GEOFF DIXON – A PERSONAL NOTE
(sent to NZCC via email):
Hello to All,
Firstly – a personal and deep apology to the industry, creditors, and everyone who has been affected by this terrible situation in which we have found ourselves in.
While times have been tough – not only in our company, but throughout the industry, – the consequence of recent events, came as a devastating blow to us all at Silverscreen in New Zealand.
I also apologise for my apparent lack of communication with the many media outlets and creditors that have wanted some time to talk and discuss as to why this came about. The time and energy this situation has since demanded from me has been overwhelming – (and not fit for human consumption!).
I would like to thank the friends and colleagues, both here and in Australia, who have given their time to write or call with expressions of sadness and regret –- and the support from others I don’t know, – who have defended me and challenged the cynical and the opportunists who have stood on their soapbox’s pretending wisdom.
I salute the loyal staff that worked so hard to make it a success – even after 33 years of hard slog, – and I salute the staff and Directors at Silverscreen in Sydney, not forgetting my dear mates Haydn and Tracey, – who have endured the painful consequences. My only real wish is that the industry will continue to support both Oktobor in Auckland and the Directors at Silverscreen in Australia, both in the near and distant future. To those who have already shown or pledged their support, – I thank you.
There are many months of work ahead in trying to attend to the detail and consequence of this event, and I would ask for some patience and understanding for now what must be attended to. I would not wish this situation on anybody! I realise this may not be enough for some, who will demand blood where there is none, – but my heart is truly heavy.
If there is anything for our Industry to learn from this, I hope the wise among us will take heed and help instigate change for the better.
Yours Sincerely
Geoff Dixon
13 Comments
Just shut up and pay us
Good on ya Geoff – it sounds as though you will be making payment to all the people who are owed money by Silverscreen – this is truly honourable. Once again best of luck for the future.
And the winner of the all expenses paid trip to Cannes, for helping take out NZ’s oldest production house is……Well done mate !
I heard that Geoff was prepared to sell his boat and cliff-top mansion to sort out the mess.
see http://www.mmh.co.nz click on reports/ then “S” then Silverscreen Productions. The Liquidator’s first report doesn’t make pretty reading.
Interesting reading. You see under unsecured creditors – shareholder advances $3,230,000, it means this is the amount of money Geoff lost.We don’t know what it is made up of, it could be money he was putting into the company, or profit from past years that he has not taken out, or a bit of both.Either way, it’s a lot and makes him the biggest creditor by far.
re biggest creditor:Given he was the principal shareholder would it not be more fitting for Geoff to payout those with no stake in the company and probably more to loose?
Yes interesting reading – Geoff could have put that money into the company to pay for leasehold improvements presumably to the offices – if the offices get sold then we should all be sweet.
As the ad says……………….. “the faster you go, the bigger the mess”!
9:17 – Classic.
isn’t that called reckless trading. And how about the way they’re continuing to trade. Out one door and opening up another.My heart is havy for you. Not! Pay your bills!
Well said Mr SB – it all just stinks of wreckless trading – lets see what happens if and when there is a creditors meeting
How is it that you could trade for so long …… take payment from Ad Agencies for small jobs such as Prime TV & huge jobs such as Vodafone ($1million job) just before Christmas AND not actually pay ANY of the film crew & suppliers who worked on them. You took all the profit ………. and paid no one … There are some crew members that have not been paid for work done as far back as August /September! AND …. if the company was in such strife …why didn’t you call it a day in say August… NOT 3 x days before Christmas. We are not all muli millionaires who can carry the debt.