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4 March 2005

The Kiwi Scene

What hath Peter Jackson wrought? New Zealand is turning into Hollywood's biggest backlot!

Rob Tapert / Lucy mention
Just like L.A., New Zealand is also having runaway production problems. Over a dinner of jetted-in New Zealand lamb, salmon and blueberries, keynote speaker and ``Boogeyman'' producer Rob Tapert scolded the New Zealand ambassador to the United States for not providing better tax incentives for filmmakers. Tapert, married to Lucy Lawless (who starred in the film, now in theaters, that was shot in New Zealand) even threatened to move production of ``Xena: Warrior Princess'' to Montreal.

 

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Films recently shot there and to be released this year include ``The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,'' based on C.S. Lewis' magical children's book, Jackson's ``King Kong'' (Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody), ``World's Fastest Indian'' (Anthony Hopkins), ``River Queen'' (Kiefer Sutherland and Samantha Morton), ``Legend of Zorro'' (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas) and ``Perfect Creature'' (Dougray Scott).

That gave Kiwis, including Sam Neill (``Jurassic Park,'' ``The Piano'') a lot to celebrate at the recent fourth annual Celebration of New Zealand Filmmaking at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The bash, with an entrance that resembled ``Narnia's'' magical wardrobe, was decorated with ``Narnia'' snowy vistas, behind-the-scenes videos, animated creatures and miniatures courtesy of Jackson's Weta Workshop.

In L.A., every waiter is an actor. ``But it's gotten even worse in New Zealand,'' says Robert Taylor, the New Zealand Counsel General for L.A. ``Now everyone you meet has a script.''

Just like L.A., New Zealand is also having runaway production problems. Over a dinner of jetted-in New Zealand lamb, salmon and blueberries, keynote speaker and ``Boogeyman'' producer Rob Tapert scolded the New Zealand ambassador to the United States for not providing better tax incentives for filmmakers. Tapert, married to Lucy Lawless (who starred in the film, now in theaters, that was shot in New Zealand) even threatened to move production of ``Xena: Warrior Princess'' to Montreal.