Jobs for most trainees

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 22

Jobs for most trainees

Most of last year’s Students from the Christ-church-based film and Jrideo training programme -have found jobs in the ."film industry.

"Some of them have gone from being unem>ployed to getting a $lOOO employment package,” says Marilyn Hudfson, one of the proqjramme’s co-ordinators. ’< “The jobs they’re getting are being competed for by others throughout the industry,” she says. She outlined what they ;are doing now: Kim Shaw-Williams who 'worked with the art deipartment on “Illustrious "Energy”, a feature film filmed in Central Otago is working as the -.third sound operator for the Walt Disney film s>eing shot in Queenstown. Tony Simpson worked fas a set-runner and third on “Illustrious and now has the -•job of third assistant

director for the Walt Disney film. Another ex-training programme student who worked for “Illustrious Energy” is Brigid Reilly. She was a production runner, and is now Leon Narbey’s (the director of ‘’lllustrious Energy”) camera assistant. She intends to move on to work in Mirage Films’ production office. Donald Gearson also worked on “Illustrious Energy”, as an assistant in the lighting department. He now works full-time for the Film Equipment Company in Wellington, and as the generator operator for the television series “Worzel Gummidge Down Under.”

Training programme students also worked on the other feature film shot in Central Otago recently, “Starlight Hotel.” Alistair Broughton was assistant to the gaffer, and now works as best boy on

“Worzel Gummidge Down Under?’

“This is a high position in the lighting department,” says Hudson, “and Alistair is lucky to have got the job as it normally takes around three years working the field to get such an opportunity.”

Mike Hill also worked on “Starlight Hotel.” He has been offered employment on “Worzel Gummidge Down Under,” but is considering other options.

Students who did not work on “Illustrious Energy” or “Starlight Hotel” have also managed to get jobs in the industry.

Diane Blomfield now works for the audio-visual unit at Auckland University, and Nigel McKenzie is working with Graham McLean and Associates in Wellington.

Andrew Bancroft was working in the field of film editing in Auckland, and Glen Bryson is on an

advanced training scheme with the local production company, Harry Ruffell, Ltd. Lucy Appleton is a trainee editor on “Worzel Gummidge Down Under”, and Alan Wright is a script trainee in Wellington.

Two of the students, David McKenzie and Jane Dyksma, have stayed in Christchurch and are working on the training programme. Sharon Matthews has a job with the New Zealand Ballet, and Ashley Turner worked as an art department trainee on “Illustrious Energy.” Only -two from last year’s course, Rob Mayes and Robinson Stowell, are not looking for jobs in the industry. Both of them are very involved with'music, says Hudson.

“There are 20 students attending the course this year,” she says, “and it looks like it will be just as successful.”