Tag Archive for: training

NZ Industry Skills Survey on Education and Training Needs

After being delayed due to covid, the NZ Industry Skills Survey has been released and you can complete it now.

If you are an employer and HOD, industry professional, or an emerging practitioner across film, TV, VFX, animation, radio (creating screen content), interactive, gaming and digital content creation, you can complete the following surveys to provide insight into your education, skills and training needs.

There are two types of surveys you can complete:

Toi Mai Workforce Development Council and NZFC are undertaking this industry survey as part of a wider Workforce Capability and Development Plan for the screen sector in Aotearoa.

The Workforce Development Plan seeks better alignment between the Screen Industry and vocational training provision, with outcomes that will include a national, sector-informed workforce capability scan and advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) regarding longer-term investment in vocational education and training for careers in screen.

We encourage our members to have a say in this online survey.

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Time to Move On – Almost

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View from the Top banner

DEGNZ President Howard Taylor signs off.

I am retiring from my role as president of the DEGNZ. Going, but not quite gone. As required by the constitution, I will be continuing as a board member for another year to ensure a smooth transition.

I regard being on the Board of the Guild an honour and a privilege. It is also a lot of work – as my fellow board members will attest. However, I believe that giving back in this way to the industry that has given me such a wonderful career is the least we can do.

I have been on the Board since we set the Guild up 25 years ago and I have been president for five years. I turned the role down twice because I felt, rightly or wrongly, that while I had spent a lifetime in the world of television, I was not familiar enough with the film world. That changed when, having written a feature film screenplay, I took part in a year-long course in international co-production of features. The new-found knowledge gave me the confidence to finally say yes to the role of president.

I am a great believer in Guilds and the role they play in the industry. The lobbying we do on our members behalf is very often unseen. There is a tendency for government and industry bodies like the NZFC to listen to producers and either forget the creatives or assume that producers speak for everyone. The voice of the director (and editor) in the debates that arise is vital.

While it would be wonderful for us all to have the freedom implied by the fact that film is an artform, we are constrained by the pressures of the commercial world. Those pressures impact us directly as an erosion of conditions and fees. The Guild has a key role in protecting what we currently have and promoting improvements. This will be tested when we put on our Union hat and go into negotiation with SPADA to negotiate minimum rates and conditions as set out in the new Screen Industry Worker legislation.

The Guild’s role in providing education and skills training to members is important in an industry where most training is for beginners.

Directors live in silos. It’s many years since I was on another director’s set. Watching other directors work is a valuable learning experience and it’s great the DEGNZ can give directors (and editors) that opportunity.

What I value most is the sense of fraternity that Guild membership brings. We look after each other. Yes, we are competitors for jobs, but in my experience the willingness of directors and editors to lend a hand to their fellows trumps any sense of competition. Guild membership gives me a sense of connectedness to the screen industry that I have never found anywhere else.

The Guild has evolved hugely over the years, becoming a sophisticated organisation dealing with a plethora of active issues. I am proud of what the Guild has achieved and look forward to its robust and noisy future. Kia kaha.

Howard Taylor
(Ex.) President

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Jamie Lawrence New Director Attachment on Dirty Laundry

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JAMIE LAWRENCE GETS NOD AS DIRECTOR ATTACHMENT ON DIRTY LAUNDRY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 December 2015

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ, NZ On Air and Filthy Productions are pleased to announce Jamie Lawrence as the director attachment on the Dirty Laundry TV series.

Lawrence will follow established New Zealand director Peter Burger on three episodes of Filthy Productions’ second NZ on Air funded drama production.

“I’m stoked to be selected for the attachment, and learn from Peter. He’s a director I aspire to,” said Lawrence. “I’m totally behind this initiative. It’s an awesome opportunity to be able to gain unique experience and help bridge the gap between directing short and long form content.”

Managing Director of Filthy Productions, Steven Zanoski said the selection process, which included Producer Britta Hawkins and Director Peter Burger, had been rigorous due to high calibre of applicants.

“We narrowed the field to applicants who not only showed directorial flair but demonstrated a passion for television story-telling,” said Zanoski. “Jamie kept rising to the top through hot debate. In the end, it was obvious that Jamie’s talent and sensibilities sat most comfortably alongside Dirty Laundry’s characters and stories.”

“We are delighted to support Jamie’s further development as a director with this initiative,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.

“Jamie is the third attachment through the DEGNZ/ NZ On Air TV Drama Director Attachment Initiative, and a deserving one,” said DEGNZ Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu. “He’s making a concerted effort to achieve an outstanding career as a screen director, and shadowing the talented Peter Burger will take him even further towards his goal.”

Lawrence has achieved a run of internationally successful short films while pursuing a career in TV commercials and promotional content with film production company 8 and at TVNZ’s internal creative agency Blacksand.

Dirty Laundry is a Filthy Productions comedy drama TV series for TV One. The 13 x one-hour, NZ On Air-funded production starts filming in February 2016. Produced by Britta Hawkins and created by Rachel Lang and Gavin Strawhan, Dirty Laundry centres on a middle-class family whose mother is jailed for money laundering. If her children want to keep the lifestyle to which they’re accustomed, they’ll need to keep the family business going.

This attachment is the third in the DEGNZ TV Drama Director Attachment Scheme, after actor and director Matthew Saville’s attachment to Screentime’s telefeature Bombshell: The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior, and actor and director Aidee Walker joining South Pacific Pictures drama series Westside.

The scheme is an industry professional development initiative funded by NZ On Air and the production company involved and managed by DEGNZ. It is intended to give emerging drama directors the opportunity to shadow an experienced director through the pre-production, production and post-production process as a means to improve their craft skills. Three emerging directors will attach to New Zealand drama productions in the 2015/2016 year. The intended outcome is for the attachments to find work on domestic and international productions in New Zealand.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Tui Ruwhiu

Executive Director

Directors & Editors Guild of NZ

tui@deganz.co.nz

021-659-950

Filthy Productions Ltd

Filthy Productions is a new company set up by Rachel Lang, Gavin Strawhan and Steven Zanoski, initially to produce the upcoming series FILTHY RICH for TV2.

The company’s focus is production based, with a philosophy that the best television drama and comedy is always driven by the creatives.

Directors & Editors Guild of NZ

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ is a not-for-profit membership organisation that represents Directors and Editors in the New Zealand screen industry. This includes Directors and Editors of feature drama and documentary; television drama, documentary and factual programmes; short films; video art; animation; commercials and web content.

DEGNZ’s two primary roles are advocacy and professional development. We:

  • are dedicated to promoting excellence in the arts of directing and editing.
  • foster collegiality and unity within the screen industry.
  • promote members’ creative and economic rights.
  • work to improve industry working conditions and remuneration.
  • offer professional advice and information on contracts and industry standards and practice.
  • offer professional development events, networking opportunities, career advice, dispute resolution, mentoring, workshops, training, discounts and regular news bulletins for members across all levels of expertise, from novices to seasoned professionals.
  • are a voice for Directors and Editors in influencing policy in the interest of our members. We do this through our membership of the pan‐industry group SINZ (Screen Industry New Zealand), and by making submissions to government and public officials.
  • Internationally work co-operatively with other guilds and we belong to the International Affiliation of English‐Speaking Directors’ Organisations (IEASDO).

DEGNZ is Auckland-based with an office in Grey Lynn.

Contact Details:

Directors & Editors Guild of NZ

Level 2, 66 Surrey Crescent

Grey Lynn

P.O. Box 47-294, Ponsonby

Auckland

+64-9-360-2102

admin@deganz.co.nz

www.deganz.co.nz

www.facebook.com/degnz

www.linkedin.com/in/degnz

@degnz_online

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AIDEE WALKER JOINS WESTSIDE AS DEGNZ DIRECTOR ATTACHMENT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1 October 2015

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ (DEGNZ), NZ On Air and South Pacific Pictures Limited (SPP) announce actor and director Aidee Walker as the DEGNZ TV drama director attachment to SPP’s WESTSIDE 2 television series.

Walker will shadow well-known New Zealand actor and director Michael Hurst through a two episode block of the show, which starts production in October.

“I was so stoked to hear that I have been given this opportunity on Westside,” Walker commented. “I can’t wait to observe the whole process from read through to directors cut and I’m excited about the collaborations with every department.”

Walker is well known as an actor, having held numerous roles including in popular TV shows Step Dave, Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street and Mercy Peak. As a director, she has written and directed four short films with the recent Friday Tigers winning Best Short Film at the New Zealand International Film Festival and selected to play at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

 

“This is a great initiative from DEGNZ and NZ On Air and South Pacific Pictures are pleased to be able to support it,” said SPP CEO Kelly Martin. “Aidee’s wealth of experience in front of the camera combined with her short film successes make her ideally suited to this opportunity. We hope it will be the beginning of a beautiful new relationship!”

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Aidee to observe firsthand the high-pressure world of fast-turnaround television from the other side of the camera,” said DEGNZ Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu. “She will undoubtedly benefit immensely working alongside the highly experienced Michael Hurst.”

“We are delighted to support Aidee’s further development as a director with this initiative,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.

Westside is the NZ On Air-funded prequel to hit SPP drama Outrageous Fortune. It is set in 1970s Auckland against a backdrop of real-life historical events. Westside tells the story of legendary safe cracker and career criminal Ted West, his wife Rita, their son Wolfgang and their friends, associates and nemeses. The second series will be produced by Mark Beasley.

 

This attachment is the second in the DEGNZ TV Drama Director Attachment Scheme, with actor and director Matthew Saville recently chosen to attach to director Roc Pellizarri on Screentime’s telefeature Bombshell: The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior.

The scheme is an industry professional development initiative funded by NZ On Air and the production company involved and managed by DEGNZ. It is intended to give emerging drama directors the opportunity to shadow an experienced director through the pre-production, production and post-production process as a means to improve their craft skills. Three emerging directors will attach to New Zealand drama productions in the 2015/2016 year. The intended outcome is for the attachments to find work on domestic and international productions in New Zealand.

Ends

 

For further information, please contact:

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director
Directors & Editors Guild of NZ
tui@deganz.co.nz
021-659-950

 

 South Pacific Pictures
South Pacific Pictures is New Zealand’s largest screen production company and has an international reputation for producing world-class television and film. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013 and to date has produced around 4000 hours of programming. Drama series and serials, feature films, and more recently, entertainment, reality programming and documentaries are all part of the programming mix. In addition to Westside 2, South Pacific Pictures’ 2015 production slate includes: 800 Words, Shortland Street, Step Dave 2, Word Up, Forensics and The Brokenwood Mysteries 2.
Directors & Editors Guild of NZ
The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ is a not-for-profit membership organisation that represents Directors and Editors in the New Zealand screen industry. This includes Directors and Editors of feature drama and documentary; television drama, documentary and factual programmes; short films; video art; animation; commercials and web content.

DEGNZ’s two primary roles are advocacy and professional development. We:

  • are dedicated to promoting excellence in the arts of directing and editing.
  • foster collegiality and unity within the screen industry.
  • promote members’ creative and economic rights.
  • work to improve industry working conditions and remuneration.
  • offer professional advice and information on contracts and industry standards and practice.
  • offer professional development events, networking opportunities, career advice, dispute resolution, mentoring, workshops, training, discounts and regular news bulletins for members across all levels of expertise, from novices to seasoned professionals.
  • is a voice for Directors and Editors in influencing policy in the interest of our members. We do this through our membership of the pan‐industry group SINZ (Screen Industry New Zealand), and by making submissions to government and public officials.
  • Internationally work co-operatively with other guilds and we belong to the International Affiliation of English‐Speaking Directors’ Organisations (IEASDO).

DEGNZ is Auckland-based with an office in Grey Lynn.
Contact Details:
Directors & Editors Guild of NZ
Level 2, 66 Surrey Crescent
Grey Lynn
P.O. Box 47-294, Ponsonby
Auckland
+64-9-360-2102
admin@deganz.co.nz
www.deganz.co.nz
www.facebook.com/degnz
www.linkedin.com/in/degnz
@degnz_online

 

 

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DEGNZ Receives NZ On Air Support for Director Attachments

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For Immediate Release

4 August 2015

The Directors and Editors Guild of NZ (DEGNZ) has received NZ On Air Industry Development Fund support for its DEGNZ Drama Director Attachment Initiative, which will see up to three paid director attachments to New Zealand drama productions in 2015/2016.

The initiative is designed to develop and up-skill new television drama directors, contribute to the ongoing production of quality future drama, and provide another training pathway to those currently available by placing emerging directors as attachments on local drama one-offs or series.

“We are focused on maximizing the work opportunities for established and emerging DEGNZ member directors in drama,” said DEGNZ Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu.

“We are extremely pleased that NZ On Air has come behind this training initiative at a time when the environment is buoyant for both local drama and international drama shooting here.”

“This domestic scheme enhances the already successful director attachment programmes DEGNZ has run on international productions Spartacus and Ash vs. Evil Dead thanks to producer Rob Tapert and the New Zealand Film Commission,” he added.

The cost for the attachments will be split between NZ On Air (60%) and the production company (40%), with DEGNZ administering the scheme and monitoring the directors through the attachments.

Working together with local production companies, DEGNZ will identify upcoming drama productions that could take director attachments. Calls for applications will be made with DEGNZ and NZ On Air feeding into the final selection, with the successful candidate ultimately being chosen by the production company.

While the attachment is primarily a director shadowing opportunity through preproduction, production and post-production across a maximum 12-week period, the attachment will get to direct on the production if he or she proves herself.

DEGNZ has already had initial discussions with some local production companies regarding the initiative and expects to make a call for the first attachment opportunity in the near future.

The criteria and calls for applications will be made available on the DEGNZ website when attachment opportunities become available.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director
Directors & Editors Guild of NZ
tui@deganz.co.nz
021-659-950

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