact Minimisation. Look to assess your pre-production, shooting (when allowed), and post production, around how you can increase hygiene and minimise contact. From wearing PPE, to limiting numbers and increasing airflow. These are all our tools to help minimise the risk of exposure and spread.

Testing/Vaccinations/Privacy & Health Concerns – our revision is also likely to contain further guidance in this area. Until clarification is provided, please follow current MBIE guidance and ensure that human rights and privacy rights are respected at all times.

Registration with ScreenSafe – please also ensure every production continues to register with ScreenSafe –
https://screensafe.co.nz/covid19/registration/.

Any specific queries or concerns, please reach out to ScreenSafe at info@screenguild.co.nz or your industry organisation.

Ngā mihi,
SCREENSAFE NZ

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ScreenSafe – COVID-19 / Delta Outbreak – UPDATE

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ScreenSafe banner

2 September 2021 – SCREEN INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTION

Kia ora koutou katoa to all in the Screen Industry, hoping you are all staying safe in your bubbles!

Please note the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety team is currently looking at what Protocols need to be reviewed, particularly in light of the new Delta variant.

For now, please refer to the ScreenSafe website – https://screensafe.co.nz/covid-19-coronavirus/ – particularly the Protocols and Summary Guidelines around L4, L3, and future planning for Level 2.

These are still a really great guide for what is allowed at each level.

You can download today’s update in PDF here.

For the avoidance of doubt, please note the following:

Level 4: NO filming is possible/other than registered news organisations and essential programming.

Level 3: Very limited production activities may be possible. Please carefully assess whether your activities can be postponed to L2. If not, please carefully assess each action and whether it complies with the guidelines and works to minimise risk at all points.

The key issue to consider for Level 3 is physical distancing. For instance – location scouting, with appropriate PPE, and in controlled circumstances, can be undertaken – depending on the ability to minimise contact / risk / avoidance of breaking bubbles.

Any activity needs to be able to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. This limits both prep and filming activities – e.g. close contact between crew such as a camera team who cannot be physically distanced, or performers and makeup/hair. Please see L3 guidance for full details.

Delta / Likely Updates to the Protocols:

As per updated Government guidance – some recommended guidelines are now mandatory / or should be applied in all circumstances, namely:

Face Coverings

Delta is more than twice as transmissible as previous COVID-19 variants. Please ensure mask wearing is in line with government recommendations and is more strictly adhered to. This is likely to also be required at Level 2 in more circumstances than previously.

Check-In/Contact Tracing

While everyone seemed to be doing well on this before, it is now mandatory in all circumstances for all sites, so ensure this is very closely adhered to.

Risk Minimisation

Eg Hygiene Procedures, Airflow, Contact Minimisation. Look to assess your pre-production, shooting (when allowed), and post production, around how you can increase hygiene and minimise contact. From wearing PPE, to limiting numbers and increasing airflow. These are all our tools to help minimise the risk of exposure and spread.

Testing/Vaccinations/Privacy & Health Concerns

Our revision is also likely to contain further guidance in this area. Until clarification is provided, please follow current MBIE guidance and ensure that human rights and privacy rights are respected at all times.

Registration with ScreenSafe

Please also ensure every production continues to register with ScreenSafe – https://screensafe.co.nz/covid19/registration/.

Any specific queries or concerns, please reach out to ScreenSafe at info@screenguild.co.nz or your industry organisation.

Ngā mihi,
SCREENSAFE NZ

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Postponed: Directors Toolkit for Emerging Pan-Asian Directors

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Update: Please see here for the latest update on postponement. The application deadline has been extended to Monday 8 November, 9am.

Call for applications

DEGNZ is delighted to present a workshop for new and emerging Pan-Asian directors, in association with the Pan-Asian Screen Collective. Film and television director Rob Sarkies will share his filmmaking process — from idea development to the edit — revealing how directors can adapt their process from project to project.

This will be a practical, foundational workshop full of practical hints to help you control that beast of a film or series, rather than letting it control you. The focus will be on scripted drama and comedy but documentary filmmakers are welcome.

Sessions will cover:

  • Development process (idea development, script development, working with the funder)
  • Process leading to production (script prep, visual prep, casting)
  • Pre-Production (rehearsal process, binding your collaborators to the same vision)
  • Practical process on set (scene blocking, working with cast, working with your DP)
  • Editorial process (techniques to stop you losing perspective)

About Rob Sarkies

Rob Sarkies

Credit: Matt Grace Photography

Rob’s work spans feature films, series television and commercials. His work includes acclaimed feature Out of the Blue about the Aramoana shootings, Consent based on Louise Nicholas’s fight for justice, Jean about aviator Jean Batten, black-comedy Two Little Boys, Wanted, The Gulf and NZ classic Scarfies.

Workshop Details

When: Dates TBC
Workshop to take place across one weekend; Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 9am – 4pm

Where: TBC

Eligibility

This workshop is open to Pan-Asian members of DEGNZ / PASC. You must be over 18 as of 2 October 2021, and either a Resident, Permanent Resident or Citizen of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Applicants should, ideally, have at least some directing experience on a short film/other screen content OR can demonstrate that they are taking active steps towards directing. If you have a question, please contact tema@deganz.co.nz.

To Apply

Applications Close: Monday 8 November, 9AM

STEP 1: Submit the application form below.

STEP 2: Provide in a max. 2-page PDF:

  • A statement that summarises why you would like to participate and how you might benefit from this workshop as a screen director
  • A brief bio that includes any previous directing experience or training you have done
  • Your filmography

Please email your application to tema@deganz.co.nz. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application Form

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Made possible with the financial support of the New Zealand Film Commission

NZFC

This workshop is part of a Directors & Editors Guild of NZ initiative aimed at supporting the development of emerging Pan-Asian, Pasifika and Māori directors

Presented in association with Pan-Asian Screen Collective

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