Peter Jackson: NZ Film Commission plea.

Call for overhaul of Film Commission – Entertainment – NZ Herald News

The New Zealand Herald reports that Sir Peter Jackson has given his appraisal of the Film Commission, and the funding needs of the industry.

The impact motion picture productions have on the local economy is not always acknowledged by the public, local government or national government.

Here at Kingsize, we see our colleagues in both the film and stills industries flourishing when there is a film or tv production in full swing. It puts pay cheques into the hands of all creatives, technicians, and service providers. This in turn funds future projects and industry growth.

While it may seem that funding a movie for the cinema is not as important as promoting the primary sector (such as farming), we should remember that as a small country we could benefit by nurturing the industry of ideas, and creativity. Exporting intellectual property is just as effective as milk or wool.

For such an innovative country (that is geographically disadvantaged) one wonders why we don’t focus more on the design / software / and creative industries.

I attended a Young Nat’s meeting prior to John Key being voted in as PM with the specific intent of asking about his position on arts funding.

His response was: “we will not reduce the current funding, but we are not planning on increasing it.”

I pressed him further and he said that the National Government would be reviewing arts funding, but that it was not a priority. (Strange for someone who’s daughter is / was an aspiring fashion designer since his attitude seemed dismissive)

Ironically, the meeting was being hosted by Orcon founder Seeby Woodhouse who in Key’s speech was celebrated as being a local icon of ideas based commerce. It seemed that Mr Key did not make the connection of pairing the arts with technology.

If the National government is so vocal about it’s aims to bring broadband to every home, then what exactly is the content we New Zealander’s are supposed to be appreciating? One hopes that it includes alot of locally produced films and media….

Bottom line: we need all the support we can get from Government whether they be initiatives, and / or funding to keep growing these interconnected industries.

Adam Custins.