Jane Wrightson
Encyclopedia
Jane Wrightson was born in Hastings, New Zealand
in 1958. She became New Zealand’s eighth Chief Censor
, and first woman Chief Censor, in 1991, a position she held until the Films, Videos, and Publications Act was passed in 1993. Before her appointment as Chief Censor, Wrightson obtained a BA in English at Victoria University of Wellington
, a Diploma in Business Administration at Massey University
, and a Master of Business Administration with Distinction (Massey). She worked for a decade prior for TVNZ including in the programming department and as head of commissioned programmes for Television New Zealand
.
Wrightson wrote in 1992 that her “strong will has been a blessing and a curse to me. The strength is needed as a film censor – there are so many individuals and groups pulling in so many different directions that after absorbing all the approaches one simply has to go with instincts, consultation and a healthy dollop of common sense.”
In 1992, Wrightson banned Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
, calling it a “stalk and slash” movie too violent for New Zealand screens. This was the first mainstream film to be banned from exhibition at the Wellington Film Festival, whose director called her too conservative. The film was later passed, with cuts, on video by the Video Recordings Authority. Earlier that year, she passed, as R18, the Australian tantric sex film Sacred Sex which was appealed unsuccessfully to the Film and Video Board of Review by the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards
who viewed her classification as too liberal.
Having unsuccessfully applied to continue as Chief Censor after Parliament passed the Films, Videos, and Publications Act 1993, Wrightson became television programme manager, and soon Deputy Chief Executive, of New Zealand On Air
in 1994. She then became Chief Executive of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA) in 1999, Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Standards Authority
in 2003, and is currently Chief Executive of New Zealand On Air
since 2007. She is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, retired from the Board of Netball New Zealand in 2007 after an 8 year stint, and was appointed to the Swimming NZ Board in 2007.
Hastings, New Zealand
The city of Hastings is a major urban settlement in the Hawke's Bay region of the North Island of New Zealand, and it is the largest settlement by population in Hawke's Bay. Hastings city is the administrative centre of the Hastings District...
in 1958. She became New Zealand’s eighth Chief Censor
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
, and first woman Chief Censor, in 1991, a position she held until the Films, Videos, and Publications Act was passed in 1993. Before her appointment as Chief Censor, Wrightson obtained a BA in English at Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
, a Diploma in Business Administration at Massey University
Massey University
Massey University is one of New Zealand's largest universities with approximately 36,000 students, 20,000 of whom are extramural students.The University has campuses in Palmerston North , Wellington and Auckland . Massey offers most of its degrees extramurally within New Zealand and internationally...
, and a Master of Business Administration with Distinction (Massey). She worked for a decade prior for TVNZ including in the programming department and as head of commissioned programmes for Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand
Television New Zealand, more commonly referred to, and stylized as TVNZ, is a government-owned corporation television network broadcasting in New Zealand and parts of the Pacific. It operates TV1, TV2, TVNZ7, TVNZ Heartland, TVNZ U and new media services....
.
Wrightson wrote in 1992 that her “strong will has been a blessing and a curse to me. The strength is needed as a film censor – there are so many individuals and groups pulling in so many different directions that after absorbing all the approaches one simply has to go with instincts, consultation and a healthy dollop of common sense.”
In 1992, Wrightson banned Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer is a 1986 crime horror film directed and co-written by John McNaughton about the random crime spree of a serial killer who seemingly operates with impunity. It stars Michael Rooker as the nomadic killer Henry, Tom Towles as Otis, a prison buddy with whom Henry is...
, calling it a “stalk and slash” movie too violent for New Zealand screens. This was the first mainstream film to be banned from exhibition at the Wellington Film Festival, whose director called her too conservative. The film was later passed, with cuts, on video by the Video Recordings Authority. Earlier that year, she passed, as R18, the Australian tantric sex film Sacred Sex which was appealed unsuccessfully to the Film and Video Board of Review by the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards
Society for the Promotion of Community Standards
The Society for the Promotion of Community Standards is a conservative Christian-dominated organisation in New Zealand. The Society's objectives include the encouragement of "self-respect and the dignity of the human person, made in the image of God", the "recognition of the sanctity of human life...
who viewed her classification as too liberal.
Having unsuccessfully applied to continue as Chief Censor after Parliament passed the Films, Videos, and Publications Act 1993, Wrightson became television programme manager, and soon Deputy Chief Executive, of New Zealand On Air
New Zealand On Air
NZ On Air is an independent New Zealand broadcast funding agency. It is an autonomous crown entity separate from central Government and governed by a Board of six appointed by the Minister of Broadcasting...
in 1994. She then became Chief Executive of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA) in 1999, Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Standards Authority
Broadcasting Standards Authority
The Broadcasting Standards Authority is a New Zealand Crown Entity created by the Broadcasting Act 1989 to develop and uphold standards of broadcasting for radio, free-to-air and pay television.The main functions of the BSA are:...
in 2003, and is currently Chief Executive of New Zealand On Air
New Zealand On Air
NZ On Air is an independent New Zealand broadcast funding agency. It is an autonomous crown entity separate from central Government and governed by a Board of six appointed by the Minister of Broadcasting...
since 2007. She is also a member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors, retired from the Board of Netball New Zealand in 2007 after an 8 year stint, and was appointed to the Swimming NZ Board in 2007.