Nau mai haere mai Welcome to
The Reel Deal-Crew
Real Talent, Tips, and Tales - An insider’s look at Aotearoa’s ( New Zealand’s) film crews.
Above: Terrence Turner ( Props maker), Thomas Sutcliff, Anton Carter ( Greensman) Helen Stanbridge ( Set Dec), Mel Moors (Standby Scenic), Kay Buchanan( Leather Artist), Sam Brown, Elise Kowitz ( Standy props), Matt Austin ( Onset Art Director). Photo courtesy- Kay Buchanan
It all started with a book.
The Reel Deal: Real Talent, Tips, and Tales
A Journey Through the New Zealand Film Community
By Therese Eberhard
The Reel Deal: Real Talent, Tips, and Tales is a colourful, behind-the-scenes exploration of Aotearoa’s celebrated film industry, from the perspective of the people who paint, build, design, and breathe life into its visual storytelling.
Part memoir, practical guide, and celebration, this book weaves together behind-the-scenes stories, career journeys, and tips, from 50 people who have collectively worked on a wide range of New Zealand films including the Avatar Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy, Ghost in the Shell, King Kong, What We Do in the Shadows, Narnia, The Power of the Dogs, Mulan, Krampus, Thor: Love and Thunder, The Lord of the Rings (both the film and television series Rings of Power), and more.
Written by veteran scenic, set dec, and props painter Therese Eberhard (Avatar Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy, and more), she combines humour, honesty, and decades of experience to showcase the work and remarkable people who drive NZ’s screen success. Offering insight into the artistry behind film and television projects.
Through its stories, it encourages readers to not only keep on keeping on but also to find joy in their choices and processes. It takes a village to accomplish the impossible, and the impossible is accomplished daily in the film industry.
The Reel Deal: Real Talent, Tips, and Tales aims to be accessible and inspiring for aspiring film workers and curious fans alike.
Copies are now available at the Children’s Bookshop !!
The book is 236 pages, full colour, scrapbooky type style and includes 51 film folk interviews.
The retail price is $55. NZD. ( around $30 USD) Plus shipping if needed. (If shipping to the US, another Approx. $30 USD to ship)
Also, for my Europe-based friends and colleagues, I will make a print-on-demand service available via Bookvault in England. so hang tight. Thanks
I am sorry to say I have not yet found an affordable and reliable option for USA-based friends, family, and colleagues. Tariffs, shipping, and limited print-on-demand options in the USA for a full-colour book my size have…well, made it difficult. Digital Apple Books may be the best option (see below link), or Book Vault or Children’s Bookstore will ship overseas if you are willing to pay for shipping.
Nga mihi nui- Big Thanks to you all! Therese
Digital version now available in apple bookstores!
Yippie! At last, I have this uploaded and ready to go. This digital version is a large-format fixed-layout EPUB, ideal for viewing complete visual page spreads. It is recommended to use an iPad, laptop, or computer screen. Because it is a very scrapbooky visual book, it has been tricky to make it easy to view on small mobile devices. I will persevere and keep you updated.
Please click the US link, then select your region's Apple Store for local pricing and purchases. Thanks mucho- T
40 for $40.
Student discounted printed books
This book leans into educating the next generation of film workers in New Zealand. Therefore, I have put aside forty books to sell at a discounted price to students in Wellington, NZ.
To save even more money, I am offering to make a one-off drop to your schools so you do not pay for shipping.
More details will be shared with your coordinators at Massey University, Toi Whakaari, and Weltech.
When purchasing, it is important to put your name and school in the delivery fields.
Nga mihi nui, T
Mission Statement
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This website and the accompanying book can inspire students, and anyone checking it out, to not only keep on keeping on but also to find joy in our choices and processes. Even when things get tough, we are not in it alone. It takes a village to accomplish the impossible, and the impossible is accomplished daily in the film industry.
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To call attention to both known and unknown talent and roles from various departments and share their journeys, advice, and a few techniques to exemplify some of the hard work that happens before and behind the scenes in film. This will prove to be very useful and interesting to students, fellow film/theatre workers, and any interested NZ film fans. Also to let the world to know about the talented workforce available in New Zealand.
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Aiming to achieve this by delivering down-to-earth interviews, real tips, and tales from folks in the film industry. Many film workers comment on how their families and friends don’t know what they do even though they spend so much time doing it. I look forward to shedding a little light.
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Everything in and around the entertainment industry tends to be, well, entertaining. Whether it is film, TV, theatre, museums, game design, etc. The people who find work in these arenas are often connected and larger than life. I believe their stories to be pretty dang interesting.
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Therese “Bobo” Eberhard
Born in Palo Alto, California, in 1965, and now a proud New Zealand citizen, Therese brings over 25 years of experience in scenic and prop painting across film, television, theatre, and museums. She has worked on high-profile projects, including Avatar, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Mulan, The Power of the Dog, The Hobbit trilogy, and Ghost in the Shell.
Since arriving in NZ to work on ‘King Kong’ in 2004, she has made Wellington her home and is also a passionate educator and mother. As a dyslexic and a parent of a neurodiverse daughter, she advocates for inclusive creativity and believes deeply in supporting others to find joy in their own paths.
Undergoing treatment for a form of blood cancer, Therese enjoys discovering a purposeful outlet that matches her energy, allowing her to share both her scenic techniques and the wider film crew’s tips and tales with you all. To build on what was started in her book.
