Brendan Withy

Growing up on a dairy farm meant free film locations for budding TV editor, camera operator and all-rounder Brendan Withy. His first production was crafting homemade knock-off instalments of Doctor Who. "Me and some school mates made all the sets and costumes. We joined two VHS players together and attempted to edit our stuff using the ‘pause’ button.."

Withy grew up in Awakaponga in the Bay of Plenty. He attended Edgecumbe Primary School and college, loved English, drama and history, and looked forward to the latest edition of The Listener, especially stories about documentaries. At a high school careers day, Withy was drawn to the new Communications degree at Auckland University of Technology.

Withy was summoned for an interview. "Mum insisted I buy a new shirt and pants. I was this nervous country boy entering a high-rise building in Queen Street". Once on the course, which covered radio, print and TV production, his sights were set. "It was TV for me. I loved the idea of reaching as big an audience as possible."

Withy was on a roof dismantling a shed at the farm, when lecturer John A Givins called and offered him a ground level job at Livingstone Productions. The company covered the then annual Hero Parade, and an excited Withy got his first promotion, field directing a crew stationed in the middle of the parade. He expressed his sincere "gratitude for the opportunity" to blank-faced director Richard Hansen. "Richard said 'it wasn’t my idea — Jonny told me too'."

LGBTQ series Queer Nation was Withy's first directing credit, and an early highlight. Two episode special The Heroic Journey had Withy accompanying charismatic Kiwi musician and drag artist Stanley Manthyng on a ‘roadie’ from Bluff to Auckland, ending at the 2001 Hero Parade. 

Withy left for his OE in 2001, camera in tow. He picked up some directing and camera operating work in the United Kingdom, filming corporate videos and band videos. Returning to New Zealand, he found work with Matt Wilmot’s company Media Mechanics (now Virtuoso Media), directing, filming and editing commercials and TV projects. His series Ngā Wahine Mauri Ora, which profiled rural Māori women, debuted on Māori Television's first day on air. 

In 2003 Withy was on the ground as floor manager at Christmas in The Park. The same year he followed teenage dramas on and offstage as field director, camera operator and editor for 2003 Stage Challenge.

In 2004 Withy was called in for a few days to cover for a sick camera operator on Jam TV’s travel series Off the Rails. The show introduced him to a media hero of his: broadcaster and trainspotter Marcus Lush. In 2007 Withy edited Lush’s Antarctica show ICE; in 2009 he took on shooting and editing for Lush’s travel series, South. Withy’s TV offline and online editing credits during this time included consumer rights show Target and hit reality series The Lion Man. 

Withy took editing and post-production credits on 2008 documentary series Off the Radar, which followed another raconteur — presenter Te Radar — as he cultivated a patch of urban land in order to live sustainably.

Withy’s relationship with Jam TV head honchos Melanie Rakena and Jane Andrews took him far afield. From 2005 to 2011 he documented various Kiwi celebrities for hit travel series Intrepid Journeys. The "kid from Edgecumbe" relishes travel. His credits cover filming, editing, field directing and on the spot trouble-shooting in locations including Yemen (with Paul Holmes), Libya (Jeremy Wells) Sri Lanka (Shane Cortese) and Indonesia (singer and sailor Andrew Fagan). A highlight for the nature-loving Withy was trekking in the Himalayas with ex-All Black Anton Oliver. The camera team "tried to outdo each other" with each day’s footage. Withy welcomed "waking up each day, not knowing what’s going to happen — which is exactly what you want to make good TV".

In Yemen, Holmes upped the entertainment factor by adopting a goat he called Nigel. In the finished episode Nigel appeared to be a constant companion to Holmes, a sleight of hand performed by editor Wayne Cooke. "He made the reality of two hours with the goat seem like several days. He is a craftsperson who really inspired me as to the infinite possibilities of heightening a story."

Directing reality show Working Holiday in Nepal gave Withy a heart in mouth experience when he and his young subject were caught in gunfire, hunkering down in an alleyway as the military battled local dissidents.

Withy has edited many live TV specials, concerts and events like Christmas in the Park, the TV3's 2015 TV3 Comedy Gala special and two standout concerts in 2022 — Stan Walker: Impossible Live and Topp Twins tribute Topp Class. Withy describes the editor’s skills as "trying to honour the job of the multi-camera director. Usually it’s a much shortened version of what happened; you’re removing elements of the ‘live’ experience and trying to make it appear seamless".

With parenthood came more post-production and editing jobs, and less camerawork out in the field. In 2017 Withy joined Three’s high profile panel show The Project as post-production supervisor. After six years at Three, he has nothing but praise for his colleagues. In 2023 he was senior editor for TV journalist Patrick Gower’s investigative show Paddy Gower Has Issues. 

In 2016 Withy directed short documentary Imagine the World is Ending, a "visual interpretation" of a blistering spoken word poem written and performed by teenagers Jahmal Nightingale and Joseph McNamara. Withy and co-producer Doug Dillaman found inspiration at slam poetry events, and wanted to capture its special energy on film. 

Withy’s editing run continues with jobs on a number of overseas documentaries. He sees his career as one of grabbing opportunities as they arise. "I’ve paddled down the river of jobs and gigs, and the river’s taken me along some strange and enjoyable eddies", he says. "It’s all about people being able to tell their stories, and feeling proud — or at least fairly represented — when they watch themselves back." 

Written by Gabe McDonnell; published on 17 May 2024

Sources include
Brendan Withy
'Brendan Withy', Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision website. Accessed 17 May 2024