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Monday, October 25: New Zealand's 'Rally of Hope' to Support The Hobbit!

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Aloysius J. Gleek:


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/business/media/28hobbit.html?_r=1&hp

26 minutes ago

New Zealand Reaches Deal on ‘Hobbit’
By JONATHAN HUTCHISON
Published: October 27, 2010

AUCKLAND — Warner Brothers agreed to keep Peter Jackson’s production of “The Hobbit” in New Zealand after the government promised to change local labor laws and offered extra financial incentives, Prime Minister John Key said Wednesday.

The deal came after two days of talks between Mr. Key and other government officials and executives from Warner and its New Line Cinema unit.

Filming of the two “Hobbit” movies, which is expected to start in February, had been threatened by a dispute over whether a New Zealand branch of an Australian union could engage in collective bargaining on the Hollywood films, which they have not been able to do in the past.

A New Zealand actors union, backed by a larger union, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance of Australia, had demanded collective bargaining for work on the films, but both Warner and government officials contended that collective bargaining with actors was barred by New Zealand law.

The unions withdrew their demand and lifted their call that international unions boycott the films, but Warner executives remained concerned about the possibility of labor disruptions.

As part of the deal to keep production of the “The Hobbit” in New Zealand, the government will introduce new legislation on Thursday to clarify the difference between an employee and a contractor, Mr. Key said during a news conference in Wellington, adding that the change would affect only the film industry.

In addition, Mr. Key said the country would offset $10 million of Warner’s marketing costs as the government agreed to a joint venture with the studio to promote New Zealand “on the world stage.”

He also announced an additional tax rebate for the films, saying Warner Brothers would be eligible for as much as $7.5 million extra per picture, depending on the success of the films. New Zealand already offers a 15 percent rebate on money spent on the production of major movies..

Mr. Jackson’s office in New Zealand declined to immediately comment.

The “Hobbit” films, which are being financed in a partnership with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, have a production budget of about $500 million, and many in New Zealand believe they are crucial to the future of that country’s film industry.

“I’m delighted we have achieved this result. Making the two movies here will not only safeguard work for thousands of New Zealanders, but will also allow us to follow the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in once again promoting New Zealand on the world stage,” Mr. Key said.

“The industrial issues that have arisen in the past several weeks have highlighted a significant set of concerns for the way in which the international film industry operates here in New Zealand. We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give film producers like Warner Brothers the confidence they need to produce their movies in New Zealand.”

Michael Cieply contributed reporting.

brianr:
Hobbit watchers may be interested in this article in my local paper. the site is about 40 miles from where I live.
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/central-otago/186597/mums-word-its-riddles-dark
Mum's the word: It's riddles in the dark
One of the biggest things to happen in the Strath Taieri and Maniototo in recent years has tongues wagging - but not to those outside the patch.

Six helicopters, a giant marquee, security guards and dozens of trailers have been parked in a paddock east of Hyde for the past four days.

But ask the locals why the trailers are there, and most reply "Can't say" or "Don't know".

However, use the words "hobbit", "film set" and "Sir Peter Jackson", and sly, knowing smiles cross their faces.

Filming for Sir Peter's two-part Hobbit film series started in Wellington in March and, while other locations have been closely guarded, they include areas around the Strath Taieri and Queenstown.

Otago Central Hotel owner Ngaire Sutherland, of Hyde, said she was "sworn to secrecy" about the filming, but some of those involved were staying at her establishment.

"We do have some people staying here, but we don't have the top brass. We've still got more cyclists than hobbits," she said.

Cast and crew were scattered "all round the place" providing a "boost for the area in total".

Meryl:
You're right!  Sounds like the secret is out, Brian!  You've been invaded, it seems.  :D  8)

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10765525&ref=rss

Hobbit actors arrive in Dunedin

10:49 AM Saturday Nov 12, 2011

Hundreds of cast and crew for The Hobbit films have flown to Dunedin International Airport seemingly bound for Otago film sets.

An airport spokesman said four chartered flights carrying 320 cast and crew arrived, starting on Thursday night with a BAe146 Whisper Jet from Wellington. Today (Friday) another three flights arrived, two from Wellington, and one from Taupo, also on chartered Whisper Jets.

A large contingent of rental cars had been organised for the arrivals to travel, but he did not have further details.

The spokesman said he had not known the large group was coming until a couple of days ago.

Filming locations for the two-film series are closely guarded, but include areas around Queenstown, Middlemarch, and possibly Mosgiel.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled for release on December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is due to be released on December 13, 2013.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES

brianr:
Of interest to hobbit fans
Tree's demise Hobbit-sized crisis
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/187927/trees-demise-hobbit-sized-crisis

Meryl:

--- Quote from: brian on November 28, 2011, 12:40:13 pm ---Of interest to hobbit fans
Tree's demise Hobbit-sized crisis
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/187927/trees-demise-hobbit-sized-crisis

--- End quote ---

Thanks for the article, Brian!  I'm glad the demise of the tree didn't faze them.  :D

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