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Kia ora tatou
Hard to believe it's August already. The NZ On Air team's been head down dealing with the new financial year - and preparing to report on the old. The great thing about a new financial year, of course, is the replenishment of the kitty. Our latest funding decisions are below: as always we were spoiled for choice so had to make some tough decisions. The programmes and music we've supported this month comprise a wonderful range of content for many different audiences and tastes.
I was setting to write a somewhat bleak missive this time, about the challenges facing the sector. I think I'd heard the phrases 'value chain' and 'structural analysis' just once too many times last week.
Then I went to the WIFT awards.
I've never been before. Apparently it's the eighth. Several hundred women working in TV, film, music, advertising and multimedia - and a goodly number of very cheerful men - gathering for a no-fuss (apart from some spectacular shoes) yet uplifting celebration of achievers in the sector.
It was when I heard South Pacific Pictures' Tim Balme talking on stage about how women really ran SPP, and that John Barnett and Chris Bailey were merely 'eye candy', that I knew I'd come home (possibly to a parallel universe if the very last comment is to be accepted).
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It reminded me that, even though we're all facing heaps of challenges, issues, problems, and all that boring stuff, we're all still enormously fortunate to work with great people, committed to what they do. And what's more, people with brains, style and a clear appreciation of the importance and contribution of New Zealand culture in our wider social and economic landscape. So congratulations to the women WIFT has honoured, and thanks to all the men and women who contribute to our cultural heart. It makes our job at NZ On Air so incredibly rewarding.
Cheers Jane |
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As you know we're on a constant round of reviewing our funds and processes to make sure we make the right decisions in constrained times.
* Chris Caddick's going great guns on the music review (we've topped 600 online submissions, which is a fantastic response).
* The new international music promotion programme based mainly around Australia is bedding in (see here).
* The Platinum Fund has delivered outstanding TV success already in the shape of Tamariki Ora and Stolen, among others, and there's more to come.
* The research into mainstream Maori programmes is nearly finished.
* We have been able to support a brilliant new initiative for vision impaired audiences (see here).
* We're also giving a fair bit of thought to the best access radio output, and ensuring that regional television funding is channelled to deliver news and information you won't find in the mainstream.
The arrangements made with TVNZ and TV3 to reduce some categories of minimum licence fees, given the economic climate, expires after the August funding decisions. We've now set down new minimum licence fees with TVNZ and TV3 - higher than last year, but with a final 10 months extension of reduced levels from the 2009 averages. These take effect for all funding decisions after those published in this newsletter.
As we're preparing, sadly, to farewell Naomi Wallwork to the Film Commission, we're also looking forward to welcoming her replacement. Amy Bardsley will start with us at the end of August as our Business Affairs Executive. Many of you will know Amy - a lawyer by trade who's been producing through Sticky Pictures and, latterly, raising children. We're pleased to have found someone with industry experience and we hope the television community will enjoy working with her. Amy is in the process of selling her interest in Sticky Pictures.
New Zealand's newest access radio station began broadcasting on 12 July 2010, with help from NZ On Air. Access Radio Taranaki broadcasts from Windy Point with panoramic views of land and sea including Mount Taranaki. Many months of hard work paid off for a small team of dedicated volunteers who made the station happen. Now the hard work really begins!
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Access Radio Taranaki is the first new access station since Access Manawatu in 1997. Community access radio is also funded in eleven other locations around New Zealand. It exists primarily to provide access to the airwaves for special interest groups not strongly represented in mainstream media. Programmes are made by minority language, ethnic, disability and religious groups, among others. A guiding principle of all access radio operators is "by, for, and about". This means that, as far as possible, stations operate as a platform and a support crew, allowing programme makers to broadcast shows that are "by, for, and about" their own communities. |
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NZ On Air is pleased to fund the introduction of a pilot service of Audio Description (AD) on TVNZ. Audio Description allows people with vision impairment to follow television programmes more easily. An audio track describes the non verbal on-screen action in a programme alongside the normal soundtrack. |
NZ On Air and TVNZ have been investigating feasibility for some time, supported by strong advocacy from the community. It's now possible with the digitisation of TVNZ's transmission facilities, due to come on stream towards the end of the year. It is expected that the first Audio Described programme will screen around March 2011. NZ On Air's funding is for a pilot year for a limited amount of TV One programming. After NZ On Air and TVNZ evaluate the success of the pilot, and depending on available funding, it is hoped the service will roll out more broadly.
For more information see here.
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We now have the official local music content figures for commercial radio for the last complete quarter (to 30 June 2010). New Zealand music content on commercial radio in the June quarter was 20.19% (down from 20.95% in the March quarter) and the 2010 year-to-date figure (to 30 June) was 20.43%. Urban formats did 22.88% and Hot A/C formats did 21.12% in the June quarter. The top five most-played New Zealand songs in the June quarter were You Got Me by J Williams & Scribe; Just A Little Bit by Kids Of 88; Cruel by Dane Rumble; Everything by Dane Rumble; and Sun Goes Down by Nesian Mystik. |
We are making changes to the album funding guidelines and the
album funding contract that will apply to all 2010-2011 funding.
This is to ensure that applicants are treated fairly and eligible
expenditure is properly defined and accounted for. The first of our
album funding decisions for the new funding year are listed here.
We're also changing drawdown provisions. If you are planning
on pitching us for album funding this year, make sure you check out
the new guidelines here. Contact Brendan Smyth or David Ridler for
further information.
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Last year, we commissioned a review of the international New Zealand music promotion work that we have been doing since 2005. As a result of the review, we are focusing now on getting airplay action for New Zealand music in Australia and infiltrating college radio in America. Those are now our twin priorities to improve the profile of New Zealand Music: international success increases success at home. A copy of our new international music strategy reflecting the outcome of the review and taking effect now is on our website here. The focus on Australia is very timely. At the moment, The Naked & Famous, Artisan Guns, Dane Rumble, J Williams, Kids Of 88, Opshop, Midnight Youth and, of course, Gin Wigmore are all getting traction on Australian radio. Most of these radio campaigns have been (part) funded by NZ On Air via the international programme. |
Meanwhile, our second major music review, this time
concentrating on our work back here in New Zealand, is in full
flight. Consultant Chris Caddick started work in March and is
due to report in December. Along the way, he is conducting
in-depth one-on-one interviews with 100+ key players in the music
and broadcasting industries and will take into account the results
of an online survey that we are running to enable anyone and
everyone to have a say. See here.
So far, well over 600 people have taken the opportunity to have
their say. If you haven't yet, please do!
We are expecting that this review and consultation will not
just change what we are currently doing but also open up new
opportunities to connect great New Zealand music with New Zealand
audiences on different platforms.
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In the first Documentary/Factual round of the new financial year we received a large number of applications - over 20, which would have more than spent our total annual documentary budget. We were pleased to support nearly half of the applications which included a mix of returning favourites such as Country Calendar and What's Really In Our Food? along with new series like Breaking the Cycle (looking at the issue of obesity within Maori and Pacific communities) and Unsung Heroes (following the dedicated volunteers who ensure organisations such as the Auckland City Mission, SPCA and the Maori Wardens continue to serve our communities). A feature documentary on the life of New Zealand's favourite comedian, Billy T James, was also supported. |
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Comedy projects funded included Christmas Comedy Gala for TV2, a new series Hounds from thedownlowconcept, and AotearoHa - both for TV3.
In what some may see as our TV Manager Glenn Usmar's desperate attempt to get some 'street cred ' we are also pleased to support NZ's Best Dance Crew, an entertainment special looking at New Zealand's best hip hop dancers for TV3/C4. This is timely given the world beating exploits of NZ dance crew Request who recently won the Hip Hop World Championship in Las Vegas. Check out their performance here.
Two feature films were supported at this meeting; Mr Pip (based on Lloyd Jones' award winning novel) to be directed by Andrew Adamson and Two Little Boys written by Duncan and Robert Sarkies, to be directed by Robert. Funding was also approved for a Australian/NZ coproduced telefeature for TV2 - Panic at Rock Island.
One Platinum Fund project was supported at this meeting - What Really Happened? Waitangi , a dramatic recreation of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi which is to be produced by Eyeworks for TV One.
With the finalists announced for the Qantas Film & Television awards this week, we'd like to congratulate all those nominated.
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We're proud of how many were nominated for their work on NZ On Air funded television programmes: The Cult, Go Girls, Outrageous Fortune, 7 Days, The Jaquie Brown Diaries, Pulp Sport, Kaitangata Twitch, Reservoir Hill, Radar's Patch, South, The Topp Twins & The APO, One Land, What's Really In Our Food?, Donated to Science, The Worst Offenders, The Flight of Te Hookioi, and The Truth About Us. A full list of finalists can be found here.
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As mentioned in our June newsletter, NZ On Air has been reviewing its standard contract with particular regard to how we deal with sales income. We have also taken this opportunity to improve the formatting and make a number of other changes to improve transparency and update the contract. A revised standard contract was issued for feedback on 5 August to SPADA and producers who have expressed an interest in seeing it, or have current or upcoming projects with us. If you did not receive a copy of this contract and would like to give feedback, please contact Naomi. We aim to use the final agreed contract for all projects granted funding at the August Board meeting.
* The weekly deadline for NZ On Air receipt of invoices and reports is Friday lunchtime.
* Cost and producer reports are required with every drawdown except Execution and Delivery. Producer reports should include the name of the producer - or at least the report writer at the bottom - not be left blank.
* Overages in Above Line expenditure require the approval of the Television Manager. A brief email to Glenn Usmar explaining the reason for the overage and requesting approval, will suffice.
* Negative figures should not appear in the 'estimated to complete' column of a cost report. Any overs or unders should be shown in the Variance column.
Many of you have been the lucky recipients of our random funding compliance audits. Go on, you know you liked it. For those yet to encounter our lovely auditors, we've put up a handy guide of what to expect, under Publications on our website. See here.
Television Funding Decisions |
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Genre |
Programme |
Total Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
|
Production Company |
Channel |
|
Special Interest |
Audio Description 2010-2011 |
500,000 |
0 |
0 |
|
Television New Zealand |
|
|
Arts/Culture |
CRIME QUEEN - NGAIO MARSH (additional) |
14,500 |
1 |
60 |
|
Seannachie Productions |
TV One |
|
Arts/Culture |
NEW ZEALAND'S BEST DANCE CREW |
225,585 |
1 |
60 |
|
TVWorks |
TV3 |
|
Arts/Culture |
VODAFONE NEW ZEALAND MUSIC AWARDS 2010 |
130,000 |
1 |
120 |
|
Satellite Media Group |
C4 |
|
Comedy |
AOTEAROHA 2010 |
299,240 |
2 |
60 |
|
TVWorks |
TV3 |
|
Comedy |
CHRISTMAS COMEDY SPECIAL |
142,392 |
1 |
120 |
|
Satellite Media Group |
TV 2 |
|
Comedy |
HOUNDS |
1,089,464 |
6 |
30 |
|
The Down Low Concept |
TV3 |
|
Documentary |
BILLY T JAMES KIWI JOKER |
204,174 |
1 |
120 |
|
E-Cast |
TV3 |
|
Documentary |
BREAKING THE CYCLE |
531,924 |
6 |
60 |
|
Black Inc Media |
TV3 |
|
Documentary |
COUNTRY CALENDAR 2011 |
361,311 |
26 |
30 |
|
Television New Zealand |
TV One |
|
Documentary |
GLOBAL RADAR |
479,779 |
8 |
30 |
|
Jam TV |
TV One |
|
Documentary |
MISSING PIECES 3 |
897,257 |
13 |
30 |
|
Eyeworks New Zealand |
TV3 |
|
Documentary |
ROCKED THE NATION 3 |
679,430 |
6 |
60 |
|
Satellite Media Group |
TV3 |
|
Documentary |
TO MARKET |
498,740 |
10 |
30 |
|
Fisheye Films |
TV One |
|
Documentary |
UNSUNG HEROES |
415,325 |
10 |
30 |
|
Cream Media |
TV One |
|
Documentary |
WHAT'S REALLY IN OUR FOOD? 3 |
684,494 |
10 |
30 |
|
Top Shelf Productions |
TV3 |
|
Drama |
MR PIP |
400,000 |
1 |
120 |
|
Eyeworks New Zealand |
TV3 |
|
Drama |
PANIC AT ROCK ISLAND |
335,000 |
1 |
120 |
|
The Gibson Group |
TV 2 |
|
Drama |
TWO LITTLE BOYS |
400,000 |
1 |
120 |
|
Nightmare Productions |
TV3 |
|
Drama |
*WHAT REALLY HAPPENED? WAITANGI |
1,510,155 |
1 |
90 |
|
Eyeworks New Zealand |
TV One |
|
Special Interest |
ATTITUDE AWARDS 2010 |
75,426 |
1 |
60 |
|
Attitude Pictures |
TV One |
*This programme was supported by the NZ On Air Platinum Fund
Radio Funding Decisions |
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|
Genre |
Description |
Total Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
|
Channel |
|
NZ Music |
Fresh Produce |
45,000 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
Flava FM |
|
NZ Music |
Keeping It Kiwi |
20,000 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
The Breeze |
|
NZ Music |
Off The Record 2010-11 |
50,000 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
|
The Rock |
|
Comedy |
Public Address Radio 2010/11 |
144,300 |
52.0 |
60.0 |
|
Radio Live |
|
Special Interest |
Drivetime News (Te Reo) |
17,200 |
720.0 |
2.0 |
|
George FM |
|
Youth |
Te Puutake 10/11 |
161,085 |
50.0 |
60.0 |
|
Mai FM |
Music Funding Decisions |
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|
Funding Type |
Artist - Project |
Total Amount Approved |
|
Production Company |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
Dukes - Album 1 |
up to 50,000 |
|
Play Nicely |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
I Am Giant - Album 1 |
up to 50,000 |
|
Giant Sound |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
Midnight Youth - Album 2 |
up to 50,000 |
|
Warner Music |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
Scribe - Album 3 |
up to 50,000 |
|
Scribe Music |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
The Black Seeds - Album 4 |
up to 50,000 |
|
The Black Seeds |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
The Feelers - Album 5 |
up to 50,000 |
|
The Feelers |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
These Four Walls - Album 2 |
up to 50,000 |
|
Isaac Promotions |
|
|
NZ Music Albums |
Vince Harder - Album 1 |
up to 50,000 |
|
Illegal Musik |
|
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Cash - Hands Up |
10,000 |
|
Charlie Ash |
|
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Drew - Get Over You |
10,000 |
|
Drew Neemia |
|
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Jae'O - Will We Ever Be |
10,000 |
|
Tyree Tautogia |
|
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Jayson Norris - Window |
10,000 |
|
Loop Media |
|
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
The Drab Doo Riffs - Hot Tanya |
10,000 |
|
The Drab Doo Riffs |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Anika Moa - Two Hearts |
5,000 |
|
Flightless Birds Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Annah Mac - Baby Don't Change |
5,000 |
|
Sony Music Entertainment |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Atlanta Fall - Release Your Fears |
5,000 |
|
Atlanta Fall |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Autozamm - Waiting |
5,000 |
|
Let The People Speak Entertainment |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Black River Drive - 15 Minutes |
5,000 |
|
Page One Management |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Brooke Fraser - Something In The Water |
5,000 |
|
Sony Music Entertainment |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Chazz Valentine - Unstoppable |
5,000 |
|
Filthy Lucre Enterprises |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Deceptikonz - Blood Is Thicker Than Water |
5,000 |
|
Dawn Raid Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Die! Die! Die! - Wasted Lands |
5,000 |
|
Flying Nun Records |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
DJ CXL feat. Erakah & K.One - Natural |
5,000 |
|
Illegal Musik |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Erakah - In Or Out |
5,000 |
|
Illegal Musik |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
For Da Grind - I See Forever In You |
5,000 |
|
For Da Grind |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Hollie Smith - Will You Be The One |
5,000 |
|
Soundsmith Records |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Ivy Lies - I Lie Awake |
5,000 |
|
Let The People Speak Entertainment |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
J Williams - Got You Where I Want You |
5,000 |
|
Illegal Musik |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Julia Deans - Recovery |
5,000 |
|
Tardus Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Katchafire - Only When You Move |
5,000 |
|
Katchafire Enterprises |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Kids Of 88 - Everybody Knows |
5,000 |
|
Dryden Street |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Kidz In Space - On The Road |
5,000 |
|
Move The Crowd |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Legacy Of Disorder - This Time |
5,000 |
|
Legacy Of Disorder |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Luger Boa - New Hot Nights |
5,000 |
|
Stuka Records |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Midnight Youth - Flat Earth |
5,000 |
|
Warner Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Motocade - We Belong To Summer |
5,000 |
|
Isaac Promotions |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
North Shore Pony Club - Overload Mode |
5,000 |
|
Tardus Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
November Zulu - Run With The Enemy |
5,000 |
|
November Zulu |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Opshop - Madness & Other Allergies |
5,000 |
|
Opshop Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Pieter T - No One |
5,000 |
|
Handmade Records |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Seth Haapu - Stereotype |
5,000 |
|
Sony Music Entertainment |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Shapeshifter - Fire |
5,000 |
|
Truetone Records |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
State Of Mind - Deeper Stories |
5,000 |
|
SOM Music |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
The Earlybirds - Truth |
5,000 |
|
Little Arrows |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
The Naked & Famous - Punching In Dreams |
5,000 |
|
Somewhat Damaged |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
The Phoenix Foundation - Flock Of Hearts |
5,000 |
|
The Phoenix Foundation |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
The Valves - Sirens |
5,000 |
|
Broken Records |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
These Four Walls - One Moment In Time |
5,000 |
|
Isaac Promotions |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Tiger Tones - Diamond |
5,000 |
|
Tiger Tones |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
TokyoStreetGang - Only Thing (feat. Julia Deans) |
5,000 |
|
Dirty Management |
|
|
NZ Music Videos |
Vince Harder - Summer Days (feat. Young Sid) |
5,000 |
|
Illegal Musik |
|
|
NZ Music International |
I Am Giant - Australia |
5,000 |
|
Giant Sound |
|
|
NZ Music International |
The Naked & Famous - Australia |
2,000 |
|
Somewhat Damaged |
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Printable versionIn this issue...
-
A note from the CEO -
Jobs in Train -
Television licence fees -
New Staff Member -
Access Radio Taranaki -
Audio Description -
Just Over Twenty -
Album Contract Changes -
Over There -
Back Here -
Nearly $5m invested in Documentary and Factual programming at the August meeting -
Platinum Fund -
Qantas Film & Television awards -
Revised Production and Funding Agreement issued for consultation -
Reminders For Producers -
Funding audits -
Funding
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