ARTS | MATIHIKO | TECH
Written by Edie Lane (she/her) | @edienlane | Contributing Writer
Edited & illustrated by Stella Roper (they/she) | @stellyvision / @dodofrenzy | Arts Editor
In July of 2023, my social media feed switched from my favourite celebrities posting promotional interviews and posters to picket lines and protests. This was the beginning of the strikes held by SAG-AFTRA, a union that aims to protect and expand the rights of television and radio artists. A few months earlier, in May, the Writers Guild of America also initiated strikes. Both resulted in a deal that addresses topical areas of debate, such as artificial intelligence use and the changing landscape of how crew and cast get paid in this streaming era. While the strikes had reached an end, my journey of finding alternative streaming sites had only just begun.
It’s almost impossible to find ethical broadcasters these days, with companies such as Netflix, Prime and Disney+ each having individual issues. Disney+, for example, has been condemned by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement for their support of Israel. Disney+ pledged $2 million US dollars to Israel and supports other initiatives that are pro-Israel.
Aside from each company having its own unique set of horrors and unethical business practices, they also have a wide and ongoing impact on the viability of local and independent initiatives. These large streaming platforms are far more popular than anything local, but unfortunately, they have no obligation to create local content. Producing and employing Kiwi talent is not only important for the livelihood of many but also plays an important role in preserving our culture and history. NZ screen producers (SPADA) have called this out. Irene Gardner, the principal of the group, told Variety magazine that “..as has happened globally, their negative impact on local broadcasting viewership and therefore advertising revenue in the [local] market has been huge, which has been very challenging for local production.”
SPADA continues to advocate for the regulation of large streaming platforms through legislation. There are currently five draft proposals to help support Aotearoa's media sector, one proposal being to require streaming platforms and TV broadcasters to invest in local content. While this is a hopeful and essential measure, if you seriously want to support local independent projects, you should just watch content directly from them! To assist you in your own alternative streaming journey, here are some of my recommendations to get you started. These are a mix of local media and international projects trying to change industry standards and break away from harmful practices.
Dropout
Dropout is an American comedy streaming platform that rose from the ashes of the YouTube channel Collegehumor. The company produces comedy panel shows, sketches and tabletop role-playing game shows. As Dropout gains more traction, they have been getting some bigger comedy names involved, which is super exciting to see! However, what makes them truly special is their loyalty to the rotating cast of smaller comedians. In 2023, they were able to do their first year of profit sharing. Sam Reich, the CEO of Dropout, stated that “…we redistributed it among anyone who had ever made $1 with us over the course of the year.” This includes anybody who auditioned for them and all the crew.
From a consumer point of view, Dropout has much less gate-keepy tendencies, the price is fairly low for the quality of content you get ($10.21 per month), and you can share the account with as many people as you please!
YouTube
YouTube is my personal favourite on this list. People underestimate the amount of highly produced, long-form content that you can find on there! Here are some recommendations that brought me a lot of joy.
First up is a locally made short film, Gunpowder, written and directed by Benjamin Hudson. It is a super engaging watch and makes me want to teleport to the 90s to experience it in real time. Literally Dead is another Kiwi project, a mini-series centred around the mysterious death of a popular girl, True, who in ghost form guides the viewer around her previous friends (and enemies).
YouTube contains such a wide variety of creatives with such specific niches, so I'd definitely recommend investigating the treasure trove of content it has to offer. Truly, you could search up any topic and add the word documentary, and someone will have made something.
TVNZ
TVNZ is a tiny streaming platform compared to its competitors, but it is a big part of Aotearoa's local media landscape that is getting smaller and more vulnerable!
When recommending TVNZ to friends, the frequent ads are always brought up, but you do get over them pretty quickly. Also, I think we should bring back the adrenaline of running to get food in ad breaks, as it really gets your blood pumping.
TVNZ is the home of many wonderful local projects. Two very recent additions include Troy Kingis Desert Hikoi, which explores the making of his eighth album and his exploration of artistry after a drought of creativity. Camp Be Better is a comedy series about a group of rich teenagers doing a form of alternative community service.
TVNZ has a number of international movies and shows. The highlights for me are Interview with the Vampire, Taskmaster, Arrival, Brooklyn, A.P Bio, and new content is constantly being added to the site.
Straight up the cinemas
I'm of the opinion that when you go to the cinemas you should make it a spectacle like you would seeing theatre. Movies are one of the greatest joys in life, so dress up, buy a sweet treat, and talk about the movie with friends. People spend years working on them; they deserve a bit of fuss!
If you're a student on a budget, Academy Cinemas' $5 Wednesdays are always a blast, and they are only a 5-minute walk from AUT city campus! They have a diverse selection of old and new movies, so there is bound to be something playing that you'll enjoy.
The Takapuna Beachside Cinema is a little more pricey, with student tickets being $15, however, their seats are so genuinely so comfortable, and the ambience is lovely. What more could you ask for? If you are in the mood to treat yourself this cinema is a great option.
There is so much creativity out there in the world - even just in Aotearoa! Switching to alternative ways of consuming media that aren't the big media conglomerates for even just a month or two will not only not hurt you but will also provide support to artists with a more direct impact.
Now, explore away!
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