Every once in awhile we get contacted at the guild by producers or other individuals wanting recommendations for directors, editors or assistant editors.

And I can tell you, we do get contacted about Hollywood projects as well.

To be fair to all of our members, we are unable to make recommendations to these inquirers.

Rather, we refer them to our membership directory, where we tell them they can search for director, editor, assistant editor, and by genre.

Of course, if a member hasn’t filled out their profile in our directory, they miss getting considered for the opportunities that come along.

The next disadvantaged lot are those who don’t keep their profiles up to date, don’t include some detail about themselves, just put an external link to an outside website or streaming site, or even worse, a link that goes to a social media account that is private and requires a request to get access.

Yes, it’s only a click away, but there’s an opportunity to engage with a bio/filmography or statement and to talk directly to the visitor right there and then on the DEGANZ site, without making them do one more click before they learn something.

The old advertising maxims of The Hook, The Value Proposition, Proof and Credibility, and Call to Action are worth considering. Done properly, the directory visitor will really want to go where you want them to, to learn more about you and your work.

And don’t forget, people don’t necessarily contact us first. They can just go directly to our membership directory.

In the end, you are asking the interested party to consider you if there is even an inkling that you might be right for the role.

In our time-poor world, it’s easy for those scrolling through to blow someone off if they don’t find anything worthwhile immediately.

And that brings me to the headshot.

There’s debate about whether or not to include a headshot, with pros and cons. But one thing is de rigueur if you are going to include one: have it look as professional as possible. This doesn’t mean you should have a passport-style mugshot. There are ways to inject your personality into a good photo, particularly if you have someone who knows how to use a camera to do your shot for you.

Of course, if you are well known in New Zealand for what you do, then maybe it’s not so important that you have a good profile on our site.

But what if Hollywood, Europe or the UK come calling? Just saying…

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director

Last updated on 18 June 2026