Music consultant and Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd has been working with the New Zealand Film Archive to identify and find missing Kiwi music videos so they are not lost forever.

Shepherd says music videos offer multi disciplined glimpses of ourselves in short easily digested bites. "They also represent early work by directors and film makers in the early stages of their careers. It is important that this film genre is well collected, preserved and as comprehensively documented as possible."Music consultant and Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd has been working with the New Zealand Film Archive to identify and find missing Kiwi music videos so they are not lost forever.

Shepherd says music videos offer multi disciplined glimpses of ourselves in short easily digested bites. "They also represent early work by directors and film makers in the early stages of their careers. It is important that this film genre is well collected, preserved and as comprehensively documented as possible."The Film Archive have just launched an online selection of 100 popular videos which you can now vote for to identify your favourites.

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
First thing in the morning. 6:30am onwards to whenever I run out of steam which is normally just before school pick up time.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Darkly eclectic and modern.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
I am not especially creative myself although I regret not giving my self more time to explore that. What I think I am good at is working with the genuinely talented and helping them achieve their goals which is what I tried to do with Flying Nun.

How does your environment affect your work?
I do not like distraction but enjoy a backdrop of atmospheric and extremely loud music so I tend to work alone. Black is a constant in my life but I find space for other colours. As a child I was especially keen on blue but as I have aged green has taken an on an increased and calming significance.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I like the big ideas but I also have an annoying interest in most detail and a slightly unhealthy interest in lists.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
The children, Missy and Lulu, are coming along very well.

Your project with the Film Archive has involved tracing missing music videos. Why bother doing this?
It is about preserving our film and video heritage and music videos appeal to my interests in music and New Zealand music especially. I think music videos give you a very concise glimpse back to a time and place and also help give the music some added context. It's not just about the music but also the fashions, tastes and outlook of the day.

What happens if someone has music videos they'd like to deposit with the Film Archive?
Get in touch with the Film Archive and tell them what you have got. Amateur and professionally shot film, 1" video, Beta SPs and even some older VHS material taped off the television back in the early 1980s or before is all of interest. Some people might have a pile of VHS tapes in the back of a closet or attic and these are what we're hoping to uncover.

Is there any era or any band in particular you're still looking for?
Anything from the 1960s right through to the mid 1980s is of special interest especially as material from these eras will be potentially deteriorating by now and be in desperate need of preservation. All the info about depositing with Archive is available on the website.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
Ignore fashion and certainly never follow it or get cought up in imposed cycles. Concentrate on your own interests and obsessions and you will have some fun along the way and a proper shot at success.

Who or what has inspired you recently?
I enthuse about lots of things so it can be hard to focus somethimes. I like to narrow down some parts of my life (colours, clothing choices, etc) and strictly order others (routines are good and shelving is especially important). I feel by doing that I can give myself a bit of leeway when it comes to sorting my volcano postcard collection, reading, finding and listening to music or thinking about that nights dinner options. I have certainly met plenty of fascinating and inspiring people while researching for my Film Archive work and that has certainly opened up new ideas and thinking.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
I never liked chemistry enough to want to become a geologist and I don't actually think I was ever dull enough to become a stamp dealer. Town planning was never really an option growing up in New Zealand either so I do rather regret not doing something a bit more creative or artistic.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
Aranui in Christchurch where I grew up.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Loud otherwise you can not hear it properly.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
I've never been interested in any of those things so I probably won't bother wasting my time. Although rope, rather than string, is an entirely different kettle of fish.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
I discovered cooking during the 1980s when Flying Nun was starting to get very busy and demanding. It was a great way of voiding the stresses of the day when getting home and doing something completely unrelated and ultimately relaxing. I think its better that than any medication.

What's great about today?
I'm not that old but I have noticed increased thinking about mortality recently so I would have to say that its a bit of a bonus just to be able to wake up in the morning.

What's your big idea for 2009?
Earplugs so the music can be even louder.