NEW DIRECTION FOR FILM SCHOOL GRADUATES

AlBol, as he is widely referred to in the film business, is renowned for his recent work on River Queen and numerous other films stretching back three decades: Goodbye Pork Pie, Heavenly Creatures, and Perfect Strangers to name but a few. He is a member of the New Zealand Film and Television School Trust and enjoys his annual involvement with the about-to-graduate students. He says: 'There’s something about working with students which gives me a fresh view of how we work in the film business. They bring a fresh approach to the work – they aren’t afraid to try things, which is something we should all be open to'.

Crew 12’s David Cunningham, who directed the first of the short films, The Tide is Rising, says: 'It’s wonderful that someone as highly regarded as AlBol wants to come and hang out with us while we’re making our grad films. As well as giving us lots of pointers, he impressed us with his skills as a glazier after a window fell out on one of our locations!'

The Film School runs industry-based film training at its Wellington campus. It was set up in 2000 to provide vocational training to people wishing to enter the industry as film crew, and also teaches writing, directing and producing. Graduates have gone on to work in all craft areas in the industry, and on projects as diverse as King Kong, Lord of the Rings, Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby and TVNZ’s Good Morning show.