DEGANZ runs a highly regarded and comprehensive range of professional development workshops, events and programmes, helping directors, editors and assistant editors to upskill.
Our members can access most of our programmes absolutely free of charge and are the first to know about our latest workshops and initiatives. We typically open a call for applications for our workshops and training programmes.
March – August 2021
The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ, the New Zealand Writers Guild and Equity New Zealand have a planned series of Know Your Rights Workshops taking place nationally over 6 months. These workshops are ‘must do’ for those wanting to work professionally and successfully in New Zealand’s screen industry.
Brought to you with the financial support of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
April 17 & 18
DEGNZ, together with Ngā Aho Whakaari, is excited to present this workshop for emerging to mid-level Maori editors with a focus on preparing you to transition to independent drama productions. Tikanga Maori will be in place, some tutors are te reo speakers, and te reo is welcomed in the workshop.
> Applications close: Fri 9 April 2021, 2PM
A two-day workshop with an acclaimed editor for up to ten editors, covering philosophical and practical approaches to documentary or drama editing, including hands-on exercises and review.
Past tutors have included Eric de Beus, Annie Collins, UK-based Justine Wright, US-based David Coulson, Australian Dany Cooper, and US documentary editor Doug Blush.
More 2021 workshops to be announced
With Miranda Harcourt in 2022
How do you rehearse in the midst of an outbreak?
In this workshop, Miranda Harcourt brings front-line advice and on-set insights to you from the major projects she works on every day around the globe. As an acting coach, Miranda has recently led online rehearsals for three BBC projects and for Garth Davis’ film Foe, starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre.
This workshop is perfect for screen directors who want to learn exercises, tools and tips for running successful rehearsals via video call.
> Applications close: Mon 14 March 2022, 10AM
A regular, hands-on programme of moderated workshops, each with a highly experienced New Zealand director, actor or actor/director.
Each session provides both directors and actors with an opportunity to practise their craft, improve director-actor communication, forge new networks and take creative risks without consequence. Suitable for film school graduates (or equivalent) to mid-career directors.
A two-day practical guide for emerging directors that covers understanding the script, telling the story visually, inspiring great performances and running a creative set.
It also explores the detail of the shoot, such as pre-production, blocking, choosing shots and lenses, pacing, prioritising, and structuring a day. Actors also come in to allow the facilitator and participants to explore what has been covered. Past facilitators include Peter Burger, Rob Sarkies, Charlie Haskell and Chris Dudman.
Next up: Director’s Toolkit with Paul Murphy – Wellington on 2-3 April 2022
> Applications close: Tue 22 March 2022, 1PM
2022
What is tone? How does a director establish it and best communicate it? In this series that seeks to pin down this elusive subject, an esteemed New Zealand director will explore how a director goes about setting the tone of a narrative or documentary film.
To be Announced
A one-day masterclass with a renowned drama and/or documentary director. Past presenters have included Australian feature film and TV drama director Rachel Perkins, US-based UK documentary filmmaker Lucy Walker and comedy director Jonathan Brough. Made possible thanks to support from the NZ Film Commission and the Australian Screen Directors Authorship Collection Society (ASDACS).
2021
DEGNZ presents three award-winning filmmakers – Jackie van Beek, Zia Mandviwalla and Michelle Savill – in a workshop series for short film directors in Te Waipounamu South Island.
A special networking event held every two or three months, giving DEGNZ members the opportunity to network with members from one or two other guilds or associations over drinks and nibbles. A speaker, usually from the screen sector, presents on a topic of interest.
Presented on an ad hoc basis, usually with a renowned screen practitioner. Previous guests have included New Zealand editor Tom Eagles, Australian director Garth Davis, director Niki Caro and US director Paul Haggis.
A series of film screenings celebrating the latest in New Zealand cinema in association with Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, Auckland, with the Guild moderating a Q & A after with the filmmaker(s). $14.50 member discount tickets are available for select sessions.
Pan-Asian Screen Collective (PASC) in partnership with DEGNZ present Director Takes, a series of conversations with leading Pan-Asian New Zealand directors who will share insights about the director’s role in the creative process, the delivery of their vision on screen, and thoughts on topics such as career development and representation.
An ongoing paid attachment scheme with the financial support of NZ On Air. Our TV Drama Director Attachments pairs one emerging director with a highly-experienced drama director to shadow on a telefeature or TV drama series. Previous productions have included Westside, Shortland Street and Ash vs Evil Dead.
The selected attachment gets to attend pre-production meetings, shoots and editing. At the discretion of the drama director and production company, the attachment may also direct for the production either one or more scenes, 2nd unit and/or pickups.
A new, ongoing DEGNZ initiative in 2018 that sees one emerging drama editor each time shadow a highly experienced practitioner on a telefeature or feature film. The attachment can be expected to attend rough cut, fine cut and screenings for the director/producer/broadcaster/funder, with the opportunity to edit on the production at the sole discretion of the production team.
Intended for emerging editors who want to progress on to a career as a feature film editor. The initiative allows quality learning time between editor and attachment, and at the interface where feedback and approvals occur.
