News

7th September 2021 – SCREEN INDUSTRY DISTRIBUTION

Kia ora koutou katoa to all in the Screen Industry, hoping you are all staying safe in your bubbles!

Please note the ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety team is currently looking at what Protocols need to be reviewed, particularly in light of the new Delta variant.

For now, please refer to the ScreenSafe website – https://screensafe.co.nz/covid-19-coronavirus/ – particularly the Protocols and Summary Guidelines around L4, L3, and Level 2.

These are still a really great guide for what is allowed at each level.

You can download today’s update in PDF here.

For the avoidance of doubt, please note the following:

Level 4: NO filming is possible/other than registered news organisations and essential programming.

Level 3: Very limited production activities may be possible. Please carefully assess whether your activities can be postponed to L2. If not, please carefully assess each action and whether it complies with the guidelines and works to minimise risk at all points.

The key issue to consider for Level 3 is physical distancing. For instance – location scouting, with appropriate PPE, and in controlled circumstances, can be undertaken – depending on the ability to minimise contact / risk / avoidance of breaking bubbles.

Any activity needs to be able to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. This limits both prep and filming activities – e.g. close contact between crew such as a camera team who cannot be physically distanced, or performers and makeup/hair. Please see L3 guidance for full details.

Yesterday the government made some more changes to the COVID-19 rules. The below changes will be reflected in the updated Protocols, but since we know a lot of you are preparing for filming in Level 2, the below will hopefully answer your most pressing questions for Level 2 filming.

Level 2 / Mask Wearing

Mask wearing is now mandatory for anyone aged 12+ in indoor public places like shops, malls and public spaces: https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-2/#work-and-business.

For screen work, ScreenSafe highly recommends mask wearing at Level 2. And some productions may require it.

Level 2 / Restrictions on Gatherings

Gatherings (social gatherings, concerts, hospitality businesses, etc.) are now restricted to 50 people for indoor venues and 100 for outdoor venues.

However, work sites like film productions do NOT adhere to number restrictions, PROVIDED they are a working in a fully controlled environment (with contact tracing and health questionnaire for everyone on site, and with all necessary hygiene and PPE measures in place).

Note: Due to the aggressive nature of the Delta virus, productions are advised to take careful consideration before filming with extras and/or large crew numbers during Level 2.

Level 2 / Physical Distancing in Public Spaces

Physical distancing in public places, e.g. retail stores, libraries, gyms and museums will be 2 metres.

However, for work sites like film productions the physical distancing requirement is still 1 metre, PROVIDED they are a working in a fully controlled environment (with contact tracing and health questionnaire for everyone on site, and with all necessary hygiene and PPE measures in place).

Note: Close Proximity work (work within 0-1 metres) like hair and make up are still allowed for, and for screen work is specifically addressed in the Close Proximity Environment sections of the Screen Industry COVID-19 Protocols.

Travel Out of Auckland – Current

While Auckland remains in a higher COVID level to the rest of the country, essential workers traveling out of the Auckland region will need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test from the last week. Note: Only news and media outlets are classified as essential work, so for most of Auckland screen workers regional travel is not allowed until Auckland is in Level 2.

Delta / Other Likely Updates to the Protocols:

As per the updated Government guidance – some recommended guidelines are now mandatory or should be applied in all circumstances, namely:

Check-In/Contact Tracing – while everyone seemed to be doing well on this before, it is now mandatory in all circumstances for all sites, so ensure this is very closely adhered to.

Risk Minimisation – e.g. Hygiene Procedures, Airflow, Contact Minimisation. Look to assess your pre-production, shooting (when allowed), and post production, around how you can increase hygiene and minimise contact. From wearing PPE, to limiting numbers and increasing airflow. These are all our tools to help minimise the risk of exposure and spread.

Testing/Vaccinations/Privacy & Health Concerns – our revision is also likely to contain further guidance in this area. Until clarification is provided, please follow current MBIE guidance and ensure that human rights and privacy rights are respected at all times.

Registration with ScreenSafe – please also ensure every production continues to register with ScreenSafe –
https://screensafe.co.nz/covid19/registration/.

Any specific queries or concerns, please reach out to ScreenSafe at info@screenguild.co.nz or your industry organisation.

Ngā mihi,
SCREENSAFE NZ

Kia ora koutou katoa to all in the Screen Industry, hoping you are all staying safe in your bubbles!

The ScreenSafe COVID-19 Health and Safety team is currently looking at what Protocols need to be reviewed, particularly in light of the new Delta variant.  For now, please refer to the ScreenSafe website - particularly the Protocols and Summary Guidelines around L4, L3, and future planning for Level 2.These are still a really great guide for what is allowed at each level. 

For the avoidance of doubt, please note the following:

Level 4: NO filming is possible/other than registered news organisations and essential programming.

Level 3: Very limited production activities may be possible. Please carefully assess whether your activities can be postponed to L2. If not, please carefully assess each action and whether it complies with the guidelines and works to minimise risk at all points.

The key issue to consider for Level 3 is physical distancing. For instance - location scouting, with appropriate PPE, and in controlled circumstances, can be undertaken - depending on the ability to minimise contact / risk / avoidance of breaking bubbles. 

Any activity needs to be able to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. This limits both prep and filming activities - e.g. close contact between crew such as a camera team who cannot be physically distanced, or performers and makeup/hair. Please see L3 guidance for full details. 

Delta / Likely Updates to the Protocols:

As per updated Government guidance - some recommended guidelines are now mandatory / or should be applied in all circumstances, namely:

Face Coverings - Delta is more than twice as transmissible as previous COVID-19 variants. Please ensure mask wearing is in line with government recommendations and is more strictly adhered to. This is likely to also be required at Level 2 in more circumstances than previously. 

Check-In/Contact Tracing - while everyone seemed to be doing well on this before, it is now mandatory in all circumstances for all sites, so ensure this is very closely adhered to. 

Risk Minimisation - eg Hygiene Procedures, Airflow, Contact Minimisation. Look to assess your pre-production, shooting (when allowed), and post production, around how you can increase hygiene and minimise contact. From wearing PPE, to limiting numbers and increasing airflow. These are all our tools to help minimise the risk of exposure and spread.

Testing/Vaccinations/Privacy & Health Concerns - our revision is also likely to contain further guidance in this area. Until clarification is provided, please follow current MBIE guidance and ensure that human rights and privacy rights are respected at all times. 

Registration with ScreenSafe - please also ensure every production continues to register with ScreenSafe

Any specific queries or concerns, please reach out to ScreenSafe at info@screenguild.co.nz or your industry organisation.

Ngā mihi, 

SCREENSAFE NZ

$35m project to transform historic studios poised to start at Alert Level 3

A $35 million transformation of Auckland Council-owned Auckland Film Studios in Henderson to go ahead following a review Council’s economic development and cultural agency Auckland Unlimited says there is a strong need for the project, which will see two new sound stages and other buildings added, despite Amazon Studios moving production of its series based on The Lord of the Ringsfrom Auckland to the UK The expansion is just one part of Auckland Unlimited’s multi-faceted support for the region’s billion-dollar screen industry – including domestic and international attraction, skills development, infrastructure support, and improving the ease of filming on location.

A planned $35 million expansion for Auckland Film Studios will go ahead as soon as COVID-19 alert levels allow, after Auckland Unlimited re-confirmed its commitment to both the project and the region’s economically important screen industry.

Auckland Unlimited, the region’s economic and cultural agency, is partnering the Government on the major expansion on behalf of the studio’s owners – Auckland Council.

The year-long project, which will see two new sound stages added to a facility that has long been the backbone of the region’s screen production industry, was due to start at the end of August. 

However, Amazon Studios’ decision to move production of its TV series based on The Lord of the Rings from Auckland to the United Kingdom following the first season means studio space it was expected to require for season two in Auckland will instead be freed up. 

Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill says: “We are responsible for Auckland Council’s $5 million project co-funding, so it was prudent to go back to the fundamentals and consider whether a lack of future demand from Amazon affected our region’s long-term need for new sound stages. 

“But after pausing to review the plan, it is very clear the reasons for developing new stages in Auckland stack up as strongly as ever. Auckland has long experienced a shortage of quality studio space and we have a key role in ensuring our region’s billion-dollar screen sector has the level of studio space it needs to keep growing, create skilled jobs and support businesses.

“The expansion plan for AFS was never about any single production. It has a long-term horizon. So on Council’s behalf, we are pleased to reassure the industry with certainty over the future of one of our region’s premier studios.”

The project is part of Auckland Unlimited’s support for the screen production industry, which delivered about $600 million in GDP in the year to March 2020 (Infometrics).

“Crucially, the new stages and support buildings will mean more than one production can use a major Auckland studio at the same time, which is something our industry has been crying out for – particularly domestic producers,” says Nick Hill.

AFS is a focal point for the west Auckland screen heartland where many of the region’s 4000 screen industry workers and 1800 supplier companies are based.

Nick Hill says Amazon Studios’ decision to keep its post-production work for season one in the city until June next year is a reflection of the global regard for the capability of Auckland’s post-production sector. 

While Auckland benefitted from a large share of the Amazon production’s $650+million New Zealand spend for season one, Nick Hill says its departure will allow a more diverse production pipeline to return to Auckland over the next year.

“Our Screen Auckland team has continued to attract other productions since Amazon’s came here, and it has already fielded numerous international and domestic inquiries for space since Amazon’s departure was announced,” says Nick Hill.

Screen Auckland’s public film location permitting on behalf of Auckland Council is also at record levels, with more than 1000 permits issued in the 2020/21 financial year (previous record was 635).  

“Auckland’s current pipeline of international and domestic projects has total space requirement well in excess of current supply, even without Amazon.

“That will help some of the crew whose contracts finished with the wrap of season one to return to work sooner than the timeframe they had been facing, which was likely to be mid-next year at the earliest,” says Nick Hill.

Auckland Unlimited is working with industry and the NZ Film Commission to advocate for a clear path forward in relation to managed isolation border issues which remain a significant impediment for production attraction.

“The places are needed so the very small number of overseas cast and crew that are required to unlock significant local employment and revenues can get into the country,” says Nick Hill.

International data points to ongoing strong demand for content and therefore studio space for years to come. While a number of cities around the world are building new sound stages, Nick Hill says independent projections are that any new studio supply globally won’t keep up with demand growth.

He says that in parallel with its screen attraction priority, work to increase the ease of filming on location, and studio infrastructure development focus alongside the private sector, Auckland Unlimited is working with agency and industry partners on creative industry specific skills programmes to help the industry overcome a current shortage of skilled workers.

“We strongly believe in the long-term prospects of our screen industry to sustain pre-COVID-19 activity levels once we are through the immediate challenges. These may take two years to overcome, but the expansion of AFS is perfectly timed to be a significant factor in our region’s success when normality starts to return.”

Filmed at Auckland Film Studios

A diverse range of productions – from feature films to commercials – have been filmed at AFS. Some of those significant titles are: Falling Inn Love; The Shannara Chronicles; Adrift; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Emperor; and Xena: Warrior Princess.

For further information please contact

Chris Gregory Media Manager, Auckland Unlimited M +64 27 292 3601 E chris.gregory@aucklandnz.com

Screen Industry New Zealand Inc (SINZ) is pleased to announce that Matthew Horrocks has been contracted to research and evaluate potential membership organisational structures, in order to identify the best model for the screen sector’s proposed pan-sector body.  

Following the August 2020 release of the Screen Sector Strategy 2030, a call from the sector and a primary step in achieving the short term and overarching 10-year goals of the SSS2030 is the creation of a pan-sector body.  

At the final SSS2030 Facilitation Group meeting, after the delivery of the strategy to government and sector, it was agreed that the research and development of a pan-sector body would be the task of SINZ (Screen Industry New Zealand Inc.) to undertake.  

SINZ comprises key New Zealand screen industry guilds, associations and other entities, and has regrouped to lead the research into the best structure for a pan-sector group; further to the delivery of the Aotearoa New Zealand Screen Sector Strategy 2030’s key objectives, which included the establishment of a body for pan-sector representation.  

The research for the pan-sector group has been funded by the following organisations: NZ Stunt Guild, TVNZ, NZ Writers Guild, Screen Music and Sound Guild of NZ, Film Auckland, Pacific Island Screen Artists, Weta Workshop, ANZSA, Film Otago Southland, Auckland Screen Alliance, SPADA, Ngā Aho Whakaari, Script to Screen, NZ Game Developers, SIGANZ, AAANZ, DEGNZ and WIFT NZ. 

Matthew’s research project will be completed by the end of October 2021. 

MATTHEW HORROCKS - BIOGRAPHY

Matthew Horrocks has produced short films, documentaries, and feature films in New Zealand, including Beyond the Known World, New Zealand’s first NZ/Indian co-production. In the UK he worked in production roles on 28 Days Later and Calendar Girls. Most recently Matthew was responsible for the management of Screenwest’s development and production funding programs and managed Screenwest’s $16m WARFF fund.

Auckland United are seeking feedback from you on the proposed new Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Te Ture ā-Rohe Tauhokohoko, Whakahaerenga me te Tango Kiriata Tūmatanui 2022 / Auckland Council Public Trading, Events and Filming Bylaw 2022 from Tuesday 8 June to Friday 16 July 2021.

About the proposed new bylaw

• We recently checked how our trading, events and filming rules are working and identified improvements. These improvements will allow us to better minimise public safety risks, nuisance and misuse of council-controlled public places. We propose a new bylaw that:

• continues to regulate trading, events and filming in a similar way to the current Bylaw
• clarifies the need for rental micromobility devices to be approved under their own licence instead of a mobile shop licence as they currently are
• clarifies which activities require an approval, don’t require an approval as long as certain conditions are met, and those which are not addressed in this bylaw
• updates the title, structure, format, definitions, and wording to ensure that a new bylaw is easier to read, understand and comply with.

• The proposal is the result of a statutory bylaw review completed in 2020 of the current Te Ture ā-Rohe Te Mahi Tauhokohoko me nga Takunetanga ki ngā Wāhi Marea / Trading and Events in Public Places Bylaw 2015, during which we also sought feedback from you.

  You can view more information, including the proposed new bylaw at akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

  How you can give feedback

  You can have your say on the proposal from Tuesday 8 June until Friday 16 July 2021 by:

• completing the online feedback form here, giving feedback at an in-person or online drop-in session, or emailing or posting a feedback form to us. Details available here.
• giving feedback to the Bylaw Panel one-on-one on 11 June 2021, at a time between 12:30pm – 3pm. Click here to register by 5pm on Thursday 10 June 2021. You must register for this event as otherwise we would not be able to accommodate your request.

What happens to your feedback

We analyse all feedback received and provide a summary available to the public on akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

All feedback will be considered by a Panel at a public meeting on 20 October 2021. The Panel will use the feedback to make recommendations on the proposal to the Governing Body.

Any person is welcome to attend and listen to the Panel and Governing Body proceedings, but there will not be an opportunity to have your say at either meeting.

Further enquires

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at ptefbylaw@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Screen activity is booming again across the region and we have some important updates to share with you to ensure you get the best from Auckland’s diverse locations.

Location Updates: Auckland Domain Wintergardens  Due to seismic strengthening and joinery replacement works, the Wintergardens is closed to events, photography, and filming until December 2022. Applications for any filming activity in the area immediately surrounding the Wintergardens’ glasshouses and inside the houses and courtyard will regretfully be declined until further notice.   High Street (Shortland to Victoria Street), Auckland central   Continuous civil works will take place on High Street between Shortland and Victoria streets from 16 to 30 June 2021. Traffic management, including full road and shoulder closures will be in place. Filming and/or parking permits will not be issued for High Street during these dates.  Please also note that filming on Freyberg Square will be visually affected, and additional disruption to the Chancery area will need to be carefully coordinated if you wish to shoot in the area, for example, while parking is unavailable on High Street, Chancery and Kitchener streets  must be kept free for public parking.  Fatigued locations  The following locations are experiencing high levels of activity and are fatigued. We recommend you consider finding alternative locations for:  Orbit Drive, Rosedale  Oakley Ave, Waterview  Tudwood Glade and Northgrove Avenue, Hillcrest    Film application process Screen Auckland would like to thank you for your ongoing patience and co-operation as we continue to receive unprecedented numbers of film permit applications.   It is fantastic to see our local industry flourishing and we are doing everything we can to assist your activities, but we need your continued support to ensure a smooth application process. Please note the following before submitting your film permit application:    A reminder that all filming activity on public open space requires a film permit application  Before lodging a film permit application, your production must register with ScreenSafe  Applications must be fully complete and lodged by 8.00am five full business days prior to the shoot date, contingency date or first date of bump in / parking reservation – whichever occurs first.  A longer lead time may apply for applications involving complex logistics, locations, central city locations or traffic management. Please contact Screen Auckland for guidance and note:  Parking resolutions require 30 business days lead time  Road closure applications require 15 business days lead time   Stop/Go traffic management in central city locations require 6 business days lead time  Filming on Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) require 20-25 business days lead time  Changes requested within application timeframes may not always be achievable. It is important that feasibility discussions are carried out prior to lodging an application to avoid disappointment.  All enquiries about filming on public open space (including Regional Parks) should be directed to Screen Auckland so that we can coordinate your activity. We kindly ask that you do not directly contact other Auckland Council departments or staff, as this can unnecessarily slow the process.  Please submit your enquiry to screen@aucklandnz.com or via the ‘Contact Us’ page on the Screen Auckland website. Film applications can be lodged online using the Screen Auckland application portal. A film facilitator will then be assigned to your application or enquiry and will get in touch as soon as possible.  Please note that direct support and guidance is available during business hours, 8.30am-5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). If you require out of hours assistance, please contact the Auckland Council Call Centre on 09 301 0101.

Hei kōnā mai, Marie Jenkins Screen Facilitation Manager Auckland Unlimited

While Challenges Beset Global Screen Production, 6,500 Miles South of Hollywood a Tiny Nation Has Led by Example

Rampaging dinosaurs and James Bond aren’t halted easily, but Covid-19 managed that feat. In October shooting of Jurassic World: Dominion was forced to pause due to on-set tests returning positive for Covid-19. And, evidently, 2020 is no time for No Time to Die. Release of this title, the 25th in the 007 franchise, has been pushed back to April 2021. There’s even been talk of it going the way of Disney’s Mulan and debuting on a streaming platform. 

The global pandemic has dealt a body blow to the global theatrical exhibition industry, already on the ropes after years of audiences or “content consumers” getting their fix from streamers. It’s long been the crowd-pleasing blockbusters that have enabled cinemas to keep their lights on. Quoting industry players, recent headlines have depicted a high-stakes narrative; “We’ve literally been killed by James Bond”.

Streaming platforms and broadcast networks aren’t immune to the vicissitudes wrought by a pandemic. They too rely on a steady supply of fresh content to service existing subscribers/consumers and entice new ones. Given that it often requires the assembly of hundreds of people working in close quarters, screen production has been testing producers as never before.

6,504 miles south of Hollywood a very different picture has emerged. Identified by business leaders in a Bloomberg Media survey as the country that has had the best response to the coronavirus pandemic, New Zealand is at present home to a thriving screen production sector. Shooting alongside numerous local productions have been such notable US titles as Netflix’s Sweet Tooth and Cowboy BeBop, James Cameron’s recently-wrapped Avatar sequels and Amazon Prime’s The Lord of the Rings series. With a budget north of a billion dollars, Rings will be the most expensive series ever filmed. This sector is, according to NZ Film Commission CEO Annabelle Sheehan, tracking toward a year of peak production. How has this been achieved?  

Commencing in late March, New Zealand’s government implemented a nationwide lockdown. The Prime Minister expressed confidence in and deferred to medical and scientific experts. Guidelines and updates were communicated daily via televised press briefings with the Kiwi “team of five million” encouraged to stay safe and be kind to one another. 

Testing for Covid-19 was widespread and, for once, the relative isolation of our South Pacific island nation proved advantageous. Quarantine was mandated for all visitors entering the country. The government actioned a wage subsidy for businesses and self-employed contractors (i.e. many screen industry workers). In a further effort to boost activity, it committed additional funds to local screen production. Despite some hiccups at the border and a few small outbreaks, we might as a nation take some pride in how we’ve meet this challenge, head-on. 

The screen industry responded with remarkable cohesion. Two significant pan-industry projects had recently drawn together guilds, unions and stakeholders: 1) consultation over a somewhat controversial piece labour relations legislation, known colloquially as “The Hobbit Law,” and 2) preparation of a document describing potential for industrial growth; the Screen Sector Strategy 2030. In short, Covid-19 hit at a time when constructive dialogue was occurring within the field. 

Four initiatives proved vital: 

1) A Screen Sector Covid-19 Action Group was established, ensuring government messages and guidelines were articulated with maximum clarity. This body served as a conduit for industry-specific information (i.e. financial support for businesses and individuals). Says Action Group chair Felicity Letcher, “We knew that there was going to be a content demand at the tail end of Covid and we wanted New Zealand to be able to be a part of that. We had a really great pipeline of work and we could see the potential of that was even stronger”. 

2) Led by ScreenSafe, guilds and unions produced the world’s first government-endorsed health and safety guidelines to facilitate ongoing production in the Covid-19 era. Templates were made available for producers to download. 

3) Armed with data from producers, the Film Commission communicated with government to seek “smart border entry”. It was demonstrated that, by allowing a relatively small number of international crew members into the country, hundreds of millions of dollars of production expenditure would flow into the economy. This case was made for both large scale international projects and smaller scale domestic films. 

4) With shooting halted indefinitely, it was recognised that the mental health of screen professionals could be at risk. Vista Foundation (a local company specialising in globally-licensed ticketing software) forged an alliance with Home & Family Counselling to sponsor free access to mental health services for all screen industry workers.

A number of challenges remain. For example, in several territories it is proving nigh-on impossible for independent producers to obtain production insurance against pandemics. In the UK and Australia government measures have helped address this obstacle. Elsewhere, not so much. 

Production is occurring in various global locations, albeit under onerous health and safety protocols. And, eventually, inevitably, mass vaccination will help facilitate a return to some kind of normalcy. Granted, New Zealand benefited from having manageable borders and a relatively small population. And yet, the greatest advantage NZ enjoyed may have come in the form of responsible leadership coupled with public compliance. 

The screen industry itself, a sometimes fractious place of competing interests, managed in this instance to perceive opportunity in trying times. Determined to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, it moved nimbly and worked collectively. Now seen as a Covid safe haven, New Zealand is home to a booming screen sector with no shortage of “Action!” 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr Gabriel Reid holds a Ph.D. in Film Studies from the University of Auckland and has extensive screen production experience. He sits on the board of Film Auckland (FAI) and is vice-president the Directors and Editors Guild (DEGNZ).

Email: gabriel@pageantfilms.com

IMDB: www.imdb.me/gabrielreid

LinkedIn: Dr Gabriel Reid

Instagram: drgabrielreid

Twitter: @drgabrielreid

The 36th America's Cup begins in Auckland this December and runs through to March 2021. Hosting an event of this scale is a fantastic opportunity for Auckland, but it is important to understand how the events may impact on the availability of locations for filming activity and infrastructure.

Click here for more detailed information from ATEED and Screen Auckland.

'Greening the Screen' should be an ongoing focus for all of us. The Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund (WMIF) is open now, closing 30th September, for applications requesting grants between $250 and $50,000.

Funding workshops can be made available upon request should any organisations or communities within Auckland have interest in receiving in-depth information on the application and assessment process. Support and guidance is also available to applicants and grant recipients by phone, email, Skype and face-to-face engagement should it be required.

Further information and guidelines for the WMIF can be found on the Auckland Council website here or email aucklandwastefund@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Due to Auckland returning to lock-down level 3, we have postponed tonights Election Forum 2020 event until further notice.

We hope everyone in Auckland stays home and stays safe so we can stop the spread.