VES New Zealand Revisited: Vibrant VFX Hub in the Island Country

By NAOMI GOLDMAN

The Visual Effects Society’s international presence gets stronger every year – and so much of that is because of our regional VFX communities and their work to advance the Society and bring people together. Founded in 2011, the VES New Zealand Section is growing with more than 105 members, and cites its diverse international membership as a point of pride. The overwhelming majority of members are in Wellington, originally borne from the Wētā Group of Companies, the major regional visual effects employer, with a small but growing member contingent in Auckland.

In the last few years, smaller visual effects facilities and VR companies have populated the New Zealand market, including Lane Street Studios and Scale Studios in Wellington, and Fathom VFX in Auckland. In addition, many educational spaces, including Canterbury University, are installing VFX and virtual sound stages – allowing for cross use by students and industry professionals. The business landscape is one of resilience and optimism, as new projects have been flowing in after a long period of uncertainty and a dynamic global economy.

“Growing and diversifying the membership is a high priority for the Section,” said Lance Lones, VES New Zealand Section Co-Chair and Creative Director & CEO at Alterspace Entertainment. “Our membership is primarily comprised of VFX practitioners working in feature film with increasing representation from the gaming community, tapping into Rocket Works in Auckland and new companies emerging in Wellington. Everything in the VFX community in Wellington revolves around the eastern suburbs surrounding Wētā, making it easy to push word-of-mouth and get good turnout at events. And we are excited about building up our presence in Auckland with more events and member opportunities.”

The Section hosts a strong array of pub nights, screenings and other social gatherings – but its signature TEQ Talks is a unique and wildly popular standout draw. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, TEQ Talks was the brainchild of Jason Galeon, New Zealand Section Board of Managers member and Motion Graphics Supervisor at Wētā FX. “A decade ago, the idea of inviting interesting people to speak to our VFX community and having a friend with a local Mexican restaurant near Wētā, converged. That first night was a tequila-infused gathering of a concept artist, games designer and former VFX Supervisor – and a highly engaged audience. The interest grew quickly to host more events, and suddenly we had an astrophysicist, then NASA heard about it and offered us an astronaut… then Victoria University and Double Vision Brewery started hosting events… and on and on. It started with VFX and always has that focus, but we try to keep the brand: fascinating people talking about their passion projects.”

TEQ Talks speakers have included: NASA Astronaut Dr. Yvonne Cagle; Head Astronomer, SETI, Dr. Seth Shostak; ballerina and motion capture performer Kate Venables; comic book artist Dylan Horrocks; former Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown; beekeeper Chris Baring; and many more. The Section is planning a 10-year celebration with events planned in Wellington and Auckland, and is exploring an ongoing TEQ Talks series in Auckland. It has also focused on expanding partnerships with education providers to raise the visibility of VFX within that community and among students, to help build the next-generation pipeline of artists and practitioners.

“Where else can you mingle among astronauts and beekeepers and raise a glass toasting creativity and invention?”

—Lance Lones

The New Zealand Section boasts a number of meaningful partnerships around educational, networking, social and career development opportunities, including an educational series of talks with the Media Design School in Auckland; collaborative events with Women in Film and Television New Zealand (WIFT NZ) and the Visual Effects Professionals Guild New Zealand (VFXG); and screenings hosted at Park Road Post and The Roxy Cinemas in Wellington. The Section also ran VES Awards Nominations events in January (virtual and in-person at Wētā FX) – and boasts that they are the first event that kicked off 30-hours of continuous nominations panels around the globe.

“More exciting events ahead. Later this summer, we are excited to bring together VFX professionals, filmmakers and other creatives for a special networking event at the Big Screen Symposium in Aotearoa [New Zealand],” said Rachel Copp, New Zealand Section Co-Chair and Visual Effects Producer at Rising Sun Pictures. “By co-hosting this event, we have the opportunity to strengthen the connections between storytellers and visual effects artists, foster new creative collaborations and bridge the gap between vision and innovation.”

New Zealand Section members and guests enjoy festive pub nights.

Section leaders shared their personal perspectives on the VES and their membership.

Lance Lones: “With five million people in our country, having a VFX industry that attracts such high-caliber talent is remarkable. This is such an interesting community with the ebb and flow of talented people and events that take us in unexpected directions. Where else can you mingle among astronauts and beekeepers and raise a glass toasting creativity and invention?”

Rachel Copp: “Our strong loyalty and camaraderie keeps the Section alive and growing. Everyone is deeply committed here. I’m proud that we have multiple New Zealand Board members on the global Board – we’re an incubator! I’m also proud of bringing Auckland into the mix and for spearheading that small but mighty membership… that we will keep growing.”

Jason Galeon: “I’m proud that the VES has brought me connections to amazing people around the world and tethered us closer in our regional industry. I’ve been nominated at the VES Awards and get to see the ‘best of the best’ in our field being recognized. And I’m thankful for a community where can collaborate and connect.”