Stephanie: building a screen career in Christchurch

Film producer Stephanie Escalante on creativity, collaboration and Canterbury's growing screen sector

Stephanie Escalante is a Christchurch-based producer and project manager navigating the intersection of Kiwi filmmaking and digital technology. A versatile fixture in the local screen industry, her production credits span short films – including the acclaimed drama Pet Day – and commercial projects across Auckland and Canterbury.

How would you describe the role of a producer?

There’s a huge breadth of responsibilities, but in a nutshell, a producer is like a project manager on steroids.

You need to be great with people, great at managing budgets, flexible enough to adapt when things change, but also able to keep everything on schedule because otherwise nothing gets made.

How did your career pathway lead you there?

I started my career in Auckland as an extras’ coordinator, and it snowballed from there.

I deliberately didn’t jump straight into producing because I felt it was important to work through different layers of production first. That was really valuable because it gave me a genuine understanding of what each department does and what they need to succeed.

What do you think people often misunderstand about the role of a producer?

One of the biggest misconceptions about producing is that people think it’s easy because you’re the person with the yes-or-no stamp.

In reality, you’re often the one making difficult decisions. You’re the person who has to tell departments that something isn’t going to work, or that plans need to change. A producer carries a lot of responsibility.

People also look to producers to set the tone of a production. If you’re a producer who genuinely cares about your crew, that comes through in the way the production operates.

What makes New Zealand film crews special?

One of the things I love most about working in New Zealand is the crews. Everyone has this mentality of mucking in and helping.

I’ve worked on overseas productions where visiting directors and executive producers have commented on how much they enjoy working with New Zealand crews because people bring such a strong can-do attitude.

Someone might come up with an ambitious shot and, instead of focusing on why it can’t be done, people start figuring out how to make it happen.

Why have you chosen to base yourself in Christchurch?

I’ve always preferred smaller communities, and Christchurch gives you the opportunities of a city while still having a strong sense of community.

We’ve got the mountains, the ocean and so many outdoor activities right on our doorstep. It’s an incredible place to live and work. At the same time, Christchurch is growing, innovative and full of opportunity.

What makes Canterbury's screen sector unique?

One of the most exciting things is being part of a growing industry. Whether you’re crew, cast or supporting a production in another role, you get the opportunity to help shape what the industry becomes.

There’s a shared vision and energy around growing the sector, and that creates opportunities that are quite special.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in the screen industry?

Do it because you love it. You need a long-term reason for being there because working in film can be incredibly demanding. Productions can consume your life for months at a time. Long days are common, and there can be a lot of personal sacrifices along the way.

The reward is that you get to work with incredible people and become part of something bigger than yourself. For me, that sense of collaboration is one of the best parts of the industry.