The beginnings and development of a New Zealand music: The life ...

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feature film related the stories of three young immigrants who came to
New Zealand, on the same ship, under New Zealand's assisted immigration
scheme.
The three central characters selected by the Director of the
film,6 actually were immigrants under this scheme, with no previous
. 7
exper1ence as actors.
In 1948, the National Film Unit advertised the position of Musical
Director for the Unit. 8 Lilburn considered applying for the position on
the strength of the work he had already completed for the Unit.
as well he decided against applying, for in the early 1950s the Film
It was
Unit suffered retrenchment under the newly-elected National Government.
The Film Unit, the Government considered, was proving too
expensive to maintain.
placing a huge drain on the financial resources.
The music side of the production especially, was
In recording sessions,
the performers often had. difficulties in synchronising music with visual
image, resulting in many 'takes' and wastage of recording time. With
the establishment of higher award rates for musicians and the cutback in
financial support from the Government, the F.ilm Unit decided to cease
temporarily the commissioning of music. Journey For Three was the last
commission that Lilburn received from the National Film Unit. 9
In 1949, Lilburn was commissioned to write accompanying orchestral
music for the BBC radio documentary This is New Zealand, directed by
D.G. Bridson. This was prepared in anticipation of the visit to New
Zealand by King George VI. 10
Lilburn did not cease his contact with the theatre on moving to
1 1
Wellington, if anything, he wrote more frequently for the stage. In
6 Michael Forlong.
7 Ambitious Feature. The Evening Post 26 January 1949.
8 Douglas Lilburn in conversation with author March 1983. Lilburn was
asked by the film unit to apply for the job. That he did not apply
was in accordance with the advice given him by Ernst Plischke, a
Viennese architect resident in Wellington at that time. Plischke
suggested that if Lilburn took the job he would eventually end up
being nothing but a 'hack' writer, whereas remaining at a university
post would give Lilburn the freedom to write what he wished.
9 Douglas Lilburn in conversation with author March 1983.
10 Scott papers.
11 See year-by-year list of works in Appendix C.