A troupe of kiwi comedians, a DIY wizard and the steepest street in the world are just some of the unique New Zealand stories to be brought to the screen for the 2012 New Zealand Young Producer Shorts on BBC Knowledge…

BBC Knowledge and Spada are once again inviting young factual producers under 30 years old to submit concepts for one of five short-form grants of AU$5000…

The new partnership between TVNZ and SKY Television claims it will provide further pay opportunities for viewing of local programmes which have already been seen on TVNZ, but its implications for new programmes are unclear, says SPADA, the organisation representing New Zealand production companies and producers…

SPADA Conference organisers announced today leading-edge Australian producer Joe Connor of Renegade Films will be attending conference next week. Connor will share his insights into Renegade’s longevity in the high-risk business of film and television; as well as discuss the tale of Wilfred, the Australian hit about a man and his bong smoking dog, the format of which was sold to the US and has become the highest ever opening for an FX Network comedy premiere…

SPADA’s 19th annual conference kicks off with the head of one of the world’s top factual television production houses, NHNZ Managing Director Michael Stedman, delivering the NZ On Air John O’Shea Memorial Address. In addition to producing over 1500 hours of television; Stedman has held senior positions in Australia and New Zealand including Head of Training at the Australian Film and Television School (AFTRS), Head of Features for ABC in Australia, Consultant to the United Nations and Director of Production for TVNZ…

A recent meeting held between screen industry guilds, organisations and unions has resulted in the formation of a new combined industry group called Screen Industry New Zealand (SINZ)…

MEDIA RELEASE

BBC KNOWLEDGE AND SPADA CELEBRATE NEW ZEALAND’S YOUNG PRODUCTION TALENT WITH AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE

BBC Worldwide and the Screen Production & Development Association (SPADA) will launch a production initiative to support and develop young New Zealand filmmakers.

New Zealand producers under 30 years are invited to submit written applications for five grants of NZ$5,000 each. The resulting short-form documentaries will premiere on BBC Knowledge New Zealand later this year, with a screening in Australia to follow [...]

SPADA has posted audio files to key sessions from this year’s conference on its site – the producer organisation’s way, I’m told, of giving back to those people who can’t afford the conference, as well as providing a service to those who did attend and want to catch up with the sessions they missed.

At the SPADA conference on 12 November Rob Tapert was named as 2010′s Onfilm/SPADA Industry Champion, Ainsley Gardiner and Cliff Curtis were tapped as the Crombie Lockwood/MTJ Independent Producer(s) of the Year, and Briar March was celebrated as the SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year.

“NZ On Air has too often rewarded mediocrity. How often have I attended Qantas Awards and heard the winners declare “this is simply the best team”, or “we worked so hard on this and deserve recognition”, when the television show or short film has appeared once in off-peak, or was dropped after a few weeks of ratings failure, or did not produce the ratings needed to justify the investment. There is a reluctance to reward success. Outrageous Fortune is a good example where the battle to secure funding for years 4, 5 and 6 was significant – and without which, the programme could not be made…”

The following is the text of the address that Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman made to the annual industry conference organised by producers’ organisation SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association) on 12 November.

An updated chronology of the official press releases issued by the parties involved in The Hobbit dispute, as well as various onlookers. Once the dust is settled, there’ll be an Onfilm post mortem of this sorry episode, its conclusion and the implications thereof. If you note any relevant press releases regarding the imbroglio that are missing, then please drop me a line via nick@onfilm.co.nz, as I’d like to ensure this collection is not merely exhausting but exhaustive too. – Editor

This year’s SPADA conference kicks off with a hiss and a roar with The Hobbit – What Really Happened. Chaired by Russell Brown, the panel will include Philippa Boyens (co-writer The Hobbit), SPADA’s CEO Penelope Borland and Executive Member Richard Fletcher. “The past five weeks we have been focused on The Hobbit and the issues behind the dispute. We’re thrilled with the outcome, and look forward to discussing the underlying issues; as well as bringing clarity to some of the key arrangements that underpin the workings the film industry,” says SPADA CEO Penelope Borland.

President Jennifer Ward-Lealand expressed her gratitude on behalf of New Zealand performers for the Government’s leadership over the past two days toward negotiating a positive outcome with the studio executives and producers.
“We are pleased the Government was able to resolve the economic concerns of Warner Brothers and New Line. The film business is an internationally competitive one and it’s important New Zealand offers incentives that allow us to continue to build our world-renowned film industry.

The clarification of the law relating to the contractor status of film workers will be a welcome move to give more certainty to production companies, said SPADA Chief Executive Penelope Borland. Most workers engaged by screen production companies in the New Zealand film industry had indicated they were reasonably happy with being engaged as contractors, with the advantages that brings in terms of expenses and taxation in New Zealand and it certainly makes sense for production companies who largely work on a project to project basis.

Yesterday the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) issued a newsletter to its members, attempting to explain and justify the industrial action it initiated against The Hobbit. A number of statements made in this communication are mischievous, misleading or false.
At a time when SPADA was hoping trust and goodwill were restored, this communication is divisive and destructive.