Earlier this year James Cameron’s rousing and spectacular science-fiction action film Avatar became the highest grossing film of all time.

A significant proportion of the film was shot at Peter Jackson’s Stone Street Studios and post-produced at Weta Digital in Wellington, New Zealand where two South Seas graduates made significant contributions to the success of the film.

Brigitte Yorke, a 1995 Film and Television Production course graduate (specialising in Directing and Production), was the production manager for all of the New Zealand-based production.  1994 graduate Areito Echevarria was Compositing Supervisor at Weta Digital.

When applying for the 1995 Film & Television Production course Brigitte said in her application, “The most important skill I have to offer the film industry is my ability to communicate effectively with people. In an industry where you are constantly working in a team it is important that you are able to present your ideas and feelings clearly and concisely.”

Brigitte’s abilities to effectively communicate and work with people ensured that she excelled as a student while completing the South Seas Diploma in Film and Television Production course. It has also been the basis of her success in the industry.

Since graduating Brigitte has worked on many demanding feature film projects in roles where her communication skills have been in constant demand and much appreciated by her fellow team and crew members.

As can be seen from the following IMDb Internet Movie Database screen credits, the film projects Brigitte has worked on have certainly given her an impressive base of experience and will stand her in good stead for her next film challenge, The Hobbit, which she is already working on.

Her credits on the

include:

• The Hobbit - current project
• The Adventures of Tintin (2009) Second Unit Production Manager
• Lovely Bones (2008) Second Unit Production Manager
• Avatar (2007-08) New Zealand Production Manager
• Black Sheep (2006) Production Co-ordinator
• King Kong (2004-05) Production Manager
• Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003) Production Manager
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Art Dept Production Co-ordinator
• Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Art Department Production Co-ordinator

"South Seas gave me an amazing practical introduction to the world of film making," says Brigitte. "It taught me the importance of being a team player and helped me to develop my communication, organisational and people skills so that I was well prepared and confident enough in my own skills to head out into the real world."

Areito Echevarria, who specialised in Post Production Editing on the South Seas Film and Television Production course, has also had a remarkably successful international career in Australia, the United Kingdom and now back in New Zealand.

As can be seen from his extensive list of credits on the IMDb Internet Movie Database, since his graduation in 1994 Areito has added his movie magic to many films featuring special effects. 

His credits on the Internet Movie Database include:

• Gulliver’s Travels (2010) Effects Technical Director: Weta Digital
• The A-Team (2010) Effects Technical Director: Weta Digital
• Avatar (2009) Compositing Supervisor: Weta Digital
• The Lovely Bones (2009) Lead Compositor: Weta Digital
• The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) Compositing Supervisor: Weta Digital
• Jumper (2008) Digital Compositor: Weta Digital
• The Water Horse (2007) Digital Compositor: Weta Digital
• Eragon (2006) Digital Compositor: Weta Digital
• X-Men:-Last Stand (2006) Digital Compositor: Weta Digital
• King Kong (2005) Digital Compositor: Weta Digital
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) Compositing Supervisor: FrameStore-CFC
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Compositing Supervisor: FrameStore-CFC
• Veronica Guerin (2003) Digital Compositor: Mill Film
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Digital Compositor: Mill Film
• Black Hawk Down (2001) Digital Compositor: Mill Film
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Digital Compositor: Mill Film

“I knew I had the creative ability and potential to succeed at the highest levels," said Arieto in a 1998 interview with Rob Verhoeven (South Seas Editing Tutor).  "But I needed to obtain enough practical, industry-relevant skills in order to be confident. South Seas gave me the experience that enabled me to achieve my goal which is to work confidently in the international film industry.”

In that context, Areito’s international career success is understandable.