I remember being asked in university what I wanted my career to be. Many of my peers were saying Director, Producer or DOP- my answer was Production Assistant (I think I was a bit realistic about what opportunities were available to me leaving university and I’m glad to say I have exceeded my goal!). Deep down I knew I wanted to be a Director and Producer but I knew that goal was going to take time and hard work- and boy did it.
At the time I was very lucky to be an unpaid intern for Luke Nola of Let’s Get Inventin fame. I would go into his office and scrub, clean and make coffee. Luke still mentions my window-washing skills and I always credit Luke for my start in this industry, as it’s a hard nutshell to crack without someone taking a chance on you.
Thanks to my credit on Luke’s show, I got my first offer as a proper Production Assistant (killing it) working for another Children’s television show Sticky TV for Pickled Possum Production. I will be upfront, it was rough work.
There were presenters, children, a large farm as a set, farm animals, mud, “poop” and 256 episodes to complete and very little time to do it in.
Justin showing off his flecki skills / Photo: provided
It was a gauntlet run of prop making, people wrangling, unpaid OT, camera logging and all other forms of production shenanigans which I shared with two amazing humans Sheldene Seth and Elizabeth Koroivulaono. Elizabeth has just released an amazing documentary The Forgotten Pacific and Sheldene now does amazing work in the commercial space as a Producer. The three of us still cackle in horror about some of the tasks we had to do and the immense pressure we were under to deliver.
I remember feeling like it was all too much and I would often feel like giving up. The Props Department, which we all referred to as the “backroom”, was a place we would often go to vent, hide or cry. We all believed in and supported each other and I credit this little team as a key to persevering through it all. I think we all credit the large expectations to deliver to our own work ethics now and perhaps to our tenacity and the success we have all achieved.
Behind the scene of a photoshoot / Photo: provided
I do think times have changed–there isn’t this immense expectation of life or death to deliver but also there is a much more positive kaupapa around content creation, how we look after our younger crew members and advocacy for safer sets and conditions. These days in my current roles I always make sure I’m sharing knowledge with younger crew members and building them up. I wish I had people like this when I started and I like to think those I have helped up will do the same to others. If there is anything I can pass on to emerging creatives, it’s that it’s a lot of hard work to achieve the career you want but it’s important to advocate for yourself and know what safe working conditions are.
About Justin Scott
Justin Scott (Ngāpuhi) is a Director and Producer who prides himself in sharing stories from underrepresented communities. As a Queer, Māori, Neurodiverse man living with ADHD, his practice often touches upon stories from these communities and explores intersectionality. Most recently, Justin worked as a director and associate producer for the TVNZ series Four Go Flatting – following four young men with intellectual disabilities tackling flatting and independence for the first time. He has been working as a director for the Sunday morning series Attitude for the past four years, also directing on the company’s children’s show George and Me for HEIHEI, and intersectional series What’s the Disabili-tea for RNZ. Alongside his directing work, Justin has produced numerous short films with a Te Ao Māori focus including He Hekenga Tūhura and HAKA HAHA. Both of these films have had successful international festival runs, with both premiering internationally at the world’s largest Indigenous film festival ImagineNATIVE in Toronto.
How I Got Started in the Industry is a guest blog series from the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ). Our members reflect on how they made their way into assistant editing, editing, and directing—with no two stories the same. They offer advice for those starting out. Get in touch with admin@deganz.co.nz if you’re a member and would like to share your story.
Last updated on 26 March 2025
