DEGNZ Launches Young Creators and Web Series Director Agreement

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DEGNZ launched its new Young Creators initiative with its first event Before You Say Yes to Web Series.

Young Creators is a programme of events with a mission to inform and inspire younger or emerging directors and editors to build successful, sustainable careers in the screen industry.

The Young Creators initiative will be more career and business focused, while the Guild will continue to provide its craft-based professional development programme to members.

At Before You Say Yes to Web Series, Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu spoke in depth about the current issue of digital platforms expecting quality online series at rock-bottom prices.

Problems directors have faced include below minimum wages and a lack of creative rights and copyright. Another issue is that directors have signed contracts without properly understanding the agreement or knowing that they can negotiate for better conditions. And in some instances, directors have not received contracts until long after they have begun working on projects.

In response, DEGNZ outlined a proposed Standard Online Series Director Agreement at the Young Creators event. Tui and Tim Riley from Dominion Law highlighted and provided explanation of sections in the agreement. They also received valuable feedback that will shape the final document.

Because of the many problems that DEGNZ has heard about both directly and anecdotally, the Guild has decided to make the agreement available to both members and non-members on request.

DEGNZ will notify once the standard agreement is ready for release, and filmmakers will be able to receive a free copy by contacting DEGNZ directly.

The Guild encourages everyone to negotiation terms and conditions and get signed contracts before any work is undertaken. Everyone has a right to be compensated fairly either through purely financial terms, or a mixture of fees and retaining copyright, at the same time receiving creative control and rights for the work undertaken.

Thanks to our speakers and everyone who attended and helped make the event a success.

 

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NZTV Awards Names Finalists

Congratulations to former Guild President Peter Roberts who took home the Craft Award for Best Editing: Drama for Jean at the New Zealand Television Awards.

The finalists in the remaining categories were also announced at the Craft Awards ceremony on Wednesday. Congrats to all the finalists and to our members in the running:

Best Director: Multi Camera

Mitchell Hawkes
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards 2016
MediaWorks (Three)

Best Director: Documentary or Factual

Mitchell Hawkes
Born This Way: Awa’s Story
Ruckus (TVNZ1)

Best Script: Comedy

Roseanne Liang
Friday Night Bites
Flat3 Productions (TVNZ On Demand/YouTube)

New Zealand On Air Best Web Series

Friday Night Bites
Maha Albadrawi, Roseanne Liang, JJ Fong, Perlina Lau, Ally Xue & Kerry Warkia
Flat3 Productions (TVNZ On Demand, YouTube)

New Zealand On Air Best Factual Series

Why Am I? – The Science of Us
Paul Casserly, Mark McNeill & Irena Dol
Razor Films (TVNZ1)

The announced finalists for the New Zealand Television Awards to be held on 30 November: http://nztvawards.co.nz/2017-finalists/

For ticketing enquiries: leanore@janda.co.nz

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JOINT STATEMENT REGARDING THE PROPOSED HOBBIT LAW REPEAL

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8th November 2017

A core group of organisations representing those involved in the screen industry met on Friday (3 November 2017) following recent media regarding the Government’s proposed repeal of the Employment Relations (Film Production Workers) Amendment Act 2010 (colloquially known as the ‘Hobbit Law’).

The discussion was positive and the organisations agreed to work constructively with each other and the Government to ensure that all the diverse interests associated with the sector are fairly represented. We look forward to engaging with the Government on what we all agree is a critical piece of legislation for the screen production sector.

Statement released by: Equity New Zealand, the Directors and Editors Guild of New Zealand, the Screen Industry Guild Aotearoa New Zealand, the Screen Producers Association, the Stunt Guild of New Zealand and the New Zealand Writers Guild.

 

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November Film Talk: Psychological Thriller Human Traces

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Join us for a special Rialto Newmarket screening of Human Traces, the debut feature from DEGNZ member Nic Gorman, which was selected for the New Zealand, Melbourne and Toronto film festivals.

When a mysterious young man arrives on a remote Sub-Antarctic research station, secrets threaten the relationship of a married couple working on the island.

Afterwards, lead actor Mark Mitchinson will join us for a 20-minute Q&A, moderated by Tui Ruwhiu.

In their Toronto Film Review, Variety wrote, “Nic Gorman has delivered a suspenseful, engrossing and very well performed mood piece that marks him as a talent worth watching.”

Watch the trailer here.

When: Thu 16 Nov, 6pm
Where: Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, Auckland
Tickets: Via Rialto online or at the cinema; $12 discounted tickets for DEGNZ and film industry members

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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

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