NZFC an ‘adversary’, according to report
Peter Jackson and AFTRS Centre for Screen Business director David Court have delivered a report of their review of the New Zealand Film Commission to Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Christopher Finlayson.
NZFC board chair Patsy Reddy said she was “concerned” because the report indicated that some practitioners feel the Commission is a barrier to their filmmaking aspirations, while the reporters recommended the NZ Government to pay “close attention” to Australia’s changes to incentives because “we do often compete for the same offshore productions”.
“An ‘us and them’ attitude; this was the most common concern, referenced by the majority of people we spoke to. They described the Commission as essentially an adversary,” said Jackson and Court in the report.
“It’s a tough position we’re in – there’s never enough money to go around. But we believe we can do better. We have already been talking to filmmakers during the course of this review about ways to improve our work with them,” said Reddy in a statement.
Just so that I understand… Encore asked Screen Australia if they are doing something to PREVENT this kind of “us and them” environment”. The answer from the Spokesperson was “We don’t believe it appropriate to comment on activities in another country”????????? Ok Screen Australia, the question was being asked of what YOU are doing about the “Us and them” issues.
The joke is that Screen Australia can’t even comment on their own activities in this country. I wonder if this spokesperson actually gets paid in that position?