Creative
Crew
New Zealand has a solid base of freelance heads of departments, technicians and production personnel experienced with international productions. A competitive market of diverse international and local productions has created a workforce that is highly flexible, adaptable and innovative.
There are award winning key creative personnel based in New Zealand and technicians with experience at top level positions on large scale international productions.
The lack of demarcation between specific roles can be an added bonus to a production. The wide variety of work produced in New Zealand has ensured that crew are constantly adapting to new equipment and techniques and new production challenges.
A strong work ethic motivates New Zealand personnel to constantly strive for, and achieve, excellence in their fields.
Specialists crews experienced in mountain, extreme sports and underwater photography are also available.
Talent
The New Zealand Film Commission’s Feature Film Catalogue represents the talents of the country's producers, directors, screenwriters and actors.
New Zealand line producers, production managers, location managers, assistant directors and production service companies have an impressive track record in providing expert production support to international and local filmmakers across all genres and formats, and at all stages of production.
New Zealand actors have enriched the world stage with their performances. Through their exposure to high-quality international productions, New Zealand actors hone such skills as trans-Atlantic accents. This area of the industry is thoroughly serviced by actor and talent agencies. Talent agencies also represent specialist skill performers, stand-ins, body doubles and extras.
Art Department
Award winning production, costume and make-up designers are testament to the flair and ingenuity within New Zealand art departments. There is a very high level of capability throughout the local art department sector. Excellence has been achieved in production and costume design, set building, miniatures and model-making, make up, prosthetics, armour and weapon design and production, props, and vehicle and animal wrangling.
The creativity of this sector is supported by the latest equipment and the ability to find unique solutions to filmmaking problems.
The large number of experienced and professional companies and individuals working in all areas of art department means that even the largest scale productions can be handled locally.
Physical Effects
Established SFX companies and technicians in New Zealand have the expertise and equipment for all physical effects work. Licensed pyrotechnicians and armourers ensure local regulations are adhered to and this contributes to an excellent safety record in New Zealand.
New Zealand boasts significant special-effects workshops that have built local and international reputations for craftspeople creating sculptures, making models, and providing pyrotechnics effects, prosthetics and make-up for award-winning films and television commercials.
There is an extensive armoury base, of both modern and historical weaponry, within New Zealand and licensed armourers to ensure safety and regulatory requirements are fully meet.
The local SFX industry is particularly renowned for its achievements in snowmaking and pyrotechnics.
Digital Effects
Academy Awards in Visual Effects and BAFTA Awards for Special Visual Effects are testament to the world class visual effects produced in New Zealand. Capabilities are acclaimed in modeling, creatures, animation, environments, lighting, 3D particle effects, crowd generation, compositing and motion capture.
With the security of large-scale facilities or the flexibility of smaller independents assembled to suit, New Zealand’s VFX industry provides conceptual design and artwork, previsualisation, digital workbook, and full onset and post-production supervision for filmmakers.
Stunts
The New Zealand stunt industry is able to cover all aspects of film stunt work, offering highly experienced stunt co-ordinators and performers, modern equipment, facilities for vehicle preparation and wire-rig rehearsing.
The New Zealand Stunt Guild has set up a grading system to ensure continued excellence in the field of stunt work and an excellent safety standard. New Zealand stunt performers and co-ordinators are increasingly sought after for work internationally, testifying to their highly professional work ethic.
The constant work and range of productions shot in New Zealand has ensured the development of a highly skilled base of stunt performers and co-ordinators experienced in fighting and fight choreography, weapon work, wire rigs (Hong Kong style and general), horses, water work, and precision and stunt driving.
There is a large pool of specialists available to fill specific stunt needs.
Writers
The New Zealand Writers Guild is a professional non-profit association whose members include writers in the fields of film, television, radio, theatre and multimedia.
Writerfind is an online bureau for New Zealand writing professionals containing informative listings that make it easy to locate a writer for your specific needs.
