Signs of Life?

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As always, the New Zealand On Air ‘Where Are The Audiences?’ research provides interesting insights into our behaviour when it comes to content on screen. And stimulates interest in what else is affecting our sector.

Broadcasters are possibly breathing a small sigh of relief about TV being second most popular after global video sharing platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), while TV has the highest reach during traditional peak times (6 – 10:30PM), and the highest engagement with Kiwis consuming over 2-hours a day across all TV formats.

Netflix remains by far the most popular Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service reaching 38% of New Zealanders, but both consumption and engagement with SVOD have decreased since last year.

In the US, SVODs are now facing high churn rates of subscribers. The high cost of multiple SVOD services is making people rethink their spending. At the same time, the rapid rise of Free Advertising Supported Television (FAST TV) delivered digitally is making them drop their SVOD services. SVOD companies are now starting to bundle in the way that cable channels used to, to help reduce churn.

Linear TV is one of the components of the FAST TV offering, providing traditional broadcasters with hope of a second life. Learn more about FAST TV here.

While we haven’t seen the rise of FAST TV in NZ yet, the cost of multiple SVOD services amidst our cost of living crisis is undoubtedly causing some Kiwis to cut back.

Our broadcasters, however, are still left with trying to figure out how to deal with the haemorrhaging of advertising revenue to the global video sharing and digital platforms.

The Fair Digital News Media Bill, which in part was designed to assist them, has just gone through a further round of review as it passes through Parliament. And the NZ Herald has just written a piece today about the fight (read bullying) that Google is putting up to the Bill to get its way here as it has done in Canada, and is trying to do elsewhere. Read here.

I imagine TVNZ is taking heart from NZ On Air’s research as it identifies its news as being the most trusted source for New Zealanders by a large margin.

A couple of other interesting points gleaned from the research:

  • Older people (40 – 59) are taking over Instagram, just like they did with Facebook
  • The kids (15 – 24) seem less interested in online gaming, and more interested in podcasts.

As in previous years, things are looking a little sad for TVNZ 2 (18 – 49), while TVNZ+ (18 – 54) continues to justify its investment. You do have to wonder when TVNZ is going to bite the bullet, turn TVNZ 2 off and move everything over to Plus.

Overall, NZ On Air’s research indicates to me that things have stabilised somewhat. But we still operate at the vagaries of international screen winds, which are going to keep blowing and buffeting us about as always.

 

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director

Last updated on 12 September 2024

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‘The Art Of…’ Justin Scott

DEGANZ board member Justin Scott has been busy working overseas, recently producing/directing three episodes of ABC’s The Art Of… in Australia. The series dives into the challenges of life, seeking wisdom, honour, and bravery from an array of artists. Its mission is to answer some of life’s biggest questions through art.

Each episode delves into an aspect of the human condition examining the art of heartbreak, grief, starting over, and more. With such personal topics, the show aims for a less sterile feel with no studio interviews. Instead, each episode asks an artist about their daily routine and goes from there.

Justin’s episodes delve into the art of masculinity, food, and aging. In episode three, he joins drag queen Courtney Act to explore what masculinity looks like today. Courtney meets with metal superstar Winston McCall from Parkway Drive, artist Billy Bain, Dame Mary Beard and the cheeky collective Briefs Factory.

Episode 12 questions if food can be art with chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs, chef Ben Shewry, glass artist Jenni Kemarre Martiniello and an adventure to Indonesia to see an ancient cave painting.

Justin’s third episode follows guest host Yumi Stynes on a journey to explore ‘the art of ageing’. Seeking inspiration, Yumi visits artist Lindy Lee, dancer Meryl Tankard and author Kathy Lette. Meanwhile, Namila Benson visits artist Maree Clarke at her workshop.

Justin shared with DEGANZ,

Working on The Art Of… Series for ABC was a total blast to see how stories ands content are being made overseas. It also provided me the opportunity to bring my kaupapa to the party- bringing more queer and indigenous voices to the table. Even got to squeeze in some Kiwi and Pasifika artists! A highlight on working on this series was taking Matt Preston deep into the jungle of Sulawesi Indonseia to look at one of the first recorded artworks- a 45,000 year old cave painting of a pig. There was a bit of blood, sweat and luckily no tears that day!

Justin Scott (right) in Indonesia with a 45,000 year old cave painting during shooting ‘The Art Of…’

Unfortunately, the series is not available to stream in Aotearoa, but if you ever find yourself in Australia, you can find the episodes on ABC iview.

 

Last updated on 12 September 2024

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DEGANZ Members Selected for 44th HIFF

The full selection of films for the 44th running of Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF) has been announced, 10 of which feature DEGANZ members.

The festival will include 92 features and 114 short films, with the largest selection of Hawai’i films in competition in the festival’s history. HIFF will present multiple films that explore Indigenous perspectives, narrative sovereignty, and the nurturing of cultural identity. Additionally, HIFF is launching a new spotlight showcasing the best in television.

Feature Films

Tinā

HIFF’s opening film this year!

Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on a role as a substitute teacher at an elite private school and is surprised to find children in desperate need of guidance, inspiration, and love.

Editor: Luke Haigh

Grafted

When a brilliant but disfigured Chinese scholarship student is shunned by her fellow classmates at a prestigious New Zealand university, she decides to achieve the popularity she so desperately craves by putting her science studies to a new and terrifying use.

Director: Sasha Rainbow

Writers: Mia Maramara, Hweiling Ow, Sasha Rainbow, & Lee Murray

Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End

Set in 1864 in Waikato, the film tells the story of a pivotal battle in the first land wars between Māori and Colonial forces through the eyes of two teenagers. Amidst the chaos and violence of the conflict, the two forge an unlikely friendship and take control of their destiny.

Editors: Te Rurehe Paki & Martin Brinkler (ACE)

Writer: Tim Worrall

Marimari

Paul Wolffram’s urgent documentary takes us into the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea and one Indigenous woman’s fight against the insidious influence of sanguma – sorcery violence.

Editor: Annie Collins

The Mountain

Sam, a young girl raised outside of her Māori culture, is determined to connect with her mountain in the hope of curing her cancer. Along the way, she meets misfits Mallory and Bronco, each on their own missions. As they journey further off the beaten track, they learn the true spirit of adventure and the magic of friendship.

Co-Editor: Cushla Dillon

Short Films

Chatterbox

Today is the first day of Tui’s dream life. She snuggles in bed with her well-meaning paakeha (white) boyfriend, Edward. Everything’s perfect until her vagina, Teke, calls him a loser.

Editor: Amarbir Singh

First Horse

It’s 1826, and Aotearoa is on the cusp of colonisation. A young Māori girl’s encounter with a dying man and his horse exposes her to the best and worst of her rapidly changing world.

Editor: Cushla Dillon

Honey Kaha

Dr Julia Love welcomes you on a journey to rediscover her infamous TV character Honey Kaha, an Indigenous action legend who wages war on colonisation and oppression – in the form of seafood poachers who steal her son’s favourite delicacy! Honey Kaha is going to find the stolen seafood and bring the sinister villain to justice.

Writer/Director: Te Waiarangi Ratana (MIFF 2024)

Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue

A young speech therapist who has lied about her language skills to get a job must find a new way to communicate when she is assigned to an elderly Tongan patient with aphasia who can no longer speak English.

Director: Vea Mafile’o (MIFF 2024)

Teine

Tala, a devoted daughter navigates the burdens of being the eldest daughter in a Samoan household. Faced with a pivotal decision, she must choose between her duty to her family or the pursuit of her own personal dreams.

Director: Giselle Ilaoa

Turning The Tide – Mātauranga-Led Restoration

Our marine environment is facing enormous pressure from human activities such as excess sediment, nutrients, and plastic pollution, along with impacts at sea from commercial and recreational fishing, aquaculture, extraction of natural resources, introduction of non-indigenous species, and coastal development. These cumulative stressors are being made worse by a changing climate, leading to increased ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and sea-surface temperatures. Turning the Tide: Mātauranga-led Restoration highlights the work of researchers as they pool their knowledge and resources to improve the health of the seas around Aotearoa New Zealand. In Ōhiwa Harbour, Kura Paul-Burke of the University of Waikato is working with doctoral and undergraduate students Kiri Reihana, Megan Ranapia, Te Amai Moana Paul-Burke and Te Waikamihi Lambert to research and restore mussel beds in a Mātauranga-led approach.

Director: Magnolia Lowe

Editor: Amanda Mulderry

Producer: Tui Ruwhiu

 

Congratulations to everyone involved in the selected films!

Last updated on 17 September 2024

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Shingade’s ‘Blue Lights’ Follows a Theatre Show’s Drama On and Off the Stage

DEGANZ member Bala Murali Shingade‘s one-take short film Blue Lights is out on YouTube.

The real-time drama witnesses the unravelling of a theatre show and the consequences of seeking personal glory. In the middle of the show, an unfavourable review drives a young actor’s ambition and insecurities to cause disaster for his troupe. Delivered in one take, the film takes audiences along for the ride revealing the characters’ drama both on and off the stage.

Bala, who comes from both a film and theatre background, wrote, directed, and edited the short. The film was produced by Joyce Wong for Bala’s production company Rocket Park Productions.

The release marks the one year anniversary of the project’s filming as part of the 2023 Toi Film programme. The initiative is a final-year multi-disciplinary production project that partners Toi Whakaari students with some of the local industry’s top emerging and mid-career filmmakers. This round’s films will premiere at The Embassy Theatre in Wellington on 7 November.

You can check out the film on Rocket Park Production’s YouTube channel now!

 

Last updated on 11 September 2024

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Murray Assist Edits on ‘Breaking Silence’

This news piece contains references to domestic violence. Please proceed with care.

DEGANZ member Benjamin Murray was an assistant editor for season 3 of the documentary series Breaking Silence.

The series investigates allegations of systemic failings of  New Zealand’s Family Court in the context of women and children fleeing a violent partner. With each episode highlighting a different case, the show brings together many voices to enforce its main message that abuse thrives in secrecy. By sharing these personal stories, the series challenges the beliefs that allow abuse to continue and encourages the community to call out abuse when they see signs of it. It stresses the importance of awareness and the need to actively intervene, showing that breaking the cycle of abuse requires both the bravery of survivors and the involvement of everyone around them.

You can find all seasons of the show on Māori+ and TP+.

Last updated on 11 September 2024

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