Documentary Production in Napier and Hawke’s Bay
Billie makes documentary work about people, places and culture. The team spends the time it takes to earn trust on camera, then shapes hours of real footage into a story that holds an audience.
Napier was rebuilt in art deco style after the 1931 earthquake, and its streets, the Marine Parade and the Hawke’s Bay vineyards give a look you cannot find anywhere else in New Zealand. Food, wine and tourism keep local creative work busy. Billie travels to Napier for productions, bringing the full team or working with local crew depending on the job.
What’s included
- Research and story development
- Observational and interview filming
- Field sound
- Story edit and structure
- Series or feature-length delivery
After Service, Season 1 (2026), is a Billie documentary series about the people behind the plate.
How it works
- Brief: A call to understand the goal, the audience, the timeline and the budget.
- Treatment: A written and visual plan, so everyone agrees on the idea before anything is shot.
- Production: Locations, crew, cast and schedule locked in, then the shoot itself.
- Post: Edit, colour, sound and graphics, with review rounds built in.
- Delivery: Masters and cut-downs for every platform the piece will live on.
Questions
Does Billie work in Napier?
Billie travels to Napier for productions, bringing the full team or working with local crew depending on the job.
What does documentary production with Billie include?
Research and story development, observational and interview filming, field sound, story edit and structure, series or feature-length delivery. The exact scope depends on the brief, and every quote is put together for the project.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the length, the crew and the number of shoot days. Send a short brief and Billie will come back with a quote.
How long does a project take?
Smaller social and event jobs can turn around within a week or two. Music videos, commercials and films usually run a few weeks from treatment to delivery.