All Blog Posts

When Is a Levy Not a Levy?
BlogElectioneering is in full swing as we head towards November. It was just eight weeks ago that Reuben Davidson, Labour Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Media and Creative Economy, stood in front of the New Zealand screen industry at the Big…

Career Spotlight: Peter Roberts ANZSE
Blog, Career SpotlightsAfter half a century in the film and television industry, Peter has worked across drama, documentary, news, sport, music, commercials, corporates, theatricals, and broadcast. Despite all of the technical and exhibition changes over the years,…

How’s Theatrical Doing?
BlogThe New Zealand International Film Festival kicked off last night with the screening of Big Girls Don’t Cry, directed by Paloma Schneiderman. A very accomplished and cinematic execution by a first-time feature filmmaker. The programme has…

Different Pathways
BlogThe Big Screen Symposium has run its course for another year. This time around, it had an emphasis on local content makers on the big and small screen, with micro-budget productions getting a good share of the limelight. I moderated a session…

Documenting Winners
BlogLast night I attended the Doc Edge Awards 2026, which recognised the best New Zealand and international documentaries submitted to the fest, along with some special awards for contributions to documentary. Chief among those was the Raye Freedman…

Work Opportunities
BlogEvery once in awhile we get contacted at the guild by producers or other individuals wanting recommendations for directors, editors or assistant editors. And I can tell you, we do get contacted about Hollywood projects as well. To be fair…

A Kōrero with Music Supervisor Aminé Ramer
A Kōrero With..., NewsThe A Kōrero with… blog series is back for 2026! This time, DEGANZ’s Izzi spoke with Music Supervisor Aminé Ramer to hear all the ways music plays its part in screen productions.
An award-winning music supervisor and consultant, Aminé…

Yes Minister(s)
Blog, NewsSo... Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Paul Goldsmith (Minister for Public Service; Digitising Government; Arts, Culture and Heritage; Media and Communications) got together and announced that the government is embarking on a fundamental overhaul…

When Is a Levy Not a Levy?
BlogElectioneering is in full swing as we head towards November. It was just eight weeks ago that Reuben Davidson, Labour Spokesperson for Broadcasting, Media and Creative Economy, stood in front of the New Zealand screen industry at the Big…

Career Spotlight: Peter Roberts ANZSE
Blog, Career SpotlightsAfter half a century in the film and television industry, Peter has worked across drama, documentary, news, sport, music, commercials, corporates, theatricals, and broadcast. Despite all of the technical and exhibition changes over the years,…

How’s Theatrical Doing?
BlogThe New Zealand International Film Festival kicked off last night with the screening of Big Girls Don’t Cry, directed by Paloma Schneiderman. A very accomplished and cinematic execution by a first-time feature filmmaker. The programme has…

Different Pathways
BlogThe Big Screen Symposium has run its course for another year. This time around, it had an emphasis on local content makers on the big and small screen, with micro-budget productions getting a good share of the limelight. I moderated a session…

Documenting Winners
BlogLast night I attended the Doc Edge Awards 2026, which recognised the best New Zealand and international documentaries submitted to the fest, along with some special awards for contributions to documentary. Chief among those was the Raye Freedman…

Work Opportunities
BlogEvery once in awhile we get contacted at the guild by producers or other individuals wanting recommendations for directors, editors or assistant editors. And I can tell you, we do get contacted about Hollywood projects as well. To be fair…
ANZSE Career Spotlights
Read about the illustrious careers of ANZSE-accredited editors.

Career Spotlight: Peter Roberts ANZSE
Blog, Career SpotlightsAfter half a century in the film and television industry, Peter has worked across drama, documentary, news, sport, music, commercials, corporates, theatricals, and broadcast. Despite all of the technical and exhibition changes over the years,…

Career Spotlight: Jonno Woodford-Robinson ANZSE
Blog, Career SpotlightsJonno Woodford-Robinson’s career as an editor is a testament to versatility, rhythm, and a deep understanding of storytelling across genres. From blockbuster VFX spectacles to intimate indie dramas and documentaries, his work combines technical…

Editor Jesse Dixon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI didn’t always want to be an editor. I loved film and the moving image, but I was put off by the big crews and the “art by committee” feel of it all. Like many artsy teens, I thought I was a revolutionary artist with something profound…

Director & Editor Jack Woon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI made my first film when I was about 8. I hijacked my dad’s chonky Hi-8 home video camera, hit record, stopped, then hit record again. I could make people vanish! In my first year of high school, I made a Star Wars parody about the ozone…

Director Justin Scott: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI remember being asked in university what I wanted my career to be. Many of my peers were saying Director, Producer or DOP- my answer was Production Assistant (I think I was a bit realistic about what opportunities were available to me leaving…

Editor Francis Glenday: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryMy earliest, real childhood memory is being about 3 years old. I’m sitting in front of an electric heater, one of the old fireplace-mounted ones. It has two bright orange electric resistors. In my left hand, I have a toy; a silver metal cowboy…

Director Hweiling Ow: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryA forty-five-second short horror film, garnering 16 million views online, propelled me into a dream I didn’t know I desired. Life is a game of random chances. You put in the work and hope the universe aligns. For me, the creative professions…

Editor Cushla Dillon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryWhen I started back in 1986 (my first official job was as Director’s assistant on ‘Starlight Hotel’) the only ‘filmmaking’ courses in NZ were a Masters in Broadcasting at the University of Auckland and a newly established Broadcasting…
A Kōrero With…
In this guest blog series, we speak to screen professionals to find out more about their job and what most people might not know, including those working in the industry. This blog offers an inside look into different parts of the industry and offers insights into how directors and editors can be successful in the collaborative process of their mahi.

A Kōrero with Music Supervisor Aminé Ramer
A Kōrero With..., NewsThe A Kōrero with… blog series is back for 2026! This time, DEGANZ’s Izzi spoke with Music Supervisor Aminé Ramer to hear all the ways music plays its part in screen productions.
An award-winning music supervisor and consultant, Aminé…

A Kōrero with Animation Studio Mukpuddy
A Kōrero With..., BlogAs a follow-up to this year's Animation Matchmaking series, DEGANZ's Izzi Hoskyn sat down with Ryan Cooper and Alex Leighton, two-thirds of the team leading Mukpuddy Ltd. Mukpuddy originated from humble beginnings in 2002, starting in a basement…

A Kōrero with Director of Photography Simon Raby NZCS
A Kōrero With..., BlogFor this iteration of DEGANZ's new blog series, A Kōrero With..., Izzi Hoskyn spoke with Director of Photography Simon Raby NZCS. Simon is a freelance Director/Cinematographer with 45 years of industry experience. He works largely in feature…

A Kōrero with Colourist Damian McDonnell
A Kōrero With..., BlogDEGANZ’s Izzi Hoskyn sat down with award-winning Colourist Damian McDonnell to take a peek behind the curtain of the craft of colour grading. Damian has over twenty years’ experience as a colourist and editor in both Hollywood and Aotearoa.…

Editor Jesse Dixon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI didn’t always want to be an editor. I loved film and the moving image, but I was put off by the big crews and the “art by committee” feel of it all. Like many artsy teens, I thought I was a revolutionary artist with something profound…

Director & Editor Jack Woon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI made my first film when I was about 8. I hijacked my dad’s chonky Hi-8 home video camera, hit record, stopped, then hit record again. I could make people vanish! In my first year of high school, I made a Star Wars parody about the ozone…

Director Justin Scott: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI remember being asked in university what I wanted my career to be. Many of my peers were saying Director, Producer or DOP- my answer was Production Assistant (I think I was a bit realistic about what opportunities were available to me leaving…

Editor Francis Glenday: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryMy earliest, real childhood memory is being about 3 years old. I’m sitting in front of an electric heater, one of the old fireplace-mounted ones. It has two bright orange electric resistors. In my left hand, I have a toy; a silver metal cowboy…

Director Hweiling Ow: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryA forty-five-second short horror film, garnering 16 million views online, propelled me into a dream I didn’t know I desired. Life is a game of random chances. You put in the work and hope the universe aligns. For me, the creative professions…

Editor Cushla Dillon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryWhen I started back in 1986 (my first official job was as Director’s assistant on ‘Starlight Hotel’) the only ‘filmmaking’ courses in NZ were a Masters in Broadcasting at the University of Auckland and a newly established Broadcasting…
How I Got Started in the Industry
In this guest blog series, our members reflect on how they made their way into assistant editing, editing, and directing—with no two stories the same. They offer advice for those starting out.

Editor Jesse Dixon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI didn’t always want to be an editor. I loved film and the moving image, but I was put off by the big crews and the “art by committee” feel of it all. Like many artsy teens, I thought I was a revolutionary artist with something profound…

Director & Editor Jack Woon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI made my first film when I was about 8. I hijacked my dad’s chonky Hi-8 home video camera, hit record, stopped, then hit record again. I could make people vanish! In my first year of high school, I made a Star Wars parody about the ozone…

Director Justin Scott: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI remember being asked in university what I wanted my career to be. Many of my peers were saying Director, Producer or DOP- my answer was Production Assistant (I think I was a bit realistic about what opportunities were available to me leaving…

Editor Francis Glenday: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryMy earliest, real childhood memory is being about 3 years old. I’m sitting in front of an electric heater, one of the old fireplace-mounted ones. It has two bright orange electric resistors. In my left hand, I have a toy; a silver metal cowboy…

Director Hweiling Ow: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryA forty-five-second short horror film, garnering 16 million views online, propelled me into a dream I didn’t know I desired. Life is a game of random chances. You put in the work and hope the universe aligns. For me, the creative professions…

Editor Cushla Dillon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryWhen I started back in 1986 (my first official job was as Director’s assistant on ‘Starlight Hotel’) the only ‘filmmaking’ courses in NZ were a Masters in Broadcasting at the University of Auckland and a newly established Broadcasting…

Editor Jesse Dixon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI didn’t always want to be an editor. I loved film and the moving image, but I was put off by the big crews and the “art by committee” feel of it all. Like many artsy teens, I thought I was a revolutionary artist with something profound…

Director & Editor Jack Woon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI made my first film when I was about 8. I hijacked my dad’s chonky Hi-8 home video camera, hit record, stopped, then hit record again. I could make people vanish! In my first year of high school, I made a Star Wars parody about the ozone…

Director Justin Scott: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryI remember being asked in university what I wanted my career to be. Many of my peers were saying Director, Producer or DOP- my answer was Production Assistant (I think I was a bit realistic about what opportunities were available to me leaving…

Editor Francis Glenday: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryMy earliest, real childhood memory is being about 3 years old. I’m sitting in front of an electric heater, one of the old fireplace-mounted ones. It has two bright orange electric resistors. In my left hand, I have a toy; a silver metal cowboy…

Director Hweiling Ow: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryA forty-five-second short horror film, garnering 16 million views online, propelled me into a dream I didn’t know I desired. Life is a game of random chances. You put in the work and hope the universe aligns. For me, the creative professions…

Editor Cushla Dillon: How I Got Started in the Industry
How I Got Started in the IndustryWhen I started back in 1986 (my first official job was as Director’s assistant on ‘Starlight Hotel’) the only ‘filmmaking’ courses in NZ were a Masters in Broadcasting at the University of Auckland and a newly established Broadcasting…
