Around the Traps

Last newsletter I postulated about what might and might not occur in regard to the screen industry once the portfolios were assigned. Little did I know it would be referenced in the Hollywood Reporter here.

I was wrong about Grant Robertson getting the Arts portfolio but happily so as Jacinda kept it.

My suggestion that the Hobbit Law was ‘goneburger’ was closer to the mark—the government’s announcement that it would remove the ‘Hobbit Law’ within the first 100 days has prompted a flurry of activity both in front of and behind the camera. We are in dialogue with all of the guilds at this point, and have been communicating with the minister involved. There’s a lot more to be done in and around this and it will take some time. We’ll update you when we have something to say.

Duncan Grieve gave his opinion yesterday on what the new government means for TV here.

And Clare Curran, the new Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media in Radio NZ’s Mediawatch programme gave answer to my thoughts on Radio NZ+, TVNZ and other matters here.

A more interesting development with our digital platforms is the current appeal by Stuff and NZME against the Commerce Commission’s decision to reject their merger. The Crown has brought out the big guns with Jim Farmer QC representing its case. It will be interesting to see if the outcome is StuffMe or “Stuff you!” The latest on this here.

Media watcher John Drinnan on his blog tips interim CEO of Māori Television and Māori businessman Keith Ikin as the next MTS CEO in a short article seriously in need of a spelling and grammar check here.

And finally, a tip of the hat to Taika Waititi… again. Thor: Ragnarok has topped the box office charts in NZ in 2017 with $2.23 million in its first weekend. Global box office is expected to hit US$400 million by Sunday, when the film will see its first weekend in the highly lucrative US market. Those are amazing numbers considering Thor still has a lot of legs left in international markets, and the global total for the last film in the Thor franchise six years ago was US$449 million all up. Taika will be laughing all the way to the pēke.

 

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director

Last updated on 20 February 2018

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Rehearsal & Performance with Director Michael Duignan

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DEGNZ welcomes directors and actors to register their interest for a chance to take part in Rehearsal & Performance, DEGNZ’s revamped Rehearsal Room workshop series.

Michael DuignanIn this hands-on half-day workshop, director Michael Duignan (Go Girls, Filthy Rich, The Blue Rose) will look at the director/actor relationship and share ways in which directors and actors can work better collaboratively to achieve great on screen performances.

Rehearsal & Performance brings together participants in groups of three (one director, two actors) to explore and rehearse a scene in a safe and non-pressured environment. Michael will give each group guidance and advice throughout the workshop.

Participants are expected to do some preparation beforehand. DEGNZ will provide the scene in advance.

Directors and actors register via Eventbrite by Friday 10 November, 12 noon. Spots are limited to four directors and eight actors. If selected, DEGNZ will contact you directly to confirm your participation.

 

What: Rehearsal & Performance with Director Michael Duignan

When: Saturday 25 November, 9am – 2pm; lunch provided

Where: Kingsland, Auckland

Cost: Free; workshop is only open to members of DEGNZ and Equity NZ.

Register at: Eventbrite

Last updated on 19 March 2018

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2017 Screen Guilds Christmas Parties

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Come have a drink with us to celebrate another successful year at the Screen Guilds Christmas Parties in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch!

Cash Bar, nibbles provided.

Please note: You must RSVP on Eventbrite in advance. ONLY financial members of the Guilds and Associations (+1 partner) will be eligible to join. Membership card required.

Auckland RSVP here

Christchurch RSVP here

Wellington RSVP here

Christmas Party 2017 AKL Final

 

Christmas Party 2017 CHC Final

Christmas Party 2017 WTN Final

Last updated on 26 February 2018

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DEGNZ Welcomes Opportunity to Collectively Bargain

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For Immediate Release

Monday 30 October 2017

The Directors & Editors Guild of NZ (DEGNZ) welcomes the opportunity to collectively bargain on behalf of its membership in the event that the new Government repeal the controversial ‘Hobbit Law’, an amendment rushed through Parliament that classified all film workers as ‘independent contractors’, unable to bargain collectively and receive other benefits associated with being an employee.

“In our recent Annual Survey of the membership conducted independently by Trace Research, an overwhelming 84 per cent of directors and editors wanted the Guild to collectively bargain on their behalves,” said Executive Director of DEGNZ Tui Ruwhiu.

“In the same survey, 32.5% of directors saw a decrease in their income in the last year compared to the year before, and 32.5% of directors earn less than $1,000 per week. This is obviously a concern for us.”

“It’s not unusual for directors to be one of the more poorly paid roles on set, particularly in feature and short film and non-drama TV,” Ruwhiu added. “Unlike technicians, directors do not receive overtime payments, their pay rates can be poor, and their hours generally longer that most others in the execution of their work.”

“Director rates have been trending downward in many sectors of the industry over the last 10 to 20 years and we need to do something about it.”

New Zealand directors get very few opportunities to work on international productions coming to New Zealand, depending almost exclusively on domestic New Zealand production to make a living.

With the number of local feature films produced each year in New Zealand numbering between five and fifteen, only five to fifteen New Zealand directors get a job on those productions, and in many cases the director is required to reduce or defer their fee to get the production made.

The majority of the Guild’s directors are contracted to productions for New Zealand television, documentary, advertising and in the corporate arena where they make videos, promos and branded content.

“The status of directors within the industry and with the wider public is generally high. Unfortunately, the reality when it comes to terms and conditions and particularly income for many of our director members is poor,” Ruwhiu concluded.

“Collective bargaining would provide a positive means for the Guild to improve the lot of directors in New Zealand, which is not possible under the current individual contracting regime.”

ENDS

For more information contact:

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director
Directors & Editors Guild of NZ
+64 21 659 950
tui@deganz.co.nz

Last updated on 10 April 2018

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Join Us for a Seresin Estate Wine Tasting and Networking Evening

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Screenlink Seresin Wine Tasting

DEGNZ invites you to a special Screenlink networking evening on 15 November in Auckland for members of DEGNZ, NZWG, SCGNZ and SPADA.

Join Clive Dougall, winemaker for Seresin Estate, to taste and learn about five handcrafted wines from Marlborough.

The sentinel stone at the entrance to Seresin Estate bears a subtle handprint, a symbol of strength, gateway to the heart, tiller of the soil and the mark of the artisan.

Founded in 1992 by cinematographer and longtime DEGNZ supporter Michael Seresin, the Estate lies in the heart of Marlborough at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, with vineyards spread across the warm stony Wairau Valley floor and up into the gentle clay slopes of the Omaka Valley to the South.

 

The official wine tasting will run for one hour, followed by networking time with Seresin wine at hand.

Wine and nibbles provided.

 

What: Seresin Estate Wine Tasting & Networking Evening

When: Wed 15 November, 6 – 7.45pm

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

Entrance and carpark at back of Centre

 

TICKETS are free but must be booked in advance via Eventbrite as spaces are limited.

Members only – DEGNZ, SPADA, SCGNZ, NZWG

You must be 18+ to attend.

Tickets close Monday 6 November, 12 noon.

Last updated on 26 February 2018

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