‘Sale’ producer new to N.Z. but not new to the job

Press, 27 September 1989, Page 19

‘Sale’ producer new to N.Z. but not new to the job

‘‘l love the job but it’s totally demanding,” says Tony Skinner, the new executive producer of "Sale of the Century” (week-nights at 7 on One).

He took over from Lisa Chatfield at the beginning of September, with a brief which gives him total control of the show. He will be the Grundy organisation’s figurehead in New Zealand. “The pace we’re working at makes it difficult for my family,” he says. ‘I literally had only two days to race around and find a house to live in. My wife and three children have just arrived from Melbourne.” Prior to working for

Grundys as an executive producer on two Mel-bourne-based game shows, “Perfect Match” and “Press Your Luck,” he was with Network 9 in Sydney, directing “Sale of the Century.”

“Now it’s come back to me,” he laughs. “I’ve put in four years directing ‘Sale’. I’ve directed in excess of a thousand episodes.” Nearly 70 people work behind the scenes each week to bring out “Sale of the Century.” These include a production staff of seven. TVNZ prize co-ordinators and an all-New Zealand crew. “It’s important to have a strong New Zealand contingent because a lot

of local knowledge is needed for a show like this,” says Skinner. A former “Mastermind” winner, Derek Bolt, is one of the question writers and Wellington comedian/radio personality Nick Tansley is the show’s audience warm-up man. “He coaxes the audi-, ence into being a little more outgoing than they normally would be which all adds to the atmosphere of the show and helps the contestants feel at home. “It’s important because a TV studio can be a pretty sterile environment. Contestants have to feel relaxed to perform well,” says Skinner.