On Giving: Amanda Jenkins

We asked Amanda to share her thoughts on art, creativity, and their impact on Aotearoa.

Tell us a bit about you.
I am a screen producer/line producer based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and have just line produced three amazing unique New Zealand feature films over the past three years; 'We Were Dangerous', 'Head South', and 'Bookworm'. All of these were filmed in Christchurch and Canterbury, and were recipients of the Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant (the only regional screen grant in the country). 

I have just completed a NZFC Short film called 'Sister Josephine' with award-winning director Stef Harris that was a successful Boosted project, now on its international film festival circuit. I have a number of other screen productions that are lining up for Boosted Campaigns too!

What was the first creative experience that turned the light on for you? 
At film school I realised that I was good at creative problem solving, making things happen, and was interested in enabling stories for screen – which fuelled a passion to produce films. I have straddled between producing screen in the advertising and dramatic sector for 25 years. One pays the bills, and the other creates unique stories that are important to tell for a global audience. The goal is to make my career sustainable in screen, and help build a strong screen community. 

Why do you give to the arts? And in what ways? 
I am very passionate about talent development and have always given a huge amount of time in this area, particularly supporting short films as a stepping stone for directors and writers to making features and TV series. I love Boosted as it gives a wider audience opportunity to give to and support unique stories through the diverse mediums of the creative sector.

Why do you choose to give through Boosted? 
I support and place a huge value in the creative sector. It is so important to be able to tell stories through different media – however for me it is through screen as medium that we transend and create multi-faceted stories that can reach other corners of society. It is becoming so hard to finance screen projects that Boosted has become a backbone to enable and champion these projects.

What do the arts give you? 
The satisfaction of viewing the creative sector broadly and enjoying different points of view that can be celebrated through human connection. 

What do you think New Zealand needs to do in order to better support the arts? 
Create supportive development programmes across all sectors of the arts that help pay creatives a stipend. Ring fence government and local government funding to support the arts and screen, helping to grow talent development and support local projects. Create alternative investment platforms to support screen production, and enable and prove market success regionally.