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Formed in May 2023, the National Academy of Screen Arts (NASA) is founded on the belief that the future of the screen arts industry will be led by creative practitioners who are fluent in multiple media and able to move seamlessly across and combine elements in film production, animation, visual effects, design, music and creative technology.

The Academy is based in the former Dominion Museum Building on ������’s Pukeahu campus in Wellington and builds upon these treasured historical foundations with a number of targeted renovations designed to meet the needs of the Bachelor of Screen Arts (Honours) undergraduate degree programme and support collaboration with a range of screen industry partners.

Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Maile says the Academy not only serves the evolving and high global demand for qualified, skilled creative technology talent, but also supports the growth of New Zealand’s screen sector.

“Having so much industry-standard technology and state-of-the-art facilities is ultimately for the benefit of the university’s screen arts students. By embracing the tech that powers the global entertainment industry, students leave the university as industry-ready graduates who are ready to become the next generation of leaders.

“The Academy was founded to develop and support New Zealand’s home-grown talent through world-leading, future-focused academic and professional development programmes, research, mentorship and internships for students, and to work in partnership with industry and the wider screen centre community.”

Industry-leading facilities

The aging Great Hall has been dramatically transformed into a state-of-the-art venue, with a 750m2 soundstage hosting the nation’s largest permanent virtual production volume - comprised of a 16m x 6m high resolution LED screen able to integrate game engine software, with motion capture technology to create real-time immersive environments for narrative filmmaking, concert and event production and more.

Next to the Great Hall, an under-utilised space has been revamped to accommodate a high-spec motion capture stage with a 20-camera system running industry standard software able to instantly render actors’ movements ‘in world’ - a key technology for the visual effects industry.

Another NASA resource brought back to life within the Dominion Building is the fully restored 155-seat Art Deco cinema, upgraded with a certified Dolby Atmos® sound system and 4K projection technology. Across the corridor from the cinema, students and staff have access to 11 industry-equipped post-production editing suites, as well as tech stores stocked with a wide range of screen arts equipment including lighting rigs, microphones and booms, and a variety of cameras, including Arri Alexas - the kind that are used on modern feature films.

A short walk from the Dominion Museum Building is NASA’s professional production-ready broadcast facility, fully outfitted with a mixing room and separate studio including three Panasonic 4K cameras on pedestals. Nearby is ������ Studios, home to our world-class recording studio facilities and commercial music programmes. ������ Studios frequently host some of the nation’s leading recording artists, such as L.A.B. and Fly My Pretties, as well as collaborating with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on the recording of Hollywood movie soundtracks.

Celebrating growing industry connections at launch event

On 15 August, a launch event was held for industry partners to come on site to experience the world-class facilities at NASA. Guests included representatives from the New Zealand Film Commission, WellingtonNZ, Wellington City Council, Wētā FX, Te Papa Tongarewa, Pik Pok, Park Road Post, Admit One Entertainment, Screen Music and Sound Guild of New Zealand, Tāwhiri, WingNut Films and more.

Guests could see the facilities in action, alongside student work on display, and mix and mingle with staff, students and industry peers.

Professor Maile emphasised the industry-readiness of screen arts graduates and the goal to grow the industry in New Zealand by producing new creative content producers, creative tech entrepreneurs and screen sector innovators and to shore up Aoteaora’s international reputation as a leader by developing the next generation of global talent.

She also announced a new partnership with /Wellington UNESCO City of Film to host the Centre for Screen Excellence.

At the event, attendees were treated to a surprise , fronted by Barnaby Weir, who performed four songs to a captive audience in The Great Hall.

Jayde Marter from and Burn My Records was one of the guests at the event. He says his experience with NASA so far has been fantastic.

“We frequently utilise NASA's world-class facilities, which are truly second to none. From their state-of-the-art sound suites to the expansive recording studios, they have it all. It is more than just a facility; it's a hub for innovation, blending cutting-edge technology with a deep respect for Aotearoa’s creative heritage. By investing in NASA, ������ University is not only preparing students to excel in the screen sector today but also empowering them to shape the future of global entertainment."

PikPok Design Manager and Narrative Director Rick Stemm agrees.

"������ has always been great at connecting students to the industry, bringing us and others in to guest lecture and critique, but the new screen arts facility will really elevate their game with hands-on access to a beautiful space and cutting edge tech."

Professor Maile says the event had the feeling of bringing a ‘creative village’ alive.

“It was an incredible community gathering made all the more magical by the seamless bringing together of the key features of the Academy – which is no small feat given the vast array of moving parts and people required to make it all look so easy. It was especially satisfying to see so many students, graduates, industry and staff involved in the production.”

Partnering with Fly My Pretties

The performance by Fly My Pretties was a sneak peek of their new show and live recorded album. Called Elemental, the show is led by Barnaby Weir and frequent collaborator Laughton Kora.

As part of the Wellington Jazz Festival, Fly My Pretties will perform three shows and record them live and exclusively at the Great Hall, produced in partnership with ������, with ������ students working in technical roles for the event. ������ graduates from the Bachelor of Commercial Music will also feature on stage. Tickets for the 18 and 19 October shows are available .

Frontman Barnaby Weir says he’s excited to be embarking on this new musical adventure.

“We’re heading back to the roots of the original concept in the birthplace of Fly My Pretties - exploring new and arresting stories through songwriting and performing them live with a talented collection of incredible voices. We can’t wait to dive into another experimental colab and musical mystic brew, and we hope you will join us in person and be a part of it all.”

The band will utilise the world-class recording facilities of ������ Studios to rehearse for the live performances. The recordings of the shows will then be sent back to the recording studio to be mixed into Fly My Pretties’ seventh album. The project will see the band not only embracing the facilities on offer at Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts, but also give current students from the Bachelor of Commercial Music and the Bachelor of Screen Arts (Honours) a glimpse into the inner workings of one of New Zealand music’s most unique projects.