New Zealand’s screen production revenue fell 20 percent to $1.0 billion in 2018, Stats NZ said today.
Production is all the work leading up to and including filming of a screen production, such as writing, development, pre-production, and principal photography.
Revenue from production was down $245 million on 2017.
“We had a big year in 2017 for film production, while in 2018 we saw a cooling of production work,” business performance manager Geraldine Duoba said. “Although there were fewer films, those being worked on in New Zealand over the 2018 year included Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Daffodils, and Mulan.”
| Sector | Production | Post-production |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 829000000 | 587000000 |
| 2015 | 957000000 | 609000000 |
| 2016 | 1175000000 | 601000000 |
| 2017 | 1253000000 | 634000000 |
| 2018 | 1008000000 | 764000000 |
In contrast, post-production revenue increased $130 million (21 percent) to $764 million in 2018. This increase from 2017 was driven by Auckland, which was up $86 million, and Wellington, up $45 million. Post-production activities are those that occur after filming, such as editing, and visual and special effects.
“Big budget films such as Avengers: Infinity War, Mortal Engines, and Alita: Battle Angel require large amounts of post-production work,” Ms Duoba said. “Increased post-production revenue in 2018 follows a big year for production in New Zealand in 2017.”
Total screen industry revenue was $3.3 billion in 2018, down $268 million from 2017. As well as the fall in production revenue, broadcasting and distribution also fell, largely in the Auckland region.
| Year | Production | Post-production | Broadcasting | Exhibition | Distribution |
| 2014 | 829000000 | 587000000 | 1407000000 | 161000000 | 153000000 |
| 2015 | 957000000 | 609000000 | 1387000000 | 172000000 | 97000000 |
| 2016 | 1175000000 | 601000000 | 1261000000 | 155000000 | 101000000 |
| 2017 | 1253000000 | 634000000 | 1364000000 | 197000000 | 95000000 |
| 2018 | 1008000000 | 764000000 | 1211000000 | 208000000 | 74000000 |
Television broadcasting revenue fell $153 million to $1.2 billion in 2018.
“This drop in traditional TV broadcasting revenue could be caused by audiences shifting from pay TV, to the newer online-based TV streaming platforms such as Netflix and Lightbox,” Ms Duoba said.
