Ode to the efforts of NZ on Screen

 NZ On Screen often have some great videos which are a great portal into the past. Whether it be documentaries, short films, trailers or television shows/segments there is some really interesting stuff to watch and or recall. NZ on Screen really have to be commended for salvaging some cringe-worthy, some downright bizarre and some generally great programming.

 Sometimes it's great just to sit and watch the background of some of the short films and documentaries and remember just how much Auckland City and New Zealand has changed in such a short amount of time. Sadly many of these changes were to the detriment of some beautiful architecture.

Here is a small selection of my personal picks:

Queen Street - Short Film - 1980

 Queen Street is a fantastic look at the bridge into adulthood and more so at how I remember Auckland City when growing up. Some might also recognise Kelly Johnson (as Scott) who that following year (1981) went on to star as Gerry in the classic Goodbye Pork Pie, which I would also recommend.

A Haunting We Will Go - Television Series - 1979-80

 As a child, this show scared the heck out of me, although watching it today it's a far cry from anything I could ever consider frightening, other than perhaps the over acting? 

Is It I Count Homogenized - Television Series - 1982

 Actor Russell Smith (Play School & Shark in the Park), who played Count Homogenized in A Haunting we will go went on to reprise his role as the milk slurping/stealing vampire and get his very own show in 1982's Is it I Count Homogenized.

Terry and the Gunrunners - Television series - 1985

 Continuing with the "Kidult" entertainment, the screen adaptation of Terry and the Gunrunners (book/graphic novel by Stephen Ballantyne and Bob Kerr) was mind-blowing for those watching in 1985. The segues from larger than life live action to animated comic book frame to computer game styled action sequences was pretty advanced for NZ television and met with fantastic praise. The highlight was always Billy T as a biker and not to forget the whole 'kids can do' attitude the show exuded.

Ice TV - Television Series - 1995-2000

 Ice TV was a satirical, yet loose, magazine style show for "young adults", which was in turn a watered down version of several other shows prior. At times Ice TV was very hit and miss, some shows were just terrible and seemed like they were trying to push a turd, others were seamless and television brilliance. Host Nathan Rarere has since gone on to work heavily in sports radio and television, and had previously been involved with another show called Box Dog a skit based show on music Television station Max TV. Petra Bagust has since gone on to host several shows including Morning News/magazine shows, and Jon Bridges is one of the Producers behind the hugely popular 7 Days.

Life on Ben - Series - 2002

  In 1999 I received a phone call out of the blue from the wife of an old friend, they offered me an internship working on a show they had in development at the time, that show was Life on Ben. Sadly I was unable to accept the offer as I was about to become a father and couldn't afford to be an unpaid intern, but I often think back and wonder what if... Life on Ben was a fantastic concept for Edu-tainment, but due to the development and stop motion animation time it was beaten to the punch by the film, and subsequent series, Osmosis Jones which was similar, and Life on Ben didn't quite pick up as it should have. It does however feature the voice talents of Flight of the Conchords star Jermaine Clement and BOY director Taika Waititi. Creator Luke Nola went on to create Let's Get Inventin', which is fantastic and involving children's programming. 

Ready to Roll (AKA: RTR) - Television Show - 1975-94

Radio With Pictures - Television Show - 1976-88

 Both were music shows offering music videos and live performances of local and foreign acts. Although RTR was the more commercial of the two shows being a top 20 countdown, it was Radio with Pictures which opened up a world of different music and broadened musical horizons with more "alternative" flavours. But at one time both shows were the 'go to' for recommendations on what next to buy on Vinyl and latterly cassette tape. Sadly, if there are any music television shows left, they are heavily sponsored and paid commercials (by the record companies) for tasteless mass produced rubbish and product placement.

Lastly:

New Zealand Grand Prix - Documentary - 1961

 This is a brilliant time capsule which proves New Zealand was once a thriving motor racing destination, sadly this is not the case any more with events few and far between, but none particularly "International". It's a great watch and wonderful so see local motor racing heroes who have long past.

 There are hundreds upon hundreds of gems waiting to be discovered and re-discovered thanks to the tireless efforts of the staff at NZ on Screen it's just so easy to go there and lose a few hours, it's also a great way to see how different early New Zealand broadcasting was, often with twinges of matter of fact Radio broadcaster approach by presenters, a format/habit long since forgotten.

PS: If you hadn't already realised, all images are links to footage or footage pages... As per usual.