Source: University of Canterbury
09 March 2022
The University of Canterbury (UC) is pleased to welcome the inimitable Bree Loverich to its Digital Screen Campus.
An enthusiastic advocate for the Waitaha Canterbury screen industry, Bree is the latest recruit to UC’s state of the art Digital Screen Campus (DSC), following Chelsea Rapp’s recent appointment to Programme Manager.
As DSC Partnership and Commercial Manager, Bree will be responsible for developing the commercial pipeline, overseeing use of the campus by external partners for both commercial and educational purposes and leading national and international marketing and attraction strategies for the advancement of the DSC.
Engaging with local and international screen industry leaders is a critical aspect of the role, as it aligns to the co-operative or work-integrated learning at the heart of the DSC’s proposed curriculum.
By enabling our students to work alongside industry leaders, they obtain invaluable skills and experience while building relationships within their chosen field, ensuring they graduate with the exact skillset required to meet demand.
It’s the possibilities that come from working at the ground floor of such a transformational project that inspires Bree as she looks to her new role at the DSC.
“I’m passionate about further developing our voice via the kaupapa of the DSC, which is to not only service international customers, but to invest in and develop the talent of our own storytellers, and grow our own creative businesses,” she says.
“I also look forward to expanding Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha’s initial $97m investment to grow a future focused and sustainable creative economy for Ōtautahi and Aotearoa for generations to come.”
With export experience in both screen and international education; screen production and facility development as well as extensive marketing and business attraction in her wheelhouse, Bree brings to the DSC a wide-ranging network of commercial partners from the film, television, game development and education sector.
Leveraging and building upon this work is something DSC Programme Director, Professor Andy Phelps believes will benefit not only Waitaha Canterbury and South Island screen industries, but Aotearoa New Zealand as a whole.
“Bree has been a powerhouse in uplifting the region, from cinema production and game development through to the establishment of meaningful regional incentives for the digital screen industries. She has been the catalyst for many successes and accomplishments at Screen CanterburyNZ and I’m excited to be working with her.”
As Screen CanterburyNZ Manager, Bree was an enthusiastic advocate for Waitaha Canterbury and worked tirelessly to put the region back on the map within screen industry circles.
She also spearheaded the development of Aotearoa New Zealand’s first regional production grant, resulting in a significant increase in production enquiries, and delivering the first major film production to Ōtautahi Christchurch’s central city in years – a project that involved the unprecedented closure of State Highway 76.
Boyd Warren, General Manager of Innovation and Business Growth at ChristchurchNZ says Bree was instrumental in the establishment of Screen CanterburyNZ.
“She worked hard to unite the region’s screen industry and developed several initiatives that made Christchurch a leader in regional film production,” he says.
“We know she will be a great resource for UC’s new Digital Screen Campus, which is a key milestone in the region’s development as a premiere film production base. ChristchurchNZ remains committed to sustainably growing our regional screen economy and has a strong transition plan to ensure Screen CanterburyNZ and the Digital Screen Campus work together to make the region even more attractive to filmmakers from around New Zealand and the world.”
Bree believes the time is now for Ōtautahi Christchurch to play a more prominent role in this high-tech, high value sector.
“The creative economy hub being created at the DSC will attract multimedia partners and a wide range of talent, grow our IP export capability, and create highly skilled graduates that are ready to meet the global workforce needs of an industry undergoing substantial technological change and convergence,” she explains.
“Sometimes I feel creativity can be limited by access, when we should be limited only by our imagination. The DSC will be an ecosystem where access to technology is removed and creative storytelling has no limits; with this campus we invite storytellers from all backgrounds to come, join a community of practice, get your hands on the toys and expand your horizons.
“I look forward to working under [Professor] Andy Phelps’ leadership, alongside a team of powerful wāhine strategic leaders!”
Passionate is just one word that personifies Bree Loverich, and UC are delighted to welcome that passion to its Digital Screen Campus.
Bree joins Chelsea Rapp, Petra Westropp and Professor Andy Phelps on the DSC management team.
Media contact:
- Email: media@canterbury.ac.nz Ph: (03) 369 3631 or 027 503 0168
