Screen composers and post-sound crew finally have their own representative body, in readiness for
the Screen Industry Workers Bill that is expected to pass by the end of this year.
The Screen Music & Sound Guild of New Zealand (SMSG) held its inaugural AGM on Wednesday 28
July 2021 at POW Studios in Wellington, electing screen composer Marshall Smith and sound editor
Polly McKinnon as co-chairs of the organisation. Composer Andrew Hagen was elected as general
secretary and POW Studios CEO John McKay as Treasurer. The other elected committee members
are composer Claire Cowan and sound editor Stefanie Ng.

The meeting brought together over 20 Wellington-based members, and there was keen discussion
on how the guild will support the sector moving into the future. Financial sustainability was the
primary issue tabled by members, along with health and well-being initiatives; education and skill
development; legal and contractual support; and building industry diversity.

Polly McKinnon said “We’ve put a lot of hours into getting the guild formalised and funded. We’re
identifying our sector’s goals for the future and building towards a positive collective bargaining
process once the SIWB passes. We look forward to advocating for our members to get the
conditions, pay and support they deserve, and we’re determined to keep the momentum going”.
Ms McKinnon said she was very pleased with the calibre and diversity of the committee members.
“We know our sector has a diversity issue, and we’re committed to addressing this. We’ve have started
with a 50/50 gender split and a depth of professional experience in our committee but have a lot of
work to do from the training level up to really address this issue across our workforce.”

Co-chair Marshall Smith said he hoped more screen composers and post sound crew would sign up
as members because working together as a whole team was crucial to getting the best outcome
possible for members. “Talking and communicating with each other will be a critical part of our
strategy so we need everyone working in our sector to be part of our growing community. Numbers
matter and having as many members as possible will absolutely give us more leverage to negotiate,”
he said.