Tuesday
02
Sep
2025
Visual Takes: An evening with Getty Images

Visual Takes: An evening with Getty Images

Posted Tuesday 17 Feb 2026

You know the story you want to tell. We’ll help you find the content to bring it to life.

Join the Getty Images team for an insider’s look at the suite of services available to producers, from pre-production to post and beyond. Whether it’s scripted or factual, we help producers find the right content (fast), access archival gems or fresh contemporary visuals, navigate licensing and clearance, negotiating and pricing, and much more.

Cass Avery from ‘Prime Minister’ will also be joining a panel of Getty Images experts, where we will delve into her recent project and discuss how partnering with Getty Images services across archive, video and stills was utilised across production Stages.

This session will explore:

  • Frame by frame: from development to distribution, support for scripted and

  • factual productions with Alyssa Orvis

  • A behind the scenes look at the role of a product specialist with Cathy Totten

  • Reel talk with Cass Avery and Alyssa Orvis

  • Lights, camera, quiz! Test your knowledge with an archival quiz

  • The wrap party – networking and drinks

Our panellists are:

Alyssa Orvis: Alyssa is a Sales Executive at Getty Images focused on supporting the TV, film, broadcast and production Industry. Alyssa was a Documentary Investment Manager at Screen Australia for eight years (2013 - 2021), where she was involved in the development, funding and management of a slate of documentaries including features, television series, online shorts, new media projects and emerging filmmaker initiatives. Prior to Screen Australia, Alyssa divided her time between Sydney Film Festival and the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, where she oversaw guest and industry teams and advised on programming from 2009 - 2012. Alyssa also lived in New York for 10 years, where she worked at Tribeca Film Festival, the New York Film Festival and the Bicycle Film Festival.

Cathy Totten: Cathy is a Product Specialist at Getty Images focused on connecting TV & Film producers with major international networks including BBC, NBC, TVNZ and ITN. Prior to joining Getty in 2018, Cathy's broad and diverse background includes competing a Bachelor of Fine Arts at UNSW, running established and emerging art galleries in New York City and shooting events such as Australian Fashion week. She now enjoys helping other creatives create their stories through Getty Images + partners extensive library.

Cass Avery: Cass is EVP of Production & Development at Dark Doris. As a producer, executive producer and writer, Cass has helmed and scripted more than 40 documentaries and television series commissioned in NZ, Australia and the US. Her projects have screened on Netflix, Amazon, WBD, Hulu, SKY UK and Seven Australia. Cass produced Chasing Great, releasing in 2016 which is New Zealand’s highest ever grossing cinema documentary.  In 2019 she executive produced and wrote Jessica's Tree, and co-produced it’s companion feature documentary Girl on the Bridge. Cass also produced the Amazon original Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles,  the 4 part true crime documentary series Black Coast Vanishings made for Warner Brothers Discovery with Studio Canal In 2025 she executive produced the John Clarke feature documentary Not Only Fred Dagg and produced the film Prime Minister that premiered at Sundance and won the coveted Audience Award at both Sundance and at The Sydney Film Festival.

📅 Date: Tuesday 2nd September
📍 Location: Grid, Lysaght Building
🕠 Time: 6.00PM – 8.30PM

We look forward to a relaxed, insightful evening and discussing how Getty Images can support WIFT members with their upcoming/current projects.

Snacks and drinks will be provided.

Free to WIFT members and $20 for non-members. Book Your Attendance Here

Date: Tuesday 02 Sep 2025
Location: Grid, Lysaght Building, 101 Pakenham Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010
Time: 6.00pm - 8:30pm

Tuesday
02
Sep
2025

Upcoming events...

Thursday 12 Mar 2026

WIFT Awards 2026

The Women In Film & Television (WIFT NZ) Awards will take place on 12th March 2026 at St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland.

A time for us to celebrate the achievements of the wonderful women in our screen industry!

Date: Thursday 12th March 2026
Time: 7pm - 11pm
Venue: St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS VIA HUMANITIX

Forget everything you think you know about awards ceremonies. Yes, we're celebrating incredible women across our industry. From emerging talents to legends who've shaped New Zealand screen. But this is no stuffy gala!

You walk into the stunning St Matthew-in-the-City, welcome drink in hand. The room is buzzing. MC Kate Rodger brings the laughs and the heart. Surprises unfold throughout the night (we're not spoiling them, you'll have to be there). And when the formalities wrap? The dance floor opens and we raise the roof.

Your ticket gets you:

  • Entry to an unforgettable night of celebration

  • Open bar (yes, really! Thanks to the legends at FAT Lighting)

  • Delicious canapés courtesy of Little Wolf Catering

  • Surprise appearances

  • A room full of brilliant, inspiring screen industry people

  • A chance to dust off that formal outfit 

  • All for a price that won't break the bank

Whether you're flying solo or bringing your crew (all genders welcome), this is THE place to be.

Click here for the full press release and past winners.

Don't sleep, get your tickets now!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

With thanks to our supporters: NZ On Air, Great Southern Film & Television, Perpetual Entertainment, Hinterland, Images & Sound, Sky, Professional Lighting Services, Queenstown Camera Company, SAE Creative Media Institute, South Pacific Pictures, Te Māngai Pāho, Wētā FX & FAT Lighting.

Sunday 15 Mar 2026

Screen Parents & Little Ones - Causal Industry Parents Meet-Up

WIFT and Tāmaki Makaurau Screen Industry Network (TMSIN) are super-keen to ensure parents of young children in our industry can remain connected to our community, at a time when that sense of professional and personal connection can be so important. 

We invite industry parents, especially those of babies and young children, to join us for a very casual catch up. Whether you're working, or taking an extended break from working, you're welcome to come along! Please register if you plan to come, so we can let you know about any changes like weather, etc.

Look out for Sam & James! (Photos in the banner above) We won't have a flag up, just come and introduce yourself.

We really encourage you to join us, so we can get a feel for whether there's an appetite for more of this. Come as you are, no fanciness required. Milk stains and sleep-deprivation all welcome. 

Date: Sunday 15th March

Time: 10am - 1pm

Location: Cornwall Park, meeting by the band rotunda (Click here for exact location via Google Maps)

Wet weather plans TBC

BYO children, blankets, snacks and games!

Please register with your phone numbers, in case of changes.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER VIA HUMANITIX

Wednesday 25 Mar 2026

Boost Your Work: Running A Successful Boosted Campaign (Christchurch)

Crowdfunding a film is one thing. Keeping a campaign alive, building momentum, finding your audience, and turning strangers into supporters is something else entirely. This panel brings together filmmakers for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to run a successful creative crowdfunding campaign in Aotearoa.

We will have Flynn Robson from Boosted, New Zealand's dedicated arts crowdfunding platform discuss how the platform works. He will be joined by Annabel Kean (The Weed Eaters) and Kim Georgine (A Son's Return Home), two filmmakers who have successfully been through the process themselves.

This session goes beyond the basics. Expect practical insights on platform optimisation, lateral thinking around outreach, and a frank discussion about what nobody tells you before you launch.

Whether you're mid-campaign, planning your first, or just crowdfunding-curious, this panel is your chance to learn from the people who've been through it, and come away with ideas you can use straight away.

We thank The Arts Foundation for collaborating with us on this event, as well as Kōawa Studios for hosting it. We are excited to be the first event held at the new theatre!

Date: Wednesday 25th March
Location: Kōawa Theatrette, University of Canterbury, Carpark 3, 21 Dovedale Avenue, Christchurch
Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm, workshop from 6:30pm-8:30pm

 

Free for WIFT members, $20 for non-members.

Wednesday 25 Mar 2026

Making It Work: Camera Up-Skilling with Tammy Williams (Wellington)

This event is BACK after a successful run in Christchurch, we are now bringing it to Wellington!

How do you create great visual work when resources are tight and you're working in a smaller market?

Join us for a practical workshop with Tammy Williams that explores the collaborative process between camera operators, directors, and producers. We'll dig into the real questions: What gear is essential (and what can wait)? How do camera operators and directors work together to achieve a shared vision? How do you balance creative ambition with budget realities?

This session covers both the technical and creative sides, from building camera skills and confidence to negotiating visual storytelling decisions and finding pathways to experience. Whether you're a camera operator, director, producer, or wearing multiple hats, this is about understanding how to work together effectively to create compelling content.

We will be using current industry standard camera gear thanks to Portsmouth.

Date: Wednesday 25th March
Location: Wētā Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington
Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm, workshop from 5:30pm-8:00pm

Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
Free to WIFT members and $20 for non-members.

Click here to get your tickets via Humanitix

 

Programme is brought to you with generous support from the NZ Film Commission and Foundation North.