A JOURNEY WITH FILM
I can say that the majority of my 30 years within the film
industry have been mostly happy, satisfactory, fulfilling and
worthwhile and I've been very fortunate to have met so many
interesting, talented and famous people along the way. Together
with plenty of stress and some sadness there has also been an
enormous amount of fun. I loved my job as a colour timer and more
recently working on film preservation and replicating original
tints.
This Film Processing and Printing Laboratory, which I very much
feel a part of had it's beginnings in 'The Old Tin Shed' behind
Parliament followed by a brief spell on Lambton Quay.
In 1927 A.A.P. McKenzie (the contractor for processing and
printing of the Publicity Offices films) formed Film
Craft Ltd. and built the Miramar film studio and laboratory.
The National Film Unit was set up in Miramar in 1941 in the same
building.
Then in 1978 it was moved to new purpose built premises in
Fairway Drive, Park Ave. Lower Hutt.
In 1990 it was taken over by TVNZ and became The Film Unit.
1999 saw it being bought by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh and the
subsequent move back to Miramar to become Park Road Post Production
in 2005.
Looking to the future, we are now back within a stones throw of
'The Old Tin Shed.'
Archives New Zealand aquired the Film Lab in 2013 and now after
all the planning and legalities etc. have been approved it is
waiting and ready to be installed in Mulgrave Street Thorndon.
This is a very exciting time for all involved especially for
four of us who have accompanied the lab from Park Road Miramar. We
have over 100 years experience between us and are very positive
about our future with film and Archives New Zealand and we are
raring to go.
We have two set goals.
The first to preserve a huge amount of nitrate and acetate
titles facing deterioration. These are mainly National Film Unit
productions presently stored in vaults on the premises or in a
bunker up north.
These titles will be preserved onto polyester stock and saved
for the next 150 years or so. Future generations will be able to
look back on life as it was for New Zealanders in the 1920's -
1980's and can continue to save in the appropriate
manner of the day.
Our second goal is to provide laboratory processing of negative
16mm and 35mm, Black & White and Colour. Assembled as 'rushes'
and prepared ready for telecine transfer.
This essentially means that if film makers and production
companies wish to shoot on film in New Zealand, we will be here to
take care of their negative.
We will be collaborating with Park Road Post Production and
Kodak to make this flow and work for our clients.
I got a huge buzz at the WIFT awards last week when I won the
category sponsored by Professional Lighting Services for 'Unsung
Heroine of the N.Z. Screen Industry.'
I was completely overwhelmed and the occasion left me thinking
about the many colleagues, managers, workmates and clients who have
helped me throughout the years.
I can't thank them enough for all the support and
friendship they have given me.
I continue to be a 'backroom girl' with my heart firmly in film
and it's future.
View Lynne Reed's membership profile.