Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Peter Principle

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  • d f mamea,

    I can see the idea behind producer-based funding...

    it's not just about the film-*making* - script development needs money and is largely unsung and quickly forgotten.

    Waitakere • Since Jun 2009 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Mr Desk, may I introduce you to my intimate friend Mr. Head...

    Go ahead, for I can't see what you are arguing for or against.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    I'm quite surprised at the lukewarm response to Peter Jackson's appointment on here. He may be Mr International Film Whizz now, but he did make "Heavenly Creatures" and "Forgotten Silver", two very NZ films. I watched Forgotten Silver again a couple of weeks ago and thought it an extremely clever and insightful 'mockumentary' that showed Jackson and Costa Botes are well aware of our history, both film and social.

    Do you think he is out of touch with grass roots film making?

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Russell C,

    I'm sure the Peter Jackson will bring a lot of experience and useful insights to the review but am very unsure about him leading it. As others have said, he has well known issues with the NZFC, to what extent is this a predefined outcome of sorts by Coleman because of this choice. What next, perhaps we can have David Henderson head a review of IRD, Laurie Mains do Graham Henry's performance review, Rodney Hide review Auckland governance....actually...

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 37 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    o what extent is this a predefined outcome of sorts by Coleman because of this choice. What next, perhaps we can have David Henderson head a review of IRD, ....

    Chris Finlayson actually - he's the Minister responsible.

    I interviewed him about it and it seems the review will look at the whole issue around should the NZFC fund uniquely NZ films, or should it focusmore on those that have a chance of commercial return. Finlayson did say he wanted answers to those sorts of questions.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    What next, perhaps we can have David Henderson head a review of IRD, Laurie Mains do Graham Henry's performance review, Rodney Hide review Auckland governance....actually...

    Bit of a stretchy metaphor, surely? For example, if Rodney Hide had a track record as Auckland's most successful mayor ever, it might be a fair parallel for Jackson's appointment.

    I'm quite surprised at the lukewarm response to Peter Jackson's appointment on here. He may be Mr International Film Whizz now, but he did make "Heavenly Creatures" and "Forgotten Silver", two very NZ films.

    Yeah, it seems awfully picky to quibble about Jackson's NZ-ness. or lack of. His appointment is a bold and possibly risky move, made necessary by years of weak minsterial oversight of the NZFC. While I'm no fan of Deborah Coddington, she was pretty much a lone voice in calling attention to the ludicrous situation of former Commission head bureaucrat Ruth Harley appointing herself as a producer on an NZFC project. While Jackson no doubt brings a certain self-interest to his role, at least he's an auteur of proven talent.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    if Rodney Hide had a track record as Auckland's most successful mayor ever,

    No, no!! Not Back to the Future...

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    <quote>the whole issue around should the NZFC fund uniquely NZ films, or should it focus more on those that have a chance of commercial return </ quote>

    Isn't this the perennial question? Who can pick winners?

    I think there's a paradox around the "uniquely nz films" thing, creatively speaking. When you set out to make a film (or any other creative work) that will be commercially successful, you make what you perceive the, er, usually bland, market wants. That may or may not work out. People are still unpredictable, thank goodness. But if you make something with passion and integrity, that you feel deeply about and get all the "making" stuff right (editing, cinematography etc) then that film hopefully has the connective power sought.

    I hope PJ has good connections with other NZ film makers and seeks their input.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Russell C,

    Chris Finlayson actually - he's the Minister responsible

    Gah... yes Finlayson not Coleman, still having nightmares about Coleman's performance on Media 7 re the TVNZ Charter a month or so back.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 37 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    .. uniquely NZ films, or should it focusmore on those that have a chance of commercial return. Finlayson did say he wanted answers to those sorts of questions.

    That is what I expect of National, and am often left wondering why anyone would think otherwise. Surely their interest lies with best return for investment.If you get the person who has achieved that(preferably on the NBR rich list or definitely busy round table ) then it must be a sound idea. Jus' sayin'

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    I can see the idea behind producer-based funding from the NZFC. If you are doling out public money and have to give reports to your political masters about where that money went, you'd want to entrust the dosh to a person who is used to controlling the money side of film-making.
    I think the commission was afraid that the creatives might just take the money and scurry off to do cool stuff. Their reports would read something like "Oh, yeah, money... right... yeah, we spent some getting some cool shots of sunsets off the Coromandel. Didn't end up using it but it looked fabulous!"
    Try tabling that before the Minister of Arts.

    When the NZFC-backed short film you directed is picked for a foreign festival some years after its completion, and the first you hear about it is that the producer will be travelling in your place, it does give cause to wonder if the whole producer-driven thing hasn't got a little out of hand.

    As it happened, the Commission were pretty comfortable with a producer giving the speech traditionally made by a guest director on the film's aesthetic aspects. Rather than treat international festivals as an opportunity for filmmakers to develop their skills, they've been treated as junkets. When bureaucrats begin appointing themselves as producers they tend to apply the Sir Humphrey principle of protecting their own.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    ^^ Yup. And right on the money with your other posts too.

    I think the commission was afraid that the creatives might just take the money and scurry off to do cool stuff. Their reports would read something like "Oh, yeah, money... right... yeah, we spent some getting some cool shots of sunsets off the Coromandel. Didn't end up using it but it looked fabulous!"

    Right, because that's what professional level writers and directors would do...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I must add in rereading my post is that it is just my opinion of the thinking behind National appointing Jackson, and not what I think is a great idea, which I haven't quite formulated yet. As you were. :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Go ahead, for I can't see what you are arguing for or against.

    The rather embarrasing cultural cringe. Are 'Whale Rider' and 'The Paino' not really New Zealand films because they were substantially funded by French/German money and went on to a measure of overseas recognition? Can we stop being so fucking parochial for a moment?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    A quote from Chris Petit, UK film-maker/critic:
    Most American films come now in one size only: XXL. Dragged down by their own size, they're monster productions, buried under the weight of cast and crew, whose end credits last longer than a short story(Film Comment, May/June 2009)
    Maybe I am a little jaundiced about the current state of Hollywood, which seems moribund and very short of new ideas. A film based on Monopoly? A film based on Cluedo?? So, the thought of steering the NZFC towards a more commercial (aka mainstream) model makes me uneasy. We don't need XXL New Zealand films; S or M would do nicely.
    I do think that there is a conflict of interest in having Jackson in charge of the review (+ an Aussie fropm the film business side),

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    The rather embarrassing cultural cringe. Are 'Whale Rider' and 'The Paino' not really New Zealand films because they were substantially funded by French/German money and went on to a measure of overseas recognition

    Not a problem. I would regard these as New Zealand films (The Piano, included), for they are stories about New Zealand and set in New Zealand. International recognition is a bonus. I don't know of anyone who would argue otherwise.

    I am thinking of LOTR and the re-makes of King Kong, The Dambusters etc.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Completely off the topic--what a lovely sunny Saturday, as we approach the shortest day of the year. I have just come in from four hours up a ladder, pruning our ancient wisteria.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Completely off the topic--what a lovely sunny Saturday, as we approach the shortest day of the year. I have just come in from four hours up a ladder, pruning our ancient wisteria.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    ...that bloody duplication again! Here's hoping for the ABs tonight!

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    off the topic--what a lovely sunny Saturday,

    Yes, I got out to gardening as well, and found a rare brom had a pup which was really cool, when you think it hasn't survived and there it is! Also had to make a tree tomato chutney and it came out pretty bloody excellent which I'll put down to the sunny day :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Felix Marwick,

    To be fair Finlayson didn't express an opinion one way or the other as to what his preference might be (ie commercial success vs uniquely NZ).

    To be honest I have no idea how the review may pan out. Had Ruth Harley still been in charge there I might have hazarded a guess or two.

    What I can say, knowing a couple of film makers, is that there has been reticence in the past for them to criticise the funding decisions made by the NZFC. The perception being if you spoke out, you lost out.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 200 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    . . . found a rare brom had a pup which was really cool . . .

    Would that be broom or bromeliad? Whatever, congratulations.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Bromeliad. It was passed on by a friend who had given up on it but it was mexican so I couldn't resist persevering. He's away doing plant stuff in Vietnam at the mo but I know he will be just as excited as me on his return in a month. I have some beautiful ones in flower at the mo, and a sunny day is perfect to admire them. Thanks :)
    Felix, still think it boils down to the dollar, but Finlayson does come across as fairish so wait and see I guess. I think you're right about tredding carefully about any criticism and I think it can be because the industry is relatively small and it's hard enough getting the work let alone any funding.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Kerry Weston,

    So if you're not too keen on PJ and the Aussie, Geoff, who would you have liked to see in those roles?

    Yes, I got out to gardening as well,

    Ditto. Boomer frosts have had a crack at my Puka tree which has been doing well in a pot, shifted it under some sheltering branches. Holly is berry resplendent, lol.

    Manawatu • Since Jan 2008 • 494 posts Report Reply

  • Russell C,

    The terms of reference for the review itself can be read on the MCH site here.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 37 posts Report Reply

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