Filming interest sparks BOP roadshow

Bay of Plenty Film will be delivering a series of free Film Industry Pathways workshops. Photo/File

After a year of marketing the Bay of Plenty as a prime film-making destination, Bay of Plenty Film has received an increase in inquiries from national and international film productions.

As a result, a number of projects have committed to bringing their productions to Bay of Plenty providing opportunities for entry-level and experienced film crew.

To help connect local people with an upcoming film career opportunities Bay of Plenty Film will be delivering a series of free Film Industry Pathways workshops around the region targeted at anyone interested in working in the film industry and to help them develop their career paths in the wider film industry.

The film industry provides numerous opportunities for employment, not only for the directors, producers and actors, but to those providing catering, transport and logistics, construction, electrical, visual art, animal wrangling and more.

This series of workshops will give participants an understanding of the many and varied roles on a feature film, and how to map out the pathways from entry level right through to the 'dream' jobs.

Bay of Plenty Film chief executive Anton Steel said most people dreamed of becoming directors, actors, cinematographers or producers, but you can't just jump into these roles.

It takes quite a few steps to get there, and we can help budding filmmakers navigate these steps.

"The industry nationwide is set to get very busy later on this year, and we are in talks with productions outside of the region to help get Bay people experience onset".

Designed and delivered by Steel and Bay of Plenty Film board member Paula Jones the workshop will cover intro to Bay of Plenty Film and its role in the region, the nature of the industry, how you get into the industry, the wide range of skills the industry is looking for, and what BOP Film is doing to connect people with work in the Bay and Nationwide

The workshop will be held in main centres throughout the wider Bay of Plenty from the August 9-15.

Dates and venues:
TAURANGA
Thursday August 9, 1pm to 3pm at Toi Ohomai Windermere Campus
Saturday August 11, 10am to 12pm at Canvas Careers Expo, ASB Arena
ROTORUA
Friday August 10, 1pm to 3pm at Digital Basecamp
ŌPŌTIKI
Tuesday August 14, 12pm to 1.30pm at Ōpōtiki Golf Club, 14 Fromow Road
WHAKATANE
Tuesday August 14, 7pm to 9pm at Whakatāne Information Centre
TAUPŌ
Wednesday August 15, 7pm to 9pm - Venue TBC

For more information or to register your interest, contact the Bay of Plenty Film Coordinator, Kristy Robinson on 021 481 834 or email info@bopfilm.nz