Media Insider: NZ Film Commission cuts 13 roles amid funding criticisms; All Blacks coach Scott Razor Robertson opens up in Sky TV interview; RNZ explains explicit music lyrics…

OPINION: Why NZ is about to fall in love with All Blacks coach Scott Robertson; RNZ explains how it came to broadcast explicit music lyrics; Another prominent TV and film producer questions the returns from Film Commission-funded films – and the commission responds.

 

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) has axed 13 roles as part of a major restructuring aimed at ensuring the funding agency supports consistently strong movies.

As terminally ill film and TV producer Steven O’Meagher so eloquently outlined last weekend, New Zealand has not had a major film in eight years – Taika Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople, released in 2016, has been our most successful film ever, drawing in more than $12.2 million at the NZ box office.

O’Meagher pointed his finger squarely at the NZFC for funding some projects that tick politically correct and cultural boxes, but lack creative storytelling to draw audiences. There has been a lot of meddling, he says, and a fair few flops..