Don’t Forgo Watching ‘Four Go Flatting’

Four Go Flatting, directed by DEGANZ board member Justin Scott, is available to watch on TVNZ+.

The locally-made docu-series follows Connor, Mitch, Jesse and Henry, four young men with intellectual disabilities, as they move out of home to live independently for the first time. Across six weeks in a shared Auckland flat, the show follows the lads as they navigate their newfound freedom and the slew of challenges that accompany it.

In the three episodes out now, they come up against the burden of chores, delicate flat-dynamics, and stepping out of their comfort zones.

While the show embraces the comedy of young people stumbling through their twenties, the production approaches the topic with empathy and respect for the men. The show aims to represent people living with disabilities authentically and to foster a greater understanding of those with an intellectual disability.

You can watch the series on TVNZ+ now; new episodes out Mondays at 7:30 pm.

 

Last updated on 26 September 2024

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‘The Forgotten Pacific’ edited by Macbeath

DEGANZ member Laura Macbeath edited CoconetTV‘s new feature documentary, The Forgotten Pacific. The film travels to five Pacific islands to discover how their communities are weaving indigenous knowledge into the modern-day fight to rebuild, adapt, and save their islands from climate change.

Pacific climate leader Suluafi Brianna Fruean uses wisdom and passion to guide the documentary across the waters of Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Samoa. The Forgotten Pacific captures the islands’ vibrant yet challenging lives, speaking to us with stories of struggle and resilience, yet united by an unwavering spirit of survival and hope.

The feature documentary is available to watch now on CoconetTV’s YouTube channel. Great work on the edit Laura!

 

Last updated on 26 September 2024

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New Music Video ‘Countryman’ Out Now

Local singer-songwriter Sabreen’s newest music video Countryman, directed by DEGANZ member Léah McVeagh, is out now.

The song tells the true story of Joe Kum Yung, a Chinese gold miner who moved to Aotearoa in the late 1800s but was murdered by a white supremacist in Wellington in 1905. Through the song, Sabreen ponders what Joe’s life would have been like while wandering through an old house, filmed in Auckland’s Howick Historical Village. The music video jumps between her in the present and Joe in the past, bringing his story into the present day.

Léah wrote the video’s concept based on Sabreen’s lyrics and together they worked to bring Joe’s story to light to ensure he is not forgotten.

Check out the music video here. To see more about the project’s making and the strong team of wahine and Pan-Asian creatives behind the project, check out the BTS video.

Last updated on 25 September 2024

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Signs of Life?

View from the Top banner

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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