NZCS Mid-Career Cinematographer Gender Diversity Internship Opportunity in Auckland

The NZCS is pleased to announce we have negotiated a DP Intern placement on the international feature film “Backpack” based in Auckland, under our Gender Diversity Program - made possible with support from the NZ Film Commission Strategic Development Fund and the local production company, TCS  NZ Productions 1 Ltd.

The Attachment provides the opportunity for an intern who identifies as female to shadow the Director of Photography, Jeff Cutter during pre-production, on set, and to experience advanced aspects of the craft of cinematography.

• The 15 days on set will commence in Auckland with Prep on 24th June and finish around  12th July. This will comprise 2 weeks of prep, meetings, camera tests, pre-shoot day, and a week of principal photography. 

The placement is intended for Auckland region locals or candidates who are prepared to relocate themselves and self-accommodate for the shoot period. This will be a paid Attachment - details available by emailing pd@nzcine.com. The selected candidate will be issued a standard contract by the Production Company and will join the payroll, per other contractors. This is a shoot based in West Auckland, so the successful applicant must be able to organise transport to the studio or location at varying shoot schedule call-times. No overtime will be paid, so the intern is only expected to be present for the standard shooting day.

The aim of the Attachment:

The program aims to provide an opportunity for an up-and-coming female, mid-career cinematographer to observe an experienced cinematographer mentor on an international feature film The goal is to provide another training pathway to the limited opportunities currently available, by giving the intern valuable on-set experience, increased confidence and a renewed skill-set in the world of high quality, big budget cinematography. This is not a creative input role, but will be a mentored position, closely shadowing the DP and key technicians at work, and observing the creative decision making process on set.

This mentorship is made possible with sponsorship from the New Zealand Film Commission and the NZCS.  We remain committed to a mandate to grow and diversify the pool of upcoming camera talent in New Zealand, to redress the imbalance that exists where not all communities are represented in the make-up of our camera teams, to ensure our stories are told from many different perspectives.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a member of the NZCS, or be prepared to join for a minimum of one year if successful.

• Have industry experience and have a track record of working as an up-and-coming cinematographer on short films, music videos, web series, or other genres. The applicant may not necessarily have an exclusive career as a Director of Photography.

• Be prepared to abide by all Covid 19 safety protocols on-set if necessary.

• Note 1: Under the NZCS Gender Diversity Program, this internship is aimed at applicants who are female or identify as female, non-binary, transgender and intersex,

• Note 2: Previous recipients are encouraged to apply as this is a long-term plan to elevate more female DP’s to more ambitious projects.

• Note 3: In order to give fair opportunity to all, participation in NZCS working committees will not be considered a conflict of interest to applying, as final choices are made by the DP.    

To apply:

Please submit the following in attached electronic documents (Word files or PDF) – do not include the below in body of email. Closing date for applications: 5.00pm, Fri 14th June, 2024 

 to: pd@nzcine.com with “DP intern, Gender Diversity Program, “Backpack” in the subject line:

• A full CV, including your normal place of residence, ethnicity, gender, age, residential status, and a filmography including links to a showreel or selection of completed works.

• A short written reference (from a screen industry professional or tutor)

• A proposal (maximum of 1-page) outlining why you wish to apply for the Attachment and what you hope to achieve from the opportunity.

A shortlist of suitable applicants will be forwarded to the production and an interview (in person or virtual) may be required, at which time further details of the production itself will be provided.

Applicants will be informed of a final decision by Monday, 17th June, latest.