Course Leaders

Alex McCrossin - Location Scout/Manager

With 25 years Locations Management experience Alex has scouted and managed for just about every kind of crew in just about every kind of place.
Having managed for crews of 300 shooting in CBD office blocks to crews of 6 on stoney ridges near Aoraki she has amassed a wealth of experience & techniques across New Zealand and Australia. Starting on her Locations path with Short Film & Drama projects before woking on Large Scale Commercials, Music Videos and even documentaries has shown that the fundamental skills of Location Management of all shoots have some key preparations required... regardless of format or budget.
Alex is enthusiastic about the Locations Department and their place in Productions although challenging!
Good approaches mean repeat locations & happy sets for local and international teams to shoot at.
Alex’s credits include The Book of Revelation (2006), One of Us is Lying (2022) and One Lane Bridge (2020-)
Alex will be presenting in both the Location Managers’ and the Location Co-ordinators’ Courses, outlining the processes of logistic meetings, permitting, final prep and what to watch out for on the day.

Philip Turner - Location Manager

Philip started his working life in Queenstown as a ski bum, thinking it was a worthwhile alternative to further education. Eventually, after a very late and short stint at university, he got a job as (an older) PA on a Japanese TVC.
"It was quite different to anything I had done in the past - chaotic and interesting at the same time - and you got paid to eat the most delicious food I had ever seen outside a good restaurant (NZ film caterers are legendary)."

Philip decided the locations department was for him.

"In theory I would be able to utilise existing skills and take photographs, something I had loved doing as a kid. Roughly 15 years later here I am, still trying to ski, ride a bike or roam the countryside with camera in
hand."
Philip’s credits include Mulan (2020), Alien: Covenant (2017) and Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018).
Philip will be presenting as part of out Location Managers’ Course, discussing the importance of location lists and scouting photos, going through the differences, how to use online maps, and the importance of managing images.

Kayleighsha Wharton - Location Manager

I have a range of experience working in the film industry over the last 10years in various departments. During this time I have crewed in technical roles, assistant directing, production, accounts, and more recently focusing on Locations. I started Location Managing NZ Features by saying 'yes' to an assistant role 5 years ago and the opportunities grew from there. Story, people, and problem solving is what I am most passionate about in the film industry.
Kayleighsha’s credits include Guns Akimbo (2019), Juniper (2021) and Savage (2020).
Kayleighsha will be taking part in both our Location Managers’ an d Location Co-ordinators’ Courses, giving an overview of the department with Alex, taking our participants through how to break down a scriptand discussing how to budget the locations department with Kyrie.

Clayton Tikao - Location Scout/Manager

Clayton has been involved in the locations department for over 20 years, working on a range of local and international projects to showcase New Zealand's amazing scenery and support the stories being told.
Clayton’s credits include Adrift (2018), A Wrinkle in Time (2018) and Pork Pie (2017).
Clayton will be presenting as part of our Location Managers’ Course, discussing the Location Manager’s professional relationship with the Director, DoP and Production Designer, how to balance the recces, creative input, meetings and conflict.

Taulua Moimoi - Location Scout/Manager

Taulua has been working in locations for over 15 years, working on such projects as Sione's Wedding (2006), The New Legends of Monkey (2018-) and Step Dave (2014-15).
Taulua will be presenting as part of the Location Managers’ Course, alongside Jen Butcher, discussing the preparations needed for the tech recce, dealing with department demands and creating site maps.

Rick Waite - Location Scout/Manager

Rick has worked in the locations department for over
10 years, working on such Kiwi staples as Outrageous
Fortune (2005-10), Westside (2015-20) and 800 Words (2015-18).
Rick will be presenting as part of the Location Managers’ Course, speaking to our participants about the art of negotiating and consultation.

Jared Connon - Producer

Jared Connon’s career as a filmmaker has spanned over 28 years. For the first two decades he earned a reputation as an internationally renowned Location Manager. Following this, Connon moved into Production Management before stepping up to his current position as Line Producer. Whatever the role, Connon is known for excellence in this high-profile work. Connon was Location Manager on titles such as The Lord of the Rings (trilogy), River Queen, King Kong, 10,000 BC, The Hobbit (trilogy), Ghost in the Shell and The Light Between Oceans among many others. He has Production Management credits on Mortal Engines, Mulan and Da 5 Bloods, and The Lord of the Rings (Amazon TV Series) and most recently on the Ti West directed horror films ‘X' and ‘Pearl’ for A24.

Now having formed the production company FIVE FILMS based in New Zealand, he is focussed on creating engaging content for international audiences and collaborating with some of the best filmmakers in the country to bring projects he is passionate about to fruition. His hands on practical production experience and creative drive is what keeps his unique set of skills in such high demand.
Jared’s credits include River Queen (2005), King Kong (2005) and Ghost in the Shell (2017), among many more.
Jared will be presenting as part of the Location Managers’ Course, discussing what a producer looks for in a location manager, and providing the viewpoint from both sides.

Kyrie MacTavish - Location Co-ordinator

With over 15 years professional broadcast experience I have gained a lot of practical production knowledge and worked on a variety of ventures from big budget feature films to no money passion projects. I have worked in several countries and enjoy working with people, negotiating, making deals, working to a deadline within a budget, being innovative and
creatively solving problems. Credits include: Outlander, Ghost in the Shell, The Changeover, Mission Impossible Fallout, Daffodils, Savage, Guns Akimbo.
Kyrie’s credits include Guns Akimbo (2019), Ghost in the Shell (2017) and Mission Impossible - Fallout (2018), among many more.
Kyrie will be presenting in both our Location Managers’ and Location Co-ordinators’ Courses, alongside Kayleighsha Wharton, discussing creating and managing the Location Department’s budget.

Nicola Bailey - Location Co-ordinator

After graduating from The New Zealand Film School in
2016, Nicola quickly found her niche in the Locations
department. She has worked on a number of feature
films and TV series including “Daffodils” (2019), “Guns
Akimbo” (2019) and TVNZ's “Wellington Paranormal”
TV series.

Most recently, Nicola Location Managed local feature
productions “Cousins” (2020) and Loren Taylor’s
“Going, Going” (in Post-Production).

Nicola has additional experience in Production and
Transport, and has produced two short projects, “One
Year On” Directed by Francesca Mackenzie and
“Serving” Directed by Karin McCraken.

Nicola’s credits include Daffodils (2019), Guns’s Akimbo (2019) and Wellington Paranormal (2018-).

Nicola will be one of our main presenters for the Location Co-ordinators’ Course, going over such things as cost reporting, PO’s, trackers, working with the Accounts department and much, much more!

Jen Butcher - First Assistant Director

Jennifer Butcher (Jen B ) has worked in the New
Zealand Screen industry since graduating from The
University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree
in 1995. She has worked on television drama,
commercials, documentary reconstructions, short and
feature films as well as music clips and live broadcast
events. She has been working as a 1st AD since 2000.
Jennifer is a past Chair of the Auckland Committee of
the Screen Industry Guild Aotearoa NZ, and is a past
Guild National Executive Board member. Jennifer has
served as an Advisory Board member to Film
Auckland. She regularly guest lectures (on the art and
science of Assistant Directing) for the Masters program
of the University of Auckland Centre for Film, TV &
Media Studies, South Seas Film School, and The New
Zealand Film Academy.
Jen’s credits include Power Rangers (), The Gulf () and The Wilds ().
Jen will be presenting in our Location Managers’ Course, along with Taulua, to discuss preparing the Tech Recce, dealing with department demands and requirements, and creating site maps.

Amber Wakefield - Transport Co-ordinator

With over 17 years of experience in the screen industry, Amber has wide experience in production, transport, and locations on international feature films and dramas.
Specialising in large scale logistics, including national company shifts of productions throughout the regions. Amber holds a ‘Certificate of Knowledge of Law and Practices’ showing that she has the required knowledge of the laws and practices relating to the efficient and proper operation of a transport service. This certificate allows Productions to meet their legal requirement of obtaining their Transport Service Licence (TSL).
Amber has frequently crossed over between both location and transport coordinating, managing key portfolios such as: budgets, permitting, company shifts, swing drivers, waste disposal, location maps, etc. This crossover has given Amber an extended understanding on the importance of the intertwined relationship between the locations, unit and transport departments. Amber’s history in production management and coordination has provided her with a holistic view of the inner workings of productions. Using this comprehension as a tool to know what/where key areas of information are, and where they need to be communicated for the smooth and successful running of a project.
Amber is also the Executive Officer of the New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCS) and Executive Officer of Film Auckland Inc. (FAI). Her wide knowledge of the industry and extensive network means she is ideally placed to help pass on her industry knowledge.
Amber’s credits include Pete’s Dragon (2016), The Brokenwood Mysteries (2016-17) and Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2013), among many more.
Amber will be presenting in both our Location Managers’ and Location Co-ordinators’ Courses, along with David and Reg, to discuss the working relationship of the Unit, Transport and Locations Departments.

David Sa’ena - Unit Manager

Talofa lava! I have been in the film industry as a Unit & Craft Services Manager for over 20 years now. My role has always been to ensure that everyone, both on and off set are well taken care of… ask anybody!
I bring with me exceptional Unit & Craft Services management skills and a team that has real passion and talent for looking after Crew, Cast and Production.
David’s credits include Mulan (2020), Daffodils (2019) and A Wrinkle in Time (2018), among many more.
David will be presenting in both out Location Managers’ and Location Co-ordinators’ Courses with Amber and Reg, to discuss the working relationship of the Unit, Transport and Locations Departments.

Reg Gibson - Transport Captain/Manager

Reg has almost 30 years’ experience in the New Zealand Film Industry. Working mostly in the Transport Dept area.
Reg has moved large scale productions multiple times, with very short lead times. He has dealt with overseas productions who have little understanding of the New Zealand terrain (sometimes not even knowing that we are 2 islands!) He is used to working closely with all departments, especially closely with the locations dept.
Reg previously owned Bald Eagle Supplies Ltd and currently owns Orini Park Ltd, both supply various vehicles to the film industry.
Reg’s son is currently working as a Transport Manager on a large film production and his Grandson is also working in the Transport dept.
Reg’s credits include Pete’s Dragon (2016), Yogi Bear (2010) and The Water Horse (2007), among many others.
Reg will be presenting in both our Location Managers’ and Location Coordinators’ Courses, alongside Amber and David, to discuss the working relationship between the Unit, Transport and Locations Departments.

Wayne Allen - Health and Safety Officer

A former ski patroller of 13 years at the Remarkables, Wayne Allen has also worked on reducing hazards for adventure racers in the Southern Traverse.

Now, his day job involves working as a safety adviser for film and television crews, a varied job which can see him encounter everything from cars racing down mountains advertising tyres to horses crossing a river.
Wayne will be presenting on both our Location Manager and our Location Co-ordinator Course, discussing liaising with the Health and Safety Department, and the impacts that COVID has had on running a set.
Wayne’s credits include Top of the Lake (2011), The Hobbit (2010) and Wolverine (2009), among many more.

Emma Slade - Producer/Line Producer

Emma is in post-production on her next feature NUDE TUESDAY, a NZ/Aust co-production, starring Jackie van Beek (The Breaker Upperers) and Damon Herriman (Judy and Punch). Her recent film, THE JUSTICE OF BUNNY KING starring Essie Davis (The Babadook) and Thomasin McKenzie (Leave No Trace), is currently undergoing it’s theatrical run. Her film COME TO DADDY, an NZ/Irish/Canadian official co-production premiered earlier this year at Tribeca, which also won best director (Ant Timpson) and actor (Elijah Wood) in Toronto After Dark Festival 2019. She has just commenced shooting her blue-chip documentary feature with David Farrier (Dark Tourist, Tickled). In 2017, her young adult thriller THE CHANGEOVER starring Timothy Spall (Mr Turner) and Melanie Lynskey (The Intervention), was in competition at the Alice Nella Citta. Earlier that year, INTO THE RAINBOW was the first Chinese/NZ co-production, starring Willow Shields (Hunger Games) and the Brazilian/NZ feature LITTLE SECRET, which was nominated as Brazil’s Oscar entry for Best Foreign Film 2017. Other titles include the Netflix original LETTER FOR THE KING, RAGE, the UK/NZ co-production TRACKER, SEPARATION CITY and BRIDE FLIGHT.
Emma is also a founding member of the Screen Women’s Action Group (SWAG), which began in January 2018 as a local response to the international movements #metoo and TimesUp. SWAG was driven by their belief that more could be done to address sexual harassment, discrimination and power imbalances in New Zealand’s own screen culture.

Victoria Dabbs - International Line Producer

Victoria started her production career working on a children’s TV series as a production assistant. She continued to work her way up through the production team to co-ordinate and production manage productions such as Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Valhalla Rising’, Peter Mullan’s ‘Neds’ and most recently the BBC’s ‘ABC Murders’ and ‘The Singapore Grip’.
From 2012 Victoria has been line producing primarily independent feature films which include Dexter Fletcher’s ‘Sunshine on Leith’, Terence Davies’ ‘Sunset Song’, and in New Zealand Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt’s ‘The Changeover’ and David Stubbs’ ‘Daffodils’.
Over the years Victoria has worked internationally across Europe, Asia and Australasia She has worked with various tax credit schemes and is a Screen Production Grant consultant for the NZ Film Commission as well as experienced in cast and crew contracting, including PACT/Equity in the UK, SAG in the US and the Blue book and SPADA/Equity Agreement.

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