About Us
MEL TURNER
FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER / PRODUCER / LINE PRODUCER
An Emmy nominated producer with 28 years experience in screen production, Mel is firmly grounded in her knowledge of physical production planning and logistics for, almost exclusively, international productions. Mel is fiercely dedicated to her and her team at Ground Control creating positive and collaborative working experiences with well-considered creative and technical teams supporting clear decision-making skills is the touchstone to their top results as a New Zealand producing partner. Excellent communication which makes the production machinery work so effortlessly, is fundamental to the nimble and adaptable productions which is how she can deliver such high quality outcomes.
Known as Executive Producer for HEART EYES (2025), WOLF MAN (2025), Co-Executive Producer for SWEET TOOTH (2024), and Producer for SWEET TOOTH (2021 - 2023), CHOOSE LOVE (2023) and FALLING INN LOVE (2019). Also as Line Producer for WAR MACHINE (New Zealand Unit, 2026), THE LETTER FOR THE KING (New Zealand Unit, 2020), SHANNARA CHRONICLES (2017) and SPARTACUS (2013). Unit Production Manager for SPARTACUS (2010 - 2012), VINTNERS LUCK (2009), KING KONG: Production Diaries (2005)
AXEL PATON
FOUNDER / PRODUCER / CO-PRODUCER / SCHEDULING PRODUCER
With a career spanning over 3 decades, Axel is a New Zealand based producer for international film and TV production and came up through the ranks as First Assistant Director. Axel has a proven track record, with one of his greatest strengths of fostering and maintaining a positive rapport with directors, cast, crew and vendors. The collaborative energy required to make a production hum is something Axel really enjoys and his instincts for creating a positive energy and solving issues makes him integral to all our projects.
Known as Producer for CHOOSE LOVE (2023), as Co-Producer for HEART EYES (2025), SWEET TOOTH (2024) and FALLING INN LOVE (2019) and as Associate Producer for WOLF MAN (2025), THE CHANGEOVER (2017) and SHANNARA CHRONICLES (2017). Axel is also credited a First Assistant Director for THE LETTER FOR THE KING (New Zealand Unit, 2020), ASH VS EVIL DEAD (2015 - 2016), SLOW WEST (2015) and Z FOR ZACHARIAH (2015) to name just a few over his extensive career.
CONNIE BEATSON-SMITH
BUSINESS LEGAL AFFAIRS / PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Connie has come to the screen industry from previously being a lawyer, and so for 11 years now she has focused her career predominantly on international feature and series projects. Connie is particularly adept at dealing with business legal affairs - specifically contracts and compliancy, but generally overseeing that the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed and right from early pre-production right to delivery of assets she is nothing but thorough. Known as Production Supervisor for WOLF MAN (2025) and SWEET TOOTH (2021-2024), Contract Supervisor for WAR MACHINE (New Zealand Unit, 2025) and Production Manager for CUSTARD’S WORLD (2018). Also credited for MULAN (2020), SHANNARA CHRONICLES (2017) and ASH VS EVIL DEAD (2015 - 2016).
BREN MACKENZIE
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER / ESTIMATOR / INCENTIVES ANALYST
A mind for numbers, creative systems and budgeting detail, Bren has over 17 years of screen industry accounting and finance experience in reporting and managing US studio budgets, funding, cashflow and tax incentives. Bren’s strength is in his ability to provide analysis and forecasting, particularly around exchange rate and qualifying expenditure for feasibility but also quite importantly while we are in production so budgeted funds can be redistributed accordingly. Bren is credited for his work as Estimator for WAR MACHINE (New Zealand Unit, 2026), HEART EYES (2025), WOLF MAN (2025), and SWEET TOOTH (2023-2024).