Cinema Pasifika Developing the Narrative Film and Television Sector in the Pacific Island Region

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Cinema Pasifika Developing the Narrative Film and Television Sector in the Pacific Island Region Cinema Pasifika Developing the narrative film and television sector in the Pacific Island region The Pasifika Collective Cinema Pasifika Developing the narrative film and television sector in the Pacific Island region The Pasifika Collective Suva, Fiji 2016 © Pacific Community (SPC) 2016 All rights for commercial/for profit reproduction or translation, in any form, reserved. SPC authorises the partial reproduction or translation of this material for scientific, educational or research purposes, provided that SPC and the source document are properly acknowledged. Permission to reproduce the document and/or translate in whole, in any form, whether for commercial/for profit or non-profit purposes, must be requested in writing. Original SPC artwork may not be altered or separately published without permission. Original text: English Pacific Community Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Cinema Pasifika: developing the narrative film and television sector in the Pacific Island region / the Pasifika Collective 1. Cultural industries — Oceania. 2. Culture diffusion — Oceania. 3. Arts — Oceania. 4. Television in community development — Oceania. 5. Television — Oceania. 6. Motion pictures — Oceania. 7. Film genres — Oceania. 8. Motion picture plays — Oceania. I. Title II. Pacific Community 791.4370995 AACR2 ISBN: 978-982-00-0954-7 Prepared for publication at SPC’s Suva Regional Office, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji 2016 Contents Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................... iv Disclaimer .............................................................................................................................................. iv 1. Executive summary ........................................................................................................................ 1 2. Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 3 3. Country snapshots ......................................................................................................................... 4 a) Fiji ............................................................................................................................................... 4 b) Tonga .......................................................................................................................................... 7 4. Government support options ......................................................................................................... 9 a) Film Fiji − a film commission .................................................................................................... 11 b) Informal support ...................................................................................................................... 13 5. Value cycle analysis ...................................................................................................................... 13 a) Development ............................................................................................................................ 14 b) Production ................................................................................................................................ 23 c) Promotion ................................................................................................................................ 28 d) Distribution .............................................................................................................................. 29 e) Consumption ............................................................................................................................ 33 6. Current business models .............................................................................................................. 34 a) Independent feature films ....................................................................................................... 35 b) Fully subsidised productions .................................................................................................... 36 c) Cottage industry ....................................................................................................................... 39 d) Mixed funding .......................................................................................................................... 42 e) Hobbyists .................................................................................................................................. 44 7. Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 46 8. Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 54 a) Interview list ............................................................................................................................. 54 b) Cinema Pasifika − A Showcase of Short Films from the Pacific Islands .................................... 57 c) Links to Pacific films ................................................................................................................. 59 d) Producer responsibilities check list (compiled by NZ independent producer, Catherine Fitzgerald) ........................................................................................................................................ 60 e) Budgets for Pacific film and TV productions ............................................................................ 64 f) Pacific film festivals .................................................................................................................. 68 g) Topic guide, questions and checklist ........................................................................................ 73 h) Broken Wind Chime script – a short film written and directed by Regina Lepping .................. 76 iii Acknowledgements This report was commissioned by the Pacific Community (SPC) and was written by the consultant, Steve Menzies from The Pasifika Collective. The bulk of the research was undertaken by Koila Valemei, who is based in Suva, Fiji. Henley McKegg, from Allen and Clarke Policy and Regulatory Specialists Ltd, provided analysis of the policy environment for narrative film and television production in the Pacific region. Funding: Assistance for the mapping was provided by the Commonwealth Foundation. Cover image: A still from the short-film Zori, produced by Microwave Films, Marshall Islands. Back cover image: A still from the television drama Grace, produced by Tribal Voice ArtsLink, Papua New Guinea Page 10: A still from the short-film Envy produced by Noob Productions, Fiji Page 26: A poster for the feature film Lañinbwil's Gift produced by Microwave Films, Marshall Islands Page 33: A photograph from the set of the television drama Love Patrol produced by Wan Smolbag, Vanuatu Page 35: A still from the television drama Grace by Tribal Artslink, Papua New Guinea Page 36: A publicity photo of Suzanne Chutaro and Jack Niedenthal from Microwave Films, Marshall Islands Page 38: A promotional photo from the television drama Silamanino by ETV Productions, Samoa Page 39: A still from the television comedy/drama Spice of Life produced by Arun Chakrovorthy and Amol Lal, Fiji Page 40: A publicity photo from the feature film Aliko & Ambai produced by the Centre for Social and Creative Media (CSCM), Papua New Guinea Page 42: A publicity shot of Regina Lepping (second from left) with cast members at the premiere of Broken Wind Chime in Honiara. Provided by Anouk Ride from Sukwadi Media Page 43: A publicity shot of Fijian filmmaker Clarence Dass kindly provided by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) Disclaimer This report includes the views and recommendations of the consultant and does not necessarily reflect the views of SPC, or indicate a commitment to a particular policy or action. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the material in this report, SPC cannot guarantee that the information contained in the report is free from errors or omissions. SPC does not accept any liability, contractual or otherwise, for the contents of this report or for any consequences arising from its use. iv Cinema Pasifika − Developing the narrative film and television sector in the Pacific Island region 1. Executive summary This report outlines how the Pacific Community (SPC) could work with relevant stakeholders to support the development of the narrative film and television (TV) industry in the Pacific Island region. Narrative filmmaking and television production refers to the creation of fictional stories on film and video and includes feature films, short films, television dramas, soap operas, and docudramas that utilise narrative storytelling techniques. The expansion of film and television production in the Pacific Island region has the potential to stimulate economic growth, strengthen cultural diversity and increase social dialogue. In this research project, over 90 stakeholders were interviewed from seven Pacific Island countries: Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Marshall Islands. A value cycle analysis was then used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and key recommendations for a possible development strategy for the narrative film and television sector in the Pacific region. Over the last decade,
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