Briefing to the Incoming Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage

Briefing to the
Incoming Minister
for Arts, Culture
and Heritage
October 2014
New Zealand Film Commission
Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga
Level 3, 119 Ghuznee Street,
Wellington 6011
Tel: 04 3827680
www.nzfilm.co.nz
Beyond the Known World
What We Do in the Shadows
The Dark Horse
About the
New Zealand
Film Commission
The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) is here to ensure New Zealand
has a successful screen industry. We are an Autonomous Crown Entity,
operating under the New Zealand Film Commission Act 1978.
We:
• Find, foster and connect outstanding New Zealand screen talent
Help exciting ideas become great films
•
Get more people to see great New Zealand films
•
Grow New Zealand’s screen industry.
25 April
•
Briefing to the Incoming Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
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Planning for success
We judge our success by the success of the New Zealand
screen industry. To describe what success would look like,
we use the image of ‘lining up the planets’ for our industry
and stakeholders: That is, when we look up at the night sky,
if each planet is shining bright, we’re getting it right.
Amazing
original
different
satisfying
films
Lining up the planets
Culturally
significant
films
More eyeballs
on films (here
& overseas)
Increased
economic
activity
Pathways &
careers for
people
For our industry AND
our stakeholders
Looking up today, the stars are
shining brightly. After a challenging period, today the
screen industry in New Zealand is in good shape. We are
celebrating recent successes and looking forward to a
higher level of production activity in 2015 than we have
seen for some time.
Here’s an overview of what’s happening on each planet.
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Amazing, original,
different, satisfying films
Our aim is for a truly diverse selection of films, so that
everyone – regardless of age, ethnicity or anything
else – can see films they love and are blown away by.
We want the industry to keep bringing us exciting
ideas so that we can help turn them into great
films. We are working at making our part of the
process more flexible, responsive and helpful. For
example, we are improving the turn-around time for
giving feedback to the sector. We are looking at
ways to encourage more lower-budget films; not to
undermine pay and conditions, but to enable the
production of more films, creating more opportunities
for filmmakers and performers. Original and different films
The films we support are amazingly varied in content
and style.
The Dark Horse. An inspiring true story based on the life of
a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand hero and
chess champion - Genesis Potini. It has earned over $1.9m
at the New Zealand box office so far. Hip Hop-eration. A poetic feel-good documentary
film that proves age has no limits and that hip hop
can set you free. It is an inspirational self-help journey
for anyone fearful of growing old and is currently
screening in cinemas.
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Culturally
significant films
Telling New Zealand stories through film matters to
New Zealanders and we are proud to support our
filmmakers.
Telling our stories
All NZFC funded films tell stories that are relevant to
New Zealanders. Some examples are:
Over half of the top 15 New Zealand films are about,
by or star Māori and Pacific Islanders.
Our new initiative He Ara is aimed at empowering
groups of writers, producers and directors of Māori
and Pasifika heritage to develop films in a more
devolved, collaborative fashion. We have offered
funding support under this programme to Blacklands,
Piki and South Pacific Pictures.
The Dead Lands. This pre-European Te Reo language
action feature is an official NZ/UK co-production produced by
Matthew Metcalfe in conjunction with writer Glenn Standring
(Perfect Creature) and director Toa Fraser (Dean Spanley). It
has its premiere on 22 October in Auckland.
25 April. This is a Gallipoli themed documentary feature project.
Producer Matthew Metcalfe and director Leanne Pooley (who
collaborated successfully together last year on the Hillary documentary
feature Beyond the Edge) come together again to make what will be
the NZFC’s first animated feature.
25 April
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More eyeballs on films
(here and overseas)
Increasingly people are watching films on small
screens (mobile, TV or online) as well as big screens
(cinemas). Together with NZ On Air, we have
employed a researcher to help us and our filmmakers
understand more about who’s watching, when
and how, so that we can better plan to reach more
viewers including expatriate New Zealanders.
We’re making our back catalogue of NZFC-funded
films available through our video-on-demand platform
NZ Film On Demand, so New Zealanders can watch
them for a small fee. The collection will grow as new
titles are added, and eventually it will be opened up
to international customers.
New Zealand box office successes
Its been a good year for New Zealand film at the box office.
What We Do in the Shadows earned over $2.5 million in gross
box office in New Zealand.
The ultra-low-budget documentary Gardening with Soul
earned just under $500,000, an outstanding result and the
fourth highest grossing locally-produced documentary in
New Zealand history.
Additionally, we’ve just negotiated an agreement
with leading distributor HanWay Film’s Londonbased specialist film division HanWay Select to sell a
collection of more than 50 films that feature the best
of New Zealand cinema to broadcasters.
Alongside these initiatives, we are continuing
to connect producers with the international
marketplace, hosting events such as a sales agents’
lunch at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Increased
economic activity
We are expecting a high level of activity over the
next year, as projects funded by NZFC and films and
television series supported through the New Zealand
Screen Production Grant (NZSPG) start production.
The new NZSPG framework was introduced in
April this year. We administer the grant, which is
funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation
and Employment ($252.78m over five years for
international productions) and the Ministry of Culture
and Heritage ($83.75m over five years for New
Zealand productions). Both grants are a five-year
appropriation.
As a result of this grant programme a new NZ/UK
co-production TV series called Tatau, produced by
South Pacific Pictures, is filming now and will screen
on BBC Three. In addition, the filming of the next
series of Power Rangers has begun in Auckland.
For the first time this series will be featuring a New
Zealand character among the team of superheroes
and will also engage New Zealand talent as directing
and writing interns.
Films in production
Projects getting underway with assistance from NZFC
include:
Beyond the Known World. This feature drama will be
New Zealand’s first official co-production with India.
Born to Dance. This soon-to-be-shot feature is being directed
by accomplished writer/director/actor, Tammy Davis.
Atomic Falafel. A New Zealand/Israel/Germany
official co-production.
We are extending the film co-production agreement
with China to television, which is expected to result in
new work for the New Zealand screen industry.
Beyond the Known World
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Pathways and
careers for people
We are changing the way we approach talent
development, picking up on the valuable insights
provided in the 2010 Review by Sir Peter Jackson
and David Court.
There are many different pathways that a talented New
Zealander can take towards working as a producer,
director, writer or actor on a feature film. Each
individual will use different stepping stones along their
path. The diagram below describes some of these
stepping stones. The black stones are fully funded
and supervised by the New Zealand Film Commission,
such as our short film funding programmes and
development funds. The grey stones are funded
by us but managed by others, for example guild or
industry organisation training. The white stepping
stones are independent of the NZFC such as film
schools and screen production companies.
We are trialling some new initiatives, such as funding
workshops and mentoring for writers, directors and
producers. We are tweaking our support for short
films, after consulting with the industry. And we
continue to provide travel grants and professional
development grants to talented individuals.
Short film success
Short films are a stepping stone for our talented people.
Honk if You’re Horny is eligible to be considered for
the 2015 Academy Awards after winning the Best
Film Award at the New Zealand short film festival
Show Me Shorts.
Eight New Zealand short films were selected for
prestigious A-list international film festivals last year, in
Melbourne, Valladolid (Spain), Venice, Clermont Ferrand
(France), Berlin and South by Southwest (Texas).
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Investing in success
Budget
The NZFC total budget for this year (the 2014/15
financial year) is $24.253 million. This is made up of:
•
$5.401m (26%) from the Government
•
$14.326m (69%) from the Lottery Grants Board
(we receive 6.5% of Lotteries Commission
profits)
•
The remainder from film income, interest and
reserves.
Working with Lotto
We are developing new avenues for promoting
New Zealand film.
The Lotteries Commission, through the Lottery Grants
Board, is a major funder of New Zealand films. Through
Lotto outlets, they have been closely involved in promoting
recent films, The Dark Horse and Hip Hop-eration.
We have allocated $12.0m for feature film
production (including $1.0m for a yet to be publicly
announced new China co-production fund). We
have also committed $3.7m to finding and fostering
talent, $1.76m to feature film script development
and $1.7m to the promotion and marketing of
feature and short films.
Screen NZ
Increasingly, we are collaborating with NZ On Air
and Film New Zealand, through the ‘virtual agency’
Screen NZ. Screen NZ has a common goal and
an initial set of practical initiatives in areas such as
research, marketing, skills and talent development
and work with other Government agencies.
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Introducing our Board
Our Board brings broad and deep experience of the film industry, the business sector and the arts to the
table. Here we provide a brief introduction to the seven Board members. We look forward to discussing
future appointments and re-appointments with you.
Dame Patsy Reddy
(Chair)
Dame Patsy is a company director and consultant. She has more than 25 years
of corporate governance experience as non-executive director of a wide range
of companies in New Zealand, and also has significant experience in the arts
and not-for-profit sectors. She is currently Deputy Chair of NZ Transport Agency
and Chair of Education Payroll Limited. She was recently appointed a Dame
Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Arts and
Business. (Appointed 2009, current term expires June 2015)
Andrew Cornwell
(Finance, Audit and Risk Committee Chair) [PIC]
Andrew has been General Manager of Sony Pictures since 1992. He is currently
Chairman of the Home Entertainment Association of New Zealand and a member
of the Film and Video Labelling Body Committee. (Appointed 2006, current term
expires December 2014)
Charles Finny
(Human Resources and Remuneration Committee Chair)
Charles performs a range of consultancy and corporate governance roles for
Saunders Unsworth Ltd. He is the Chair of Education New Zealand, a member
of the Victoria University Council, and also serves on the boards of New Zealand
Trade and Enterprise and Kawarau Estate Limited. (Appointed 2009, current
term expires June 2015)
Rhiannon McKinnon
Rhiannon serves the dual roles of Corporate Finance Manager and Investor
Relations Manager at New Zealand Post in Wellington. Rhiannon has previously
been the Vice President of the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of New
Zealand and is a member of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand
Inc. (Appointed 2009, current term expires June 2015)
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Witi Ihimaera
Witi is Emeritus Professor of New Zealand Literature and Creative Writing,
and teaches at Manukau Institute of Technology. He is one of New Zealand’s
best known authors and has received a number of Maori, New Zealand and
international awards, an honorary degree, and is a Distinguished Companion of
the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of his contribution to New Zealand
and Maori arts and culture. (Appointed 2009, current term rolled over)
Chris Hampson
Chris has worked in the film and television industry for more than 30 years,
and as a producer since the mid-1980s. He formed the production company
ScreenWorks and continues to produce and develop film and television projects.
(Appointed 2010, current term expires August 2016)
Cameron Harland
Cameron has been involved in advertising and sports management through a
range of agencies and professional groups and is currently General Manager of
Park Road Post Production in Miramar, Wellington. Park Road Post Production is
part of the creative group of companies which includes Weta Digital and Weta
Workshop. Cameron is also chair of the New Zealand Story Group Advisory
Board. (Appointed 2010, current term expires August 2016)
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Introducing our team
We have a great team of 23 (including two part-timers). Here, we introduce those you’re most likely to
encounter.
Dave Gibson
Chief Executive
Dave joined the New Zealand Film Commission in January this year. He works
with our Board and managers to provide strategic direction to the organisation.
He has produced feature films and television programmes that have sold in more
than 80 countries worldwide including co-productions with partners based in
Canada, Britain, Australia, Germany and Sweden. In 2012, he was appointed an
officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in recognition of his services to
the film and television industries.
Lisa Chatfield
Head of Development and Production
Lisa is responsible for overseeing the development of films from the early
development stage through to the end of post-production. She and her team
focus on supporting exciting ideas to become great films.
Jasmin McSweeney
Marketing Manager
Jasmin is responsible for the promotion of New Zealand films domestically
and internationally. She is the first point of contact for film media enquiries and
international festivals and markets.
Chris Payne
Head of Talent Development and Relationships
Chris and his team work to assist talented filmmakers to advance projects and
their careers through professional development and the facilitation of valuable
local and international connections. This includes overseeing short film funding
initiatives, which focus on providing filmmakers with the best support possible to
transition to longer form work.
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Naomi Wallwork
Screen Incentives Manager
Naomi manages the New Zealand Screen Production Grant and its predecessors
the Screen Production Incentive Fund and Large Budget Screen Production
Grant schemes. She works closely with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and
the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Mladen Ivancic
Chief Financial Officer
Alongside his overall responsibility for our financial and marketing information
systems, Mladen monitors aspects of feature film financing and budgets,
manages co-production approval and film certification and has input into policy
development and interacts with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and other
Government agencies.
Chloe McLoughlin
Head of Business Affairs
Chloe has responsibility for all contractual matters, including financing, sales and
distribution contracts.
Antoinette Wilcox
Executive Assistant
Antoinette provides administrative support to Dave and is your best point of
contact for him and the NZFC team.
Email: Antoinette@nzfilm.co.nz Phone: 04 3827693
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Introducing the
Screen Advisory Board
The Screen Advisory Board is a new group of leading lights in the industry who are generously giving their time
to support New Zealand filmmakers in a range of ways.
The concept was first announced a year ago, and members were named in June. We’re now getting a clear
picture of how we can make the best use of the expertise and time of the members. They are a busy group but
we hope to get them together in one place in the foreseeable future and will invite you to meet them then.
Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh
Peter and Fran have agreed to work in the area of new talent.
They have done some research on whether and how creative talent
has come through the system over the last 30 years and what
lessons can be drawn from this. This has sparked new initiatives in
our talent development area (see page 3).
Jon Landau and James Cameron
Jon and James are helping us to raise the profile of our screen
industry talent in Los Angeles.
Jane Campion
Jane is working with us in an area of particular interest for her, gender equality. We
are engaging with industry groups such as Women in Film and Television (WIFT)
and look forward to Jane’s input as her time frees up.
Andrew Adamson
Andrew is interested in working with us on how to develop and encourage mid-range
feature films (in the $15-50 million dollar range), potentially through public-private
funding partnerships. This will progress once Andrew has more time available.
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