Govt help for film industry?

Press, 29 August 1977, Page 2

Govt help for film industry?

Wellington reporter

Wellington reporter A commission to foster New Zealand’s film industry may be in the Government pipeline. Reorganisation of the film production and exhibition industry has been discussed by the Government and within departments in Wellington recently. The result may be a film commission.

In its 1975 pre-election manifesto, the National Party made several references to films. It said it would “encourage the production of feature films by individual film makers and companies,” and that immediately it took office it would review and revise the Cinematograph Act. More rapid progress has been made on the second undertaking than on the first, and just how the Government might give the “encouragement” it promised has been the subject of some debate. Films will continue to be made without encouragement, but, with assistance from the Government, good films could be made which would help announce the existence of New Zealand overseas. This, anyway,

seems to be the consensus of opinion which has emerged. There is also the feeling that the film industry, assisted by commissions from the two television networks, has reached the point where it could become a significant industry and export income earner. Now consideration has to be given to how the industry can be “encouraged” by the Government. The consensus of opinion seems to be that a film commission would be the best way of encouraging the industry.

Two distinct avenues of endeavour are immediately apparent — development and production. A development division would oe needed to advise the commission on how to assist private film producers in their efforts to make, promote, distribute and exhibit New Zealand films.

This would include improving the standard of script writing in New Zealand generally, marketing assistance (by loans) to stimulate public interest, help with negotiations, legal advice and the production of accounts, and general financial assistance (as appropriate) mainly

through loans but in other ways as well. A production division would have much the same functions as the National Film Unit has now. It would make or commission films that serve the needs of Government departments and agencies, look at matters of national interest, and generally look at aspects of New Zealand life. It would also have servicing facilities available for hire by private film makers, at commercial rates, as the unit has now.

Eventually, a New Zealand Film Commission will probably be established by statute and have a Governmentappointed directorate comprising a mixture of financial and management experience with knowledge of the film industry — including exhibition and distribution. The commission would have two main functions —

To produce and distribute films, as well as providing services for the private industry: To provide financial and other assistance to the whole New Zealand film industry. The first of these functions would presumably be

based on the existing facilities of the National Film Unit and its new studios at Avalon, the unit ultimately being responsible to the Government through the board of the commission. The second function would be an advisory and funding one, similar to the role already played by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council in the arts. LEFT BEHIND

It will not be cheap to run the commission. The money already going to the National Film Unit through the tourist vote would presumably be transferred, but the advisory and funding functions (film development) would need a brand new Government grant.

Just how keen the Government win be to endorse a new way of spending Government funds, when the whole tenor of its first 18 months in office has been to cut Government spending, remains to be seen.

The existing film hire tax could be used as a levy to the commission, for a start, but the Government would still have to find a lot more than that.