ScreenSafe – COVID-19 Protocols – The End of the Traffic Light System

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Red traffic light against clouds in the sky

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

As of 11:59pm on Monday 12 September, the COVID-19 Protection Framework (AKA the Traffic Light System) ended. With case numbers falling, a highly vaccinated population, and increased access to antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19, public health experts say it is safe to remove most COVID-19 rules and end border restrictions.

This means that for most settings, including work places and film shoots, we can go back to “life as normal”. Mask wearing, physical distancing, testing, etc. is no longer a Government requirement in most situations. Though don’t be surprised if you are still asked to wear a mask. And some people will still chose to wear one.

Safety Protocols for the Screen Industry

As of Monday night the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Protocols are no longer valid. But please note that COVID-19 has by no means been eradicated. And it will still be part of our lives for the foreseeable future.

Depending on the individual needs of a production, the specific requirements of a scene or location, or the personal situation of a crew or cast member, some productions may still need to utilise some of the many safety measures we’ve gotten used to over the last few years, including mask wearing, testing, vaccination status and the use of health declarations and release deeds. It’s up to each production to clearly state their intention. If a production sees the need for putting in place additional COVID-19 safety measures, we recommend that they engage with the crew and the safety team as early as possible.

Personal Responsibility

While regular testing and mask wearing will not be mandatory for most productions, personal responsibly for yourself and your colleagues will become more important.

Most of us are freelance contractors and don’t have the safety net that employees have with sick days, etc. So if we can’t work, we don’t get paid… This goes for both yourself and your colleagues.

If you feel sick, please notify production and/or safety. Please test when unwell or if you are a household contact.

Where is Mask Wearing Still Mandatory?

Masks will still be required in hospitals and other healthcare facilities like medical centres, pharmacies, A&E, etc.

New Rules for Household Contacts

Positive cases must still self-isolate for at least 7 days, but Household Contacts no longer need to isolate. If you live with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, we recommend you:

  • take a rapid antigen test (RAT) each day for 5 days in order to go to work
  • avoid contact with the person who has COVID-19

Travellers Arriving Into New Zealand

Vaccination requirements for travellers arriving in New Zealand will end, including air crew.

People entering New Zealand will be given free RATs and are recommend to test on the day they arrive and on day 5 or 6.

Sincerely,
The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Group
Email: info@screensafe.co.nz

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Directing In the Intimate Zone – Wellington

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Remove the fear and create a safe, creative work environment with this practical introduction to directing on-screen intimacy.

DEGANZ invites directors, producers, casting directors and 1ADs to receive training on considerations and respectful processes when working on a range of ‘intimate scenes’.

You will learn how these processes ensure that the work is consensual, engaging and best serves the story, and what information producers and casting should provide early on.

This one-day workshop on October 2 will be led by intimacy coordinator Carrie Thiel. We will start the day with discussion, real world examples and demonstrations. Afterwards, we will practise working with actors on developing intimate scenes in a safe, supportive and creative space.

Please note: this workshop is R18 and there will be no nudity in the workshop.

Who’s it for?

All drama directors, producers, 1ADs and casting directors. We welcome professionals and film school graduates.

 

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Breakout Directors

DEGANZ invites directors to apply to direct a scene as a breakout director. We have four places. Other attendees will get to observe the breakouts.

Breakout directors will take turns directing pairs of actors on an intimate scene under the tutors’ guidance. If selected, you may submit a short, intimate scene for two characters – either with or without dialogue – for consideration ahead of the workshop. We can also provide you with a scene if preferred.

Breakout directors must have experience directing actors for screen, but don’t need experience with directing intimacy.

About Carrie Thiel

Carrie is a Wellington based intimacy coordinator, performance director and actor whose career has spanned film, theatre, ballet, opera, television, and video games.  They hold a BFA in Acting (UofA, Canada) and an MFA in Directing & Creative Practice (VUW, New Zealand).  She is also a trained and accomplished stunt performer and a certified fight director and instructor.

Carrie began training as an intimacy coordinator in 2018 under Rachel Flesher (Intimacy Directors International, USA) and later with Ita O’Brien (Intimacy on Set, UK).  She has further attended courses with Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (USA), Theatrical Intimacy Educators (USA) and Intimacy Professionals Association (USA).  Carrie has worked as an IC for Netflix, feature films and numerous short films, web series and professional theatre productions.

Alongside their work as an intimacy coordinator, Carrie is currently the Creative Producer at BATS Theatre in Wellington, and previously worked as a motion capture director.  Carrie has developed education programs for the Vancouver Film School and The Bosa Centre for Film and Animation (Canada), and has worked as an educator and consultant across the United States and Canada, England, Norway, Finland, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

Workshop Details

When: Sunday 2 October 2022, 9:30am – 5pm

Where: two/fifty-seven, Level 2 / 57 Willis Street, Wellington 6011

Cost:
DEGANZ member – Free
Member of other screen guild/association – $75 $37.50
Non-member – $95 $47.50

Includes tea/coffee and lunch.

Our Payment and Cancellation Policy

COVID-19: While the Traffic Light System has ended, we will require everyone to take a RAT to attend. You are welcome to wear a mask.

To Apply

Applications Close: Monday 26 September, 3PM

Please complete the application form below and email your CV to admin@deganz.co.nz. Your CV should clearly list your filmography and include details such as festival selection and year, commissioners and/or platforms where your work has publicly screened.

DEGANZ will email you to confirm if your application has been accepted.

Application Form

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Made possible with the financial support of the New Zealand Film Commission.

NZFC

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Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back Sweeps at 2022 Creative Arts Emmys

Congratulations to DEGANZ member Sir Peter Jackson on his documentary series The Beatles: Get Back winning big at the 2022 Creative Arts Emmys.

The Disney+ production collected all five awards from its five nominations – Outstanding Documentary or Non Fiction Series, Outstanding Picture Editing (editor Jabez Olssen), Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Sound Editing.

Get Back takes audiences on an exclusive look into the dynamics of the iconic music group in their final year as a band. It features nearly 8 hours of fantastically restored never-before-seen or heard footage and audio completed by Park Road Post Production in Wellington. Peter, the only person in 50 years granted access to the film archives, directed the epic documentary to showcase the camaraderie and musical ingenuity that still defines the band’s legacy to this day. It’s a must-see for any fans of the band!

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Millie Lies Low, Lying Low No More!

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Feature film Millie Lies Low, directed by Guild member Michelle Savill (DEGANZ Incubator 2018), will be hitting cinema screens around the country on September 29!

Millie Lies Low screened internationally at renowned festivals, including NZIFF, Berlinale, SXSW, Māoriland, Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh. The team is excited to bring the film back home for Aotearoa audiences to enjoy.

The film follows anxiety-ridden Millie who, after a moment of panic, misses her flight from Wellington to her internship at a prestigious architecture firm in New York. When she doesn’t have enough money to buy another ticket and can’t face the shame of telling her friends and family, she hatches a plan.

As she hunts for another ticket, Millie lies low in her hometown and uses her wits and carefully crafted social media posts to convince everyone that she is successfully living it up in NYC. As the facade begins to crumble and options run out, she resorts to taking increasingly desperate measures to stay afloat.

You can catch Millie Lies Low in a theatre near you on September 29.

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Mary Mary Features in Someday Stories 2022 Series

Someday Stories has released the first four films of its 2022 series, featuring Mary Mary. Congratulations to the editor, DEGANZ member Sam Small.

The short film, written and directed by Gabriella Gilbert, is set in 1963 and based on true events. It follows eighteen-year-old Mary as she faces an unplanned pregnancy. She is forced to take things into her own hands when her relationships and future are at stake, changing the course of more than just her own life.

Additionally, DEGANZ 2018 Incubator alum Michelle Savill was the project’s production mentor.

Someday Stories focuses on six sustainability-themed shorts by young kiwi filmmakers each year. From drama to documentaries to music videos, the series sparks ideas and stimulates conversation about the future and sustainability. This year’s series concentrates on stories based on true events that portray issues that permeate current society and how our choices affect us and future generations.

You can watch Mary Mary here.

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