Everything You Wanted to Know About Digital Workflow but Were Too Afraid to Ask

DEGNZ Workflow Best Practice Guide for Editors & Producers

DEGNZ has collaborated with industry to produce the DEGNZ Workflow Best Practice Guide for Editors and Producers.

This online resource, available on the DEGNZ website under Resources, covers the full production Workflow, from before budgeting and seeking funding, through pre-production to DCP delivery.

Once you have a script, where you want to finish up is where you start.

Both Avid and Premiere Pro are covered.

The online resource includes examples, downloadable templates, timeline charts, screenshots, a glossary, useful contacts and some of the main post house Handover Specifications.

The development of the DEGNZ Workflow Best Practice Guide was spearheaded by renowned editor and DEGNZ board member Annie Collins over the last 18 months. It is intended to amalgamate in one place all the information necessary for editors and producers to ensure a trouble-free post phase for your production.

This living resource, which will be updated as information changes, benefits from the contribution of highly experienced editors, post production houses, audio engineers, visual effects supervisors and many others from throughout the New Zealand screen industry.

We encourage you to use and share this resource freely.

 

Howard Taylor
President
Directors & Editors Guild of NZ

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September 12 Event: Championing Female Storytellers – The Women Behind Mulan

Meet the powerful collaborators behind Disney’s Mulan: Director Niki Caro (MNZM) and Cinematographer Mandy Walker (ACS, ASC) at WIFT Virtual’s Excellence in Craft Episode 3


When:

Australia: 12.00pm – 1.00pm AEST, Saturday 12th September 2020
New Zealand: 2.00pm – 3.00pm NZST, Saturday 12th September 2020
Los Angeles: 7.00pm – 8.00pm PT, Friday 11th September 2020

How:

To attend this event registration is required. Free for DEGNZ and WIFT NZ members and by donation for non-members. Register with Eventbrite HERE

WIFT Australia is proud to present these two outstanding filmmakers in conversation online to share their unique insight into the creative process of Disney’s live-action production Mulan.

Mulan was shot in New Zealand and China in 2018. The dynamic on-set team, director Niki Caro (MNZM) and cinematographer Mandy Walker (ACS, ASC) came together for this historic project.

This event is also notable as WIFT Australia’s first major collaboration with WIFT NZ.

“WIFT Virtual is honoured to offer members and a global audience the opportunity to listen and learn from these two talented women. Mulan is a landmark for gender representation on set. We hope Disney’s lead inspires other production companies to hire more female teams” says Katrina Irawati Graham, Chair of WIFT Australia.

In this intimate conversation Caro and Walker will also share personal success stories and tips on maintaining creative drive during the COVID-19 lockdown. An opportunity will be provided for the audience to post questions for the Q&A segment.

Disney’s Mulan begins streaming September 4, exclusively available to Disney+ subscribers with Premier Access. Additional fee required.

WIFT Virtual’s Excellence in Craft Episode 3 will be held online Saturday 12th September at 12-1pm AEST/Friday 11th September at 7-8pm PST

About the Speakers

Niki Caro’s (Director) first feature, “Memory & Desire” (1997), was in the lineup at the Cannes Film Festival and won a Special Jury Prize at the New Zealand Film Awards. Her second feature film, “Whale Rider,” won 27 international awards, at prestigious international film festivals such as Toronto, Sundance, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Seattle and Maui. The film earned an Academy Award® nomination for Keisha Castle-Hughes.

Caro then directed “North Country,” starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, Sissy Spacek and Woody Harrelson. Theron and McDormand were nominated for best actress and best supporting actress respectively at the 2005 Academy Awards®, Golden Globe® Awards, BAFTAs, Satellite Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards®. Caro’s more recent feature-length films include “A Heavenly Vintage,” “McFarland, USA,” “The Zookeeper’s Wife.”

Mandy Walker (Cinematographer) has shot 18 feature films, including “The Mountain Between Us” (2017), “Hidden Figures” (2016), “Truth” (2015), “Tracks” (2013), “Australia” (2007) and “Shattered Glass” (2003), along with many commercials. She has been the recipient of many cinematography awards over the years.

Walker is also on the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is on the board of American Society of Cinematographers; an accredited member and Hall of Fame honoree of the Australian Cinematographers Society; an executive member of Women in Film; and a board member of the NEB of the IATSE Local 600.

Pearl Tan (moderator) is currently the Senior Lecturer in Directing at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) overseeing the Directing stream in the undergraduate program.

She was Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee within the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and held positions on the MEAA Board and the National Performers Committee (NPC) for Actors Equity. She has been in the AFTRS Council, on the Screen Australia Gender Matters Taskforce, and was NSW Chapter Head for the Australian Directors Guild (ADG). Currently, she sits on the board of Critical Stages Touring and the ADG. She was also named a Woman of Influence by the Australian Financial Review and Westpac in 2016.

About WIFT Virtual

WIFT Virtual is a series of online events in 2020 produced by Yolandi Franken of WIFT NSW (WIFT Virtual Chair). WIFT QLD committee Events Manager Karolina Berkell-Kirk is the producer of the limited series Excellence in Craft.

This episode is sponsored by Screen Queensland, WIFT NZ, The Directors & Editors Guild of New Zealand, Disney’s Mulan and is supported by the Australian Directors Guild.

About WIFT NZ

WIFT NZ is the largest pan-industry professional organisation in the Aotearoa New Zealand screen sector. A number of its members worked on Mulan and we celebrate Disney’s recognition of director Niki Caro, female talent, and commitment to diversity with this exciting eagerly-awaited film.

Screening links for media only, available upon request.

About Mulan

Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan,” in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.

“Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Tzi Ma as Zhou, Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Honghui; Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin, suggested by the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.” The producers are Chris Bender, Jake Weiner and Jason Reed, with Bill Kong, Barrie M. Osborne, Tim Coddington and Mario Iscovich serving as executive producers.

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Updated: ScreenSafe COVID 19 Health and Safety Protocols, Alert Levels 2/3 and Departmental Roles

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Important information: Here are the links to the updated ScreenSafe COVID 19 Health and Safety Protocols including the updated information on the Alert Levels 2 and 3. All updates are highlighted in yellow on these documents.

All productions need to ensure they are operating to the ScreenSafe Health and Safety Standard and Protocols as they relate to your region and alert level.

To help with the individual production departments the Departmental Roles have been updated to include the alert levels 2 and 3.

It is now mandatory for any business or service to display the QR code for the tracing app at all entry points. Download your posters here.

Download updated important information for Level 3 here.

Thank you to ScreenSafe / SIGANZ for this information.

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ScreenSafe COVID 19 Health and Safety – Addendum and Latest Updates

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All productions need to ensure they are operating to the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health & Safety Standard & Protocols as they relate to your region and Alert Level. Visit the ScreenSafe COVID-19 page for the full toolkit and information on how to apply the Alert Levels to your production.

** IMPORTANT ADDENDUM: WorkSafe have confirmed that our ScreenSafe alert level procedure should remain the same with the addition of using masks. MORE INFORMATION HERE.

It is now mandatory for any business or service to display the QR code for the tracing app at all entry points. Businesses have till Wednesday 19th August to comply. Download your posters here. 

Download updated important information for Level 3 here.

Overview:


Mask Wearing

Mask wearing is now recommended for all crew at Levels 2 and 3.

It is also required when performing close proximity tasks within level 2 and above, i.e for make-up or hair. 

Talent should wear masks when possible/when interacting with crew, although this will not be practical whilst on screen. 

Travel to/from Auckland

Travel to/from Auckland is only allowed if you are returning to your place of residence OR if you’re an essential worker.

Physical distancing and mask wearing is required for public transport and flights. 

Contact Tracing

All NZ businesses are required to use the NZ Government Trace App (or another appropriate digital tracing app). This includes all work sites, offices, locations and suppliers.

ScreenSafe Registration

ALL productions, including 1-person shoots, MUST register with ScreenSafe. 

It only takes 1 minute to do this: https://screensafe.co.nz/covid19/registration/

Numbers on Set

There are no restrictions on the amount of people on a work site. However, each production needs to assess their own requirements vs. the overall need for physical distancing, hygiene and risk to cast, crew and the public.

Talent

1m physical distancing is required for all scripted action.

Talent must be able to dress themselves and do their own make up (under the guidance of crew if required).

No extras at Level 3.

Covid-19 Safety Notes

Every work site MUST have a site specific Level 3 Covid-19 plan in place.

Note: councils will not issue filming permits without a thorough Covid-19 plan + a ScreenSafe registration.


Thank you to ScreenSafe, The Screen Industry Guild and SPADA for putting this information together.

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WorkSafe Advice on Mask Wearing

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This is an update from ScreenSafe’s website on the wearing of masks:

UPDATE as of 12th August 2020 – IMPORTANT ADDENDUM FROM WORKSAFE: WorkSafe have confirmed that our ScreenSafe alert level procedure should remain the same with the addition of using masks. Please ensure that you add the wearing of Masks for everyone, at every alert level above Level 1. New government policy now recommends the wearing of masks wherever possible, so all crew, agency/client, visitors and talent whilst off screen should be wearing masks

As it is not possible to wear masks whilst on screen we should still be allowed to film talent as per guidelines around each level, but please note this is also subject to all other control measures around hygiene and non-contact as per each Level of the guidelines.

For up to date screen sector information and guidance on COVID-19 Health and Safety, visit ScreenSafe.

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