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PaulGrinder

  • First assistant director
  • Director
  • Producer
Paul-Grinder-Profile.jpg

During his prolific career in New Zealand film and television, Paul Grinder took on a number of significant roles, but is perhaps best known for running the set as a trusted First Assistant Director. After entering the industry in the late 80s, Grinder quickly rose through the ranks. As a First AD he worked on such shows as Xena: Warrior Princess, Shark in the Park and Spartacus, as well as major movies like District 9 and River Queen. He often took on Second Unit Director duties, and occasionally directed (Power Rangers, Xena), and produced (Spartacus, Harry). His passing in May 2022 was met with an outpouring of love from the industry. Image: by Greg Riwai

Screenography

2022 First Assistant Director Film
2022 Subject Short film
Cowboy Bebop
2021 First Assistant Director Series
Lost In Space
2018 - 2021 First Assistant Director Television
Colony
2018 First Assistant Director Television

“With your unique, thoughtful, quirky, funny, non-judgmental ways, you were my first director and a massive influence on how I conduct myself, and who I am on set to this day. Those years — on and off set, those friendships, that time spent, stories shared, lessons learned, those memories, are profoundly precious to me.”

Xena: Warrior Princess stuntwoman Zoë Bell pays tribute to Paul Grinder, 9 June 2022

Related images

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Second unit director Paul Grinder at work on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Photo by Greg Riwai
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The clapperboard for a 2001 episode of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Photo by Greg Riwai
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Paul Grinder and his long-time friend, script supervisor Monique 'Monzy' Knight, on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Photo by Greg Riwai
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Second unit director Paul Grinder and actor Lucy Lawless on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess. Grinder commanded the second unit on dozens of episodes of the show.
Photo by Greg Riwai
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Second unit director Paul Grinder at work on the set of Kiwi-shot TV show Xena: Warrior Princess
Photo by Greg Riwai