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Welcome to the Film Auckland Media Centre.

The Centre is regularly updated with media releases and links to relevant online articles concerning the Screen Production Industry - both in Auckland and in New Zealand as a whole.

Current Media Releases

MEDIA RELEASE 30 June 2009

Film Auckland and the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Filming Guidelines

Filmmakers wanting to access Ngati Whatua o Orakei locations for filming now have a comprehensive set of guidelines for gaining permission and working on those sites, thanks to discussions between Film Auckland and Ngati Whatua o Orakei.

Film Auckland board member Clayton Tikao, who is a location manager, says, "Some of the best locations for filming in Auckland City are Ngati Whatua o Orakei lands and while filmmaking access has been granted in the past, we felt it was time to engage more formally with Ngati Whatua to ensure that their land is used in a respectful and appropriate manner by filmmakers. We hope that the guidelines will make things clear and streamlined when film companies are considering filming on Ngati Whatua land."

Ngati Whatua o Orakei spokesman Ngarimu Blair says, the aim of the guidelines is to avoid the physical and spiritual desecration of sites of national importance. "In the past there have been problems and we hope that these guidelines will ensure that damage to archaeological features is prevented and that filmed content will be respectful of the mana and status of sites. These guidelines will enable the film industry to recognize our cultural sites are as important to us as the Stonehenge is to the English and Machu Picchu to Peru.

Film Auckland Chair, Roimata Macgregor, who was involved in discussions, is pleased that these guidelines, have been set in place. She says, "Film Auckland always wants to ensure we work with key stakeholders in the region to make sure the use of locations is mutually beneficial to all involved and of course Ngati Whatua o Orakei are hugely important both culturally and politically in the region."

The guidelines cover key areas such as Whenua Rangatira (Bastion Point), Okahu Park and Okahu Bay, which are administered by Auckland City on behalf of Ngati Whatua o Orakei; Maungawhau (Mt Eden), Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), Remuwera (Mt Hobson), Puketapapa (Mt Roskill), Owairaka (Mt Albert), Titikopuke (Mt St John) and Otahuhu (Mt Richmond), which are currently administered by Auckland City in conjunction with Ngati Whatua o Orakei.

The guidelines deal with procedures for seeking permission, consultation, location fees, protection of the environment, intellectual copyright, respecting sacred sites and many other issues likely to be associated with filming.

Download here.

MEDIA RELEASE July 14, 2008

FILM AUCKLAND Investment in Future Skills - Capability Funds Granted

Film Auckland announces grants from Round 3 of its Film Industry Capability Fund. The grants are awarded to a range of established industry practitioners develop their skills and services, contributing to the ability of the film industry in Auckland to meet the requirements of major international films using Auckland as a location. It is part of Film Auckland's strategy to stimulate production and bring the economic benefits of filmmaking to the region.

Round 3 grants total $37,000 and recipients include:

Sound recordist and engineer Stephen Buckland to research frequency problems encountered in the Auckland region with radio microphones to determine the best practice to optimise usage.

Script supervisor Kathleen Thomas to participate in the Script Editing Workshop at the prestigious Binger FilmLab in Amsterdam. Thomas has just completed this course and says, "The course was truly enriching and it gives me the confidence to advise on script development with knowledge and experience."

NZ Film and Video Technicians Guild to run a contracts workshop for its members to enable screen production technicians to better understand and negotiate contracts.

Film Auckland executive manager Michael Brook says "The assessment panel is delighted to award these grants as they cover such diverse areas and will result in expanding the capability of the film production industry in Auckland to service big projects coming into the region."

Funding for the Capability Fund comes from the infrastructure investment awarded to Film Auckland by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise as part of the Auckland Screen Production Industry Major Regional Initiative.

Full List of Round 3 Recipients:

Kathleen Thomas - to attend the Binger FilmLab in Amsterdam
Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand - to attend a Guilds conference in Ireland
New Zealand Film & Video Technicians Guild - to run a contracts workshop
Chloe Smith, Walt Disney Productions NZ - to train a costume illustrator
Pete Rive, Launchsite - to attend virtual reality training in Belgium
Andrew McClaren, Frontier Films - to attend a Google SketchPro course
Jonathan Dowling and Andrew Beattie, Essential Films new enterprise plan
Stephen Buckland, Sound Techniques - to research radio mic frequency issues
Julia Parnell, Butobase - to attend a producers workshop in the US

Previous rounds of Capability Fund grants have been awarded for diverse purposes, for example: WIFT board member Mairi Gunn to attend the WIFTI International Summit 2007 in Toronto; producer Alex Cole-Baker to attend professional development workshops in Australia and Scene Safe to run screen-related first aid courses including on-set safety.

Film Auckland markets Auckland as a film production and post-production location to international film and television producers, providing contact with local facilities, services and personnel, as well as facilitating liaison with relevant local body and government organizations and developing industry infrastructure. Established and governed by a board of film industry practitioners, Film Auckland is operated by executive manager Michael Brook.

Contact: Michael Brook, executive manager michael@filmauckland.com ph 979 7052
Sue May, publicist suemay@xtra.co.nz ph 0274 739 318

Film Auckland Launches Innovative New Website

Film Auckland, the film office for the Auckland region and for the Auckland Screen Production Industry, has launched a new and improved website- www.filmauckland.com.

The site, created by Auckland web design company Gravitate, features a unique navigation system which allows visitors to quickly access sector-specific information, which is relevant to their needs.

From the homepage the visitor will find five sector streams: features, television, commercials, post-production and gaming/animation. Clicking through, the visitor will receive all the information that is relevant to their needs without having to churn through unrelated information. Film Auckland believes this will be a big plus for busy film makers right across the industry.

Michael Brook, Executive Manager at Film Auckland, notes that the new navigation technique, "delivers a real point of difference for the site, and highlights our ability to meet international and local screen industry requirements."

The site - www.filmauckland.com - also features a completely new, eye-catching design. Visually iconic and stunning purpose-shot stills from Stephen Piper highlight and champion the locations the Auckland region has to offer.

Actual case studies for each sector highlight just how good it is to film in Auckland and the quality of product that comes out of the region. These have been written by senior film professionals involved in each production and include stills from the projects and importantly, video streaming of clips from the productions.

"The case studies for each sector are an important element for us. It is a great way for potential clients of Auckland to learn what can be achieved here by using actual, successful examples," says Michael Brook. "We are also very pleased about the addition of video files. After all, we are a moving image based industry and what better way for film makers to see what the region can produce that seeing the work itself."

Brook adds, "The new website will markedly enhance Film Auckland's ability to market the Auckland Screen Production Industry and also Auckland as a screen destination. We believe the new site will provide an improved level of information for producers and interested parties to use as a practical and professional resource."

Up until now the hosting of the Film Auckland website has been supported by Auckland City Council. The site will now be hosted independently and Film Auckland is grateful the support Auckland City provided over the last few years in hosting the previous website.

The new and improved Film Auckland website is now on line - www.filmauckland.com

Ends

Contacts: Michael Brook, Executive Manager, Film Auckland, Ph 979 7052

Film Auckland pleased with lifting of possible restrictions on filming in Waitakere Ranges Date: 19th September 2007


Film Auckland is pleased with the Auckland Regional Council Parks and Heritage Sub-Committee report that has lifted proposed restrictions on filming at six key sites in the Waitakere Ranges.

Earlier in the year the ARC announced a variation to the ARC Regional Parks Management Plan which would have seen limitations on filming in some key areas of the Waitakere Ranges such as Piha, Karekare and Whatipu.

Film Auckland carried out extensive work in lobbying on behalf of the film industry throughout this process, and was a catalyst in mobilising the local film industry into making submissions. There were over fifty film submissions, a great many of these from industry practitioners and suppliers. Many of these submissions were heard at the hearings, including an extensive submission presented by Film Auckland.

Roi Macgregor, Deputy Chair of Film Auckland, led the submissions process on behalf of the organisation. "I am extremely gratified about the outcome of the report. Film Auckland is certainly proud of the advocacy role they have taken in this process as issues like these are crucial to our industry’s well-being.”

“It is also very pleasing that the film industry worked so well together in putting our case forward. The industry has always had a professional approach to filming in the Waitakere Ranges and it was reassuring that the Councillors involved were open to listening to our concerns.”

“As well as our own submission, key industry organisations such as the New Zealand Film Technicians Guild and Film New Zealand made compelling submissions. And so many film industry professionals either got behind our submission or presented their own. This result is great news for the Auckland film industry and it is encouraging that we can work together in what is a frequently competitive environment, for common goals.”

The report and recommendations of the ARC Parks & Heritage Committee will now go to a full Council vote on the 24th of September. Strong Connection with Asian Film Makers continue to Flourish
Date: 6th June 2007

Film Auckland and New Zealand film makers continue to make strong inroads into the Asia film market. Following up on a flurry of activity, including a trade delegation to China and Korea in June; and a reciprocal delegation of Chinese and Korean film makers in August, Film Auckland attended the 2nd annual Asia-Pacific Producers Network in Incheon, Korea on the 3rd of October. The APN was attended by Producers from seven nations (China, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and New Zealand), Melissa Lee was elected a director of the Board of APN to represent New Zealand.

Melissa Lee, an Auckland based producer, was a foundation member of the APN's inaugural meeting held in Pusan in 2006 attended by such luminary producers like the 3 time Academy Award winning Japanese producer Satouru Iseki, the Executive Producer of The World's Fastest Indian.

APN is an organisation of producers in the Asia-Pacific Region and committed to realising the future success of Asia-Pacific film through mutual support and co-productions. APN hopes to establish a Seoul Information Centre where APN member producers can share and network.

The New Zealand delegation to APN 2007 Forum included:

Pete Rive - Chair, Film Auckland
Susan Ord - Film New Zealand
Paul Carran - Producer, Film Factory, Film Auckland Board member
Melissa Lee - Producer, Asia Downunder
Michael Stephens - Film and Entertainment lawyer, Stephens Lawyers
Sue Thompson - Producer, Direct Effect
Andrew French - NZ Trade & Enterprise
Young-Gyun SHIN - NZ Trade & Enterprise


Pete Rive, the Chair of Film Auckland, said "The New Zealand delegation came away from the APN feeling very positive that it would be a fantastic forum for developing co-production relationships with our Asian neighbours. I can see that APN will grow into a close group of producers who can share information and help each other to create new and exciting projects together. APN will help to find investors and co-finance deals on interesting creative product and encourage original Asia-Pacific stories." Narnia builds Bridge to Terabithia for Auckland
Date: 26th October 2005

Following hot on the heels of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures have announced plans to base production of Hollywood feature film The Bridge to Terabithia in Auckland.

The decision follows a successful Film Auckland-assisted scout by Walden Media earlier in the year.

“The fact that Walden and Disney are returning to produce more projects in Auckland after Narnia is a credit to the incredible talent we have here and to Auckland's ability to deliver world-class filming infrastructure and capability,” said Film Auckland Executive Manager Natasha Christie.

Bridge to Terabithia will be based on the Newberry Medal-winning children's novel of the same name written by Katherine Patterson. The story follows the life of an 11-year-old boy who is changed forever after befriending the class outsider - a girl. Together they create an imaginary kingdom called Terabithia. It is filled with giants, trolls and all kinds of other magical beings.

Pre-production is believed to be scheduled to start within the next few weeks with principal photography commencing in late January 2006. The Film will be directed by Gabor Csupo who created the Rugrats and Wild Thornberrys television series and worked on early episodes of The Simpsons.

No further details are available at this time. Film Auckland wishes the production all the best. Celebration Applauds Screen Industry Success
Date: 17 August 2005

The Prime Minister acknowledged the success of Film Auckland in helping to develop the Auckland Screen Production Industry, at an industry celebration held at the Hilton Hotel today. Film Auckland Deputy Chair, Pete Rive praised eighteen months of unprecedented screen industry, government and business sector collaboration and called for even greater unity to help promote Auckland as a screen production destination to the rest of the world. “Auckland is the screen production hub of New Zealand, with more production houses, advertising agencies, studios and talent producing more film, television and video work than anywhere else in the country,” he said. Film Auckland welcomed on board principal sponsor, Telecom and acknowledged the importance of telecommunications infrastructure to the success of New Zealand's screen industry.

“Telecom's support during the filming of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, at Hobsonville and on location, is an example of how business-industry cooperation strengthens our international appeal,” said TLWW Line Producer, Tim Coddington. “Telecom seamlessly connected all TLWW locations - even those in the remote regions of the South Island, with both the Auckland studio and LA, at times transmitting over 10 gigabytes of data every night,” he said. “Sending that much data from Montana to LA would have been more difficult.”

The film office has so far had $2 million in Major Regional Initiative (MRI) funding from NZTE approved, subject to that amount being matched by $2.5 million in private sector funding , and has helped generate support for the construction of the country's second - and largest, sound stage in Henderson.

The MRI funds and studio construction will begin once the private sector funding is in place – a target Film Auckland is confident will be achieved.

“We have a growing creative reputation here in New Zealand,” says Film Auckland Executive Manager, Natasha Christie. “Business sector and government support for industry infrastructure can only grow the economic and cultural input of the industry.”

Auckland now appears more prominently on the recce schedules of international producers and location scouts. The region's territorial local authorities are all film friendly and Film Auckland has worked with them to develop a uniform film permitting process. Prior to the celebration at the Hilton, Film Auckland ran Your Voice '05, an industry forum created to foster discussion and ideas on the future development of screen production in Auckland. Prime Minister Helen Clark showed her support for the industry at the Film Auckland industry celebration held at the Hilton Hotel on 17 August. YOUR VOICE 05 - WE HEARD YA!
Date: August 2005

What happens when you put 50 film industry people together in one room for 2 hours? You end up with some fantastic ideas for making our industry even stronger through collaboration and teamwork.

That's what happened at our hugely successful forum, YourVoice05, held at the Hilton Hotel on 17th August. Participants came from every sector of the industry with a common goal - to work together on addressing the key issues facing us, and to strategise for the future. Film Auckland will be using your valuable feedback to help develop new initiatives and strategies for 2006.

The forum also highlighted the huge energy and commitment that lies within the industry, as the following comments show:

“It was great to see everyone jump in with interest and enthusiasm. Film Auckland can more than justify its existence to me if it can act as a forum/facilitator for the usually disparate sectors of the industry to find their common ground and expand it.”

“I'm sure it will be a catalyst for future collaborative opportunities across the industry.”

“It was great to get people from a lot of different sectors of the industry together in one room. I reckon we should definitely do it again every few months.”

So if you needed any more incentive to be part of Film Auckland, there you have it! If you're not already a member, click here to join.