Screen sector professionals and job seekers are set to come together at the Screen West Experience, an interactive event designed to open career pathways to Auckland’s thriving screen sector.
The Screen West Experience will see Shed 2 at Corban Estate Arts Centre transformed into an interactive space, where participants can meet screen sector professionals and experience studio and set environments, including art, camera, lighting, location, grip, costume and accounts departments.
The Screen West Experience is the first initiative in a wider screen skills and talent development programme developed in consultation with the screen sector, to attract, train and retain creative talent in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. It is developed and hosted by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the economic and employment opportunities Auckland’s screen sector presents are substantial.
“Auckland’s screen sector accounted for 74 per cent of New Zealand’s $3.3 billion in total sector revenue in 2018,” he said.
“The recent attraction of high-profile productions such as the Amazon Studios series based on The Lord of the Rings and the Netflix Originals series Cowboy Bebop offers further opportunities to create jobs for Aucklanders, with flow-on benefits to other industries and businesses in the region.
“The Screen West Experience will upskill Aucklanders and help them establish long-term careers in the screen industry. It will attract new talent to the region, help retain our existing skilled workforce, and ensure Auckland’s screen sector continues grow, further cementing our reputation as a film-friendly region.”
Waitakere Ward councillors Shane Henderson and Linda Cooper agree.
Councillor Henderson says, “The Screen West Experience provides a great opportunity for the people of west Auckland, particularly its younger Māori and Pacific communities, to gain skills and work experience, and to build careers in a lucrative and growing industry—all in the region where they live.”
Councillor Cooper says, “West Auckland’s screen sector is booming, with many screen studios, gaming, production and post-production companies located in the area. Supporting the sector will increase employment opportunities and provide economic benefits across the region.”
ATEED General Manager Economic Development Pam Ford says partnership is at the heart of ATEED’s screen skills and talent development programme and the organisation is working closely with the region’s screen sector and government agencies to ensure initiatives meet its current and future needs.
“In 2019, ATEED surveyed screen sector heads of department to predict likely skills shortages across the sector in the short and long-term, as well as seeking feedback on internships, traineeships and potential obstacles to career pathways.
“Using this research, ATEED has developed a pilot programme in consultation with our screen sector partners, including establishing a screen industry advisory group to ensure that the programme is agile and responsive to sector needs,” explains Pam Ford.
Another key partner is the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), which represents a significant pool of potential employees and offers expertise in working with industries and employers.
“The Screen West Experience is the first initiative in MSD’s partnership with ATEED and we’re excited that some participants at today’s event have the potential to move on to paid internships in the screen sector, laying the foundation for a sustainable creative career,” says Amanda Nicolle, Director Industry Partnerships, MSD.
The following day, west Auckland secondary school students will have the opportunity to participate in the Screen West Experience Pathways Day on Thursday, 19 March at Corban Estate Arts Centre.
Held with the support of Panuku Development Auckland and the Ministry of Education, the Screen West Experience Pathways Day is designed to showcase creative careers to year 12 and 13 secondary school students in west Auckland, where regional screen activity is concentrated.
As the city’s urban regeneration agency, Panuku is conscious of the need for enhanced economic opportunities in Henderson. With Auckland Film Studios (AFS) granted a new 10-year lease by Panuku, the screen industry now offers additional employment opportunities for people who wish to live and work in Henderson and west Auckland.
Throughout the screen skills and talent development programme, ATEED, which includes regional film office Screen Auckland, will continue to foster relationships with the screen sector via screen attraction, facilitation, infrastructure, business capability and growth, and involvement in a range of screen-focused strategies.