There are a large number of film schools in NZ. Their focus is
on short intensive ‘real life’ skills working alongside part time tutors who
are active film practitioners.
This model allows for wonderful practical experience. There is no better
way to learn than alongside artists in their work.
The issue though is the large number of graduates seeking
work are finding extremely high competition for very few roles in NZ. The
student is trained for existing industry positions. Once ever position is
filled what is left for the other graduates? Nothing? Nothing except the opportunity
to create new work and new industry.
Greater attention then can be directed to giving students
the skills to create the positions that don’t exist. The ability to create
work, to create industry is a far more vital skill than being able to work
within the existing one.
It might be easy enough to guide students in this direction
but to give greatest value the students should model off practitioners.
Currently they model of artists who make for an industry. Who is there to model
off on how to create industry yet to exist?
This a territory that can be best filled by full time
academic staff. Research by academic staff should give focus toward new ways of
working. Exploring new territory, which is not dominated already by existing
industry. The students do not need to be part of creating this work but rather
be exposed to the staff member’s practice of it. It is the practice of
exploration that is of value here not just the findings of the research.
Potential areas of research are numerous. Narrative and
storytelling models based upon NZ Maori oral history could offer a wealth of
innovations for NZ film practice. Exploration of how to devise for film is much
safer within an academic institution. Studios use viral campaigning heavily but very little
information exists on effective ways to distribute and market films in the
digital market place outside of existing distributors. Where is film knowledge
not being applied that it could offer greater benefit? The filmed live performance
of the Met Opera is a hugely successful exercise in taking film into once
forbidden territory. What live performance in NZ could be better utilized through
film?
The wealth and depth of talent in the film industry is
driving the technology of storytelling. Who though is driving how we will tell
stories in the future? Across what formats? What stories will be relevant to
us? This high-risk exploration of film is best undertaken in the safety of an
institution. The hope of course is that this work becomes of greater value and
can lead to new financial markets.
In any case there is huge benefit to the student working alongside such
exploration in that they might themselves make the breakthrough necessary to
create new work in NZ.
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