Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga – NZ Film Commission

You are all aware of changes to the team and strategy at the NZ Film Commission.  Now it is time to hear the facts from the team itself. Annie Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Ainsley Gardiner, Head of Funding and members of the Leadership team, long-standing and new, will take you through the new strategic direction for the Commission, telling you exactly who is doing what, who your contacts should be, changes to the funding model, and what plans are for the year ahead for the new team.

2025 will be upon us imminently!  Here's the perfect way to understand where the opportunities are, and who to deal with at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga as we look forward to a new year.

Date: 9th October, 2024

Time:  5:00 PM –  7:30 PM The workshop will start at 5:30 PM sharp.

Venue: 129 Park Rd. Miramar, Wellington

WIFT Members and Ngā Aho Whakaari Members are FREE.  Non-members: $20. Students: $10.
***Includes wine and nibbles!

RSVP HERE

If you have any questions about the event, email us at office@wiftnz.org.nz

Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga – NZ Film Commission

You are all aware of changes to the team and strategy at the NZ Film Commission.  Now it is time to hear the facts from the team itself. Annie Murray, Chief Executive Officer, and Ainsley Gardiner, Head of Funding, will take you through the new strategic direction for the Commission, telling you exactly who is doing what, who your contacts should be, changes to the funding model, and what plans are for the year ahead for the new team.

2025 will be upon us imminently!  Here's the perfect way to understand where the opportunities are, and who to deal with at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga as we look forward to a new year.

Date: 8th October, 2024

Time:  4:30 PM –  7:00 PM - The workshop will start at 5:00 PM sharp.

Venue: Screen CanterburyNZ, BNZ Centre, Level 3, 101 Cashel Street

WIFT Members and Ngā Aho Whakaari Members are FREE.  

Non-members: $20. Students: $10.
Includes wine and nibbles!

RSVP HERE.

If you have any questions about the event, email us at office@wiftnz.org.nz

Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga – NZ Film Commission

You are all aware of changes to the team and strategy at the NZ Film Commission.  Now it is time to hear the facts from the team itself. Annie Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Ainsley Gardiner, Head of Funding and members of the Leadership team, long-standing and new, will take you through the new strategic direction for the Commission, telling you exactly who is doing what, who your contacts should be, changes to the funding model, and what plans are for the year ahead for the new team.

2025 will be upon us imminently!  Here's the perfect way to understand where the opportunities are, and who to deal with at Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga as we look forward to a new year.

Date: 2 October, 2024

Time:  5:30 PM –  8:15 PM (Note the earlier start time) The workshop will start at 6:15 PM sharp.

Venue: CLICK STUDIOS (home of the WIFT office), 525 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland

WIFT Members and Ngā Aho Whakaari Members are FREE.  

Non-members: $20. Students: $10.
Includes wine and nibbles!

RSVP Here. 

If you have any questions about the event, email us at office@wiftnz.org.nz

Been talked over in a meeting? Struggled to negotiate your contract? Feel undervalued? Hate conflict?

In this hands-on workshop, Dr Jo Cribb will share practical negotiation and conflict resolution strategies as well as important insights on attitudes to money and pay gaps. You will leave with practical tips and tricks for tackling your next contract negotiations.

Date: 14th September
Time: 1 PM - 5 PM, includes late afternoon networking drinks.
Venue: National Academy of Screen Arts cinema, Dominion Museum Building, Tokomaru, Block 10, Massey University, Wellington

The ticket price is $10 each. Spaces are limited. This event is for WIFT members and Massey students only.

Jo is a consultant and professional director with a focus on gender and diversity. She was the previous Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women, and co-founder of the Mind the Gap campaign advocating for pay gap reporting. Recent assignments include evaluating Sport NZ's gender equity in governance policy, leading sessions at APEC 2023 on gender equality in customs and border agencies, working with the New Zealand Defence Force's leadership team on the gender diversity of the forces, and completing a gender analysis of immigration policy.

In 2020, she co-authored the book Take Your Space: Successful Women Share their Secrets; the aim of which is to support women and girls to advance themselves. All proceeds from the book will be donated to The Aunties and Otara Blue Light programme to support young women leaders. Jo has also extensively researched the future of work and the result was the 2018 and 2024 second edition co-authored book Don't Worry About the Robots: How to Survive and Thrive in the New World of Work which provides an accessible synthesis of the trends in technology that are impacting on work and practical tools for future-proofing careers.

In 2016 she was a finalist in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards and in 2021 won the Women in Governance Community Award from Governance New Zealand.

Jo is the proud mother of two, owns a small vineyard in Martinborough and distills her own gin.

BOOK YOUR TICKET TO THIS EVENT BEFORE TICKETS SELL OUT!

We are thrilled to announce this special intensive workshop with Emmy Award-winning TV producer Jon Kroll in Dunedin!

In this one-day seminar, producer Jon Kroll will take you on a deep dive into the world of international factual production. Jon has worked in more than 70 countries on shows like the Emmy-winning Amazing Race, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins, Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper and Appetite for Adventure with Moe Cason.

Making these shows is both fun and rewarding, and the execution of them involves unique challenges, including language barriers, currency fluctuations, permitting, equipment carnets, unpredictable weather, insurance, diseases, safety, casting, scouting and travel delays. Jon will take participants on a journey from the first network country pitch to the final sound mix, and by the end you’ll be ready to take on the world!

This jam-packed workshop will inspire you to think outside-the-box, while giving you tools to implement your dreams - into reality!

REGISTER HERE

Date: Saturday, 31st August

Time:  10am – 4pm

Venue: NHNZ Worldwide, 79 Stuart Street (which is lower Stuart Street), Central Dunedin

Cost: Members $20. Non-members $40. Students $10.

Coffee, tea and biscuits provided.  Bring your own lunch.

We are thrilled to announce this special intensive workshop with Emmy Award-winning TV producer Jon Kroll in Queenstown!

In this one-day seminar, producer Jon Kroll will take you on a deep dive into the world of international factual production. Jon has worked in more than 70 countries on shows like the Emmy-winning Amazing Race, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins, Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper and Appetite for Adventure with Moe Cason.

Making these shows is both fun and rewarding, and the execution of them involves unique challenges, including language barriers, currency fluctuations, permitting, equipment carnets, unpredictable weather, insurance, diseases, safety, casting, scouting and travel delays. Jon will take participants on a journey from the first network country pitch to the final sound mix, and by the end you’ll be ready to take on the world!

This jam-packed workshop will inspire you to think outside-the-box, while giving you tools to implement your dreams - into reality!

REGISTER YOUR TICKET

Date: Sunday, 25 August

Time:  10am – 4pm

Venue: Te Atamira – Building 11, Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton – PUĀWAI ROOM.

Cost: Members $20. Non-members $40. Students $10.

Coffee, tea and biscuits provided.  Bring your own lunch.

Come celebrate the official opening night of We Were Dangerous with special guests in attendance!

Don't miss this very special WIFT NZ screening of this film on the opening night of its theatrical release! Described as ‘a joyous and triumphant story of rebellion’. Masterfully directed, beautifully shot, tightly edited, with the perfect cast, we will guarantee that you will love this film!

The screening will be followed by a conversation with director, Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu,  DOP María Inés Manchego, three stars from the film, Rima Te Wiata, Erana James, and Nathalie Morris, in discussion with Armagan Ballantyne about navigating a short rehearsal period, wide-ranging experience in the cast, and challenging locations.

In 1954 New Zealand, Nellie and Daisy attempt to escape an institution for delinquent girls, however, not only are they caught, it triggers a relocation to a facility on a remote island. The duo become a trio as well-to-do Lou joins them, and life on the island takes shape under the command of devout Matron.

Get your tickets today to attend this screening and take part in this rare opportunity to hear from the lead creatives themselves!

We Were Dangerous is written by Maddie Dai, produced by Morgan Waru, and Polly Fryer, and executive produced by Carthew Neal. See below for an extensive list of more WIFT contributors!

We Were Dangerous was this year's NZIFF Opening Night film and was awarded the Special Jury Award for Filmmaking in the Narrative Feature Competition at SXSW!

Rialto Cinema, Newmarket
Thursday 22 August 2024
6.30PM
Members $22, Non-members $30 - All ticket holders will receive a glass of bubbles.

Click here to view the trailer.

Line Producer: Amanda Jenkins
Art Director: Michelle Crowley
Set Decoration: Sadie Wilson
Casting: Kate McGill
Colourist: Clare Burlinson
Production Assistant: Chelsea Bridges
Production Assistant: Gill Weavers
Production Coordinator: Penny Westwood

Come see this fabulous film, created by an incredible team of fellow WIFT members!

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Let's celebrate!

On Thursday, 8th August, following the screening of Black Box Diaries (*at 4:15 PM at The Lighthouse Cinema*), walk on over to the venue of Southern Cross in Te Aro, for a special Q & A with Japanese director, Shiori Ito, in conversation with Gwen Issac and Missy Molloy. This will be one illuminating and activating conversation. Don't miss it! Cash bar. Free event. Nibbles provided.

This event is a collaborative effort between WIFT, NZIFF, Japan Aotearoa Film Exchange Program and Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Location: Southern Cross, in The Guest Room

Date & Time: 8th August, 6:00 PM

When 28-year-old aspiring journalist Shiori Ito goes public in May 2017 with her rape allegation against a well-known media figure and biographer of then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she feels she has no other choice but to try to change Japan’s antiquated sexual assault laws. In a society where speaking up on such matters is considered shameful, her press conference shocks the public.

Directed by Ito herself, Black Box Diaries captures her tumultuous, heart-wrenching, and ultimately triumphant journey, going behind the headlines to reveal what has been like to walk in her shoes. It reveals the toll that politics, media, and technology takes on the humanity of individuals. Being both a victim and a journalist, the documentary shows that Ito did this to not only create a great social change, but to keep herself alive.

Gwen Isaac is a documentary and factual filmmaker. Her most recent feature film, Ms. Information, was selected for Whanau Marāma 2023 (NZ International Film Festival) and FIFO Tahiti 2024. 

Missy Molloy is Senior Lecturer in film at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. With specializations in women’s, alternative and activist cinemas, she has written widely on women filmmakers, including Lucrecia Martel, Susanne Bier and Jane Campion. 

This is a special screening for WIFT members, and is also open to non-WIFT members, so bring your family and friends!!!! The screening will be followed with a short Q and A...

Bookworm is produced by WIFT members Emma Slade (Uproar, Mister Organ), Roxi Bull (Uproar, The Justice of Bunny King), Victoria Dabbs (Uproar, Sunshine on Leith), Mette-Marie Kongsved (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, Come to Daddy) and line produced by Amanda Jenkins

Watch the Bookworm Trailer

Amid a family crisis, a washed-up American illusionist (Elijah Wood) and his long-estranged precocious daughter (Nell Fisher) venture into the New Zealand wilderness in search of a mythical black panther.

Nationally beloved Critic, Presenter and Reporter, Kate Rodger will host a short Q&A with producers and WIFT members - Roxi Bull and Emma Slade following the film.

Book your seats for Sunday August 4th at 4:00 PM, at the Bridgeway Cinema, 122 Queen Street in Northcote, Auckland 0627.

Don't miss this - Book your ticket now!

$20 WIFT members, $25 non – members, children $12.

** YOUR TICKET PRICE INCLUDES BUBBLES** (popcorn, and/or a non-alcoholic beverage option)

Film festivals have been a vital platform for filmmakers to showcase their stories to international audiences and nurture career connections. How can we make them work for us at all levels of our filmmaking career?Join this in-depth conversation on the essentials of festival strategies and marketing materials with Jasmin McSweeney, Sandra Kailahi, and Jill Macnab, moderated by Alex Reed.

Panelists:
Sandra Kailahi, Film Producer, Writer, Author and Playwright (Kingston Productions)
Jasmin McSweeney, Head of Sales and Acquisitions for New Zealand, Umbrella Entertainment
Jill Macnab, General Manager, Vendetta Films

With moderator, Alex Reed, owner and lead producer at Bloom Pictures

Our panel will delve into key topics such as:

• Talking about festival strategy, submitting to festivals and the pros/cons
• Discussing their experience with being at festivals both industry markets and showing films.
• Critical criteria for your marketing materials – what’s essential
• How does the programming of films at Cannes (and other A-list festivals) reflect global film trends?

Time: 6:00PM – 9:00PM - doors open at 6:00 pm, event starts at 6:30 pm.

Location: Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, 2nd Level.

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10, includes wine and nibbles.

RSVP HERE 

Film festivals have long served as essential platforms for filmmakers to present their stories to global audiences and foster professional connections. But how can we leverage these opportunities at every stage of our filmmaking journey? Join us at this WIFT NZ workshop to hear insights from our experienced panel.

Facilitator: Robin Laing, Producer

Panellists:
Libby Hakaraia, Kaitaki Pūrākau, Storytelling Leader, Māoriland Productions
Jasmin McSweeney, Head of Sales and Acquisitions for New Zealand, Umbrella Entertainment
Jill Macnab, General Manager, Vendetta Films

Our panel will delve into key topics such as:

• Crafting the ideal festival strategy for your film
• Understanding the selection process for festival films
• Evaluating the relevance of film festivals in the era of Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime
• Observations on the challenges film festivals are facing post-COVID
• The importance of diversity and inclusion in festival programming, and how festivals are responding

Time: 6:00PM – 9:00PM

Location: 129 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10, includes wine and nibbles.

RSVP HERE

Celebrating Women in Camera

Join WIFT for an enlightening exploration through the lens of women in camera. Join these talented women, Cinematographers Tammy Williams, and Nani Conforte with 1st AC Kirsten Green, Moderated by Managing Director of FAT Lighting, Tracey Cochrane.

1. Opportunities and challenges for women cinematographers.
2. Their thoughts of the evolving landscape of cinematography and the avenues for career advancement.
3. How their lived experiences and perspectives as women bring depth and authenticity to their craft.
4. What initiatives they feel are needed to balance the scales in their field.

Date: Thursday. 4 July

Time: 6 pm doors open, 6:30 pm start.

Venue: FAT Lighting, 7H/489 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland 1026

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10, includes wine and nibbles.

BOOK YOUR SPACE HERE

WIFTNZ and DEGANZ have teamed up for this exciting Wellington workshop. Here's your chance to understand the transition from live action to animation or VFX. Demystifying the creative process, the art form and the terminology, this workshop will give you the information you need to expand your vision successfully!

Join for an illuminating evening with this talented group of panelists: Senior Lecturer Lala Rolls, Director Jo Luping, Director Loren Taylor and Director and Technical Artist, Raqi Syed.

• Are you looking to include animation or VFX into your next project?
• Do you want to save time and money by learning what you need to know beforehand?
• Would you like to ask all your questions now, so you can be smart when the times comes?

This is a workshop for directors, producers, the production team, and anyone else who wishes to increase their knowledge!

Date: July 3

Time: 6 pm drinks, 6:30 pm start.

Venue: 129 Park Rd. Miramar.

WIFT NZ and DEGANZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10, includes wine and nibbles.

RSVP HERE

Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker, an aspiring creator, or simply curious about cutting-edge technology and VFX join Tristan Simpson, Post Operations at The Rebel Fleet, in conversation with Aliesha Staples, founder and director of StaplesVR, and Tim Capper, Senior VFX Supervisor to explore the power of photogrammetry and cyber scanning processes.

• What is cyber scanning and how is it impacting the screen industry?

• How can photogrammetry be used in the creative process and how has this changed over time? What IS photogrammetry?

• How does this technology help with the production process?

• What are some of the different usages of the scans?

• Why use it?

• How does the rig work?

• What type of projects have you worked on and how do we help the local sector access and use the technology?

SEE THE TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION!

Presenters:
Aliesha Staples – Aliesha is the founder and CEO of StaplesVR, The company specialises in augmented, virtual and mixed reality technology, and has also produced immersive experiences for the likes of Warner Brothers, Paramount and Disney. Aliesha is also the co-founder of CLICK Studios and the recipient of the 2022 WIFT Awards Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award.

Tim Capper is Senior VFX supervisor at Cause and FX, Auckland’s largest VFX studio. With a focus on TV and Film projects, Cause and FX has a client base both locally and for studio’s based around the globe. The scanning rig was a build project that Tim has led over the last 8 years and is now a joint venture with Staples VR.

POSTPONED !

Time:  6:00 PM –  8:30 pm *Doors open at 6pm, event starts at 6:30 pm*
Venue: WIFT Auckland Office, 525 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland
Members: FREE.  Non-members: $20. Students: $10.

Join this in-depth conversation on the essentials of festival strategies and marketing materials with Jasmin McSweeney, of Umbrella Entertainment, Nadia Maxwell, of Overactive Imagination, and Mark Prebble of Show Me Shorts, moderated by Vanessa Wells.

-              Talking about festival strategy, submitting to festivals and the pros/cons
-              Discussing their experience with being at festivals - both industry markets and showing films.
-              Critical criteria for your marketing materials – what’s essential
-              How does the programming of films at A-list festivals reflect global film trends?
-              What’s news from Clermont-Ferrand?

Jasmin McSweeney joined Melbourne distribution company Umbrella Entertainment as the Head of Sales and Acquisitions for New Zealand in February this year. She also produces for Sanctuary Pictures, the production arm of Umbrella. Prior to this role, Jasmin was the Head of Marketing at the New Zealand Film Commission for the past decade, responsible for the promotion and marketing of New Zealand films in New Zealand and internationally.

Nadia Maxwell is an Ōtautahi film and television producer and founder of Overactive Imagination. Over the last 20 years she has produced A-list festival feature films, award-winning shorts, and documentary projects. Previous credits include the feature films HUMAN TRACES which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017 and REUNION starring Julia Ormond released in NZ and the US in 2020. Most recently she produced the docuseries SHEPHERDESS for Sky Originals.

Mark Prebble is the Festival Manager of Show Me Shorts, New Zealand's leading short film festival, and has been part of the SMS team for the last ten years. He comes from a filmmaking and theatre background and has been involved in the New Zealand film industry for more than two decades. In February this year he represented Show Me Shorts and their short film catalogue at Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and Market in France.

Date: 29 May 2024

Time: 6:00PM – 9:00PM

Location: Toi Auaha Rolleston House, 5 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central City

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10, includes wine and nibbles.

RSVP HERE

We are thrilled to announce this special intensive workshop with Emmy Award-winning TV producer Jon Kroll including two guest speakers, for our Wellington members!

In this one-day seminar, producer Jon Kroll will take you on a deep dive into the world of international factual production. Jon has worked in more than 70 countries on shows like the Emmy-winning “Amazing Race,” “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted,” “Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins,” “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper” and “Appetite for Adventure with Moe Cason.”

While making these shows can be both fun and rewarding, the execution of them involves unique challenges, including language barriers, currency fluctuations, permitting, equipment carnets, unpredictable weather, insurance, diseases, safety, casting, scouting and travel delays. He’ll take you on a journey from the first network country pitch to the final sound mix, and by the end you’ll be ready to take on the world.

He will also be inviting guest speakers Tara Williams’, the Vice President of Production at Original Productions, and Alexander Ayling, a full-time award-winning filmmaker, content creator, Youtuber, and television host, to share their wealth of knowledge inside this seminar.

Make the most of this opportunity!

Date: Saturday, 25 May 

Time:  10am – 4pm

Venue: Massey University, Wellington

Cost: Members $20.  Non-members $40. Massey Students $10.

 Coffee, tea and biscuits provided.  Bring your own lunch.

Book Your Ticket Here.

We are thrilled to announce this special intensive workshop with Emmy Award-winning TV producer Jon Kroll for our Auckland members! He will also be inviting guest speaker Alexander Ayling, a full-time award-winning filmmaker, content creator, Youtuber, and television host, to share his knowledge inside this seminar.

In this one-day seminar, producer Jon Kroll will take you on a deep dive into the world of international factual production. Jon has worked in more than 70 countries on shows like the Emmy-winning “Amazing Race,” “Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted,” “Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins,” “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper” and “Appetite for Adventure with Moe Cason.”

While making these shows can be both fun and rewarding, the execution of them involves unique challenges, including language barriers, currency fluctuations, permitting, equipment carnets, unpredictable weather, insurance, diseases, safety, casting, scouting and travel delays. He’ll take you on a journey from the first network country pitch to the final sound mix, and by the end you’ll be ready to take on the world.

Make the most of this opportunity – Jon has a wealth of knowledge to share and is a fabulous speaker!

Date: Sunday, 14 April

Time:  10am – 4pm

Venue: GridAKL, Level 4, 12 Madden Street, Wynyard Qtr

AUCKLAND

Cost: Members $20.  Non-members $40.  

Coffee, tea and biscuits provided.  Bring your own lunch.

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

See here, GRIDAKL website, for detailed information on location, parking, and transport. 

In partnership with Script to Screen we are hosting a panel discussion in Wellington on Monday 18^th March 2024: WORKING WITH CANADA: MEET THE EXPERTS

Three Canadian guests with diverse backgrounds and experiences will discuss international co-productions and industry trends in Canada. The shared concerns, values, and history of New Zealand and Canada make them an ideal country to partner with and partnering is a great way to fully finance your projects. 

Fraser Ash has worked with renowned creatives on complex film and TV productions, Alain Strati has industry knowledge from his policy and government relations work at the Canadian Media Producers Association, and Paula Devonshire, a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation, brings unique values from her work in the Canadian screen industry.   

Entertainment Lawyer Sarah Cull will moderate the discussion. 

You must book to reserve your seat. Click here.

Cost:
$5.75 + GST + Booking Fee

This Script to Screen TALKS is made possible thanks to generous support from New Zealand Film Commission, White Studios and WIFT.

Finalists have been determined! Buy your tickets to celebrate these fabulous women.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

This is our chance to shine a spotlight on women in the screen industry, to celebrate their achievements, and to honour them. 

The WIFT NZ AWARDS Categories for 2024 are:

SOUTH PACIFIC PICTURES AWARD FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM

This Award recognises significant achievement with a short or feature film released in the last three years locally and/or internationally. This award can be won more than once. To be eligible, film(s) associated with the nominee must have been released between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023 and had some measurable impact. Particular weighting will be given to positive critical reception, box office success and international profile and achievement.

SAE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER

This Award recognises exceptional talent in a woman under 30 years old working in the New Zealand screen industry. As WIFT NZ is a pan-industry organisation this talent may be in any field, whether behind or in front of the camera.

HINTERLAND WOMAN TO WATCH AWARD

This Award recognises a woman with an emerging body of work who shows the potential to have a significant career in the industry.

IMAGEZONE ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD

This Award recognises exceptional business achievement and is given to a woman who has demonstrated business acumen and entrepreneurial vision in establishing a sustainable financial enterprise, contributing to the future health and viability of the New Zealand film and television industry.

Particular weighting will be given to evidence of a sound business approach, international presence and activity, and significant turnover with leveraged investment in product that delivers sustainability.

IMAGES & SOUND AWARD FOR SUCCESS IN TELEVISION AND DIGITAL

This Award recognises a woman who has had a significant impact or achievement in any aspect of TV or Digital media between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023.  This award can be won more than once.

PROFESSIONAL LIGHTING SERVICES AWARD FOR UNSUNG HEROINE OF THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY

This Award honours long-term contributions behind the scenes, which ensure successful projects and provide essential support to colleagues. This award can only be won once.

Particular weighting will be given to women who are generally ineligible for other Awards but whose work is critical to achievement, and to women who have demonstrated collegial support for other women in the industry.

TE MĀNGAI PĀHO TE REO MĀORI CHAMPION AWARD

This Award honours a production company or individual whose work makes a significant contribution to the increased use and knowledge of Te Reo Māori me ngā tikanga.

Particular weighting will be given to creative approaches and/or to innovative programming which has a measurable impact on the profile of Māori on screen.

WARNER BROS.DISCOVERY AWARD FOR MOANA EXCELLENCE IN THE SCREEN INDUSTRY 

This Award recognises an outstanding contribution by a Moana Pasifika woman in any field in the Aotearoa/New Zealand screen industry. It's a new award and we're proud to offer it with the support of the Tautai Pacific Arts Trust.

QUEENSTOWN CAMERA COMPANY CRAFT AWARD

This Award recognises outstanding achievement in craft in film, TV or digital media production, between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023, especially those working in the more traditionally male-dominated sectors, e.g. camera, sound, lighting, grips, stunt work, set design.

NB This is not an award for post-production. There is a separate award for post.

WĒTĀ FX CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY AWARD

This Award recognises outstanding achievement in creativity in post-production in film, TV or digital media from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2023. Nominee job titles could include for example: Editor, Colourist, Sound Editor, ADR Recordist, VFX Artist, VFX Supervisor, VFX Editor, Animator, Compositor.

GREAT SOUTHERN FILM & TELEVISION AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE NZ SCREEN INDUSTRY

This Award honours long-term outstanding work, generous support for others, and commitment to the growth of the industry both professionally and personally. This Award can only be won once.

The WIFT NZ Awards is an event designed to celebrate the achievements of women in the industry, provide a special networking opportunity, and act as a source of fundraising for the ongoing work of the organisation.  It has become renowned for quality, affordability and great celebration and fun!

The biennial Awards are attended by a mixed audience of leading industry practitioners, friends and supporters, and currently enjoy sponsorship support from:

 South Pacific Pictures

Great Southern Film & Television

Images & Sound

Imagezone

Hinterland

Queenstown Camera Company

Professional Lighting Services

SAE Creative Media Institute 

Te Māngai Pāho

Warner Bros. Discovery

Wētā FX 

and FAT Lighting

Date: Wednesday 13th Dec 2023
Location: Longroom, 114 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
Time: 5:30 PM

For our members in Wellington, your year-end party awaits...

RSVP is a must. Click here. 

For our members in Christchurch, your year-end party awaits...

Must RSVP to: office@wiftnz.org.nz

We're delighted to present you with this special intensive workshop from Emmy Award-winning television producer and WIFT NZ member, Jon Kroll.

From Reel to Real: Transforming Documentaries into Successful TV Shows

The Pitch:
Have you spent the past four years of your life scraping together cash from grants, government incentives and the local dentist in an effort to complete your long-suffering feature doc… only to wonder, “what’s next?”
Or has the competition for public funds and the foundering economy conspired to keep cameras from rolling at all on your passion project?
Is there another way to, you know, actually make a living by telling the stories you want to tell?
That’s what this one-day seminar is all about. We’ll spend the day discussing how to transform your cash-bleeding documentary feature into a profitable television venture.
Join Jon as we take a deep dive into the television marketplace and give you valuable tools that can help transform your money pit into a cash cow… or at least from a credit card drain into a respectable contributor to the household.

Presenter Jon Kroll
Jon Kroll has produced TV shows for more than 30 years, including The Amazing Race, for which he was honoured with a Primetime Emmy Award. He is currently Executive Producer of NatGeo’s enduring hit, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, which he has run since its inception.

He also is Executive Producer of NatGeo’s Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins and Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper for NatGeoWild. Kroll’s other projects include the award-winning feature documentary, From Hell to Hollywood, which won the Audience Award at Kansas City Film Fest International; Pink Collar Crimes for CBS; two seasons of American Grit for Fox starring WWE superstar John Cena; three seasons of Big Brother for CBS; and the controversial UPN series, Amish in the City, which critics hailed as “One of the best new reality series of the year.”

He has also directed three movies, written multiple graphic novels and built a Hello Kitty theme park. Originally from Northern California, Kroll was raised on a Mendocino County commune without television or electricity. He lives in Wellington, New Zealand.

Date: Sunday 26 November 2023

Time: 10am-3pm

Venue: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington

Cost: Members $20, non-members $40.

Tea/ coffee and nibbles provided.

BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH.

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Once you register you will be sent an invoice for payment before the event.

This is our FIRST production design workshop in 10 years!

Production Design is the world that your characters live in and as film and TV are visual mediums, this world is just as important as the lines of dialogue delivered!  Production design is a craft, and these women have so much to share from their vibrant careers.

Join Emily Mafile’o, Jane Bucknell and Tracey Collins in conversation with Kiel McNaughton as they discuss their work and their creative process.

Questions we will cover: How do they work with the director or creator to activate the creative vision? How does the production designer create a world that serves the story? What are the determining factors on whether they say yes to a project? What is their favourite creative work to date and why? When is the best time to be brought into a project? There will be spaces for you to ask your own questions in the Q & A.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from this all-star line-up of wāhine production designers!

About the panel:

Emily Mafile'o
Emily Mafile’o is a multi-talented production designer, art director, set designer and photographer. Her Production Design credits include the feature film Red, White & Brass (2021) and the shorts The Return (2022, Lea Tupu'anga/Mother Tongue and TV series SIS, Brutal Lives 2 (2022). Her Art Director credits include TV series The Panthers, Baby Mamas Club, feature documentary For My Father's Kingdom and the short My Friend Michael Jones. Emily is on a mission to empower Māori and Pasifika communities through creativity, cultural revitalisation, and community connections via Taro Patch Collective.

Jane Bucknell
Jane is an accomplished filmmaker with a vibrant career spanning two decades. She has numerous credits in costume design, production design and art direction. She was nominated for Best Production Design at the 2022 NZ TV Awards for TV Series The Panthers and is currently production designing a new half-hour dramedy series Madam produced by Tavake and XYZ Films for Warner Bros. She is an active member of the worldwide Production Designers Collective. 

Tracey Collins
Tracey (Trix) is an established Production Designer living and working in Auckland. She has been awarded with NZ Screen Awards for feature film White Lies (2013), TV series This Is Not My Life (2011), and Piece of my Heart (2009). She has designed films and TV in many genres including drama – Murder Is Forever Forever (2018), The Other Side of Heaven: Fire of Faith (2019), Dirty Laundry (2016) and Bliss (2011). Recently Tracey has been designing for the Power Rangers universe. She also works as a Theatre and Entertainment Designer and is an artist.

Moderator: Kiel McNaughton
Kiel McNaughton is a director and producer of television comedy and drama, and with Kerry Warkia, one half of production company Brown Sugar Apple Grunt. After four years as a core cast member of Shortland St, he left to direct and executive produce the award-winning comedy series Auckland Daze. He has since directed full seasons of Find Me A Māori Bride, This Is Piki and Princess of Chaos, and episodes of My Life is Murder, Vegas and Good Grief and the 2020 feature film The Legend of Baron Toa.

RSVP essential  to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Who hasn’t had to work remotely or employ remote crew these days? Even if you haven’t yet, with budgets the way they are, it’s definitely coming!
If you’re looking for an efficient and cost-effective way of working and collaborating remotely, come along to this FREE EVENT hosted by Source Elements CEO Rebekah Wilson.
Rebekah will be sharing successful case studies, for example:

• The crew at Disney's 20th Century Fox Animation has used Source Elements' solutions for recording remote worldwide talent for years. Watch how Family Guy uses Source Elements
• A Kiwi actor whose livelihood is commercial voice overs moved from Auckland to Mangawhai. No commute needed!
• A well-known Latino singer was able to record his album from home and stay with his family instead of spending months in New York.

There will be a live demo with Chicago, Toronto and Colombia where you'll see how to work remotely with any kind of time-based media.
Source Elements has spent 20 years revolutionising the industry with their cutting-edge audio and video solutions and is proud to have Kiwi roots!

Spaces will be limited so register now! REGISTER HERE

EVENT TIMETABLE:
5:30-6:00pm Welcome drinks and food (come hungry!)

6:00 pm-7:00 pm Remote Collaboration live demonstration with Chicago, Toronto & Colombia

7:00 pm-7:30 pm Question time

7:30-8:00pm Drinks, food, conversation

Nibbles, tapas and drinks will be provided.  

Jennifer Carriere (pictured) has script-supervised hundreds of television episodes, and films. Join her 90-minute free presentation to find out how you can become a Script Supervisor, or up your script supervising game! At this Saturday workshop you will be walked through the Script Supervisor's role from A-Z and break down a short script.
SUNDAY 29 Oct from 1-2:30pm New Zealand Time

Click here to read the full workshop outline

Click here to register

There are many reasons these days why a filmmaker may find themselves shooting their own footage: think Dame Gaylene Preston following Helen Clark at the United Nations, Briar March for Dame Valerie Adams: More Than Gold or Rachel Currie on the TVNZ docuseries Unbreakable.

Come along to this event and join our panel of Dame Gaylene, Briar and Rachel as they discuss the pros and cons of directing as the camera person with broadcast quality in mind. This is an interactive workshop. FUN and instructive!!! Clips will be screened!

About the panelists:

Briar March
Briar March is an award-winning filmmaker and previous Fulbright scholar whose works are grounded in a passionate desire to connect, foster debate, and inspire social change. Her films have been broadcast on major television networks around the world, and are regularly exhibited in film festivals. Her work includes  documentaries Mothers of the Revolution, There Once Was An Island, A Place To Call Home, Smoke Song, Dame Valerie Adams: More Than Gold. She is currently completing a short drama called I See You.

Dame Gaylene Preston
Dame Gaylene Preston is one of New Zealand's most valued filmmakers, with a screen career spanning four decades. She has writer, director and producer credits covering feature films, documentaries and TV drama series. Many, including War Stories, Bread And Roses, Mr Wrong, and Home By Christmas, are classics of New Zealand cinema. Her documentaries, recognised as taonga - national treasures, include Lovely Rita, Making Utu, Getting To Our Place, (co-directed with Anna Cottrell) Earthquake, and her 2017 documentary My Year With Helen which follows former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark while she is campaigning for the role of UN Secretary-General. 

Rachel Currie
Producer/director Rachel Currie (pictured) is the head of Storymaker, a creative independent production company dedicated to telling great stories through bold ideas. A former journalist, Rachel has been creating unique high-end factual programming for over two decades, including content for broadcasters such as BBC, Channel Four,  ITV and TVNZ. Storymaker’s projects include How Not To Get Cancer, a series of four prime-time documentaries for TVNZ, and Unbreakable, a seven-part series about people with disabilities.

RSVP essential  to office@wiftnz.org.nz

This event has been cancelled.

WIFT NZ brings you this special in-depth conversation with executive directors Sandy Gildea from the Screen Producers and Developers Association (SPADA) and Tui Ruwhui from the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ). In their executive and advocacy roles in the screen industry, Sandy and Tui have a unique insight into successful producer-director collaborations. Join them to explore: 

• Finding the right collaborator as a producer or director.
• Understanding the parameters of your role and ensuring your contracts reflect these.
• Establishing healthy boundaries as a producer and director.
• Maintaining a healthy collaborative relationship that lasts beyond one project.
• Where does creative control lie between producer and director?

Moderator: Rouzie Hassanova

Rouzie Hassanova is an award-winning writer/ director based in Aotearoa New Zealand after 20 years in London. Currently freelancing as a Development Producer at Sweetshop & Green, Rouzie  is also a creative leader with over 15 years of experience in international film finance, distribution, production, post-production and development. Having worked at Libertine Pictures, the New Zealand Film Commission, Great Southern TV, Mister Smith Entertainment, and HanWay Films, she brings market and storytelling insight.

Panelists:

Sandy Gildea


Tui Ruwhui 
Tui Ruwhiu (Ngāpuhi) started in TV as a production assistant working overseas, before setting up a line production company working in TV commercials. He went on to write, direct, produce and executive-produce in corporation communications, news and travel programming, then established a boutique marketing communications company. He returned to the screen industry primarily as a film producer, at the same time working as Executive Director at DEGANZ.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Briar Grace-Smith is one of Aotearoa’s most prolific and celebrated creatives, writing poetry, books, scripts and plays. She also directed the second season of television series Rūrangi, which won an International Emmy for best short-form series.

She wrote, starred in and co-directed the screen adaptation of Patricia Grace’s best-selling novel Cousins (2021), which is only the third feature film written and directed by Māori women, following Mauri by Merata Mita in 1988, and Waru, the anthology film which Grace-Smith also co-directed.

In this conversation Briar will discuss:

• How she has created a pathway to success as both writer and producer.
• What challenges she often faces and how she navigates them.
• What she looks for in a story and creative partnership.
• What she considers the issues currently facing writers and directors.
• How co-directing provides an alternative path to making films.

Facilitator: Robin Laing

Producer Robin Laing is the founding president of WIFT NZ, and founding Chair of The New Zealand Film and Television School in Wellington. Awarded an MBE in 1993 for her services to the New Zealand film industry, Robin began producing films in 1985 with Mr Wrong, the first of many projects with director Dame Gaylene Preston. Robin was part of the producing team on Niki Caro's adaptation of The Vintner's Luck (2009), she produced The Heart Dances, the feature-length documentary directed by Rebecca Tansley that follows the creation of a ballet based on movie The Piano, and co-produced Poppy, directed by Linda Niccol, the first Kiwi feature to cast an actor (Libby Hunsdale) with Down syndrome in the starring role.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

There are many reasons these days why a filmmaker may find themselves shooting their own footage – not least of which being logistics – think Dame Gaylene Preston at the United Nations, Steph Damm-Logan on Grand Designs or Survivor, or Vanessa Wells in the Antarctic, or so many of you out and about with your iPhones!

Come along to this workshop, with camera in hand, and join in with Dame Gaylene, Vanessa and Steph as they discuss the pros and cons of directing as the camera person with broadcast quality in mind. This is an interactive workshop. FUN and instructive!!! Clips will be screened!

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE; Non-members $20, Students $10; includes wine and nibbles.

The producer / director relationship is the most critical connection in a project’s success. Often fraught, it can end in tears. However, it can also last a lifetime. Because of the importance of this subject we are bringing you two very experienced people to dissect the topic and help steer you to the best outcomes.

As one of our most talented and prolific producers, Georgina Conder has a wealth of experience to share. Georgina Allison Conder - IMDb

As Executive Director of DEGANZ for many years Tui Ruwhiu has a deep understanding of where everything comes unstuck for directors, and how problems can be avoided in the first place.

This is an essential workshop for everyone.

**WIFT NZ and DEGANZ members are free**

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Georgina and Tui will be discussing the following: 

• How do you find the right producer?
• Understanding the parameters of your role and making sure your contract reflects that.
• Boundaries, including for the originator.
• Who has creative say - in television? In commercial work? On a feature film?
• Where does the director's control begin and end?  
• Who leads when: on set, in post, when there is a client/broadcaster involved? 
• Maintaining a healthy collaborative relationship that lasts beyond one project.

Facilitator:
Vanessa Wells
Vanessa Wells is a filmmaker and theatre practitioner who has worked in the arts industry for over 20 years.  She currently has a feature documentary on climate change and the Antarctic called The Climate Canary in production. Vanessa has been on the WIFT NZ Board since 2015.

Panelists:

Georgina Conder
Georgina Conder is a film and TV producer who started her career working in production in the early 2000’s before establishing Miss Conception Films in 2015 with producing partner Ainsley Gardiner. MCF was born out of a passion to produce projects with female protagonists while working with female key creatives. In recent years Georgina has begun supporting marginalised voices especially female, Māori, Pasifika and immigrants through her two companies, Miss Conception films and Little Miss Films.

Tui Ruwhiu
Tui Ruwhiu (Ngāpuhi) started in TV as a production assistant working overseas, before setting up a line production company working in TV commercials. He went on to write, direct, produce and executive-produce in corporation communications, news and travel programming, then established a boutique marketing communications company. He returned to the screen industry primarily as a film producer, at the same time working as Executive Director at DEGANZ.

Highly undervalued, a great costume designer is one of your highest assets. Costume can make or break your dream film. We're extremely fortunate to have some of the best internationally recognised costume designers in New Zealand. Join award-winning costume designers Jane Holland, Ngila Dickson and Kirsty Cameron as they discuss this vital area with acclaimed documentary director Pietra Brettkelly.

Topics to be covered will include:

• How do you select your costume designer? 
• What are they looking for from you, and what should you reasonably expect from them? 
• When do you bring them on board and what is the ideal process through your project?

Whether you are a student, a producer, a director, or in the art department, this is a workshop for you ALL!

Panellists:
Kirsty Cameron
Kirsty is an award-winning costume designer and production designer. She won New Zealand Film Award’s Best Costume Design for Whale Rider, directed by Niki Caro, and Best Costume Design for her work on Perfect Creature, Glenn Standring’s vampire feature. Her work includes costume design for director Tusi Tamasese’s acclaimed The Orator, which won best film at Venice Film Festival in 2011, and most recently for the Academy Award-winning The Power of the Dog. She’s also written and directed short films, designed costumes for dancer/choreographer Douglas Wright, and develops her own homewares. 

Ngila Dickson
Ngila won an Academy Award in 2004 for her work on Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. She earned dual nominations that year, also being honoured for her costume designs for Edward Zwick’s The Last Samurai. Dickson had previously gained her first Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA nomination for Best Costume Design for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.  In addition, she won a BAFTA Award for her work on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and won a Costume Designers Guild Award, and received her third BAFTA Award nomination for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Jane Holland
Jane has recently returned from nine months in Budapest as costume designer for Halo Series 2. With a career spanning 30 years in film and television Jane's work ranges from large-scale international projects to local drama and arthouse projects. Her passion is for character storytelling and innovative world-building, be it the expansive retro sci-fi world of Cowboy Bebop, or character-driven period films like Juniper and World’s Fastest Indian. Jane is also creative producer and writer and through 10000 Company she and Michael Bennett initiate and develop original scripts. 

Moderator:
Pietra Brettkelly
Pietra  is a three-times Oscar selected and Sundance award-winning NZ filmmaker. Her documentary features include Yellow Is Forbidden, A Flickering Truth, Māori Boy Genius, The Art Star And The Sudanese Twins and Beauty Will Save The World. In 2019 she received the inaugural New Zealand Arts Laureate in Documentary, and at the 2020 WIFT NZ Awards, Pietra won the South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film "for creating unique, intimate, beautiful cinematic works that open a window into another world".

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10 (includes wine and nibbles). Please pay in cash at the door

There are many reasons these days why a filmmaker may find themselves shooting their own footage – not least of which being logistics – think Dame Gaylene Preston following Helen Clark at the United Nations, Gwen Isaac in quiet moments with scientist Siouxsie Wiles, Rachel Currie on TVNZ docuseries Unbreakable and the recently funded Hospital Project or so many of you out and about with your latest gear!

Come along to this workshop, with camera in hand if you have access to one, and join Dame Gaylene, Gwen and Rachel as they discuss the pros and cons of directing as the camera person with broadcast quality in mind. This is an interactive workshop. FUN and instructive!!! Clips will be played, including a taster for Gwen's documentary Ms. Information, premiering at NZIFF this month.

Date: Wednesday 16 Aug 2023
Location: The Forge, Block 1, College of Creative Arts, Massey University
Time: 6pm drinks for a 6:30pm start

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:

It's easiest to park at Wellington High School. The big white building adjacent to Wellington High is Block 1, CoCA. Walk to the left of this building to a short pathway between buildings, and then take the first right to enter the CoCA reception area.

For the past 25 years Sharon Menzies has grappled with, and solved, cashflow finance; 15 of those years for 450 film and television projects across Australasia.  

Producers know that without the cashflow they would be generally unable to complete production. And in some cases innovative and creative financing solutions are needed to get stories to screen.

What is cashflow finance? How are productions being financed in our post-COVID world? How has finance changed over the 15 years Sharon led Fulcrum? Sharon will share tips to make cashflow financing easier and decrease financing costs.

So many questions and so much information to be shared!  AND, what is Sharon going to do now?  Come along to this essential workshop to find out!

Facilitator: Jill Macnab 
Jill Macnab is the General Manager of Vendetta Films, a leading Australia-New Zealand film distribution company, and is also co-owner of their sister company, Vendetta Productions. She is the producer of feature film Born To Dance, feature documentary In The Zone, interactive project Give Kate A Voice, and has executive produced a number of other features and documentaries, adding to a slate of projects in varying stages of development.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $15 cash at the door (includes wine and nibbles).

Sharon Menzies is coming to the Capital! For the past 25 years Sharon Menzies has grappled with, and solved, cashflow finance; 15 of those years for 450 film and television projects across Australasia.  

Producers know that without the cashflow they would be generally unable to complete production. And in some cases innovative and creative financing solutions are needed to get stories to screen.

What is cashflow finance? How are productions being financed in our post-COVID world? How has finance changed over the 15 years Sharon led Fulcrum? Sharon will share tips to make cashflow financing easier and decrease financing costs.

So many questions and so much information to be shared!  AND, what is Sharon going to do now?  Come along to this essential workshop to find out!

Facilitator: Sarah Cull
Sarah is an entertainment lawyer with over 20 years experience in the film and television industry.  Her clients include producers, government funders, private financiers, directors, writers, distributors and international studios.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $15 cash at the door (includes wine and nibbles).

As our major broadcaster TVNZ’s content strategy has an effect on you all, but most critically if you are a creator / producer.

Recently Nevak Rogers has taken over the handle of Acting Director of Content. At this WIFT NZ workshop Nevak and some of the team will lead you through their master plans for 2024.

Here's the perfect way to understand where the opportunities are (and there are opportunities), and who to deal with at TVNZ now!!

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ and PISA members FREE; Non-members $20, Students $10; includes wine and nibbles.

Wednesday 5 July

Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, Avondale

6pm drinks for a 6:30pm start

Robin Scholes (Once Were Warriors, Mister Pip) is one of New Zealand’s most experienced producers, pioneering a sustainable career in the screen industry. NZFC Board Member and Producer Sandra Kailahi will talk with Robin about her successful career as a creative collaborator and producer for some of Aotearoa’s most well-known filmmakers such as Lee Tamahori and Andrew Adamson. 

Some of the topics and questions they will explore are:

• What is the key to developing a long-lasting creative relationship with a director?
• How has Robin nurtured a sustainable career in what can sometimes be an unpredictable industry?
• What is her process for deciding which projects to develop?
• What is the most challenging thing about being a woman at the top of her producing game?
• How can filmmakers create a sustainable business? 
• What is next for Robin Scholes?

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $15 cash at the door (includes wine and nibbles).

We're pleased to offer this unique opportunity to you in collaboration with Screen Canterbury.

Come and hear producers Chloe Smith and John Barnett discuss their Dark City: The Cleaner project, filmed in Christchurch, and how it came to fruition. They'll talk about working together on the project and their individual processes, and end with a Q+A. 

Chloe Smith's credits span numerous New Zealand feature films, including Jane Campion’s The Piano, Alison McLean’s Crush, Sione's Wedding (with John Barnett) and Campion's 2021 feature The Power of the Dog.  

John Barnett is the former head of South Pacific Pictures. He has produced, or executive produced, four of New Zealand's seven top grossing films; Whale Rider, Sione's Wedding, Footrot Flats and What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted? 

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE, non-members $20, students $10, cash at the door (includes wine and nibbles).

WIFT NZ Patron and Academy Award Winner Philippa Boyens, Dame Gaylene Preston and Dame Miranda Harcourt have all made international names for themselves, whilst remaining rooted in Wellington, New Zealand. With the recent release of Gaylene’s Take: Her Life in New Zealand Film, we take this opportunity to celebrate their careers, their ups and downs, and their commitment to Wellington. 

What has been their career path, what are their high and lowlights, how do they face knockbacks and what do they think about the status for women in the industry right now? So many questions, and so much more to explore!

Moderated by Miranda Manasiadis who has gamely agreed to manage the discussion between these very feisty women!

This special event is brought to you by WIFT NZ and Wētā FX. Bubbles and nibbles will be served!

Book your seat now at the link below! WIFT NZ members FREE.
Non-members $20* Students $10. Includes wine and nibbles.
*plus Eventfinda booking fee $2.75

Click here to access all tickets.

Continuing in our series examining key relationships for directors, we now bring you this workshop on the Director - 1stAD - Producer dynamic, in collaboration with DEGANZ.

**WIFT NZ and DEGANZ members are free**

Panellists:

Armağan Ballantyne (Director) Armağan’s films have screened in festivals around the world including Venice, Berlin, New York, Telluride, Wairoa, Tribeca, and Sydney. She attended the Sundance Lab with her first feature The Strength of Water. Her latest film Nude Tuesday received a 5-star review in The Guardian and earned five nominations at the AACTAS Awards. Recently Armağan directed an episode of Time Bandits for Paramount.

Philippa Campbell (Producer) Philippa recently completed post production of Loren Taylor’s debut feature The Moon is Upside Down. She first worked with Jane Campion producing both seasons of Top of the Lake and is currently co-director of Jane’s A Wave in the Ocean directors’ intensive.

Terri Kilmartin (1stAD) started her career in New York City in the late 1990s as an Assistant Director in independent film. She has more than 25 years experience as an Assistant Director on feature films, TV drama and commercials. Most recently she has worked on the TV series Sweet Tooth and One Of Us Is Lying.

Facilitator:

Tui Ruwhiu (Ngāpuhi) is Executive Director of DEGANZ. He is a producer with more than 20 years’ experience domestically and internationally in film video, television, and marketing communications. Tui has worked in various roles for Virgin Earth in Japan, New Zealand production company Communicado, financial information giant Reuters, and marketing communications company Fresh Media.   

Our experienced panel will be discussing the following questions:

• What is the role of the 1st AD and who do they represent on set?
• How can a successful dynamic be nurtured between the 1st AD, Director and Producer?
• How does a 1st AD balance the creative needs of the director and the logistical needs of the shoot?
• What is the best way to deal with Director-1st AD differences?
• What expectations do directors and producers have of a 1st AD, and what does a 1st AD want from the director and the producer?

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz 

WIFT members and DEGANZ members free, non-members $15 cash at the door; includes wine and nibbles.

A film or TV show's poster needs to capture its tone, mood and theme, as well as the interest of a potential audience. Jeremy Saunders is one the most sought-after poster designers in the world, having created key art, title design and marketing for nearly 400 films and shows. These include works for Lars von Trier, Jane Campion, Taika Waititi, Steven Soderbergh, Andrea Arnold, Warwick Thornton and many more. Come and hear filmmaker Marina Alofagia McCartney find out from Jeremy what it takes to design one of the most successful promotional tools for your project.

In this conversation Jeremy will discuss:

• The aspects of film marketing from a filmmaker's perspective;
• Practical steps filmmakers can take to help the process;
• Potential pitfalls and points of fracture that can be avoided;
• His process for creating successful posters and title design;
• What stage an art designer should come onboard a project;
• Some of the most successful projects and what makes them successful;
• What clients should include in a brief for poster and/or title design to ensure success;
• A case study of one of his posters.            

Jeremy Saunders has created key art and titles for very nearly 400 movies and shows including works by Lars von Trier, Jane Campion, Taika Waititi, Steven Soderbergh, Andrea Arnold, Warwick Thornton and many more. Key art refers to the art of movie marketing campaigns, including movie posters, trailers, TV and internet advertising. His designs are innovative and striking with varied imagery that captures the eye. Check out his work above, and online at JeremySaunders.com

Facilitator: Marina Alofagia McCartney
Marina Alofagia McCartney (Samoa, English, Romani) is an award-winning filmmaker and scholar with films featured in numerous festivals, including Palm Springs, Berlin, SXSW and more. Marina is a PhD candidate exploring Moana Pasifika film, writing for several writer’s tables, and developing a variety of projects including her NZFC Catalyst short film The Return and her next feature Dusky.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members FREE; non-members $15 cash, includes wine and nibbles.

Helen Bowden is one of Australia’s most celebrated drama producers. Her company Lingo Pictures partnered with recently formed production company Luminous Beast to produce After the Party, a 6 x 43 minute episode show currently shooting in Wellington.

Come along to hear about Helen’s approach to co-productions. 

Facilitator: Georgina Allison Conder 

Georgina Conder from Miss Conception Films is a Wellington based film and TV producer. MCF focuses on marginalized voices especially female, Maori, Pasifika and immigrants and is responsible for recent Kiwi films  Cousins, Red, White and Brass and TV series Not Even.

Some of the topics and questions Helen and Georgina will explore are:

• What does it take to make an tv series with international appeal?
• How does one nurture a successful co-production with international partners?
• How can you determine who the best partner(s) for you and your project?
• Traditional broadcasting platform or streaming service? Which is best for your project?

Intrepid, tenacious and dedicated, Pietra Brettkelly is a three-times Oscar selected and Sundance award-winning NZ filmmaker and we're thrilled she's agreed to head south for this documentary-focused workshop in Christchurch.
Pietra's documentary features include Yellow Is Forbidden, A Flickering Truth, Māori Boy Genius, The Art Star And The Sudanese Twins and Beauty Will Save The World. In 2019 she received the inaugural New Zealand Arts Laureate in Documentary, and at the 2020 WIFT NZ Awards, Pietra won the South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement in Film "for creating unique, intimate, beautiful cinematic works that open a window into another world".

Christchurch director Vanessa Wells will facilitate the discussion where Pietra will be shedding light on:

• Why she chose documentary as the medium for her storytelling; 
• What makes a great documentary idea;
• How to craft a powerful narrative within documentary;
• How to navigate the funding process for documentary projects;
• How to nurture a sustainable career as a documentary maker.

Pietra and Oscar nominated producer Chelsea Winstanley are running a Boosted campaign for her latest project, Crocodile, a coming-of-age documentary film about a group of Nigerian kids and young adults who are making their own sci-fi feature film. 

Click here to support the Crocodile Boosted campaign 

WIFT NZ members free; non members $15 cash; includes wine and nibbles.

The main entrance is off St Asaph St, but you're welcome to use the back door, off Welles St.

A note on parking: it should be easy on the street at that time of night, but take care of restrictions if you use the Wilsons or High St parking, they can be ruthless with tickets! You could park at the Smiths City park, behind The Welder after hours - but at your own risk.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Please note the earlier start time 5:30pm networking for a 6:00pm workshop start.

WIFT NZ and the NZWG bring you this fabulous workshop with one of New Zealand's best screenwriters, showrunners and executive producers. 

Rachel Lang MNZM, has co-created many of New Zealand's most successful television shows: Outrageous Fortune, The Almighty Johnsons, Mercy Peak, Nothing Trivial, Go Girls, Bad Mothers, and many more. She was the first New Zealand story editor for Shortland Street, and has also been a writer and an executive producer for the show. 

Rachel will discuss writing and showrunning, and if her workshops last year are anything to go by, you will not want to miss this one! Facilitated by Fiona Samuel.

Fiona Samuel MNZM is an award-winning screenwriter and director, playwright, actor, trained wrestler, Arts Laureate, and current co-president of the NZ Writers Guild.

The discussion will cover the following topics:

· What a showrunner does;

· How you get to be a showrunner;

· How COVID has changed the practicalities of writing for television;

· What the ingredients for a successful writers room are;

· Tips for creating ideas and how to market them.

Bring your questions and Rachel will do her best to answer them! 

WIFT and NZWG members free; non members $15 cash; includes wine and nibbles.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ and Floating Rock presents:

The Floating Rock Pitchfest

•       Do you have an idea for a feature film or tv series you want to make?
•       Do you need guidance with crafting a pitch deck to secure funding?
•       Do you want some money to develop your story?
Floating Rock can help!

Boutique animation studio Floating Rock is offering an opportunity for storytellers to realise their stories through the Floating Rock Pitchfest. They are primarily interested in animation and VR projects.

This workshop is your chance to find out more about this exciting opportunity, this dynamic company and the team behind it all.

Not everyone has the funding or the team to make a series or feature film. With Pitchfest, Floating Rock aims to help people create a well-rounded pitch deck to take to distributors. The goal is to get the pitch funded and have the stories produced at Floating Rock.

Come and hear Floating Rock Co-Founder / Creative Lead / Animator Stephanie Parker, and Floating Rock Production Manager Ruby Cumming and find out where the opportunities are for you!

WIFT NZ members free; non members $15 cash; includes wine and nibbles.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Date: Thursday 09 Mar 2023
Location: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Time: 6pm networking for a 6:30pm start

Floating-Rock.com

About Floating Rock

Floating Rock Studio is an animation company founded by Garrick Rawlingson, Lukas Niklaus, Stephanie Parker, and Laurent Herveic. These 'Floaties' are veterans of the VFX and animation industry, having worked previously on feature films such as Paddington, Peter Rabbit 2, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Ant-Man, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts I and II.
Floating Rock remotely provides high-end animation and visual effects services, and is now kicking off its own IP division with Pitchfest.

Date: Thursday 09 Mar 2023
Location: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Time: 6pm networking for a 6:30pm start

WIFT NZ members, come along to the 2022 Christchurch Screen Guilds Christmas Party!
Eat, drink and catch up on each other's news.
All screen guilds members are welcome:
DEGANZ, EQUITY, NAW, NZCS, NZWG, PASC, SIGANZ, SMSG, SPADA, WIFT 

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz by 9 December

WIFT NZ members, come along to the 2022 Wellington Screen Guilds Christmas Party!
Eat, drink and catch up on each other's news.
All screen guilds members are welcome:
DEGANZ, EQUITY, NAW, NZCS, NZWG, PASC, SIGANZ, SMSG, SPADA, WIFT NZ.

Booking is essential

Click here to RSVP  

WIFT NZ members, come along to the 2022 Screen Guilds Christmas Party!
Eat, drink and catch up on each other's news.
All screen guild members are welcome:
DEGANZ, EQUITY, NAW, NZCS, NZWG, PASC, SIGANZ, SMSG, SPADA, WIFT NZ.

Bookings essential

Click here to RSVP  

Andrew McGeorge is well known and celebrated for his work in The Panthers, Teine Sā, Do No Harm, The Meg, Sis and Ash Vs. Evil Dead.

Currently in Christchurch, he will use case studies from his own work to explore how a cinematographer:

• nurtures story from script to screen;
• builds a shared visual language with the director; and
• maintains healthy collaborative relationships that last beyond just one project.

Time: 6:00pm drinks for 6:30pm start

Date: Wednesday 23 November 2023

Location: Whitebait Media, 41 Princess Street, Middleton, Christchurch.

WIFT NZ members FREE; non-members $15 cash - includes wine and nibbles.
RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

We’re thrilled to be bringing you this very special event at Camperdown Cinema: a free screening of The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers — director, screenwriter, producer and lead actor Leah Purcell, and producer Bain Stewart.
Leah Purcell is the inaugural Māoriland Filmmaker in Residence; Māoriland Festival Managing Director Libby Hakaraia will moderate the Q&A.

The multitalented Leah has been nominated for this year's top four AACTA Awards (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards): Producer for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Lead Actress in Film, making her the first individual, female and First Nations practitioner to be nominated for all four at once. The film itself is up for 13 AACTA Awards.

Leah's screenplay for The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson was also nominated by AWG (Australian Writer’s Guild) for a 2022 AWGIE Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Watch the trailer

Leah Purcell is a First Nations stage and film actress, playwright, film director, and novelist. She made her film debut in 1999, appearing in Paul Fenech's Somewhere in the Darkness, which led to roles in films such as Lantana (2001), Somersault (2004), The Proposition (2005) and Jindabyne (2006).

In 2014 she wrote and starred in the play, The Drover's Wife, based on the original story by Henry Lawson. In 2019 she wrote the bestselling novel The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson, and then adapted it for the screen when she made her directorial debut. For her work, she has won several awards, including a Helpmann Award, AACTA Award, and Asia Pacific Screen Awards Jury Grand Prize.

Purcell is notable for her roles in several television drama series, her most recognisable television role being her AACTA and Logie Award-nominated performance as Rita Connors in the Foxtel prison drama series, Wentworth (2018–2021).

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz to secure your seat.

WIFT, Ngā Aho Whakaari members and Wētā crew free; non-members $15.

We are so excited to bring you this event celebrating the release of Dame Gaylene Preston's autobiography, Gaylene's Take: Her Life In New Zealand Film.

Dame Gaylene is one of Aotearoa’s most distinctive storytellers, and her book brings the same compassion, humour, irreverence and heart for which her films are known, to the page.

This is a great opportunity to celebrate Dame Gaylene's career and her achievement of putting a life story into words.

Newshub Entertainment Reporter, the wonderful Kate Rodger will interview Dame Gaylene, who will also read excerpts from her book. Expect a lot of laughter - this is going to be a fabulous night!

What a special event with which to cap off our year's workshop programming!

Time: 6:00pm drinks for a 6:30pm start.

Date: Thursday 17 November

Location: GridAKL / Futures Lab, Level 4,
12 Madden St, Wynyard Quarter.

Seats will be limited so be in quick to secure your spot.
RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

In film and television, sound is as creative as it is technical, and what works for a blockbuster will be different for an arthouse film. So, what are your project’s sonic needs? How do you meet those needs? And, how much will it cost?
Held in collaboration with the Screen Music & Sound Guild of New Zealand, this workshop will provide you with a better understanding of what’s needed for great sound and dialogue editing.

Some topics to be discussed include:

• Sound shapes and carries the tone of the film; how can directors think in creative and sonic ways?
• How can producers efficiently fit sound into the production workflow?
• Who does what? What format should files be in? What equipment is needed?

Bring your questions and get all the answers from our expert panel!

Moderator: Marie Silberstein, Head of Development & Production, POW Studios

Panel:

Polly McKinnon
Polly is a multi-award-winning sound editor and supervisor with over two decades in the industry. She has worked extensively in New Zealand, Australia and the United States, and has been a key team member on three Academy Award winning soundtracks. She is a founding member of SMSG and is its co-chair.

Melanie Graham
Melanie has worked as a sound designer, sound effects editor and sound editor on numerous TV series, short films and features, including TV series Mystic and The New Legends of Monkey, Sir Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy, and the local feature films Daffodils and Savage.

Stefanie Ng
A freelance sound editor, Stefanie has worked in post-production sound on The Hobbit trilogy, Christian Rivers’ Mortal Engines, and Amazon’s Rings of Power series.

WIFT NZ and SMSG members FREE; non-members $15 cash - includes wine and nibbles.
RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Come and learn from one of New Zealand's best screenwriters, showrunners and executive producers at this Wellington workshop. 

Rachel Lang MNZM, has co-created many of New Zealand's most successful television shows: Outrageous Fortune, The Almighty Johnsons, Mercy Peak, Nothing Trivial, Go Girls, Bad Mothers, and many more. She was the first New Zealand story editor, a writer and an executive producer for Shortland Street. 

Rachel will discuss writing and showrunning with producer and line producer Michelle Turner, and if her August workshop in Christchurch is anything to go by, you will not want to miss this one! 

Facilitator: Michelle Turner
As a producer and line producer, Michelle has worked in feature films, short films, television and documentaries including Stickmen, Bollywood Queen, Children of the Migration, Under the Vines, Dox, Wellington Paranormal.

The discussion will cover the following topics:

· What a showrunner does;

· How you get to be a showrunner;

· How Covid has changed the practicalities of writing for television;

· What the ingredients for a successful writers room are;

· Tips for creating ideas and how to market them.

Bring your questions and Rachel will do her best to answer them! 

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Having control over one’s stories and the right to determine the direction of these stories is an essential and ongoing korero. 

Some of the topics and questions the panel will explore are:

• How can our industry centre the voices and concerns of Tangata Whenua, Tangata Moana, pan-Asian and other underserved groups?
• How can our industry empower these groups in the storytelling space and ensure the protection of cultural, genealogical and spiritual capital?
• How can we as an industry move beyond token representation onscreen and behind the camera to ensure meaningful collaboration?
• What does cultural safety mean throughout all levels of the storytelling process?
• What is Story Sovereignty and is there a collective understanding of what it is?

This is an important and multi-layered conversation which we hope will add to the discourse on Story Sovereignty and Cultural Safety.

Moderator: Marina Alofagia McCartney, Writer, Director, Academic (Samoa, England, Romani) 

Panellists:

Karen Te Ō Kahurangi Waaka,  Pou Whakahaere - Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission, Producer (Tūwharetoa, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pūkeko). 
Karen Te O Kahurangi has extensive experience in governance, culture, intellectual property rights, iwi and community organisations as well as active involvement in Māori screen issues. In her current role she is implementing Te Rautaki Māori at the the NZFC, facilitating funding for Māori films and career development for Māori filmmakers. 

Dr. Shuchi Kothari, Writer, Producer, Co-founder Pan Asian Screen Collective, Academic (India).
Dr Shuchi Kothari's prolific output is characterised by the themes of inclusion and exclusion as well as power and privilege. She has written and/or produced several award winning films (Apron Strings, Firaaq, Coffee & Allah, Fleeting Beauty) that have screened at international festivals as diverse as Toronto, Telluride, Venice, Cannes, and Busan. She was also a producer on Kāinga.

Kerry Warkia, Producer, (Papua New Guinean, Scottish). 
Kerry Warkia has been at the forefront of some of New Zealand's most innovative content for both television and the web. Passionate about telling Maori and Pasifika stories, Kerry was a producer on the acclaimed trio of anthology films Waru, Vai, and the latest Kāinga which centres on Pan-Asian stories, and which she co-produced with Dr Shuchi Kothari. 

Date: Wednesday 12 October
Time: 6:00pm drinks for a 6:30pm start
Location: Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, Avondale Auckland

WIFT members FREE; non-members $15 cash. Includes a drink and nibbles.
RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFTNZ, KEL - PLS and FAT Lighting have teamed up for this Auckland workshop. Here's your chance to find out how to overcome the most common hurdles with lighting. Demystifying lighting and dollies will help with your understanding and efficiency.

• Do you want to know more about lighting and dollies?
• Do you have questions about the roles and responsibilities of gaffers and grips?
• Would you like more insight into the things you're asked to pay for?

This is a workshop for producers, directors, production managers, production assistants, technical crew and anyone else on set who wishes to increase their knowledge.

Join Chris McKenzie (KEL - PLS), Sophie Lloyd (Gaffer), Matt Suttle and Tracey Cochrane (FAT Lighting) for an illuminating evening!

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash - includes wine, and there will be bites to eat from the Craft Kitchen!

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Time: 6:00pm networking for a 6:30pm start 
Date: Wednesday 21 September
Location: FAT Lighting, 7/489 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland

Continuing in our series examining key relationships for directors, we now bring you this workshop on the Director - 1st AD - Producer dynamic in collaboration with DEGANZ.

**WIFT NZ and DEGANZ members are free**

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Facilitator: Mark Westerby, Producer, Managing Director Taia Studios.

Panellists:
Rob Sarkies, Director (Scarfies, Out Of The Blue, Two Little Boys, Jean, Consent, The Gulf, Wanted)
Rob is a highly regarded multi-award winning New Zealand filmmaker whose work spans feature film, series television and commercials. He is a passionate storyteller who works across multiple genres from comedy to true-life tragedy. Rob was a director on the Matchbox/NBC Universal production Wanted shooting in NZ and Thailand, and on the first two seasons of the acclaimed German-NZ series The Gulf.

Bruno de Bois, 1AD, Director (The Hobbit Trilogy, Zealandia, Savage, Don't Make Me Go, Mortal Engines)
Belgium-born Bruno moved to New Zealand in 2006. He started working as an Assistant Director on the first Avatar Movie. Since then, he worked on multiple international and local productions such as The Hobbit Trilogy, Avatar 2 & 3, Ghost in the Shell, Mortal Engines, Savage, Don’t Make Me Go. Bruno also directed three short films: Serial Killer, Dangerous Game and Zealandia which were selected and won many awards in festivals around the world.

Desray Armstrong, Te Aitanga a Hauiti and Ngāti Porou, Producer (Millie Lies Low, Coming Home in the Dark, Juniper, Stray, Wellington Paranormal)
Desray's films have hit A-list international film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin and SXSW. She has worked on many local and international productions including A Wrinkle in Time, What We Do In the Shadows and Mortal Engines. In 2021 she produced three feature films during the Covid pandemic: Coming Home in the Dark, Juniper and Millie Lies Low.

Our experienced panel will be discussing the following questions:

• What is the role of the 1st AD and who do they represent on set?
• How can a successful dynamic be nurtured between the 1st AD, Director and Producer?
• How does a 1st AD balance the creative needs of the director and the logistical needs of the shoot?
• What is the best way to deal with Director-1st AD differences?
• What expectations do directors and producers have of a 1st AD, and what does a 1st AD want from the director and the producer?

WIFTNZ and DEGANZ members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Continuing in our series examining key relationships for directors, we now bring you this workshop on the Director - Director of Photography relationship in collaboration with DEGANZ.

**WIFT NZ and DEGANZ members are free**

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Our experienced panel will be discussing the following questions:

• What are the ways a DOP and director can develop a shared visual language that enriches their creativity and the project?
• How can directors and DOPs maintain a healthy collaborative relationship that lasts beyond one project?
• What is the best way to deal with director-DOP creative differences?
• What do directors most want from their DOPs?
• What do DOPs most want from their directors?

Moderator:

Bayley Broome-Peake
Experienced 1st AC and DOP Bayley Broome-Peake will moderate this discussion. Bayley has worked in the camera department in Australia and New Zealand and her work spans TV commercials, TV series, music videos, webseries, and short film. Her work in New Zealand includes TV series Under The Vines, Sweet Tooth, The Panthers and Mean Mums. 

Panel:

• Paula Whetu Jones (Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou)
  Paula has worked in the New Zealand screen industry for over two decades as a writer, director, researcher and producer. She directed 2003 documentary Gang Girls, a segment of the 2019 anthology film Waru, the 2020 comedy series I Date Rejects, and the 2022 feature film Whina, a biopic on the life of Dame Whina Cooper. 
  
  
• Leon Narbey 
  A New Zealand Arts Laureate, Leon is one of New Zealand's most prolific and lauded cinematographers. His work has earned him national and international awards in recognition of the special artistic sensibility he has applied to the cinematography of many definitive New Zealand films. His talents have contributed to roughly 20 features, including Whale Rider, The Orator, No. 2, One Thousand Ropes, Rain of the Children, and Illustrious Energy which he directed. Leon was DOP on the feature film Whina.
  
  
• Briar March
  Briar March is an award-winning filmmaker and previous Fulbright scholar whose works are grounded in a passionate desire to connect, foster debate, and inspire social change. Her films have been broadcast on major television networks around the world, and are regularly exhibited in film festivals. Her work includes the 2021 documentaries Mothers of the Revolution, There Once Was An Island, A Place To Call Home, Smoke Songs. She is currently in post-production with Dame Valerie Adams: More Than Gold.
  
  
• Mark Lapwood
  Mark Lapwood NZCS ACS has over 25 years’ experience filming tv commercials, music videos, documentaries and feature films around the globe. He’s highly skilled in studio and location shoots, often collaborating in many languages and cultures, with both large and small crews. His feature film work includes More Than Gold: The Valerie Adams Story, Mothers of the Revolution, A Place To Call Home, The Coffin Club. Mark has a particularly strong eye for natural beauty in landscapes, architecture and people. 
  

The discussion panel will be followed by a Q&A session, so bring your burning questions along with you!

Time: 6:00pm for 6:30pm drinks
Date: Wednesday 31 August
Location: Click Studios, 145 Carrington Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ and DEGANZ Members FREE, non-members $15 cash at the door.

We're bringing you this very timely and topical workshop with the latest information and advice, stories and strategies for filming with COVID from those at the coal front.

Still fresh from their Queenstown locations, producers Michelle Turner and Lisa Chatfield will share their perspectives on the ongoing changes and flexibilities required when filming in 2022 - including management strategies, new production considerations (for catering, transport, accommodation, location selection etc), new budget lines, new layers of administration and the ripple effect a single production can have right across the industry.

We're also pleased to have  experienced public health professional Tui Shadbolt join the panel. Tui worked in disease prevention including infection control, outbreak investigation and Health and Food Safety compliance for more than 20 years prior to joining the GSR Rings of Power crew in 2020. Tui has now moved on to the Stonehenge project.

Supporting them on the panel is Vicki Jackways, who is also right across the stories from the front line as Special Projects Manager - Screen Recovery Fund with the NZFC.

Moderator: Robin Laing, Producer
Panel: 

• Lisa Chatfield - Producer, One Lane Bridge
• Michelle Turner - Producer, Under the Vines
• Tui Shadbolt - COVID Manager, Rings of Power & Stonehenge

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

Date: Thursday 25 August 2022
Location: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Time: 6pm networking for 6:30pm start

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Having control over one’s stories and the right to determine the direction of these stories is an essential and ongoing korero.

Some of the topics and questions the panel will explore are:

• How can our industry centre the voices and concerns of Tangata Whenua, Tangata Moana, pan-Asian and other underserved groups?
• How can our industry empower these groups in the storytelling space and ensure the protection of cultural, genealogical and spiritual capital?
• How can we as an industry move beyond token representation onscreen and behind the camera to ensure meaningful collaboration?
• What does cultural safety mean throughout all levels of the storytelling process?
• What is Story Sovereignty and is there a collective understanding of what it is?

 This is an important and multi-layered conversation which we hope will add to the discourse on Story Sovereignty and Cultural Safety.

Moderator: Dr Hana O’Regan, Tumu Whakarae - Chief Executive Officer, CORE Education (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha).
Dr Hana O’Regan has worked in the areas of language revitalisation, identity and cultural development, te reo Māori and education for over 25 years. Dr O'Regan is a published author and composer and is recognised internationally for her work in indigenous language acquisition and revitalisation. In 2021 she was appointed as a member to The Waitangi Tribunal.

Panellists:

• Te O Kahurangi Waaka,  Pou Whakahaere - Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission, Producer (Tūwharetoa, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pūkeko).
  Te O Kahurangi is a producer with extensive experience in governance, culture, intellectual property rights, iwi and community organisations, as well as active involvement in Māori screen issues. She has been producer for Kura Productions, has served as a board member of Ngā Aho Whakaari, and is the Chair of the Trade Marks Māori Advisory Committee.
  
  
• Anna Canton, Creative Producer, Brand & Marketing Specialist, (Pākehā/Chinese).  
  With an interest in edgy, high-stakes genre film, Anna brings a wealth of commercial project management skills, cultural leadership insight, practical film experience, and passionate storytelling to the table. As a Producer, her short films 'GRAVEL 3000' and award-winning* 'MODEL 15' have played at local and international festivals. As a woman-of-colour, she is focused on giving voice to those currently underrepresented in our industry.
  
  Tusiata Avia, MNZM, Poet, Author, Scriptwriter (Samoa/NZ Pākehā).
  Tusiata Avia is a poet, performer and children’s book writer, known for her dynamic performance style. She is regularly published in international literary journals and invited to appear at writers festivals around the globe. Her poetry is described by poet and novelist Sia Figiel as 'quite revolutionary in the sense that, not only does it define the face of Pacific literature in New Zealand, but it redefines the face of New Zealand literature itself.' 
  

Date: Thursday 25 August
Time: 6:00pm drinks for a 6:30pm start
Location: Jack Mann Auditorium, Digital Screen Campus, Dovedale Ave, Ilam. 

WIFT members FREE; non-members $15 cash. Includes a drink and nibbles.
RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Park in Car Park 2 off Solway Ave.

Parking is free after 5pm.

Here's a not-to-be-missed workshop for those interested in story development - whether you're a writer or not!
Scriptwriter Rachel Lang is one of the writers on a major production coming to Christchurch: Dark City: The Cleaner, which received funding funding from Te Puna Kairangi – Premium Productions for International Audiences Fund in May. She will join producer Nadia Maxwell (Human Traces, Reunion) in Christchurch for a discussion about story development.
Rachel has written some of New Zealand's best-known and loved television series: Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street, The Almighty Johnsons, Nothing Trivial, Go Girls and many others.
She's a talented writer and an industry stalwart and we're over the moon to have her do a workshop with us!

The discussion will cover, among other things, the following topics:

· What a showrunner does;

· How you get to be a showrunner;

· How Covid has changed the practicalities of writing for television;

· What the ingredients for a successful writers room are;

· Tips for creating ideas and how to market them.

Bring your questions and Rachel will do her best to answer them!

Park in Car Park 2 off Solway Ave.

Parking is free after 5pm.

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

The Academy Award-winning Wētā FX employs a stack of fabulous female talent and we're lucky enough to have four of them at this workshop to explain what on-set VFX teams do and how they can help you and your project.

At some point in your career you will likely need to engage with VFX; it will help tremendously if you know  how to make the most of it!

Come and find out...

• VFX On-Set - who is there and what they’re doing;
• How On-Set data helps create what you see on screen;
• Physical reference and experimentation as a foundation for VFX;
• Trends we’re seeing in VFX.

Along with a Q&A, the talk will provide an overview of VFX as it’s currently practiced and explore how the WIFT and Wētā FX worlds can move closer together.

Facilitated by Janet Sharpe, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager at Wētā FX.

Panellists:

Beck Veitch, Compositing Supervisor at Wētā FX

Iva Lenard, On-Set Reference Photographer at Wētā FX

Lily Lawrence, Visual Effects Producer and Senior Production Manager, Wētā FX

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

Date: Wednesday 27 July 2022
Location: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Time: 6pm networking for 6:30pm start

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

This exciting evening honours the wonderful women who make up our industry. As always, it will be an amazing party and a very special celebration, so join us at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 7pm on Friday 8 July to honour our fantastic finalists and industry heroines.

Click here to book your tickets!

Click here to see the 2022 Finalists

Click here to see the 2020 nominees and award winners. 

Click here to check out the 2018 Awards captured for us on Redcarpetnz.tv

Thanks to the Covid pandemic, it's been a while, but finally New Zealand producers were able to reconnect with their international counterparts at Cannes. Come along and hear from some WIFT NZ members who went. They'll be explaining how the festival operated in this Covid-world, what the outlook is for the screen industry, who is doing business and what they're interested in!

Our panel will be sharing their Festival highlights, you'll hear about their wins, and find out whether you should try to attend next year.

Come along to this workshop for a debrief from our very energised panel!

Moderator:
Karin Williams, producer Multinesia Productions

Panel:

• Jill Macnab, General Manager of distribution company Vendetta Films, co-owner Vendetta Productions.
• Emma Slade, producer, Firefly Films.
• Morgan Leigh Stewart, producer MHM Productions.
• Leanne Pooley, Spacific Films

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

It's been a while thanks to the pandemic but finally New Zealand producers were able to reconnect in-person with the international industry at Cannes.

Our panel will be discussing what about the Festival has changed in this Covid-world, who was there, what movies are being made and who is making them. They'll also discuss who would benefit from attending the Festival, whether it is still relevant, and give pointers on how to 'read' a meeting.

They'll share their highlights and lowlights, and so much more!

Come along to this workshop for a debrief from our very experienced panel.

Moderator:

Robin Laing, producer (Poppy, The Heart Dances - The Journey of The Piano: The Ballet, The Vintner's Luck)

Panel:

• Catherine Fitzgerald, Producer Blueskin Films (Bellbird, One Thousand Ropes)
• Chris Payne, Head of International Relations, New Zealand Film Commission
• Hayley Weston, Film Festival and Marketing Executive, New Zealand Film Commission.
• Tim Hamilton, winner Best Edit for Zero Gravity at the Tik Tok Short Film Festival*.

*TikTok had an official partnership with the Cannes Film Festival this year.

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

Date: Tuesday 05 July 2022
Location: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Time: 6pm networking for 6:30pm start

There are three workshops on three different dates, with eight places available in each.

Choose from Friday 6 May, Friday 17 June, Friday 1 July.

Shout out to all beginner producers! We know your budgets are tight, and talking to a lawyer can be daunting. Sinclair Black, Entertainment Lawyers, is offering up to 24 emerging producer WIFT members a free two-hour session to run through some of the legal basics you need to know as producers. Come and get some tips and tricks that may help avoid some bigger (and costly) legal mistakes...!

Mel Chuter will cover things such as:

• legal concepts like how to form a contract, copyright, chain of title, and running an SPV;
• the key agreements you'll need as a producer;
• common clauses you should understand (e.g. what do “warranty", “indemnity”, "injunctive relief” actually mean?);
• what to look out for in a production agreement, a distribution agreement and a financing agreement; and
• and when (and how!) to get help from a lawyer.

Christy Whelan will talk through the basics of music licensing for film and tv – what rights you need, who to get them from and how best to do that. 

These are small and intimate sessions, for new producers wanting to ask all those questions about the stuff you’re ‘supposed’ to know. Just be aware that Mel and Christy cannot give out specific advice on matters. The rules governing lawyers require that clients formally engage a lawyer to give rise to a solicitor/client relationship. The session is not a substitute for legal advice and you cannot rely on it as such – if you have a legal matter you need help with you should engage a specialist lawyer.  

Presented by Mel Chuter and Christy Whelan of Sinclair Black 

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz.

State the date of the workshop you're booking for.

First in first served!

There are three workshops on three different dates, with eight places available in each.

Choose from Friday 6 May, Friday 17 June, Friday 1 July.

Shout out to all beginner producers! We know your budgets are tight, and talking to a lawyer can be daunting. Sinclair Black, Entertainment Lawyers, is offering up to 24 emerging producer WIFT members a free two-hour session to run through some of the legal basics you need to know as producers. Come and get some tips and tricks that may help avoid some bigger (and costly) legal mistakes...!

Mel Chuter will cover things such as:

• legal concepts like how to form a contract, copyright, chain of title, and running an SPV;
• the key agreements you'll need as a producer;
• common clauses you should understand (e.g. what do “warranty", “indemnity”, "injunctive relief” actually mean?);
• what to look out for in a production agreement, a distribution agreement and a financing agreement; and
• and when (and how!) to get help from a lawyer

Christy Whelan will talk through the basics of music licensing for film and tv – what rights you need, who to get them from and how best to do that. 

These are small and intimate sessions, for new producers wanting to ask all those questions about the stuff you’re ‘supposed’ to know. Just be aware that Mel and Christy cannot give out specific advice on matters. The rules governing lawyers require that clients formally engage a lawyer to give rise to a solicitor/client relationship. The session is not a substitute for legal advice and you cannot rely on it as such – if you have a legal matter you need help with you should engage a specialist lawyer.  

Presented by Mel Chuter and Christy Whelan of Sinclair Black 

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz.

State the date of the workshop you're booking for.

First in first served!

From writing great loglines to what to include in a development plan and why, this workshop aims to help demystify the funding application process.

Nicole will draw on her experience as a funded screenwriter, story developer, screen agency development executive, and as an assessor (in both New Zealand and Australia) to guide you through development funding application forms and guidelines.

Known for her genre knowledge and her ability to get to the heart of a story, Nicole is a well-respected, international story consultant, story producer and script editor across TV, film and online scripted content.

As a writer she is creating and writing a number of TV series and feature films.

Nicole was a development executive at Screen Australia where she worked with many of Australia’s finest filmmakers and she managed the funding and development of many feature films, TV drama and online series.

Nicole’s most recent credit is Associate Producer and Script Editor for Leah Purcell’s debut film, The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson.

WIFT members free; non members $15 cash; includes drinks and nibbles.

Tuesday 14 June

6:00pm networking, 6:30pm start

Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Having control over one’s stories and the right to determine the direction of these stories is an essential and ongoing korero. We're bringing this important and multi-layered conversation to Wellington. 

Some of the topics and questions the panel will explore are:

• How can our industry centre the voices and concerns of Tangata Whenua, Tangata Moana, pan-Asian and other underserved groups?
• How can our industry empower these groups in the storytelling space and ensure the protection of cultural, genealogical and spiritual capital?
• How can we as an industry move beyond token representation onscreen and behind the camera to ensure meaningful collaboration?
• What does cultural safety mean throughout all levels of the storytelling process?
• What is Story Sovereignty and is there a collective understanding of what it is?

This is an important and multi-layered conversation which we hope will add to the discourse on Story Sovereignty and Cultural Safety.

Facilitator: Karen Te O Kahurangi Waaka (Tūwharetoa, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pūkeko)

Panellists:

Blake Ihimaera, Head of Content at Te Māngai Pā​ho, (Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Ngai Tahu)
Blake has extensive experience in Māori broadcasting and has been committed to telling stories from a Māori perspective, with a critical lens. Her credits include producing Aotearoa’s longest standing Māori Current Affairs show, Marae, Te Matatini live broadcasts, award-winning Aotearoa 250 live broadcast, Māori lifestyle show Easy Eats, and fluent te reo Māori children’s show Te Nūtube. Outside broadcasting, she’s a mother of two Māori-speaking daughters, National Kapa Haka performer and tutor of Puangarua Kapa Haka, and she sits on the Waitangi Cultural Committee in Te Tai Tokerau.

Matasila Freshwater, Writer, Director (Solomon Islands, Pākehā)
Matasila was responsible for the Solomon Islands section of the award-winning feature, Vai (2019), which premiered at Berlinale, featured at SXSW and won a Special Jury Award at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and Best Feature Narrative at DisOrient Asian American Film Festival. Her first film Shmeat (2016), was a finalist in NZIFF’s Best Shorts programme, competed at the Sitges International Fantasy Film Festival, and won Best Animation at A Night of Horror Film Festival in Sydney. Recent projects include writing/directing on Season 2 of The Feijoa Club, and the Prime horror anthology series, Teine Sā: The Ancient Ones with her short piece Hiama. 

Tainui Stephens, Producer, Director, Presenter (Te Rarawa)
Tainui Stephens has brought Māori stories to the screen for 40 years. He began his career working on the first weekly Māori television programme Koha. He’s directed documentaries on subjects as diverse as the Māori Battalion and the music of Franz Liszt. He’s worked as a producer for the films River Queen, The Rain Of The Children and The Dead Lands. He’s a producer for the upcoming feature on the life of Whina Cooper. Stephens has served on the boards of the Film Commission, Māori Radio Spectrum Trust, Script to Screen and the Māoriland Film Festival. 

WIFT members free, non-members $15 cash at the door.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

There are three workshops on three different dates, with eight places available in each.

Choose from Friday 6 May, Friday 17 June, Friday 1 July.

Shout out to all beginner producers! We know your budgets are tight, and talking to a lawyer can be daunting. Sinclair Black, Entertainment Lawyers, is offering up to 24 emerging producer WIFT members a free two-hour session to run through some of the legal basics you need to know as producers. Come and get some tips and tricks that may help avoid some bigger (and costly) legal mistakes...!

Mel Chuter will cover things such as:

• legal concepts like how to form a contract, copyright, chain of title, and running an SPV;
• the key agreements you'll need as a producer;
• common clauses you should understand (e.g. what do “warranty", “indemnity”, "injunctive relief” actually mean?);
• what to look out for in a production agreement, a distribution agreement and a financing agreement; and
• and when (and how!) to get help from a lawyer.

Christy Whelan will talk through the basics of music licensing for film and tv – what rights you need, who to get them from and how best to do that. 

These are small and intimate sessions, for new producers wanting to ask all those questions about the stuff you’re ‘supposed’ to know. Just be aware that Mel and Christy cannot give out specific advice on matters. The rules governing lawyers require that clients formally engage a lawyer to give rise to a solicitor/client relationship. The session is not a substitute for legal advice and you cannot rely on it as such – if you have a legal matter you need help with you should engage a specialist lawyer.  

Presented by Mel Chuter and Christy Whelan of Sinclair Black 

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz.

State the date of the workshop you're booking for.

First in first served!

Continuing in our series examining key relationships for directors, we now bring you this workshop on the Actor-Director Relationship in collaboration with DEGANZ.

**WIFT NZ and DEGANZ members are free**

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Our experienced panel will be discussing the following questions:

The Director-Actor Relationship

The relationship between directors and actors can be one of the most challenging and rewarding artistic collaborations. Our experienced panel will be discussing the following points:

• How actors and directors can maintain a healthy collaborative relationship that lasts beyond one project;
• How actors and directors can explore character in a way that is safe and enriching for both;
• How a director can balance the needs of their actors while maintaining other relationships on set;
• The best way to deal with a director-actor relationship breakdown;
• What directors most want from their actors;
• What actors most want from their directors.

Moderator: Sara Wiseman

Panellists:

Armagan Ballantyne, Director

Theresa Healey, Actor,

Aidee Walker, Director, Actor

Mia Blake, Actor, Director

The discussion panel will be followed by a Q&A session, so bring your burning questions along with you!

So we can ensure everyone is comfortable we're holding this event at the Click Studios building in Avondale where there's lots of room and plenty of parking.

Date: Tuesday 3 May 2022
Location: Click Studios, 525 Rosebank Rd, Avondale, Auckland
Time: 6:00pm drinks for a 6:30pm start

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ and DEGANZ Members FREE, non-members $15 cash at the door.

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT

We have a new date and a new venue for this event! We've had to pare it down a bit however due to Covid-19 restrictions, so this event is only for writers, directors and producers in the Scripted Feature/Series Drama space.

Here's your opportunity to pitch your ideas and skills to each other! Producers, even if your slate is full, it's always a good idea to meet new talent and hear fresh ideas.

Writers/directors you may attend as a team.

Meetings will be 20 minutes long. At the bell you move on. 

Cost: WIFT and NZWG members $5; non-members $10 (tea and coffee included. There will be a lunch break. 

Enquiries to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Continuing in our series examining key relationships for directors, we now bring you this workshop on the Actor-Director Relationship in collaboration with DEGANZ. This relationship can be one of the most challenging and rewarding artistic collaborations. Our experienced panel will be discussing the following questions:

- How can actors and directors maintain a healthy collaborative relationship that lasts beyond one project?
- How can actors and directors explore character in a way that is safe and enriching for both?
- How can a director balance the needs of their actors while maintaining all other relationships on set?
- What is the best way to deal with a director-actor relationship breakdown?
- What do directors most want from their actors?
- What do actors most want from their directors?

Facilitator:
Miranda Harcourt, Acting Coach

Panellists:
Briar Grace-Smith, Writer, Director  (Ngāpuhi, Ngātiwai) 
Tanea Heke, Actor  (Ngāti Rangi, Te Uri Taniwha, Ngāti Hineira, Ngāpuhi-nui-tonu)     
Kathy McRae, Actor, Director
Chelsie Preston Crayford, Actor, Filmmaker

The discussion panel will be followed by a Q&A session, so bring your burning questions along with you! 

WIFT NZ members and DEGANZ members free; non-members $15 – drinks and nibbles included.

When: 6pm drinks for a 6:30pm start, Wednesday 20 April.

Where: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington.

RSVP essential - office@wiftnz.org.nz

Film festivals have been a vital platform for filmmakers to showcase their stories to international audiences and nurture career connections. How can we make them work for us at all levels of our filmmaking career? Come along to this WIFT NZ workshop and hear the views of our experienced panel. 

This event will adhere to Covid traffic light Red restrictions, so seating will be limited.  

Please note: This event will require you to show your vaccine pass at the door.

Facilitator: Robin Laing, Producer
 
Panellists:

• Anna Kalbhenn, Director - Goethe-Institut New Zealand, former NATIVe co-curator Berlinale
• Libby Hakaraia, Festival Director - Māoriland
• Jasmin McSweeney, Head of Marketing, NZ Film Commission
• Desray Armstrong, Producer, Sandy Lane Productions

Some of the topics and questions the panel will explore are:

• What is the right festival pathway for my film?
• How do film festivals choose their film content each year?
• With the extraordinary growth of subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix, Disney + and Amazon Prime are film festivals still relevant?
• How are we globally reimagining film festivals in this COVID environment?
• How does diversity and inclusion fit into film festivals? 

This panel will be followed by a Q&A session. 

WIFT Members free; non-members $15 – drinks and nibbles included.

When: 6pm drinks for a 6:30pm start, Wednesday 6 April.

Where: Taia Studios, 4 Bay Rd, Kilbirnie, Wellington.

RSVP essential - office@wiftnz.org.nz

Kelly Martin spent the first 20 years of her career working across both TVNZ and Mediaworks, and rose through the network ranks from photocopying to international acquisitions, before she became Director of Programming at Mediaworks where she oversaw local drama successes like Outrageous Fortune, and comedy hits bro’Town and 7 Days. 

Kelly joined South Pacific Pictures in 2012 and has worked as an Executive Producer on TV2’s top-rating soap Shortland Street, and on a run of shows, including Westside, The Almighty Johnsons, The Brokenwood Mysteries, 800 Words, Mean Mums, Educators, In Dark Places, The Bad Seed and The Sounds.

Kelly recently produced her first feature film This Town – which was released during COVID in 2020, but still managed to be number one at the NZ box office for several weeks.

In this conversation Kelly will share her learnings and experiences – from how she progressed her career, to what makes a great pitch, to how to deal constructively with the broadcasters, to tips on making your first feature film.

Kelly will be interviewed by Tauranga-based screenwriter and journalist, Emma Power.

Date: Wednesday 30 March
Time:  5.30pm networking for 6pm start
Venue: The Tauranga Club, Level 5, Devonport Towers 72 Devonport Rd, Tauranga

Members and non-members free for our first event! Nibbles will be supplied.
Cash bar. 

Please note attendance at this event will require a vaccine passport.

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

SOLD OUT - but there is a waitlist
Since winning the WIFT Fulcrum Media Finance Woman to Watch award in 2016, Desray Armstrong has progressed from running an extremely successful Boosted campaign (for the feature film Stray), to releasing two celebrated feature films in 2021 (Coming Home in the Dark, Juniper) and premiering a third at NZIFF 2021 (Millie Lies Low) before it’s theatrical release this year.

In this workshop you'll have the chance to hear...

• How Desray created the pathway to success as a producer;
• What challenges she often faces and how she navigates them;
• What she looks for in a story and creative partnerships;
• How she manages multiple projects;  
• Her tips for securing finance, including running an effective crowd funding campaign.

Spaces are limited!
This event will be complying with the Covid-19 Red traffic light requirements so there are seating restrictions. Book early to avoid disappointment! 
This event is a vaccine passport event.

WIFT NZ members free, non-members $15 cash at the door (sorry eftpos won't be available). 

This event has been pushed back a week, the new date is 16 February.

Are you in production and wanting to learn how lighting works? Do you want to understand what your gaffer, best wahine, LX assist and DOP are talking about? Do you want a better understanding of the LX whys and wheres and the production considerations for these?

No matter the size of your production, this is the workshop for you!

Come along to this event where you can ask WIFT NZ ally Zac Beckett-Knight (a grip and gaffer with Late Knight Productions) all your questions. 

Zac has been a technician in the Canterbury film industry for nearly a decade. Known as a 'Zac of all trades' and a total production solution, he’s worked in nearly every department. Recently he has specialised in LX and grip services in the region, working on commercials, corporate, drama and music videos that visit the region.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz, and please state your industry role. 

WIFTNZ members free, non-members $15 cash - includes a drink and nibbles.

Some of the topics and questions the panel will explore are: 

• What does a sustainable career in the screen sector mean?
• What type of roles are available to screen contractors in Christchurch?
• What type of pathways are available into the screen sector?
• What does development look like?
• How does diversity and inclusion fit into this sustainability model?
• What is Christchurch doing to nurture growth in the our local screen industry? What do we need to nurture more?
• How has COVID changed the industry in Christchurch? How can we manage these changes? 
• What is coming up for Screen Canterbury?

Delivered in partnership with Screen CanterburyNZ and University of Canterbury

About the panellists:

Amanda Jenkins, Line Producer, Producer - AJ Films
For the past 20 years Amanda has been a producer in the international advertising sector working abroad and in New Zealand. Beginning her career as a videographer on Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners, she trained at TVNZ, and has produced three NZFC short films, one of which - Closer - was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes festival. She has been location manager for When Strangers Appear and location coordinator for Netflix feature The Royal Treatment. Now pivoting back into feature film and documentary, she is in postproduction for 2021 Loading Docs, whilst line producing new feature films in development slated to shoot in the South Island. 

Anna Canton, Creative Producer – Annakey Productions
Anna's short films Gravel 3000 and the award-winning Model 15 have played at local and international festivals, and she is currently co-producing a feature, The Pissy Tits Street Gang, with Nadia Maxwell. Another short, Homecoming, has received Fresh Shorts funding from Script-to-Screen. Anna was also the line producer on the short film The Meek directed by Gillian Ashurst, and she works as a marketing manager, specialising in brand and strategy.

Janine Morell Gunn, Producer - Whitebait Media
Janine Morrell-Gunn is one of New Zealand's leading children's television producers. She began her TV career in 1985 as a trainee director and producer at TVNZ, and went on to become executive producer of TVNZ's Children's Unit. In the late 1990s she formed Whitebait Productions (now Whitebait Media) with her husband Jason Gunn, and by 2009 the company employed 140 staff, and had opened a $7 million studio facility. Whitebait Media revamped New Zealand's longest-running children's programme, What Now?, and has dominated Kiwi children's TV with weekday shows like The Erin Simpson Show and The 4.30 Show.

Kim Georgine, Director – Cat House Films
Kim has worked professionally in film, TV and video production for over 20 years. She is experienced in script reading and coverage, and pitch and proposal writing. Kim is a co-founder of Cathouse Films, which specialises in creating content for business websites, and product/service promotional videos.

Date: Wednesday 24 November 2021
Time: 6pm drinks for a 6.30pm start
Location: John Britten Building - Ground Floor Foyer 69 Creyke Road · University of Canterbury.

The Director-Editor relationship 

The Content: How does a director find the right editor? At which point in the process do you bring the editor in? Understanding the parameters of each role and making sure your contract reflects that. Who has creative say? How important are the editor’s fresh pair of eyes? How do the directors and editors navigate the test screening process? What happens if you change editor over the course of the project?  How does the editor help manage the relationship with the commissioner / client? Who leads when? How do you maintain a healthy, collaborative relationship that has longevity over more than one project?

WIFTNZ and DEGNZ members free, non-members $15 cash - includes a drink and nibbles.

Come along and get your questions answered by this extremely experienced panel:

Panellists:

Dame Gaylene Preston, DNZM, has been a writer/director/producer since 1978, and made the classics of New Zealand cinema Mr Wrong, Ruby and Rata, War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us and Home By Christmas. Her dramatic TV series include Bread & Roses and Hope and Wire, plus many documentaries, her latest being the feature, My Year With Helen. Her work has screened in most high profile international film festivals including Sundance, Toronto, London, and Sydney. Dame Gaylene is the New Zealand Arts Foundation's inaugural Filmmaker Laureate (2001). 

Pietra Brettkelly, recipient of the 2020 South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement In Film for her acclaimed documentary feature Yellow Is Forbidden. Pietra is a three-time Oscar-selected documentary filmmaker, a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and an Arts Laureate of New Zealand.

Alex Boyd (they/them) editor of the acclaimed recent feature film Cousins, they have also edited all four seasons of Wellington Paranormal. They enjoy working across genres, and have edited documentary, drama, sci-fi, comedy, and animation. 

Annie Collins is best known for her extensive resume of documentaries, having edited such landmark productions as Patu!, The Neglected Miracle and Gardening with Soul. The talented editor has also won awards for her work on Scarfies, Two Little Boys and Out of the Blue, with Coming Home in the Dark having premiered to critical acclaim at Sundance and due to be released here in August.

Lala Rolls 
Fijian-European Lala Rolls' projects often involve explorations of Māori and Polynesian culture. She directs as much as she edits, often doing both on the same project. Rolls has been a multiple finalist at New Zealand awards ceremonies for her work on acclaimed drama series The Insider's Guide to Happiness and the Rita Angus documentary Lovely Rita. She edited The Man in the Hat (about art dealer Peter McLeavey), and 2018's Celia, about late equality advocate Celia Lashlie, and directed, produced and edited the 2020 feature film Tupaia’s Endeavour.

Don't miss this very special WIFT NZ preview screening - before the official premiere!

Written by Sophie Henderson (Baby Done, Human Traces), produced by Emma Slade (Rage, Come To Daddy, The Changeover), and directed by Gaysorn Thavat, The Justice of Bunny King is a gritty tale of triumph over adversity about women fighting their way back from the bottom of society.

Bunny King (Essie Davis) is a mother of two, a woman best described as a rough diamond with a sketchy past. Attempting to leave this past behind, she works intersections as a squeegee bandit using her quick wit to charm money from motorists. However, Bunny finds her frustrations difficult to contain, leading her to clash with the public and police.
Bunny is only able to see her children during supervised meetings. Convinced that everything will fall into place if they can all be together as a family, she continually makes reckless promises she can’t keep and then a spur-of-the-moment decision with huge consequences … Click here to watch the trailer

“Davis brings a rough-edged authenticity to this spirited portrait of a mother in crisis … the actor is as compellingly watchable as a car crash” – Screendaily.com

Enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles before the screening and, afterwards, Newshub Entertainment Editor and Film Reviewer Kate Rodger will host WIFT NZ members Sophie and Emma onstage for a discussion about making the film.

Click here to buy your tickets

Let’s celebrate the work of the many hugely talented WIFT NZ members who worked so hard on The Justice of Bunny King!

We know this workshop may seem a bit dry but remember: knowledge is power! Come along and engage with your future! 

This important workshop will explain how new legislation, the Screen Industry Workers’ Bill, will relate to you, no matter what your role is.

If passed, this legislation which is heading to its second reading, will affect the majority of you.

Most workers in New Zealand’s screen sector are contractors who are not entitled to employment rights, including the right to collectively negotiate terms and conditions of work.
The Screen Industry Workers’ Bill would see contractors allowed to bargain collectively. The proposed changes also include new universal terms that will apply to all contract relationships in the screen industry, and a tiered dispute resolution system which will support parties to resolve issues.

As well as taking a deep dive into what the bill would mean for the screen industry, our panel will outline how the sector became so contract-based, and the differences between being an employee and a contractor.

Keep updated on the bill’s progress here.  

Panel:

• Alice Shearman, Executive Director New Zealand Writers Guild
• Tui Ruwhiu, Executive Director at the Directors and Editors Guild of New Zealand
• Denise Roche, Director Equity New Zealand
   

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

WIFT NZ members free, non-members $15 - includes drinks and nibbles.

As we move into Matariki – the Māori New Year – we’re delighted to bring you Maramena Roderick, Tāhuhu Kaupapa, Head of Content, and Lanita Ririnui, Kaikōkiri Kaupapa, Content Commissioner from Whakaata Māori (Māori Television). Maramena and Lanita will share their insights as to the kind of content Whakaata Māori support to help celebrate and highlight this special time.

You’re likely to be surprised by the opportunities there are with Whakaata Māori, no matter your ethnicity.  Find out the best way to approach them and what the cultural requirements are for commissioned content and acquisitions.

Maramena and Lanita will also share their insights into the best way for you to pitch to a broadcaster, whoever that may be.

We return to ENVY Studios and continue our exploration of the key relationships for directors with...

Part Two: The Director-Editor relationship 

The Content: How does a director find the right editor? At which point in the process do you bring the editor in? Understanding the parameters of each role and making sure your contract reflects that. Who has creative say? How important are the editor’s fresh pair of eyes? How do the directors and editors navigate the test screening process? What happens if you change editor over the course of the project?  How does the editor help manage the relationship with the commissioner / client? Who leads when? Maintaining a healthy, collaborative relationship that has longevity over more than one project.

So many questions! Come along and get yours answered by this extremely experienced panel:

Moderated by award-winning documentary maker Leanne Pooley ONZM, Head of Development and Production of The Story Department, Eight.

Panellists:

Pietra Brettkelly, recipient of the 2020 South Pacific Pictures Award for Achievement In Film for her acclaimed documentary feature Yellow Is Forbidden. Pietra is a three-time Oscar-selected documentary filmmaker, a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and an Arts Laureate of New Zealand.

Roseanne Liang, director and co-writer of WWII action-horror film Shadow in the Cloud, which debuted at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award. Her previous work includes Do No Harm (2017) and My Wedding and Other Secrets (2011).

Cushla Dillon, editor on The Justice Of Bunny King, and the ThreeNow thriller TV series The Gulf. Self-taught, she moved from shorter works to features with Harry Sinclair's Topless Women Talk about their Lives,  for which she won her first NZ film award. Dillon has gone on to edit shorts, documentaries, and many more features — including The Price of Milk, Orphans & Kingdoms, and award-winning documentary This Way of Life.

Jochen Fitzherbert, Jochen Fitzherbert is an editor and writer, known for Ash vs Evil Dead, Rest Stop (2005), Power Rangers (2015-2018), The Gulf (2019), Mystic, Inside (2020) and Creamerie (2021).

WIFTNZ and DEGNZ members free, non-members $15 cash - includes a drink and nibbles.

Having animals on set brings a whole new dimension to filming. While an animal trainer can take care of their performance, what regulations must you follow to ensure a safe and happy production?

Animal trainer Caroline Girdlestone is one of the best in the business. She’s trained animals for blockbusters such as Babe, The Hobbit trilogy, Pete's Dragon, and Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok. 

In this workshop Caroline will explain how she interprets a script and choreographs achievable animal performances, and how she relates the performance to the camera. She’ll talk about some of the challenges - fun and otherwise - that she’s faced on set and how she’s overcome them.

At some point in your career it's likely you’ll have to work with an animal, so make the most of this opportunity to hear from an expert!

WIFT Members free; non-members $15 – drinks and nibbles included.

RSVP essential - office@wiftnz.org.nz

Did you know that the revenue of the international gaming sector is larger than that of the movie and music sectors combined?
We're hearing a lot about the prevalence and success of video games – games that are extensions of films and make more $$ than the original film, games festivals where hundreds of people watch gamers compete, games your children use for school...

So where do screen workers fit into this microcosm?

Moderated by Aliesha Staples, managing director Staples VR, this workshop will give an overview of New Zealand’s gaming industry, what roles are available and where story fits into the equation. 

WIFT NZ, CHCH Game Developers Association and Screen CanterburyNZ bring you a fabulous panel of experts:

• Samantha Cook, COO / Studio Director Artifact5 
• Chelsea Rapp, Chair NZ Game Developers Association
• Nadia Thorne, head of studio Black Salt Games
• Mark Rickerby, independent narrative systems designer

  
FREE for WIFT & CHCH Game Developers Association Members; non-members $15 – drinks and nibbles included.

RSVP essential - office@wiftnz.org.nz

Date: Thursday 13 May, 2021

Time: 6pm for a 6:30pm start

Location: A4 Lecture Theatre, University Canterbury. Parking in Law carpark.

Did you know that the revenue of the international gaming sector is larger than that of the movie and music sectors combined?

We're hearing a lot about the prevalence and success of games – games that are extensions of films and make more $$ than the original film, games festivals where hundreds of people watch gamers compete, games your children use for school...

So, where do you as screen workers fit into this microcosm?

This workshop is part one of a series of two. In this first workshop we will get an overview of New Zealand’s gaming industry, what roles are available, where story fits into the equation and many other useful facts.  Part two will cover maximising opportunities to develop games as part of your brand extension.

We bring you a fabulous panel of experts:

Moderator:  Aliesha Staples, Managing Director, Staples VR

Panellists: 

• Joe Chang, Director, Eyemobi
• Maru Nihoniho (MNZM), Founder and Managing Director, Metia Interactive
• Lena Yaroshenko, rigger and 3D artist for Grinding Gear Games
• Edwin McRae, Narrative Designer for Video Games
• Krystal Paraone, Studio Manager, Game Developer

Members free; non-members $15 – drinks and nibbles included.

RSVP essential – office@wiftnz.org.nz

How do you make a feature film without formal funding from any of the NZ funding bodies? Come along to this special workshop and hear the tale of these intrepid filmmakers and be inspired!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

The Turn Of The Screw had its World Premiere at the 2020 Shanghai International Film Festival, and has garnered a number of official selections and awards overseas, including:

Official Selection: Shanghai International Film Festival 2020, China Golden Rooster Awards 2020 (Chinese Oscars) and Terror In the Bay Film Festival 2020 (Canada)
Winner - Best Picture: Istanbul Film Awards 2020
Winner - Best Horror Film: L’Age d’Or International Arthouse Film Festival 2020
Winner - Best Horror Film: Chicago Indie Film Awards 2020

The Turn of the Screw is a fantastic example of a film that is contained, makes use of the resources available to the filmmakers and targets the budget to the areas that will make the greatest impact so it punches far above its weight. The shoot itself was 10 days and people were paid for their time involved, proving it is possible to do that.

At this workshop we watch the film and then hear openly from the Producers, Director, Actors and HODs in a no-holds-barred Q & A.  How did they do it?

For more information on the film and the trailer please see turnofthescrewfilm.com

Members free; non-members $15  (Cash bar, nibbles provided)

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

It's probably a while since most of you have had direct interaction with Māori Television and a lot has changed, so we're delighted to bring you Hinurewa Poutu, Director of Language and Content, and Lanita Ririnui, Content Commissioner, who will tell you exactly who is doing what at Māori Television and what plans are for the year ahead for the new team.

You're likely to be surprised by the opportunities there are, no matter your ethnicity.  Find out what they're looking for, and not looking for (just as important), the best way to approach them and what the cultural requirements are for commissioned content and acquisitions.

Hinurewa and Lanita will also share their insights into the best way for you to pitch to a broadcaster, whoever that may be.

Spread the word far and wide to your fellow screen industry people.

This is a unique occasion in Christchurch - we hope to see you all there!

5pm drinks for 5:30pm sharp start

Drinks and nibbles provided

Members free. Non-members $15

LOCATION: Screen CanterburyNZ ChristchurchNZ offices, Unit 3 / Level 3, 101 Cashel St.

Take the elevators that are near Spark and Michael Hill Jewellers

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Presented by Miranda Rivers and Tina Cleary of The Casting Company

(Please note this is a workshop primarily for producers and directors)

Miranda Rivers and Tina Cleary have worked with a wide range of directors, amongst them: Jane Campion, Taika Waititi, James Cameron, Tusi Tamasese, Ainsley Gardiner, Briar Grace Smith, Peter Jackson, David Stubbs, Alison Maclean on big films and indie films.  They are aware everyone works differently and are keen to hand on techniques, ways of working that have generated best outcomes from initial creative engagement through to how to work with actors in the room and across the film making process. This workshop will be focused on delivering for emerging or newly established producer and director teams.

Date:  Wednesday 17 March, 6pm drinks for a 6.30pm sharp start.

Venue: Wrestler, 12 Jessie Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Members free.  Non-members $15

Drinks and nibbles provided

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Join us for a panel discussion - a reflection on the past year and what the future holds.

After a group discussion, networks will each go into separate rooms to talk about their own business - who's doing what, what they are looking for, what they are not looking for etc. The audience will be split and rotated around each room so you will hear directly from the commissioning team at each of the following networks (with perhaps more to be announced)

Confirmed participants are: Māori Television, Sky TV / Prime, TVNZ, Three and The Spinoff

Date:  Wednesday 10 February, 6pm drinks for a 6.30pm sharp start.

Venue: St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby, Auckland

Members free.  Non-members $15.00  (drinks and nibbles provided)

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Join us for a panel discussion - a reflection on the past year and what the future holds.

After a group discussion, networks will each go into separate rooms to talk about their own business - who's doing what, what they are looking for, what they are not looking for etc. The audience will be split and rotated around each room so you will hear directly from the commissioning team at each of the following networks (with perhaps more to be announced)

Confirmed participants are: Māori Television, Sky TV / Prime, Three and The Spinoff

Members free. Non-members $15.00  (drinks and nibbles provided)

Bookings essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Members come celebrate the festive season with us!

Eat, drink and catch up on each other's news.

Cash bar, nibbles provided.

RSVPs essential at this link bit.ly/xmasparty-chc-20

From women to watch to unsung heroines, the biennial WIFT Awards joyfully celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in all aspects of the New Zealand screen industry.

Get your glad rags on and party it up with nominees, friends, supporters and all your industry colleagues, whatever their gender!

Your ticket will get you a couple of drinks (cash bar for more!), canapes and great company ensuring you are entertained and happy all evening.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

From a welcome drink, to the uplifting awards presentation with the fabulous Theresa Healey as MC, followed by a spirited party, the WIFT Awards are a significant event in the local screen industry calendar.

Check out the 2018 Awards, courtesy of Red Carpet TV!

Don't miss this fabulous evening. Come by yourself! Come as a group! Join us and share the spirit!

The Awards are presented by Women in Film & Television (NZ) Inc with support from NZ On Air and generous sponsors: Fulcrum Media Finance, Great Southern Film & Television, Images & Sound, Imagezone, LoserKid, Professional Lighting Services, Queenstown Camera Company, SAE Creative Media Institute, South Pacific Pictures, Te Māngai Pāho, and the Weta Group.

It's exciting to receive funding for your project, but there are numerous legal ownership issues to sort out before the cameras start rolling. Get ready for an interesting evening designed to help you navigate your project's chain of title and contracts.

In this workshop, Anchali Anandanayagam and Caitlin Hadlee from Hudson Gavin Martin, will explain what a chain of title is, why it's important and how to prove you have it. They'll also cover contracts - what you own, and what to hold or give away. Caitlin will beam in via Zoom.

Please bring your questions, queries and experiences to share!

When: Thursday 26 November, 2020

Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm for 6.30pm start.

Venue: ChristchurchNZ (Conference Room), BNZ Centre, Level 3, 101 Cashel Street, Christchurch.

Best parking is the City Council's Lichfield St Carpark (beside Ballantynes)

Members: FREE, non-members: $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

DISCLAIMER: Nothing at this event constitutes legal advice, or is intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific issues. You should always seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have.

It's exciting to receive funding for your project, but there are numerous legal ownership issues to sort out before the cameras start rolling. Get ready for an interesting evening designed to help you navigate your project's chain of title and contracts.

In this workshop, Anchali Anandanayagam and Caitlin Hadlee from Hudson Gavin Martin, will explain what a chain of title is, why it's important and how to prove you have it. They'll also cover contracts - what you own, and what to hold or give away.

Please bring your questions, queries and experiences to share!

When: Wednesday 18 November, 2020

Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm for 6.30pm start.

Venue: Random Group, ground floor, 43 Hanson St, Mt Cook, Wellington.

Members: FREE, non-members: $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

DISCLAIMER: Nothing at this event constitutes legal advice, or is intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific issues. You should always seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have.

It's exciting to receive funding for your project, but there are numerous legal ownership issues to sort out before the cameras start rolling. Get ready for an interesting evening designed to help you navigate your project's chain of title and contracts.

In this workshop, Anchali Anandanayagam and Caitlin Hadlee from Hudson Gavin Martin, will explain what a chain of title is, why it's important and how to prove you have it. They'll also cover contracts - what you own, and what to hold or give away.

Please bring your questions, queries and experiences to share!

When: Wednesday 28 October, 2020

Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm for 6.30pm start.

Venue: Hudson Gavin Martin, Level 16, 45 Queen St, Auckland

Members: FREE, non-members: $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

DISCLAIMER: Nothing at this event constitutes legal advice, or is intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific issues. You should always seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have.

Don't miss this special WIFT preview screening! Written by Sophie Henderson (Human Traces, Fantail) and directed by her husband Curtis Vowell (Fantail), Baby, Done is a semi-autobiographical comedy inspired by the couple's own reaction to starting a family.

Indulge in a complimentary glass of bubbles before the screening and, afterwards, producer Morgan Waru will join Sophie on stage for a discussion about making the film.

Enjoy a night out and support the WIFT members who worked so hard on Baby, Done - Sophie and Morgan, Luana Barnes, James Brookes, Lauren Carr, Bella Bollinger and executive producer Carthew Neal.

BUY TICKETS HERE

WHEN: Monday 19 October from 6:30pm

WHERE: The Capitol Cinema, 610 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, Auckland

Presented by Kat Lintott and team at WRESTLER

Wrestler was named NZ's most innovative company in VR and AR by Idealog in 2018

Looking at the use of VR, AR, Video, mobile and PC to tell stories.

We'll be talking through Tuia Mātauranga (https://www.wrestler.nz/project/tuia-matauranga) and a couple of projects that haven't been released yet!

We'll also have some experiences to try out if you're keen.

Venue: Wrestler, 12 Jessie Street, Te Aro, Wellington

Members free.  Non-members $15 (drinks and nibbles included)

Bookings essential via office@wiftnz.org.nz

About Wrestler:

Telling stories with positive cultural impact, through creative and technical innovation.
Wrestler exists for a simple reason: To create meaningful content that pushes the collective consciousness forward.

They have two focuses - one is an agency business model and the other is a Studio model. Both focusing on harnessing the power of story across multiple mediums to effect change with positive cultural impact.

Kat Lintott, Co-founder Wrestler Studios and Agency

From producing to concepting, creative directing and designing immersive experiences, Kat has been involved in all aspects of future production pipelines.
When she's not building cross-platform worlds, she's building relationships, speaking at events, learning and inspiring others about values led storytelling and how we can use technology to make communities stronger in the future.

In 2019 Kat was appointed to the Science for Technological Innovation board ($110M research fund) and is leading their youth strategy. She was voted in as the newest board member of Women in Film and TV (WIFT). She is now part of a group called Kaupapa CODE based in Dunedin aiming to build the Māori gaming ecosystem.

Explore the art behind making believeable and memorable characters through sound.

Foley artist Narelle Ahrens and musician and composer Andrew Thorne, with Steve Finnigan Head of Sound, Images & Sound, will demonstrate practical foley performance, recording techniques and editorial.

From a Director's and Producer's perspective, understanding where to put your post dollars is key. We'll discuss how foley can make a huge impact - even with a small budget.

Check out the new foley suite at Images & Sound, and in the room, see how they layer different sound elements.

Find out more about the presenters:

Narelle Ahrens

Andrew Thorne

Steve Finnigan

This workshop will explore the art behind making believable and memorable characters.

Carrie McLaughlin and Robyn McFarlane will demonstrate practical foley performance, recording techniques and editorial.

From a Director's and Producer's perspective, understanding where to put your post dollars is key. Even on small budgets, we discuss how foley can make a huge impact.

There will also be a chance to try out foley for yourself, testing your sync-abilities!

Presenters:

Carolyn McLaughin

Robyn McFarlane

And the POW Studios Team www.powstudios.co.nz

AMY BARBER

Amy is a Re-recording Mixer and Sound Supervisor.  Her career in audio post is internationally recognised with clients based largely in Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles.  She is also a Foley mixer / editor dedicated to her craft.  Amy lives and breathes audio post.  Her credits are impressive https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2755463/, yet she has had experience across the board with all types of media  - Corporate / Documentaries / Short Films / Feature Films / Long Form TV Show / Fast turnaround TV / Webseries.  Amy is a WIFT Awards' finalist for The Weta Group Creative Technology Award this year.

This workshop will be full of practical information - from technical workflow to Audio Post disciplines (Dialogue and Loop / Foley / SFX and Sound Design / Mixing and what they entail) to Amy's own career path, and peppered with questions from Amy Bowie, this will be a fascinating workshop and the first time for you to get together since lockdown.

Date:  Thursday 17 September, 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: NZ Broadcasting School (Ara) - TV Studio - Cnr Southwark and Madras Streets (beside the carpark on the corner)

Members free.  Non-members $15 (wine and nibbles included)

Bookings please to office@wiftnz.org.nz

NZ ON AIR:  Where to from here?

Post Covid-19 and the largest funding round they have dealt with and with the Screen Rescue package on the table, Chair Dr Ruth Harley CMNZ, OBE, Chief Executive Cameron Harland (now four months into his role) and Amie Mills, Head of Funding, reflect on the past six months and how these events will inform their future policies.

Moderator:  Lisa Chatfield

When: Thursday 30 July, 5.30pm for a 6pm sharp start

Where: Random Group, ground floor, 43 Hanson St, Mt Cook

Members free.  Non-members $15 (includes drinks and nibbles)

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

NZ ON AIR:  Where to from here?

Post-Covid-19 and the largest funding round they have dealt with and with the Screen Rescue package on the table, Chief Executive Cameron Harland (now four months into his role) and Amie Mills, Head of Funding, reflect on the past few months and how these events will inform their future policies.

Moderator:  Christina Milligan (Ngāti Porou)

When: Tuesday 28 July, 6pm for a 6.30pm sharp start.  Please arrive at 6pm if you want a glass of wine!

Where:  TVNZ, 100 Victoria St West

Members free.  Non-members $15.  (Drinks and nibbles included.)

Bookings essential: Office@wiftnz.org.nz

For the first time, a WIFT workshop you may want to attend, wherever you are!  Yes, no surprise, its via ZOOM.

So, you are heading back to work and there are so many questions to answer!  WIFT brings you three panellists who have managed to be in production in Level 3 and in some instances, Level 4!

Moderated by Sarah Kinniburgh, Head of TV and Branded Content for SATELLITE, we will address the panellists' respective experiences to getting their productions underway, how the process has evolved since and what the immediate future looks like as regards to setting up/running a production in line with new Covid-19 industry requirements. All the practicalities, including cost, covered off in one easily accessible WIFT workshop!

Your fabulous panellists are:

Janine Morrell-Gunn, Executive Producer, Whitebait Media

Sally Campbell, Head of Production, South Pacific Pictures

Kylie Croft, Head of Production - operations, Greenstone

Date of workshop:  Tuesday 2 June

Time: 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Venue:  ZOOM

To Join us - check your WIFT emails for the link or email the office

(with thanks to SATELLITE for helping facilitate this workshop)

If you have questions you would like answered, please email them in to office@wiftnz.org.nz

For the first time, a WIFT workshop you may want to attend, wherever you are!  Yes, no surprise, its via ZOOM.

So, you are heading back to work and there are so many questions to answer!  WIFT brings you three panellists who have managed to be in production in Level 3 and in some instances, Level 4!

Moderated by Sarah Kinniburgh, Head of TV and Branded Content for SATELLITE, we will address the panellists' respective experiences to getting their productions underway, how the process has evolved since and what the immediate future looks like as regards to setting up/running a production in line with new Covid-19 industry requirements. All the practicalities, including cost, covered off in one easily accessible WIFT workshop!

Your fabulous panellists are:

Janine Morrell-Gunn, Executive Producer, Whitebait Media

Sally Campbell, Head of Production, South Pacific Pictures

Kylie Croft, Head of Production - operations, Greenstone

Date of workshop:  Tuesday 2 June

Time: 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Venue:  ZOOM

To Join us - check your WIFT emails for the link or email the office

(with thanks to SATELLITE for helping facilitate this workshop)

If you have questions you would like answered, please email them in to office@wiftnz.org.nz

For the first time, a WIFT workshop you may want to attend, wherever you are!  Yes, no surprise, its via ZOOM.

So, you are heading back to work and there are so many questions to answer!  WIFT brings you three panellists who have managed to be in production in Level 3 and in some instances, Level 4!

Moderated by Sarah Kinniburgh, Head of TV and Branded Content for SATELLITE, we will address the panellists' respective experiences to getting their productions underway, how the process has evolved since and what the immediate future looks like as regards to setting up/running a production in line with new Covid-19 industry requirements. All the practicalities, including cost, covered off in one easily accessible WIFT workshop!

Your fabulous panellists are:

Janine Morrell-Gunn, Executive Producer, Whitebait Media

Sally Campbell, Head of Production, South Pacific Pictures

Kylie Croft, Head of Production - operations, Greenstone

Date of workshop:  Tuesday 2 June

Time: 1.30pm - 3.00pm

Venue:  ZOOM

To Join us - check your WIFT emails for the link or email the office

(with thanks to SATELLITE for helping facilitate this workshop)

If you have questions you would like answered, please email them in to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Welcome to our new year of programming!  We are starting by making sure you are safe!!

No film is worth dying for - Steven Spielberg.

The advance of digital technology has enabled more and more people to pick up their cameras and start shooting films, which is great! What we do need to remind ourselves is that with a great film shoot, comes great responsibility, that of keeping the crew, cast and wider public safe.

This workshop will give a broad overview of the responsibilities we have under the Health and Safety at work Act 2015, while providing an outline of key areas to consider at each stage of production to help keep crew welfare at the forefront of your planning.

We'll talk about guns, harassment, intimacy and fatigue. Discuss the paperwork you may require for your safety files, show examples of templates and guides you frequently need to make sure you are meeting best practice.

Safety is all our responsibilities!

Our presenter is Louise Spraggon.

Louise started her film career in the UK where she worked as an animation director and writer, before moving into the production world as an assistant producer with Hot Animation, makers of Bob the Builder and then as a development producer in London, for the Channel 4 TV animator in residence scheme.

She has extensive experience in the education sectors in New Zealand and the UK, having worked as a lecturer, teacher and workshop facilitator with museums and galleries across both countries.

Now living in Aotearoa Louise continues to work in the film industry splitting her time between Assistant Directing and as on set Health and Safety officer, working on commercials, dramas, features and short films.

Louise is passionate about ensuring the welfare of all contributors to a production, no matter its size or budget.

Members free.  Non-members $15. Wine and nibbles provided.

Bookings please to office@wiftnz.org.nz

From Weta Workshop to the nightly weather, Chromakeying has been the primary VFX tool in moving image since the 1930's. Despite this long history, Chromakeying remains a tenuous proposal, being a common cause of expensive post-production blowouts.

This seemingly simple technique of creating transparency by removing
Green or Blue, requires careful consideration of many variables to ensure a
successful trouble free chromakeying outcome.

Presented by DOP / Compositor - Sam Tozer - working with Chromakey since 2001 he's made all the mistakes so you don't have to!

Topics Discussed

Pre-production

• Camera & Lighting Selection
• Shot matching FG / BG considerations
• Green or Blue? / Fabric or Paint?
• Scale and Budget

Production

• Screen exposure - tools & techniques
• Camera Settings - DOF / motion blur

Post-production

• Software - common tools
• Techniques for successful compositing

Yes but what should I wear?!

• Your fave T'shirt of course

Date:  Wednesday 26 February

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue:  Lot23 Studio, 23 Minnie St, Eden Tce, Auckland

Members free.  Non-members $15  - drinks and nibbles included.

Book now at office@wiftnz.org.nz

Welcome to our new year of programming! With generous support from Screen Wellington we are starting by making sure you are safe!!

No film is worth dying for - Steven Spielberg.

The advance of digital technology has enabled more and more people to pick up their cameras and start shooting films, which is great! What we do need to remind ourselves is that with a great film shoot, comes great responsibility, that of keeping the crew, cast and wider public safe.

This workshop will give a broad overview of the responsibilities we have under the Health and Safety at work Act 2015, while providing an outline of key areas to consider at each stage of production to help keep crew welfare at the forefront of your planning.

We'll talk about guns, harassment, intimacy and fatigue. Discuss the paperwork you may require for your safety files, show examples of templates and guides you frequently need to make sure you are meeting best practice.

Safety is all our responsibilities!

Our presenter is Louise Spraggon.

Louise started her film career in the UK where she worked as an animation director and writer, before moving into the production world as an assistant producer with Hot Animation, makers of Bob the Builder and then as a development producer in London, for the Channel 4 TV animator in residence scheme.

She has extensive experience in the education sectors in New Zealand and the UK, having worked as a lecturer, teacher and workshop facilitator with museums and galleries across both countries.

Now living in Aotearoa Louise continues to work in the film industry splitting her time between Assistant Directing and as on set Health and Safety officer, working on commercials, dramas, features and short films.

Louise is passionate about ensuring the welfare of all contributors to a production, no matter its size or budget.

Members come celebrate the festive season with us!

Eat, drink and catch up on each others news.

Cash bar, nibbles provided.

RSVP's essential

bit.ly/xmasparty-wtn-19

Members come celebrate the festive season with us!

Eat, drink and catch up on each others news.

Cash bar, nibbles provided.

RSVP's essential

bit.ly/xmasparty-akl-19

With the WIFT President now a Wellingtonian-that's Vicki Jackways of course -

Nicola Olsen only on the board for 12 months, and Kat Lintott completely new.

We thought we would end the year with a get-together for you with the Wellington WIFT Board members.  This is an opportunity for you to get to know the new board members, hear what we have planned for 2020 workshops and contribute your ideas.  What did you think of the 2019 programming? Feedback helps us improve!

This gathering will also give you an opportunity to look at the facilities at Wrestler (Kat's company) - it's familiar territory for many of you in the old Film School premises in Jessie Street, but oh what a change! Kat will also talk about her series FRAME for the Spinoff https://www.wrestler.nz/project/frame

Come along to an intimate gathering, share a Christmas glass of wine, and have a good catchup!!When:  6pm Wednesday 4 December

Where:  Wrestler, 21 Jessie St, Te Aro

Members free.  Non-members $15. Drinks and nibbles included.

RSVP's essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Members come celebrate the festive season with us!

Eat, drink and catch up on each others news.

Cash bar, nibbles provided.

RSVP's essential

bit.ly/xmasparty-chc-19

Robin has worked in the New Zealand film industry as a freelancer for over 40 years on a variety of local and international productions, including feature films, television drama, TVC's and more recently web series.

Her work has ranged from costume work on the kiwi classic Goodbye Pork Pie (1981), through to supervising location manager for The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, and included TV shows Outrageous Fortune and Power Rangers, and to complete the circle in 2016 she worked as location manager on Pork Pie, the remake of the 1981 classic! In 2018 Robin was 1^st AD on The Breaker Upperers.

In this workshop Robin will talk about the career paths for both location scouting and Ist assistant directing.  What are the skills required?  How do you get into it? Where does the 1^st AD's responsibilities begin and end, and what exactly are they?  As a filmmaker, when should you have a 1^st AD on the crew.  So you need a location scout - when should that person come on board?  How much should you expect from them?  What do they need by way of a brief to be as efficient as possible? How do you become a location manager?  What are the plusses and minuses of both these roles? And so many more questions to answer…

AGILITY IN THE SCREEN INDUSTRY

Brenda Leeuwenberg is a consultant who crosses the worlds of business and digital production. She helps organisations to create and build on effective digital strategies that work for their business and their people.

Brenda has been the Head of Digital and Head of Innovation at NZ On Air, where she ran the Digital Media Fund as well as being part of the Senior Leadership Team. Prior to this, Brenda set up and managed the NZ screen showcase website NZ On Screen. She has worked extensively in the digital media and internet sectors, both in NZ and Europe, and played a key role in developing support for women in the NZ internet industry in the late 1990s. In 2018 Brenda was appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Group for Digital Economy and Digital Inclusion.

Making film, television and digital story-telling is hard. You all know this, you live and breathe it every day.

You bring your passion, your talent, your energy and life to every production you work on.

And it's expensive, things take a long time, there are so many people to involve, so much money to find.

In the last ten years of working with people in the film and tv world it's been Brenda's experience that there are massive amounts of waste - of time, money and energy - just by doing things the way they've always been done. What you end up with is fantastic but often much of what you create is not what the audience is looking for, or ends up on the cutting room floor.

Her work has bridged the creative and business worlds and what she has seen in film and tv she has also seen in business and software development. Right now Brenda works with businesses to help optimise how they work, to look at tools and processes that result in products their customers love, that are more relevant and useful, and that take less time to create.

In this session she will introduce some of these tools to you. Brenda will talk about Agile and how it could be applied to your world. We'll look at the parallels between business/software and film/tv production.

Brenda: "What I would love is to work with you to explore options for how working in a different way can help you to succeed.

I don't pretend for an instant to be able to do what you do - but I do have ideas for how you could do it a bit differently."

Come along and find out what is possible.

This is the first of a series of business-orientated workshops WIFT has in store for you!

Welcome to your October workshop - you will find it invaluable!!

Creating Your Final Picture - Colour Grading for the Big and Small Screen

In conversation with:

Clare Burlinson - Colourist - Daffodils, Savage, Yellow is Forbidden

https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm2788784/?ref_=instant_nm_1&q=Clare%20Burlinson

David Stubbs - Director - Daffodils,  Producer - Catching the Black Widow

https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3815440/?ref_=instant_nm_1&q=David%20Stubbs

Tammy Williams - Cinematographer & Photographer - The Deadly Ponies Gang, Give Kate a Voice: Suffrage 125

https://tammy.co.nz/home/moving-image/

The language and communication in colour grading .. there is no one way to talk about colour.

Designing a look/ development for a movie or TV series

How we schedule out time for each project and what needs to be covered in the time available

Preparation and communication before the session

Who's in control (Director or DOP)

Common terms

Then we will delve into the new technology of EDR and HDR for streaming and theatrical screens with some of the Park Road team and open the floor to questions.

Venue: Park Road Post Production Cinema

141 Park Road, Miramar

Date:  Wednesday 30 October

Time:  5.30pm drinks and networking; 6pm Workshop start

Members free.  Non-members $15 - drinks and nibbles included.

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

LOOKING ABROAD

Our two guest speakers approach the international market from two different perspectives and between them they cover most markets of significance.

Jill Macnab, General Manager of Vendetta Films and Vendetta Productions attaches sales agents to her productions and buys feature films, both scripted and factual, around the world, most recently at TIFF.

Emma Martini, Series Producer for Whitebait Media is a regular at MIP and KIDSMIP in Cannes, and KIDSCREEN in Miami.

From Melbourne to Venice, markets abound!  Is there any benefit for you in stretching the finances to attend?  How do they work and what can you achieve? Should you go to Screen Forever in Melbourne? Can you get a sales agent without leaving New Zealand?  Emma shares the experience they have had with Darwin & Newts internationally.

Here is an opportunity to get every question you have ever wanted to ask about international markets answered!!

Date:  Tuesday 15 October

Time:  5.30pm for a 6pm sharp start

Venue:  ChristchurchNZ Conference Room, BNZ Centre, Level 3, 101 Cashel Street, Christchurch 8011, (where the NZFC roadshow was recently held)

WIFT members free.  Non-members $15.  Wine and nibbles provided.

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz I will be there!!

Join us at Portsmouth Film Equipment Rentals for a practical hands on workshop.

Run by a DOP and a Gaffer we will run through various setups and looks, recording then playing back the results.

Do you have questions about lighting that you always have wanted to ask… but just haven't had the chance to?  It's time to demystify the language and the gear, which will help with your understanding and efficiency.  Make sure you end up with the look you dream of, at a budget you can manage!

This  is an amazing opportunity to find out how to overcome the most common hurdles with lighting and gain insight into what to use when.

This will be a workshop for technical crew, directors, production assistants, production managers, producers and anyone who wishes to increase their knowledge.

Venue:  Portsmouth Film Equipment Rentals, 58 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie

Date: Wednesday 25 September

Time:  6pm for a 7pm start

Members free  Non-members $15   Drinks and nibbles provided

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Spring is here and New Zealand's first Phantom Flex4K Light Camera has emerged.

Yes you are reading that correctly. The first Phantom Flex4K Light Camera in New Zealand is here. Smaller, lighter and just as powerful, the Phantom Flex4K Camera brings the high imaging standards of the Phantom Flex4K Camera to a portable and rugged body style.

Ben Ireland and Cameron Lloyd from Od are hosting a workshop for you to learn everything about their new Phantom Flex4K Light Camera.

They will be going over the differences from the older Phantom Flex4K Camera and will explain all the new tools and workflow of the Phantom Flex4K Light Camera.

There will be examples of Phantom work as well as an interactive live display, so no matter your level of understanding of the Phantom workflow this event is designed for everyone.

Date:  Tuesday 17 September

Time:  6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: 39 Webb Street Mount Cook, Wellington

WIFT and NZCS members free.  Non-members $15.  Wine and nibbles included

RSVPs to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Please Don't Feed the Colourists

In this 101, we will demystify how to prepare for a colour grade, and how to work with that strange dark-dwelling creature… The Colourist.

Your speakers:

Colourist Alana Cotton (Wanted, Bellbird, Fresh Eggs, In Dark Places and 2018 NZTV Awards winner Best Post-Production Design)

Director of Photography Simon Raby (Lord of the Rings, Mortal Engines, District 9, Elysium and president of the NZCS)

With Post-Production Producer Samantha Jukes moderating.

We'll cover questions such as:

• What thinking should I do ahead of starting the grade?
• Should the same look apply throughout the whole project?
• Can I chop and change from scene to scene, depending on the mood and setting?
• Or can I develop and evolve my grade slowly throughout a project?
• What does it mean to have a colour palette - does every colour in the project need to be part of the same palette?
• How much do I need to consider palette prior to deciding wardrobe and production design, and shooting? How much does this get figured out in the grade?
• How much should I run on gut feeling, and how much should I follow a discipline?
• What if I don't know what I'm doing? Do I need to make all the decisions, and if so, how do I learn enough to do that?
• How do I keep objective on colour through a whole session/project, rather than just inadvertently resetting my norm and going further and further in one direction?
• Gloves off, honestly, what's going to make me look like an idiot?
• How do we prioritise what we do/know how long we can and should spend on each thing so we get a finished film?
• What do I need to get right in production so you can actually work with the footage I deliver?
• I think it looks great straight off the camera/with a LUT on it, what are we even going to do in the grade?

Time-permitting, we may also cover some common turns of phrase you may hear when talking about a grade, e.g. What does crushing the blacks looks like? What does it mean to bring more red into the mids and lift the highs?

This is not a "Wowzah, cool tools!" session; this is about empowering you in your role, so you can feel comfortable and confident working with your colourist to get the best possible grade. You should walk away from this session with real ideas on how to approach colour in your current or next project, to help you get a great result.

This is an "In Conversation", and you are part of that conversation! Please send in your questions beforehand and bring them on the night.

Date:  Wednesday 28 August

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm start

Members free.  Drinks and nibbles provided. As there are limited seats this workshop is not available for non-members.

Venue:  Images & Sound, 113 Grafton Road, Grafton, Auckland

This is Event is now fully booked a repeat workshop will be held later in the year.

To register interest please email office@wiftnz.org.nz

We know that often you wonder if there is a career path for you in the screen industry, but have you thought about the fact that the majority of the major television production companies in New Zealand are run by women?  For this workshop we bring you:

THE FAB FOUR - revelations

Come along and hear how these four fantastic women have made it to the top of the industry.  From their first jobs, until today, they will share their stories and their learnings along the way.  As they look at the industry now, how do they feel about it? Will they still be in it in 5 years?  Will there still be a television industry?? This will be a frank and fearless session with these four fabulous WIFTies!

Our panel is:

Bettina Hollings      CEO         Imagination Television

Kelly Martin             CEO         South Pacific Pictures

Philly de Lacey        CEO          Screentime NZ

Rachel Antony         CEO         Greenstone TV

This session will be moderated by Ruth Harley, Chairwoman, NZ On Air

Date:  Wednesday 14 August

Time:  5.30pm for a 6.pm start

Venue: Random Group, 43 Hanson Street, Mt Cook

Members free; non-members $15 (wine and nibbles included)

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz - The session in Auckland was sold out and on waitlist within two days, so don't delay booking!

Patricia

Where are the women in the technical crafts?  There is a shortage of crew and we want to see women filling these roles so we are running this special half day event at which men are of course welcome too:

WORK!!

Introduced by Rebecca Wilson-Jennings, the only female Steadicam operator in New Zealand and an international trainer (see her mini bio attached), we will cover the following roles:

GAFFER

GIMBAL OPERATOR (including drones)

GRIP

SOUND RECORDIST

DIT/DATA WRANGLING

CAMERA ASSIST

With Tammy Williams, Tony Keddy and more speakers to be announced shortly.

Exactly what is entailed in each role, how do you get into it, is it a career option for you? At the end of the workshop you will be able to leave your contact details for potential employers.  Maybe some will even be in the room! We encourage those of you with experience to come along and network too.

Date:  Saturday 10 August

Time:  9am - 1 pm followed by a light lunch for networking

Venue:  Yoobee Colleges:  South Seas Film and TV School

Unit 5 - 75 Ellice Rd, Wairau Valley, Glenfield

WIFT and SIGNZ members and tertiary students free; others $5 (paid in cash at the door)

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Why not go where the work is!!

There seems to be a view that there aren't enough producers in Christchurchso let's encourage everyone in to the open with this opportunity:

SPEED DATING FOR WRITERS, DIRECTORS and PRODUCERS!

Writers and directors, this is your opportunity to pitch your ideas to a range of producers.

You will have 12 minutes with each producer, then be moved on to the next.

Each writer / director should come armed with

1. Project title
2. log-line/one line synopsis
3. one Paragraph synopsis
4. type of project (e.g. short film, feature, web series etc)
5. a bit about yourself - past work, career, future plans

Producers, here is an opportunity to meet some new talent / hear fresh ideas / discover new

projects and script. Janine Morrell-Gunn - thank you for being the first producer to put your

hand up to attend.

Anna Canton, thank you for instigating this workshop.

Date:  Wednesday 31 July

Time:  5.30PM for 6PM start

Venue: Yoobee School of Design, 573 Colombo St, Christchurch

Members free.  Non-members $15.  Wine and nibbles provided.

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Yes you are reading that correctly. The first Phantom Flex4K Light in New Zealand is here. Smaller, lighter and just as powerful, the Phantom Flex4K Light brings the high imaging standards of the Phantom Flex4K to a portable and rugged body style.

Ben Ireland and Cameron Lloyd from Od are hosting a workshop for you to learn everything about their new Phantom Flex4K Light.

They will be going over the differences from the older Phantom Flex4K and will explain all the new tools and workflow of the Phantom Flex4K Light.

There will be examples of Phantom work as well as an interactive live display, so no matter your level of understanding of the Phantom workflow this event is designed for everyone.

Date:  Tuesday 16 July

Time:  6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue:  Professional Lighting Services,  66 Cook Street, Auckland (there is plenty of off-street parking).

WIFT and NZCS members free.  Non-members $15.  Wine and nibbles included

RSVPs to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Without Creativity, Where Would We Be?

In Wellington, we are so fortunate to have Weta Workshop in our own backyard. The Academy Award-winning conceptual design and manufacturing facility employs a stack of fabulous female talent, each day creating incredible things that set our imaginations alight.

Come along to this workshop to hear from three women of Weta Workshop who are leaders in their creative disciplines. Flo Foxworthy (costume technician and pattern maker), Rebekah Tisch (concept designer and art director), and Jane Wenley (sculptor) work across a broad range of film and television projects, exhibitions and displays, theatrical productions, and collectibles. Their film credits include Ghost in the Shell, The Great Wall, The Hobbit motion picture trilogy, Avatar, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Thunderbirds Are Go, and many more.

Alongside images of their work, Flo, Rebekah and Jane will share their experiences working in the creative industries, how they balance personal creative projects with their Workshop commitments, and their artistic process.

Date: Wednesday 26 June

Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: 127 Park Road, Miramar

Members free; non-members $15 (drinks and nibbles included)

Bookings essential - email office@wiftnz.org.nz

We know that often you wonder if there is a career path for you in the screen industry, but have you thought about the fact that the majority of the major television production companies in New Zealand are run by women?  For this workshop we bring you:

THE FAB FOUR - revelations!

Come along and hear how these four fantastic women have made it to the top of the industry.  From their first jobs, until today, they will share their stories and their learnings along the way.  As they look at the industry now, how do they feel about it? Will they still be in it in 5 years?  Will there still be a television industry?? This will be a frank and fearless session with these four fabulous WIFTies!

Our panel is:

Bettina Hollings      CEO         Imagination Television

Kelly Martin             CEO         South Pacific Pictures

Philly de Lacey        CEO          Screentime NZ

Rachel Antony         CEO         Greenstone TV

This session will be moderated by Josie McNaught - former journalist, now media/litigation solicitor.

Date:  Wednesday 26 June

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: ENVY studios, 55 Anzac Avenue, Auckland Central

Members free; non-members $15 (wine and nibbles included)

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz - we expect this to be a full house so don't delay booking.

How to make a living doing what we love: telling stories!

In a time where documentary filmmaking appears to be taking a back seat at the Film School,

even while feature length documentaries are now making it to the cinema in greater numbers,

more women are taking content in to their own hands and forging careers

telling stories that reflect, intrigue, inform and excite.

Anna Cottrell and Amanda Millar are two of these filmmakers.  How has this career path worked out for them?

Come along to this workshop to be inspired as you make your own life choices.  Is documentary a path for you?

Anna Cottrell has been making documentaries for TV, festivals and galleries for ...quite a long time! She started her career  as a TV journo and current affairs producer and moved into documentaries when her kids were young.

Last year two documentaries screened on Choice TV, The Wahine Disaster, 50 Years On and The Kiwi, the Knight & the Qashqai. Her latest gig has been five series of Great War Stories for Newshub,  'haiku' documentaries about NZers in World War One.

Amanda Millar has been a journalist since she left school so she has been story-telling for four decades. This has earned her 18 national awards  for her work in both TV current affairs programmes such as 2020, Sunday & 60 Minutes as well as more than 20 documentaries as an independent producer and director.

Her biggest challenge and arguably, her most satisfying has been making the smash hit of last year's NZIFF, CELIA.

This is the feature film celebrating the life and work of the late Celia Lashlie that's been out on general release since March.

Date:   Wednesday 29th May

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: Random Group, 43 Hanson Street, Mt Cook

Members free,  non-members $15  (drinks and nibbles included)

RSVP NOW! office@wiftnz.org.nz

We always strive to outdo ourselves so here you go!

Data wrangling, and how to reduce manic tendencies in the post-production process

In the driest seminar yet to be presented by WIFT, we intend to reawaken old traumas and explore the nitty gritty of the horrendous labyrinth that is post-production data wrangling. If you enjoy this session, you are clearly either a) too new to be emotionally scarred by this area, or b) elsewhere.

Why would you come (no seriously, why would you come?). Because maybe. MAYBE. Through being here, you will get your creative vision to screen with all scenes in place. Maybe it will be less painful. Maybe it will be higher quality. Maybe your DCP will play. Maybe you will burn fewer bridges, spend less money, and tear out a modicum less hair.

Your guides through this evening of horror are two of Images & Sounds loveliest:

Tristan Simpson: Workflow & Deliverables Specialist. Tristan knows this stuff intimately - so intimately you would think the man never went outside. He knows everything about it that this writer could ever imagine anyone knowing, and far more than is natural. He dresses very well.

Samantha Jukes: Post-Production Producer. Sam knows how to ask the questions that make the things that are paining you so much, happen. And she knows some of the answers. Sam's dress sense is absolutely fine.

Please send in advance any questions you have that you'd like answered - such as:

- can any drive be used for a DCP?

- can I have other files on my DCP drive?

- what's the most user-friendly type of video file?

- what file type should I use for my masters?

- what's the difference between a .edl and a .aaf - when should I use each?

- should my .aaf files be embedded or unimbedded?

- what is offline, what is online, what is a conform and do I need one?

- how does TCIP work?

- what's an IMF?

- who is the BFG?

- what is reversioning for delivery - can I just use one file?

Date:  Wednesday 29 May, 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue:  Images and Sound, 113 Grafton Road, Grafton

We promise WINE. WINE and more WINE, plus nibbles of course!

Members free  Non-members $15

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Amie is a member of the Senior Leadership Team and has overall responsibility for the Scripted, Factual and Platforms streams of the NZ Media Fund. Amie has worked in the media industry in Aotearoa and abroad, in a range of creative and digital production roles. She is the former Digital & Children's Commissioner at TVNZ and was co-lead of the New Blood Innovation Programme aimed at reaching non-traditional audiences with local content. In 2015 she joined Saatchi & Saatchi London to help deliver a BAFTA-winning mobile game, Sea Hero Quest, to help scientists fight dementia with the world's largest crowd-sourced database for medical research.

Come along and ask all the questions you want answered!

Date:       Wednesday 22 May

Time:       5.30pm for a 6pm start

Venue:     Yoobee School of Design  (thanks to Yoobee for their patience!)

Members free;   Non-members $15  Drinks and nibbles included.

RSVP please to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Continuing with a mini series of technical workshops of use to you all,

our friends at  IMAGEZONE have kindly agreed to cover off:

FULL FRAME

Come along to this event to find out what having a large sensor could mean for your project from the look and feel to Netflix compliance.

This is something that is proving very important what with online streaming services rapidly ramping up production and having technical standards to adhere to.

We will have the Sony Venice with its new Remote Head to show you, along with a variety of large format glass - yes new cameras mean new lenses too with image circles big enough to cover the larger sensor. Come and learn about this new era and for those who want to, get hands-on with the equipment.

Clive from Sony is looking forward to chatting with you all and

we will have a Sony prize to be won but you have to be present to win it.

Date: Wednesday8th May.

Time:    6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue:  Imagezone, 9 Scanlan Street, Grey Lynn

WIFT and NZCS members:  FREE Non-members: $15.00

Includes Drinks and nibbles

RSVP NOW! OFFICE@WIFT.ORG.NZ

Look forward to seeing you!

Presented by Aliesha Staples and the team at StaplesVR. Have a look at the latest 360 video cameras and learn why you would use which. Learn about post production workflows and understand the limitations of shooting immersive 360 content. Check out the latest headsets and see some of the most recent use cases the team have developed for this content.

There will be on hand a variety of 360 cameras and experts in Capture, Post Production and Audio workflows.

This workshop will suit those of you working in camera, audio, lighting, writers, directors and producers.  Working with 360 changes all the paradigms!

When: Wednesday 3rd April

Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6.00pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: PLS, 66 Cook Street, Auckland

Members: FREE

Non-members $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

RSVP NOW! office@wiftnz.org.nz

A two-part workshop all on the same night, for peace of mind in the run-up to the year end.

Part one covers personal tax advice for the self-employed, and part two covers advice for producers and business owners.

Part one - for freelancers, contractors and self-employed

Did you know that every third self-employed person in New Zealand receives unexpected bills from government agencies?

What can you do to prepare yourself?

In this part of the workshop, Lelde will share with you tips and tricks to save some headache for you and will cover:

- common contractor business expenses

- what are pros and cons - company vs sole trader?

- tax returns

- tax types (income tax, withholding tax, GST, provisional tax) + ACC levies

- best practices and systems that help contractors stay on top of tax

Part two - for producers and company owners

The run-up to year end is a great time to look at your business finances and the ways that you organise and manage your production budgets as well as your business or personal accounts.

In this part of the workshop, Hilary will share her insider tips on efficiency so that you can achieve more for less effort. She will cover:

- using book keeping software efficiently

- managing production commitments

- cashflow issues

- red flags to look out for

When: Wednesday 6^th March

Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: Random Group, 43 Hanson Street, Mt Cook

Members free.  Non-members $15.  Drinks and nibbles provided.

Please book via office@wiftnz.org.nz

About Lelde Kukle:

Lelde is co-founder of Wellington's Bosspac. Bosspac is an accounting platform for Kiwi freelancers, contractors and the self-employed to manage income, expenses and payments to the government in an easy way.

Bosspac is a product of the Better for Business Accelerator 2017 and is supported by government agencies, IRD, ACC, and MBIE.

Lelde and the team have done an extensive research and customer journey mapping with self-employed people, government agencies and accountants.

About Hilary Combes:

Hilary is an experienced finance professional, having worked in the media and creative industries for over 20 years. Her career includes TV broadcasting, TV production, newspapers, digital and creative arts.

For five years, she was at Wellington's Gibson Group providing company financial support across their many TV shows, including the 2012 feature film, Fresh Meat - from which she has some limb props!

More recently, she has guided and trained producers in best practice, from initiating projects through to successful completion.
Now running her own business financial performance consultancy, MathildaRock, she is passionate about helping owners feel comfortable understanding their accounts, focusing attention on the benefits to their business, not purely on their company tax returns.

It's a line item in your publicity budget - the behind the scenes (BTS) crew. You know you need it because the publicity people tell you so, and you see that footage popping up at the local cinema, on the telly and social media.

But, you have questions. What is EPK? Is it really important? Do I have to get it now? And just what happens to that footage? This workshop will answer your questions and explain just how critical BTS footage has become.

Presented by Tamar Munch, Publicist of The Public Good and Mark Westerby, CEO of Random Group.

When: Wednesday 27th February

Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: Envy Studios, Level 2, 55 Anzac Avenue, Auckland City

Members free.  Non-members $15.  Drinks and nibbles provided.

Please book via office@wiftnz.org.nz

About Tamar Munch:

The Public Good is a boutique public relations agency specialising in entertainment publicity, unit publicity for film and television, as well as personal branding and communications strategy.

Company director Tamar Münch has more than 20 years' experience as a publicist in the entertainment industry in both New Zealand and Australia.

She is a strategic and creative thinker with great local media and industry relationships and a diverse marketing and communications skill-set.

She's dedicated to promoting interesting, innovative and talented people, great stories and inspiring ideas.

Before setting up her own consultancy, The Public Good Ltd, in early 2016, Tamar worked for 11 years as the Head of Communications at South Pacific Pictures where she managed a small in-house publicity team.

She oversaw both unit and release publicity for a number of New Zealand feature films as well as international television co-productions plus local drama, comedy, factual and entertainment/reality series.

She has worked closely with local theatrical and home entertainment distributors on the marketing of local film and television productions and has also overseen DVD production and produced EPKs, behind-the-scenes and additional materials.

In addition, she is an experienced senior manager with a background in corporate and trade media communications for film and television production companies and broadcasters.

About Mark Westerby:

Mark Westerby is the Director & CEO of Random Group, a film production company founded with Charlotte Larsen in Wellington. Mark has a rich and varied history in the creative sector, working previously as the director of the NZ Fringe Festival, the producer of the PANNZ Arts Market and for several years on international events like London Fashion Week, Australian Fashion Week and Tropfest. In recent years, he has EP'd films such as PORK PIE, BORN RACER and the upcoming WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AI. Mark has developed a specialist EPK/BTS arm, and is currently delivering content for DAFFODILS, THE DEAD LANDS and THE LUMINARIES. Mark is also a board member of Radio Active and One Victoria Trust, the trust overseeing The Meteor theatre in Hamilton.

It's a line item in your publicity budget - the behind the scenes (BTS) crew. You know you need it because the publicity people tell you so, and you see that footage popping up at the local cinema, on the telly and social media.

But, you have questions. What is EPK? Is it really important? Do I have to get it now? And just what happens to that footage? This workshop will answer your questions and explain just how critical BTS footage has become.

Presented by Mark Westerby, CEO of Random Group, and Jasmin McSweeney, Head of Marketing, NZ Film Commission

When:  Tuesday 27 November

Time:     6PM for a 6.30PM start

Where:  Random Group, 43 Hanson Street, Mt Cook

Members free.  Non-members $15 .  Drinks and nibbles provided.

Please book via office@wiftnz.org.nz

As a precursor to future workshops SWAG will be organising, WIFT is pleased to present this workshop to be held in Christchurch on 08th November.

We hosted this workshop in Auckland and we received more positive engaged feedback than from any of the others we have run. The reaction from the attendees was that they found it extremely enlightening and sobering. The workshop is not sector specific but it is a practical workshop with advice and information that can have an immediate effect on you and the safety of others around you.

Presented by Debbi Tohill, Executive Director of RPE (Rape Prevention Education) which delivers education and health promotion / prevention programmes nationally, this will be a two-hour intensive covering the basics:

• Exactly what is sexual harassment?
• The continuum to sexual violence
• Keeping yourself safe
• Creating a safe environment
• Knowing your rights
• Reporting
• Making your own decisions

If you are an employer, employee or a contractor you need to come to this workshop.  The SWAG survey results have two out of three respondents either experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment.  We can't ignore it.

Everyone is welcome at this workshop (yes, that includes men). Please spread the word.

WHERE: NZ Broadcasting School, 150 Madras St, Christchurch Central

WHEN:  Thursday 8th November

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm sharp start

WIFT members free & non-members $15

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Do not miss out on this essential workshop!

After a very successful part 1 workshop last week we are bringing you the 2^nd instalment to the documentary and factual television workshop.

This workshop is focussed on documentary and factual television which remain popular genres in Aotearoa New Zealand and vary enormously, stretching from reality, popular factual, obs doc through current affairs to theatrical, festival and even interactive and transmedia documentary.

Our presenters are Professor Annie Goldson and Producer / Director Kay Ellmers.

Workshop 2

In this second, follow-up workshop, we will explore the use of the interview in more depth given it is a building block common to most documentaries. We will explore a number of topics:

• Who should you interview?
• What is balance, objectivity and fairness?
• Interview preparation
• Maintaining spontaneity and seeming authenticity
• Development of question lines
• Impromptu interviews
• What happens when interviews go 'off-script'?
• Should you include questions in the edit?
• Visual style - framing, lighting, location, focal length etc.
• The idea of a master interview, and when to do it
• Single IV vs. duals or groups - advantages and disadvantages
• Ethics 1 - how far to do push subjects
• Ethics 2 - what they might reveal
• Ethics 3 - when might and should you intervene?

Please note you don't need to have attended the part 1 of these workshops to attend part 2, they are independent of each other.

Date: 17^th October

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: TVNZ, 100 Victoria Street, Auckland Central

Members free.  Non-members $15.  Drinks and nibbles provided.

RSVP: office@wiftnz.org.nz

This session is a must for producers, directors, editors, production managers, post-production supervisors, anyone involved in production and post-production workflows and anyone contemplating the inclusion of archival material in their production.

Angela Boyd - shares 15 years of experience in researching and acquiring archival footage for NZ film and television productions such as Tangiwai: A Love Story, Kim Dotcom: Caught in the Web, Home by Christmas, What We Do in the Shadows, Poi E, Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen. Also working as an Editor, she has a unique understanding of how the inclusion of archive footage impacts on the post-production workflow.

Angela will discuss practical aspects of the work of a moving image researcher in our industry - defining the job, setting up systems, working with archives, timelines, budgeting, rights clearance, internet research, merging media and formats, and liaising with the lab.

Venue:  Ground Floor, 43 Hanson Street, Mt Cook, Wellington

Date and time: 6pm, Wednesday 10 October

Members free.  Non-members $15.

Drinks and nibbles provided

Come along and network!!  This is our second-to-last workshop for the year.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Welcome to our workshop focussed on documentary and factual television which remain popular genres in Aotearoa New Zealand and vary enormously, stretching from reality, popular factual, obs doc through current affairs to theatrical, festival and even interactive and transmedia documentary.

Our presenters are Professor Annie Goldson and Producer / Director Kay Ellmers.

In this session, we will look at the documentary idea - discuss where ideas come from, how viable they might be, and how best to realize them.  You may be working for a TV show that produces short documentary segments that are formally similar, or perhaps you are attempting a more experimental approach. Generally, the budgets are always too lean! Whatever one's vision or goal, it can be a question of thinking how best we use our imagination within the constraints we have, and what formal approach can best serve the idea.

This Workshop will explore how the various 'building blocks' of documentary can be deployed. In other words, what are the best tools to realize your idea? Depending on the priorities of workshop participants, the type of building blocks we may cover are:

• Interview
• In situ actuality audio
• Presenter
• Narration
• Archive - stills and moving
• Graphics
• Visual sequences - observational/ choreographed
• Re-enactments, from subtle POV to fully dramatic

Date:  10th October

Time:  5.30pm for a 6pm sharp start

Venue:  Sawtooth Studios, 31 Southwark St, Christchurch

Members free.  Non-members $15.  Drinks and nibbles provided.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

This is a joint workshop with the Directors & Editors Guild NZ.

Are Your Accounts Giving You a Headache?

A workshop for pain relief

There's nothing worse than wasting time on your accounts.

So don't.

Natalie Doherty, production accountant on projects including Slow West, Jean and The Shannara Chronicles, will share with you contractor hacks to take the headache out of your administrative paperwork.

In this two-hour workshop Natalie will give you time-saving tips and advice on:

• dealing with your expenses
• keeping good records
• income tax, withholding tax and GST
• sole Trader vs Company - the pros and cons
• and more

Learn how to spend more time doing what you want to do and less time doing what you have to in this business-minded Young Creators workshop.

Brought to you by DEGNZ and Women In Film and Television

Young Creators: It's Business Time

Wednesday 3^rd October // 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Venue: Horse & Trap, 3 Enfield Street, Mt Eden, Auckland

Booking Info

DEGNZ / WIFT members - Free
Non-members - $25

Registration bookings are essential for members and non-members. For non-members, payment must be  made in full prior to the start of the workshop to confirm a booking. We accept payment by credit/debit cards and internet banking/direct credit.

Registration closes Monday 1 October, unless capacity is reached prior.

Click on the link below:

https://www.degnz.co.nz/are-your-accounts-giving-you-a-headache/#!event-register/2018/10/2/young-creators-it-apos-s-business-ime

https://www.facebook.com/events/1847866705308015/

Refunds: Please email admin@degnz.co.nz if you wish to cancel your booking. You must inform us at least 24 hours before the workshop starts to receive a full refund.

About Natalie Doherty

Natalie has worked in the Film and TV industry as both an accountant and in the sound department worldwide for over 16 years. She is an Associate Chartered Accountant who completed her mentored training at BDO Chartered Accountants and the NZ Film Commission. Natalie also supplies short to medium term furnished accommodation to the Film and TV industry with her husband, Brendan.

Welcome to a special two-part series focussed on documentary and factual television which remain popular genres in Aotearoa New Zealand and vary enormously, stretching from reality, popular factual, obs doc through current affairs to theatrical, festival and even interactive and transmedia documentary.

Our presenters are Professor Annie Goldson and Producer / Director Kay Ellmers.

Workshop 1

In this session, we will look at the documentary idea - discuss where ideas come from, how viable they might be, and how best to realize them.  You may be working for a TV show that produces short documentary segments that are formally similar, or perhaps you are attempting a more experimental approach. Generally, the budgets are always too lean! Whatever one's vision or goal, it can be a question of thinking how best we use our imagination within the constraints we have, and what formal approach can best serve the idea.

Extending out from this, Workshop 1 will explore how the various 'building blocks' of documentary can be deployed. In other words, what are the best tools to realize your idea? Depending on the priorities of workshop participants, the type of building blocks we may cover are:

• Interview
• In situ actuality audio
• Presenter
• Narration
• Archive - stills and moving
• Graphics
• Visual sequences - observational/ choreographed
• Re-enactments, from subtle POV to fully dramatic

Workshop 2  (date: 17 October, venue TBC)

In this second, follow-up workshop, we will explore the use of the interview in more depth given it is a building block common to most documentaries.

Workshop 1:

Date:  26th September

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue:  TVNZ, 100 Victoria Street, Auckland Central

Members free.  Non-members $15.  Drinks and nibbles provided.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

For those of you beginning your careers, here is a workshop we have organised for the group Emerging Women Filmmakers, organised by our member Lucy Holyoake.  You are welcome to attend. Please RSVP via the Facebook link below.  Men will not be excluded.  This is an extensive workshop, with slides and handouts, so don't miss out.

FROM WIFT FOR EMERGING WOMEN FILMMAKERS: PRESENTED BY JUDE MCLAREN, Talent Pathways Manager, New Zealand Film Commission

Career pathway mapping  - how to get there from here.

A career development workshop designed to assist both new filmmakers who are transitioning from courses to the industry as well as those at more experienced stages to identify career goals and pathways. An active learning workshop where participants clarify their strengths, their goals, the roadblocks and resources, as well as identifying realistic timelines and first steps action. By the end of the workshop all participants will have created a broad brushstrokes map to their own pathway.

Jude's bio can be found here https://www.nzfilm.co.nz/new-zealand/about-us/our-staff

Date: Wednesday 19 September

Time: 6pm for a 6.30pm start  (arrive at 6pm for networking and nibbles)

Venue:  Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington

Free admission.  Registration via Facebook essential.  https://www.facebook.com/events/460122691141590/

As a precurser to future workshops SWAG will be organising, we have now rescheduled this workshop to be held in Wellington on 06th September.

We hosted this workshop in Auckland and we received more positive engaged feedback than from any of the others we have run. The reaction from the attendees was that they found it extremely enlightening and sobering. The workshop is not sector specific but it is a practical workshop with advice and information that can have an immediate effect on you and the safety of others around you.

Presented by Debbi Tohill, Executive Director of RPE (Rape Prevention Education) which delivers education and health promotion / prevention programmes nationally, this will be a two-hour intensive covering the basics:

• Exactly what is sexual harassment?
• The continuum to sexual violence
• Keeping yourself safe
• Creating a safe environment
• Knowing your rights
• Reporting
• Making your own decisions

If you are an employer, employee or a contractor you need to come to this workshop.  The SWAG survey results have two out of three respondents either experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment.  We can't ignore it.

Everyone is welcome at this workshop (yes, that includes men). Please spread the word.

WHERE: BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace, Wellington

WHEN:  Thursday 6^th September

Time:  5.30pm for a 6pm sharp start

WIFT members, other Guild members &  non-members free

Please note cash bar.

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Do not miss out on this essential workshop!

WIFT brings you Lights, Camera , Lawyers!

A fact and fun-filled evening designed to point out some of the legal in our business pitfalls - before you tumble into them…

It is very exciting and exhilarating when you get the funding to film your particular project - but did you know there are lots of legal issues that you need to keep in mind before the cameras roll - rather than later on…when it may be too late!

Our panel of media law experts are here to help with a simple guide to managing legal risk - copyright, moral rights, waiving rights, IP, defamation, contracts, health and safety legal issues on site, insurance.

Please bring your questions, queries and experiences to share.

Discussion will be chaired by Josie McNaught - journalist turned media lawyer and a team of expert lawyers.

Rochelle Cooney - https://www.morrisonkent.com/team/#rochelle-cooney

Charlotte Henley  - https://www.kensingtonswan.com/our-people/charlotte-henley/

Rachel Burt - https://www.kensingtonswan.com/our-people/rachel-burt/

When: 29th August 2018

Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm for 6.30pm start. Finish by 8pm.

Venue: Kensington Swan, 89 The Terrace, Wellington

Members: FREE

Non-members $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

DISCLAIMER: Nothing at this event constitutes legal advice, is intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific issues. You should always seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have.

A fact and fun-filled evening designed to point out some of the legal in our business pitfalls - before you tumble into them…

It is very exciting and exhilarating when you get the funding to film your particular project - but did you know there are lots of legal issues that you need to keep in mind before the cameras roll - rather than later on…when it may be too late!

Our panel of media law experts are here to help with a simple guide to managing legal risk - copyright, moral rights, waiving rights, IP, defamation, contracts, health and safety legal issues on site, insurance.

Please bring your questions, queries and experiences to share.

This is not a sit down and listen to a panel workshop, this is actually a great opportunity to get FREE legal advice and raise any questions that are bothering you.

Discussion will be chaired by Josie McNaught - journalist turned media lawyer and a team of expert lawyers.

Karen Soich - www.karensoich.co.nz/about.html

Anchali Anandanayagam www.hgmlegal.com/people/anchali-anandanayagam/

When: 22nd August 2018

Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: Envy Studios, Level 2, 55 Anzac Avenue, Auckland City

Members: FREE

Non-members $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

DISCLAIMER: Nothing at this event constitutes legal advice, is intended to be a substitute for legal advice and should not be relied upon as such or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific issues. You should always seek legal advice or other professional advice in relation to any particular matters you or your organisation may have.

THE THREE COMPONENTS OF THE TRAVIS TECHNIQUE

1. STORY: WRITE YOUR LIFE 
Mining Your Own Life Story for Emotional Truths 
Learning how to reveal your own chaos and complexity will give you the courage and skills to shape any story into a highly compelling and emotionally engaging journey.

2. CHARACTERS: THE INTERROGATION PROCESS 
Working with Actors to Generate Authentic Characters 
The Interrogation Process is designed to bypass the actor's mind, so that each character can emerge naturally and organically from deep within. 

3. SCENE: THE POWER OF STAGING 
Stimulating the Emotional State of the Characters 
Rather than staging for the camera, you must first consider the emotional state of the characters, how the staging will affect them, and whether the staging stimulates the appropriate emotions in every character.

Mark Travis is regarded by Hollywood's top brass and international film professionals as the world's leading authority on the art and craft of film directing. All of his techniques stem from the pursuit of organic authentic performances that are deeply felt by audiences. He is currently on the faculty of HFF (Munich), HSU (Kiev) and has taught at AFI, UCLA, The Binger Institute (Amsterdam), PU (Pixar University), FAS Screen Training Ireland and many other internationally acclaimed institutions and film schools. He has served as directorial and creative consultant to Mark Rydell, George Tillman, Cyrus Nowrasteh, and dozens of Independent filmmakers in Hollywood and internationally. He is respected and recommended by top actors such as Beau Bridges, Henry Winkle and Bill Pullman.

When: Sunday 12 August, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Where: ASB Waterfront Theatre, 138 Halsey St, Auckland CBD

Restrictions: R18

Online Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/a-one-day-travis-technique-master-class/auckland

• WIFT member: $30.00
• Other guild member: $40.00
• Non-Member: $50.00

Phone Sales: 0800 BUY TIX (289 849)

Reserve your seat now!

NOTE: Tea and coffee will be available but bring your own snacks and lunch!

Now that SWAG has released the results of its survey and its first round of recommendations, it is time for WIFT to deliver a practical workshop with advice and information that can have an immediate effect on you and the safety of others around you.

Presented by Debbi Tohill, Executive Director of RPE (Rape Prevention Education) which delivers education and health promotion / prevention programmes nationally, this will be a two-hour intensive covering the basics:

• Exactly what is sexual harassment?
• The continuum to sexual violence
• Keeping yourself safe
• Creating a safe environment
• Knowing your rights
• Reporting
• Making your own decisions

If you are an employer, employee or a contractor you need to come to this workshop.  The SWAG survey results have two out of three respondents either experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment.  We can't ignore it.

Everyone is welcome at this workshop (yes, that includes men).

Venue: TVNZ, 100 Victoria Street West, Auckland

Time: 6pm arrival for a 6.30pm start

Members: FREE

Other guild members: $10.00

Non-members $15.00

Includes nibbles and wine

Kirk Pflaum - DoP and camera operator, together with Queenstown Camera Company's Brett Mills, bring us an informative session on cameras.

That all important decision… which camera package best presents the right compromise between cost and quality for your needs.

As cameras continue to evolve and impress, selecting the right camera can make your head spin with questions, how do you choose?

What's the best fit for your budget?

What should you be considering in pre-production?

Whether you are shooting for a documentary, a music video, short film, a web series, or something with a budget (!) - from TVC's to television series to a feature film, we'll explain your options to get the desired look, and explain the basics of the key components that help produce quality cinematic images.

You don't need to be in the camera department to benefit from this workshop - this will be useful to you, whether you are a producer, documentary maker,  in production or post, an editor or one-person band!

Date: Thursday 5^th July

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: Sawtooth Studios, 31 Southwark St, Christchurch

Members free.  Non-members $15.

Drinks and nibbles provided.

RSVP please to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Libby Hakaraia, Director of the Māoriland Film Festival and the Māoriland Hub, was the recipient of the Imagezone Entrepreneurship Award at the 2018 WIFT Awards. A champion of indigenous filmmaking at a time when there are significant breakthroughs in New Zealand, with the impact of Waru and recognition of its writer/directors, and the launch of Te Rautaki Māori by the NZ Film Commission two weeks ago, it is the perfect time to hear Libby talk about plans for the Māoriland Hub, including the International Indigenous filmmaker residence, Native Slam and other Māoriland initiatives for filmmaker collaborations, and the indigenous film festival network.

Libby will be joined by Dale Corlett, Head of Talent Development at the NZ Film Commission.  Dale will give attendees a practical brief on Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga's Te Rautaki Māori and their hopes and expectations for this programme.

Please note: Ngā Aho Whakaari plans to hold a mihi whakatau for the pou whakahaere at the earliest convenience of that person once the position has been officially taken up in late June.

This will be advertised to the NAW membership and all will be welcome. As well as the whakatau, they will be working through the Rautaki and the processes  required to ensure members of our industry have what they need to put a successful application together. Venue to be announced.

Venue for this workshop:

Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington

Date:  Wednesday 6 June

Time: 6pm arrival for a 6.30pm start

WIFT and NAW members free.  Non-members $15   Drinks and nibbles included

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Questions you haven't had an opportunity to ask…….

Do you have questions about lighting and dollies that you always have wanted to ask… but just haven't had the chance to?

Are there questions about the role and responsibilities of gaffers and grips?

Would you like some more insight into the things you're asked to pay for?

Well here is your opportunity!!

WIFT and PLS have teamed up together for an upcoming workshop here in Auckland.

This  is an amazing opportunity to find out how to overcome the most common hurdles with lighting.

It's time to demystify lighting and dollies, which will help with your understanding and efficiency.

It will be a workshop for technical crew, production assistants, production managers, producers and anyone else on set who wishes to increase their knowledge.

Date: Wednesday 30^th May

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start

Venue: Professional Lighting Services, 66 Cook Street, Auckland CBD

Members free.  Non-members $15.

Drinks and nibbles provided.

Book your space now!

Check out the facilities, hear about their plans for 2018 and be the first to learn about a very special initiative for WIFT members - to be announced on the night!!!

When: Thursday 10 May, 6pm

Where:  Miramar Creative Centre, 133 Park Road, Miramar

Members free; non-members $15  Drinks and nibbles provided.

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

You have heard the terms and do you wonder, like us, what these roles actually are?

How does a VFX producer differ from a post producer?

And how does that differ from a digital producer?

What does a digital compositor do?

A co-ordinator is a common term, but what exactly does a VFX co-ordinator do - does it require other skills?

Meet these women and hear about their career paths to date.

What is their background / training?

Did they stumble into the world of digital or was there a planned career path for them?

What would they like to be doing in five years?  Is this a career path for you?

We welcome a great panel:

Beck Veitch - Digital Compositor, WETA

Sandy Taylor - Film Editor, Senior Production Manager, WETA

Rachel Copp - VFX Producer (credits include Ash vs Evil Dead)

Sally-Ann Louisson - VFX Co-ordinator (credits include The Meg)

Date: Tuesday 8 May

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: Envy Studios, Level 2, 55 Anzac Avenue, Auckland Central

Members free.  Non-members $15.

Drinks and nibbles provided.

Bookings essential please to office@wiftnz.org.nz

We are delighted to announce that there will be a special screening of The Breaker Upperers in Wellington at the Embassy in the opening week!

Mark the time and date in your diary now: MAY 4th, 6.30pm screening, followed by a Q & A at 8pm, moderated by Gemma Gracewood, with Jackie van Beek, Madeleine Sami and James Rolleston. AND, although the tickets to the special event are $20,

Your WIFT discount with EVENT will apply and you will be able to get your seats for $13!! You need to book in person and show your membership card to access the discount.

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!

Produced by three WIFT members - Georgina Condor, Ainsley Gardiner and Carthew Neal, and with your fellow members, Ginny Loane, Amy Barber, Lauren Owens, Victoria Vanderlinden and our corporate members from Department of Post - Katie Hinsen, James Brookes and James Gardner in the crew, this is a night for celebration, and as it is a comedy - good humour!

Jackie and Madeleine have this to say (and they are living up to their words!)

Jackie - "So many of the key creative roles in this film were filled by women. I look forward to the day when that's not an anomaly"

Madeleine - " It's vital that women continue to fill roles behind the camera so that our neglected perspectives are able to be represented"

On 30 April be the first to see The Breaker Upperers, the evening before the official New Zealand Premiere!! Not only do you get to see this fabulous new film before everyone else, you also get a glass of bubbles when you arrive, and a discussion with the star writers, directors, and performers, Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami.

Produced by three WIFT members - Georgina Condor, Ainsley Gardiner and Carthew Neal, and with your fellow members, Ginny Loane, Amy Barber, Lauren Owens, Victoria Vanderlinden and our corporate members from Department of Post - Katie Hinsen, James Brookes and James Gardner in the crew, this is a night for celebration, and as it is a comedy - good humour!

Jackie and Madeleine have this to say (and they are living up to their words!)

Jackie - "So many of the key creative roles in this film were filled by women. I look forward to the day when that's not an anomaly"

Madeleine - " it's vital that women continue to fill roles behind the camera so that our neglected perspectives are able to be represented"

For more information, and to book, follow this link: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2018/a-special-wift-nz-preview-the-breaker-upperers/auckland

Come and party with us!!  Let's support women filmmakers and get their projects off to a great start at the box office!

DEGNZ, WIFT and NZWG invite members for drinks and snacks and to hear leading NZ producer Philippa Campbell (Rain, No. 2, Rubbings From A Live Man) speak to her experiences on two series of Top of the Lake, written by Jane Campion and Gerard Lee, Series One directed by Campion and Garth Davis, and Two by Campion and Ariel Kleiman.

Cash Bar

Nibbles provided

WHEN: Wed 18 April, 6 - 8PM

WHERE: Longroom (Short Rm), 114 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland

Non-members $5 koha appreciated

WOMEN WORKING AT WETA

(note that these roles can be found in other companies too!)

You have heard the terms and do you wonder, like us, what these roles actually are?

How does a VFX producer differ from a post producer?

And how does that differ from a digital producer? What does a digital compositor do?

A CIO (Chief Information Officer) is a major role in many companies and government departments - does it differ when you are in the screen industry, and what exactly is it?

Meet these women and hear about their career paths to date.

What is their background / training?

Did they stumble into the world of digital or was there a planned career path for them?

What would they like to be doing in five years?  Is this a career path for you?

We welcome a great panel:

Beck Veitch - Digital Compositor

Kathy Gruzas - CIO

Lena Scanlan - VFX producer

Sandy Taylor - Film Editor, Senior Production Manager

Moderator:  Vicki Jackways - WIFT board member

Date: Tuesday 3 April

Time:  6pm for a 6.30pm start

Venue: TBC

Members free.  Non-members $15.

Drinks and nibbles provided.

Bookings essential please to office@wiftnz.org.nz

You are all well aware of changes in the commissioning and content teams as portrayed by the media.  Now it is time to hear the facts from the team itself. John Kelly GM Channel Programming, Juliet Peterson GM of Digital Content and Tony Manson Head of Unscripted - Documentaries, Entertainment and Factual Series, will tell you exactly who is doing what at TVNZ, and what plans are for the year ahead for the new team.

Here's the perfect way to understand where the opportunities are (and there are opportunities), and who to deal with at TVNZ NOW!!

This is a unique occasion in Christchurch - bought to you by WIFT and TVNZ.  We hope to see you all there!

5.30pm for a 6pm sharp start.

Drinks and nibbles provided

Members free. Non-members $15

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Please only book if you are definitely attending - this will be a full house. Thank you!

Make sure you get the hottest ticket in town  - it's the 2018 WIFT Awards!!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to celebrate and party the night away!! The perfect excuse to get dressed up and put on your dancing shoes. We have it all - drinks, delicious canapes and a few great surprises too! We have the fabulous Tina Turntables as our DJ.

It is time to get together and enjoy the success of our wonderful women in the NZ screen industry.

Don't miss out on your ticket - they are limited - 300 only!! So click on the link below to secure yours today - you do not want to be disappointed.

Members: $80 (including GST and booking fee)

Non- Members: $110 (including GST and booking fee)

Buy tickets here: https://www.asbwaterfronttheatre.co.nz/women-in-film-and-television-nz/awards/wift-nz-awards-2018/

THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR DREAMS!

Karyn Rachtman is an internationally acclaimed music supervisor, now based in New Zealand.

Her company, Mind Your Music http://mindyourmusic.com/ is responsible for delivering some of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling soundtracks of all time.

Her 57 credits on IMDB include North Country, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs.

In her workshop Karyn will cover:

• The expertise Music Supervisors, Music Consultants & Clearance people have
  • How they work with Producers, Directors, Studios, Editors.
  • Tips on how filmmakers can handle music services on their own
  • When it is best to hire someone for music services
• The importance of forming relationship with Publishers, Labels, Artists, Managers and Music Lawyers
• Approaching and negotiating deals with labels, publishers, artists and composers both in NZ and internationally
• Don't give up on your dream soundtrack, ways to get what you want
  • Songs, Composers, Songwriters, Producers
• How a soundtrack can become a great marketing tool and additional revenue stream.

Date: Tuesday 27th February

Venue: The Film School, Wellington

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start

WIFT members free; non-members $15                   Drinks and nibbles provided

Don't miss out, book your seat today!  RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Karyn Rachtman is an internationally acclaimed music supervisor, now based in New Zealand.

Her company, Mind Your Music http://mindyourmusic.com/ is responsible for delivering some of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling soundtracks of all time.

Her 57 credits on IMDB include North Country, Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs.

In her workshop Karyn will cover:

• The expertise Music Supervisors, Music Consultants & Clearance people have
  • How they work with Producers, Directors, Studios, Editors.
  • Tips on how filmmakers can handle music services on their own
  • When it is best to hire someone for music services
• The importance of forming relationship with Publishers, Labels, Artists, Managers and Music Lawyers
• Approaching and negotiating deals with labels, publishers, artists and composers both in NZ and internationally
• Don't give up on your dream soundtrack, ways to get what you want
  • Songs, Composers, Songwriters, Producers
• How a soundtrack can become a great marketing tool and additional revenue stream.

Date: Thursday 22^nd February

Venue: ENVY Studios, Level 2, 55 Anzac Avenue, Auckland

Time: 6pm for 6.30pm start

RSVPs essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Come and join our annual shindig with our friends at all the other guilds!  It is a great party!!

Make sure to bring your membership card.

You may bring a guest with you but make sure you RSVP to:

bit.ly/XmasParty-Akl

It will be a full house!!

You are all well aware of changes in the commissioning and content teams as portrayed by the media.  Now it is time to hear the facts from the team itself. Cate Slater, Director of Content, John Kelly GM Channel Programming, Juliet Peterson GM of Digital Content and Jude Callen  GM  of Content Creation and the commissioners and programmers , long-standing and new, will tell you exactly who is doing what, and what plans are for the year ahead for the new team.

2018 will start afresh imminently!  Here's the perfect way to understand where the opportunities are, and who to deal with at TVNZ NOW!!

6pm for a 6.30pm start.

Drinks and nibbles provided

Members free.  Non-members $15

RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Please only book if you are definitely attending - this will be a full house.  Thank you!

SO YOU NEED TO FIND A PRODUCER?

What are you looking for exactly?  What experience / skills are required from the person you are entrusting to get your project up.

Where does the producer's role begin and end?  In feature film?  In television? In web series?  In short film?  How do you find yourself an ideal working partner?

It's a long term relationship starting with development (where the producer's market intelligence and/or experience will come to the fore). The right someone for the long haul.

A team of experienced producers, Robin Laing, Virginia Wright and Nadia Maxwell, will lead a panel discussion on how to find the best collaborator for your project.

Nadia Maxwell has worked on numerous documentaries for TVNZ, TV3 and Al Jazeera, she has also produced Here be Monsters and most recently Human Traces.

Virginia Wright's screen credits range from primetime arts and docu-drama programming on TVNZ and TV3 to blue chip documentaries on networks such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic and Fox Television's NHNZ. Virginia is a producer at Paua Productions.

Robin Laing has a longtime interest in telling Kiwi stories, her screen credits include but aren't limited to: haunted car tale Mr Wrong pool movie Stickmen, comedy Ruby and Rata (1990) Perfect Strangers (2003). Laing was also part of the producing team on War Stories, Send a Gorilla (1988) and Niki Caro's adaptation of The Vintner's Luck (2009), shot in France, Belgium and New Zealand.

WHERE: Yoobee Design School, Level 2, Otakaro Buildig, University of Canterbury

WHEN: Wednesday 8th November

TIME: 530pm for 6pm start

Drinks + nibbles provided

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Free - Members // $15 - Non-members

Best wishes,

Kate

Come and join us for WIFTs AGM on October 25th, 2017.

It's a great opportunity to meet the board and see what WIFT has been up to for the past year, and to see what we have planned for the next.

Wine and nibbles will be provided.

Please note you must be a fully paid up Full member to vote.  Friends of WIFT are welcome to attend but please note you will be unable to vote.

Please RSVP to office@wiftnz.org.nz or send in your completed proxy so we can be sure of quorum

SO YOU NEED TO FIND A PRODUCER?

What are you looking for exactly?  What experience / skills are required from the person you are entrusting to get your project up.

Where does the producer's role begin and end?  In feature film?  In television? In web series?  In short film?  How do you find yourself an ideal working partner?

It's a long term relationship starting with development (where the producer's market intelligence and/or experience will come to the fore). The right someone for the long haul.

A team of experienced producers, Robin Laing, Robin Murphy and Catherine Fitzgerald, will lead a panel discussion on how to find the best collaborator for your project.

WHERE: THE FILM SCHOOL, 87 Vivian St, Wellington

WHEN: 18 October

TIME: 6pm for 630pm start

Drinks + nibbles provided

RSVP essential to office@wiftnz.org.nz

Free - Members // $15 - Non-members

WIFT Presents: An Introduction to Lightbox -- NZ's only owned and operated SVOD service and home of The Handmaid's Tale, Mr Robot, Transparent, Suits, and more. Hema Patel (General Manager) and Charlotte Hill (Content Curator) will provide an overview of the Lightbox story so far along with an update on future growth plans which include expanding the platform's offering of local content. This is an invitation-only presentation, followed by an informal reception, designed for our local content-making community.

Though this is an Auckland event, if you're coming up for the Big Screen Symposium, this is ideal timing! Come up a day early, be part of this conversation, enjoy a drink with your fellow WIFT members and Lightbox, then swan up to the fabulous SWANZ awards! Tickets to SWANZ available here

WHEN: September 28, 5-6:30 PM

WHERE: Front Room at Spark, 167 Victoria Street West, Auckland 1010

Free to attend for WIFT members; $15 for non-members.

Drinks and nibbles provided

RSVP for the Lightbox event to office@wiftnz.org.nz

A 50-minute workshop for WIFT lead by Sophia S. from Pop Feels

Sophia will discuss the importance of branding and design and knowing your audience including;

Using graphic design to communicate with your audience on an emotive level

Learning how to give you and your film a competitive edge