Screen industry converts creativity into economic headlines

April 3, 2012

New Zealand screen industry converting creative projects into economic headlines – Film New Zealand

Statistics New Zealand figures just released show New Zealand’s screen industry is in excellent health and has had a great year, according to Film New Zealand Chief Executive Gisella Carr.

The annual Statistics New Zealand Screen Industry Survey figures show gross revenue for 2011 rose to nearly $3 billion, a four percent rise since 2010. The survey tracks revenue and other indicators across television broadcasting, feature film, television and television commercial production; and film and video exhibition and distribution.

Gisella Carr says the figures are an indicator of the strength of the New Zealand industry. Film New Zealand is the agency responsible for promoting New Zealand as a centre for international screen business.

“This is great news, business is up in every category – New Zealand is hitting new highs across the board. The underlying indicators are also excellent, for example 180 screen businesses recorded more than $1 million in revenue, an increase of 18 since last year.”

She says the new total revenue figure is a testament to everyone in the screen industry playing their part, whether they are working on international or domestic production, or both.

“We could never have imagined the scale of these figures a generation ago. It is a testament to our screen entrepreneurs who are converting creative projects into economic headlines.”

International revenue showed the first increase since 2008 with an increase of more than 17 percent to $387 million, a figure Statistics New Zealand attributed to a 30 percent rise in revenue from North America.

“We are holding our own internationally, the level of revenue is increasing from year to year – despite a global recession and despite the fact that much of the screen industry runs on a project basis with breaks between activities. We are now starting to see trends over time, and what is emerging is a picture of consistent growth and sustainability.”

She says the North American market remains of major importance to New Zealand.

“Our key creatives and screen entrepreneurs are netting some big fish in terms of large scale international projects which are sustaining a large section of the industry.

“The figures are a strong indicator that international production companies see New Zealand as a safe pair of hands to make large scale international productions, and New Zealand is seen as business friendly.”

Gisella Carr says the mix and diversity of work is also fascinating. The survey showed a quarter of all screen industry revenue this year ($707 million) comes from feature film creation, up 15 percent, although just 35 films were completed in 2011.

“At the same time as the quality film work, there is on-going television production which is the life blood of much of our industry and provides continuous workflow, and more than 2,500 television productions were completed in 2011.”

New Zealand has carved out an outstanding reputation for creative projects and the survey is testament to the underlying strength of the industry as a whole, she says.

ENDS

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