Chris Finlayson's choice of Peter Jackson to head his promised review of the Film Commission is a gutsy one -- not least because it could actually go wrong.
Jackson is a man of firm opinions, and quite capable of failing to play well with others (most notably when those others happen to be journalists). He is also, of course, visionary, intimately familiar with the demands of the contemporary motion picture industry, and no mere functionary.
Jackson, like South Pacific Pictures CEO John Barnett, has been a longtime critic of the Film Commission. The opportunity has been presented to apply that criticism in a positive fashion. It seems evident that whatever emerges from the review, it will not be business as usual.
So what philosophy might Jackson bring to the job? In an email interview (conducted before the announcement, naturally) in the issue of OnFilm that arrived this morning in my letterbox, he says this:
My personal opinion is that the NZFC made a big mistake creating a producer-led film industry. The directors and writers are the lifeblood of any film industry, yet they are treated as second-class citizens by the NZFC.
The filmmaking talent of New Zealand does not reside in the offices of its "producers" -- it's to be found in the hearts and minds of its writers and directors. Not supporting a writer or director without a producer attached is ridiculous in my opinion. You can hire producers, like you hire a gaffer or grip.
This "producer-led" industry thing is about 10 years old -- but haven't the last last 10 years been the most disappointing in our 30 year-old modern film industry? Where are the really great NZ movies? My simple advice to [new Film Commission CEO Graeme Mason] is to hunt out the true filmmaking talent in our country and support them in a way they haven't been supported during the past 10 years.
Well, that sounds right. More than that, I couldn't venture to guess.
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I enjoyed my turn at a bFM Historical Society interview last week -- it was a nice chance to tell a few stories (I warmed up as it went on). The project, organised by Patrick "Dubhead" Waller, aims to celebrate the station's 40th anniversary year by getting in the people who have made it tick for a few tunes and a chat.
My interview is here, and there are 15 others, including Paul Casserly, Marcus Lush and Graeme Hill, archived here.
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It's giveaway time!
I have two double passes to the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra's sellout show at the Michael Fowler Centre next Saturday the 27th. They're for the 9pm show.
They'll go to the first two people who can tell me which Public Address blogger has a family connection to the Ukulele Orchestra. Answer in the subject line please. Gone!
And I have two copies of the new Sonic Youth album, The Eternal, to go to the first two readers who can tell me the name under which members of Sonic Youth once recorded a version of a Madonna song. Gone too, sorry!
And finally, I have two single tickets to next Friday's 'Take Me Back' Box and Cause Celebre reunion, each with a limited-edition Take Me Back double-CD mixed by Rob Salmon and Greg Churchill? You'll need to tell me the name of the former "head doorman" at those two High Street clubs. Gone!
In all cases, hit "reply" to email me, and put your answer in the subject line.
And don't say we never do anything for you …
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Tomorrow's Public Address Radio (7pm, Radio Live; podcast here next week) includes interviews with the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis party's Dakta Green, on why he so enjoyed getting more Mt Albert votes than United Future's Judy Turner, and other things; and with Sven Pettersen of The Checks, whose new album, Alice By the Moon, is something of a revelation.
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And finally, a nice remix of Animal Collective's 'Daily Routine', among other things.