Arthur Everard, ex. National Film Unit writer, director and editor talks about his time as a National Film Unit employee (1965 - 1984).
Tape 1. Side 1.
Discusses his experience prior to his work at the National Film Unit. Talks in depth about National Film Unit wages. Goes on to talk about the training process for new National Film Unit directors. Mentions Paul Olds and setting up film schools. Discusses Lynton Diggle’s position at the NFU, mentions Geoff Scott and Don Oakley. Talks in depth about the tradition of ‘multitasking’ at the National Film Unit. Mentions working on the LBJ film. Discusses the National Film Unit as being a branch of the Tourism and Publicity Board.
Tape 1. Side 2.
Continues to describe the effect of the Tourism and Publicity Board on the National Film Unit. Talks in depth about the making of ‘To Live in the City’, mentions Charlie Williams and Geoff Scott. Talks about wet-gates to get rid of scratches on film. Discusses making films for Government Departments and films regarding ‘social problems’. Talks about ‘Day and Night’, a film made for the NZ Police. Talks extensively about a film for Internal Affairs called ‘About New Zealand’.
Tape 2. Side 1.
Continues talking about ‘About New Zealand’. Goes on to discuss making an amusing updated version of a Rotorua tourist film. Mentions a film on Walter Nash. Discusses the making of a fictitious film about mountaineering on Mt. Aspiring called ‘Aspiring’. Discusses writing, directing, editing as well as selecting the musical scores for films, mentions Pictorial Parade, Weekly Reviews and ‘Royal Summer’ (1970).
Tape 2. Side 2.
Continues discussing ‘Royal Summer’, mentions Peter Hutt and Pat O’Day. Goes on to talk about the Production of ‘Score’, mentions Mike Reeves. Talks about the element of experimentation in order to create more visually interesting films. Discusses a series of films made about NZ artists by Jim Bowman and David Sims. Mentions the experimental short ‘Gasworker’. Goes on to explain in depth National Film Unit budgeting and production deadlines. Discusses working on a skiing film in length. Discusses a film about Otago University to be made by Frank Chilton. Lists his contemporaries; Senior cameramen - Kell Fowler, Brian Cross and Derek Wright, Production Assistant - John King.
Tape 3. Side 1.
Continues to discuss staff and wages. Goes on to talk about the advent of credits in the early 60’s. Discusses hierarchy at the National Film Unit. Mentions a situation whereby somebody was screening ‘Deep Throat’ in the National Film Unit cinema. Mentions David Fowler and Dick Arthur. Mentions Charlie Williams with reference to working in a Government department. Talks in depth about Geoff Scott’s temperament. Mentions automobile accidents. Goes on to talk in length about Kathleen O’Brien and her work, mentions Margaret Thompson and David Dry.
Tape 3. Side 2.
Continues to talk about Kathleen O’Brien, gives examples to explain how open the public were to working with the NFU. Mentions Mike Bennett, Murray Creed and the National Film Unit building in Darlington Rd in relation to Kathleen O’Brien, mentions Kathleen O’Brien’s film ‘A Monkey Tale’. Goes on to discuss in length the beginnings of, and research involved in the film ‘Gottfried Lindauer’. Talks about films dealing with Maori issues made by the National Film Unit. Discusses working on a number of projects at the one time. Mentions cameraman David Dry.
Tape 4. Side 1.
Talks about personal agendas and propaganda within National Film Unit. Discusses overseas filming trips, mentions ‘Drums across the Lagoon’ a film he made in Rarotonga. Talks in depth about the affect of feature films in the 70’s on the NZ film industry. Talks about film music and tape splicing (1964), mentions Kath O’Brien. Goes on to talk about making films for television and the Film Unit being sold to television. Discusses his job as Chief Censor, mentions Bernie Tunnicliff. Goes on to talk about the drinking culture among the National Film Unit location staff.
Tape 4. Side 2.
Continues discussing the NFU parties. Mentions ‘This is New Zealand’. Explains where he thinks the NFU would be now if it had survived.
Recorded 29/09/1999.