ShowNews

What DJ and Bevan did in the Shadows
2025-06-03 17:00 - 20:30 (Pacific/Auckland) | Dept. Of Post, Newton Rd, Auckland
NZCS Presents: What DJ & Bevan did in the Shadows
Prepping for fast-paced, multi-cam mayhem on What We Do in the Shadows
Join us for a laid-back evening with cinematographers DJ Stipsen NZCS and Bevan Crothers as they share their experiences working on the Emmy-winning comedy series What We Do in the Shadows — a show where mockumentary meets mayhem, and prepping for chaos is just part of the process.
DJ was the series DP from the beginning, before stepping into the director’s chair for episodes across Seasons 4 and 6. He brought Bevan on board to take over as DP, and together they navigated the show’s unique creative and technical challenges — from long takes and fast turnarounds to improvisational actors, evolving LED lighting tech, and high-VFX sequences.
In this relaxed, show-and-tell style session, DJ and Bevan will:
Talk through the show’s premise and signature mockumentary style, including working with creators like Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement
Unpack how the show’s lighting evolved across six seasons — and how LED tech advanced alongside it
Break down key episodes from Season 6, including:
– Episode 6: a VFX-heavy, technically complex shoot that took a well-known studio set on location
– Episode 9: Directed by DJ and shot by Bevan — they’ll share how they co-designed and created key scenes from this fan-favourite episode
Expect plenty of visual material, honest insights, a few laughs, and practical takeaways for anyone interested in fast-paced, collaborative shoots.
WHEN: Tuesday, 3 June 2025, 6 PM
WHERE: Department of Post, Auckland
Free for NZCS members | $35 for non-members
Seats are limited. Members get first dibs. RSVP essential.
Doors open at 6 PM for drinks and nibbles. Presentation starts at 7 PM sharp.

Doc Edge Industry 2025
2025-06-30 - 2025-07-03 | Grand Millennium Auckland, 71 Mayoral Drive, Cnr Vincent Street, ,Auckland, 1010
Doc Edge Industry 2025
We are back in Auckland for the 19th edition of Doc Edge Industry, including Pitch, Forum, Market & Awards from 30 June – 3 July at the Grand Millennium Auckland.
The Grand Millennium Auckland is the official hub for the Doc Edge Festival 2025, hosting our industry events and awards, and serving as the accommodation partner for our festival guests.
Doc Edge Pitch: 30 June – 1 July
Doc Edge Forum: 2-3 July
Doc Edge Market: 30 June – 3 July
Doc Edge Awards: 3 July
Secure your spot now — early bird passes are 50% off until 9 May. Seating is limited, so don’t miss out.
As the Oscar®-qualifying festival’s hub for the Asia-Pacific doc community, Doc Edge Industry is where bold ideas meet global opportunities.
The full programme will be announced in due course.
Doc Edge – Life Unscripted
Celebrating 20 Years in 2025.
Doc Edge is a not-for-profit charitable trust serving as New Zealand’s national organisation for documentaries since 2005.
Our kaupapa (purpose)
To celebrate, support, and showcase documentary.
Doc Edge Industry provides learning and connecting opportunities for media professionals and comprises three main elements: Forum, Pitch, and Market.
Forum: fosters networking and career development for storytellers.
Pitch: allows filmmakers to present their projects to industry experts, and
Market: facilitates connections between New Zealand films and potential buyers.
Awards: celebrate excellence and achievement in documentary filmmaking, with winners of the best New Zealand and international short and feature films receiving an Oscar® consideration.

Outrageous Fortune – In Conversation with the Creators: Rachel Lang & James Griffin
2025-07-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Kōmanawa Theatre – Te Puna Creative Hub, 8/14 Henderson Valley Road, Te Kōpua Henderson, Auckland
Celebrate 20 Years of Outrageous Fortune – With Its Creators!
Before Cheryl ruled the family and Van stole our hearts, two brilliant minds brought the Wests to life:
Rachel Lang & James Griffin.
Join us for a one-night-only live conversation as the writer’s share behind-the-scenes stories, iconic clips from the show, wild moments, and the writing magic that made Outrageous Fortune a cultural phenomenon.
Whether you’re a diehard fan, a writer, or just love great Kiwi TV – this night’s for you.
Join us in the heart of West Auckland at the Kōmanawa Theatre, Te Puna Creative Hub, Henderson.
Details:
🗓️ Friday 18 July 2025
🕕 Doors open 6pm – drinks and nibbles included in your ticket price
🎤 6.30pm–8.30pm – In conversation with Rachel & James
📍 Kōmanawa Theatre – Te Puna Creative Hub, 8/14 Henderson Valley Road, Te Kōpua Henderson, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
👗 Prize for Best Dressed… bring out your best leopard print & mullet!
Tickets:
🎟️ $20 – NZWG Members
🎟️ $30 – General Admission
🔞 18+ Event | Open to the Public
Spots are limited, book now to avoid heartbreak!

From Warships to Dinosaurs: VFX Prep with Shelly Johnson ASC
2025-08-23 14:00 - 17:00 | Metrofilm, Unit 1/43A Linwood Avenue, Mount Albert,, Auckland, 1025
From the tense confines of a WWII destroyer’s bridge to the thunderous world of dinosaurs, Shelly Johnson ASC has navigated some of cinema’s most complex VFX challenges.
Join him in Auckland on Saturday 23 August for a behind-the-scenes look at how meticulous preparation, inventive lighting, and seamless collaboration bring large-scale visual effects to life. Shelly will share stories and insights from Greyhound, Jurassic Park III, Captain America: The First Avenger, and more.
We thank Shelly for making the trip from Wellington, where he is currently doing Mo-Cap and V-Cam work in preparation for sequences from Greyhound 2 at WETA, to spend the afternoon sharing his knowledge with the NZCS community.
This relaxed, show-and-tell style session will cover how thorough prep shapes both the creative and technical approach to a VFX shoot.
WHEN: Saturday 23 August. Doors open 2 PM for drinks and pizza. Presentation starts 3 PM sharp.
WHERE: Metro Film, Unit 1/43A Linwood Avenue, Mount Albert, Auckland 1025
Free for NZCS members | $40 for non-members
Attendance limited to 50 places — reserve your seat now.

TEQ Talks Auckland
2025-10-30 18:00 - 21:00 | Media Design School, 10 Madden St, Auckland
Don’t miss TEQ Talks Auckland, our next big night for creatives working in VFX, animation, and storytelling!
Join us Thursday 30 October from 6pm at Media Design School for drinks, networking, and three sharp talks from industry leaders pushing boundaries in Aotearoa and beyond.
Speakers
Alexander Moruo, Filmmaker
Talk: Through Snow and Spirit – Crafting Winter Stories
Discover how Alex creates richly layered animated worlds blending culture, design, and snow-drenched storytelling.
Hweiling Ow, Filmmaker
Talk: The Accidental Horror Maker
From not watching horror to becoming one of NZ’s boldest horror voices — Hweiling shares how contradiction fuels creativity.
Amanda Davison, Executive VFX Producer
Talk: People Over Pixels: A Producer’s Path Through Visual Effects
Hear why people skills matter most in VFX from one of the country’s leading producers.
Doors open for networking and drinks at 6:00pm | Talks begin at 7:00pm | After-party from 9:00pm at The Blue Frog (next door)
Drinks and nibbles at MDS. After-party at The Blue Frog next door.
Free for VFXG, VES, and MDS members. $10–$20 for others.
Brought to you by:
VES NZ | Media Design School | VFX Professionals Guild | St Leonards Brewery

Shooting A Remarkable Place To Die: A Conversation with Dave Cameron NZCS ACS
2026-03-17 18:00 - 22:00
Join us in Queenstown for a relaxed evening with cinematographer Dave Cameron NZCS ACS, as he talks through his work on the TV series A Remarkable Place To Die.
In a rare opportunity, the producers have generously allowed us to host this event on the actual set at The Remarkables Studio. Dave will walk through how the opening sequence from Season 1 was shot and share some of the practical realities of filming in one of the most beautiful, and sometimes challenging, parts of the country.
While big international productions can throw huge resources at a project, New Zealand drama often has to work a little differently. Dave will discuss how he approaches shooting within those constraints and the techniques he uses to achieve strong results on a local drama budget.
For our South Island members especially, it’s a great chance to catch up in person, hear directly from one of our leading cinematographers, ask a few questions, and spend a bit of time on a working studio set. There may even be a chance for a quick wander through the set if time allows.
WHEN: Tuesday 17 March. Doors open 6 PM, with presentation kicking off at 7 PM
WHERE: Remarkables Studios, Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown
Free for NZCS members | $40 for non-members
Attendance limited – reserve your seat now.
Not a member yet? Join now and attend this and other great events for free.
Learn more about membership here.
REGISTER HERE
With support from Film Queenstown Lakes and Film Otago Southland

Where We Come From: The Writers' Journey
2026-03-18 19:00 - 21:00 | The Cinema at Massey University, Block 10, Buckle Street, Entrance D from Tory Street, Wellington
Where We Come From: The Writers’ Journey brings together practitioners, academics and critics to reflect on the role of film and television in helping us understand ourselves and each other. Each city in the series (Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland) will feature a different line-up of panellists, highlighting the unique heritage of our storytellers.
Screenwriters shape the stories that appear on our screens. This conversation examines where those stories came from, how the industry evolved, and where storytelling may head next.
Full Wellington line-up:
Dave Armstrong – playwright, screenwriter and television writing mentor
Dr Trisha Dunleavy – academic specialising in television and screen industries
Whetū Fala – Māori language storyteller with Pasifika heritage. Producing work across television and documentary
John Smythe – writer, critic and former NZWG National President
Rosie Howells – screenwriter and script editor working across contemporary television development
Join us for an evening reflecting on the whakapapa of screenwriting in Aotearoa.
Secure your ticket now and join the conversation!
Wednesday 18 March 2026, 7pm
The Cinema at Massey University
Wellington
Ticket Information:
NZWG, Ngā Aho Whakaari, PASC & PISA Members: $25.00 each
General Admission: $40.00 each
Student Admission: $10.00 each

MASTERCLASS: What You Need to Create a Series with Rachel Lang
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:30 | online
Join Award winning screenwriter Rachel Lang MNZM as she walks us through the elements needed to create a fabulous TV series proposal.
If you want to make your idea a reality join our online masterclass to get tips from one of the best. Rachel’s name is all over New Zealand Television – Outrageous Fortune, Go Girls, Nothing Trivial, The Almighty Johnsons, Mercy Peak, the Blue Rose, Filthy Rich, to mention a few….
Come to this online Masterclass with Rachel as she shares her knowledge. Learn about the essential requirements of a television series proposal.
The session includes a presentation followed by dedicated time for Q&A.
Thursday April 16 2026
7 – 8.30pm, online.
Ticket Information:
NZWG, Ngā Aho Whakaari, PASC & PISA Members: $5.00 each
General Admission: $10.00 each
Purchase Tickets:
https://events.humanitix.com/masterclass-what-you-need-to-create-a-series-with-rachel-lang/tickets

Doc Edge Festival 2026 - Auckland
2026-06-24 - 2026-07-12
Experience the 21st edition of New Zealand’s premier, Oscar-qualifying Doc Edge Festival!
From 24 June to 12 July, Auckland will come alive across various venues with an extraordinary celebration of documentary storytelling.
This year’s festival features world-class screenings, thought-provoking talks, prestigious awards, industry networking events, and an immersive exhibition that pushes the boundaries of documentary art. Plus, the Doc Edge Schools Programme inspires the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers.
Stay connected for the latest updates: sign up for the Doc Edge newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
