Whether or not “The Power of the Dog” wins the big prize at the Academy Awards on Sunday, David Strong, chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission for the past eight months, is guaranteed to be an in-demand visitor to Los Angeles over the next week.
With the Jane Campion-directed film handily showcasing New Zealand’s talent, locations and craft strengths, the country has now reopened its borders to international visitors. Also sweetening the deal are more studio spaces.
Ahead of Strong’s flight to Los Angeles, where he has a week of meetings set up with Hollywood decision makers, he spoke to Variety about what New Zealand has to offer going forward.
What has been the impact of “The Power of the Dog” and its Oscar nominations?
It’s already been a big success story for us. The New Zealand government put $8 million into “The Power of the Dog” and,...
With the Jane Campion-directed film handily showcasing New Zealand’s talent, locations and craft strengths, the country has now reopened its borders to international visitors. Also sweetening the deal are more studio spaces.
Ahead of Strong’s flight to Los Angeles, where he has a week of meetings set up with Hollywood decision makers, he spoke to Variety about what New Zealand has to offer going forward.
What has been the impact of “The Power of the Dog” and its Oscar nominations?
It’s already been a big success story for us. The New Zealand government put $8 million into “The Power of the Dog” and,...
- 3/25/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
When Amazon announced in August 2021 that its billion-dollar “Lord of the Rings” TV series would shift production to England, fans were stunned. Though J.R.R. Tolkien was British and though the settings are fictional, New Zealand and Middle-earth have become synonymous.
That’s all due to native son Peter Jackson, whose “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” premiered in December, 2001.
On Aug. 31, 1998, before filming on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy began, Variety reported that Jackson was convinced “New Zealand is particularly suitable for re-creating Middle-earth. The landscape and the raw beauty of these places is ideal for this story.”
The three films used 150 locations by the time principal photography wrapped.
Jackson’s instincts had a profound effect. Other filmmakers have won Oscars and earned billions at the box office. But has anyone else had such a huge effect on their country’s economy?
New Zealand was once seen as a small,...
That’s all due to native son Peter Jackson, whose “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” premiered in December, 2001.
On Aug. 31, 1998, before filming on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy began, Variety reported that Jackson was convinced “New Zealand is particularly suitable for re-creating Middle-earth. The landscape and the raw beauty of these places is ideal for this story.”
The three films used 150 locations by the time principal photography wrapped.
Jackson’s instincts had a profound effect. Other filmmakers have won Oscars and earned billions at the box office. But has anyone else had such a huge effect on their country’s economy?
New Zealand was once seen as a small,...
- 12/16/2021
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Studios’ ’The Lord Of The Rings’ series will relocate from New Zealand to the UK for its second season.
The British Film Commission (Bfc) has given its response to today’s news that the second series of Amazon Studios’ The Lord Of The Rings series will shoot in the UK.
Bfc chief executive Adrian Wootton only learned about the decision this week but expressed his full confidence in the UK’s ability to host a project of this scale.
“[Amazon] have talked to us about The Lord Of The Rings for a very long time before they decided to go...
The British Film Commission (Bfc) has given its response to today’s news that the second series of Amazon Studios’ The Lord Of The Rings series will shoot in the UK.
Bfc chief executive Adrian Wootton only learned about the decision this week but expressed his full confidence in the UK’s ability to host a project of this scale.
“[Amazon] have talked to us about The Lord Of The Rings for a very long time before they decided to go...
- 8/13/2021
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Hello International Insiders. Tom Grater here delivering a bumper edition of this week’s biggest international headlines. To get this sent to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
Lotr Leaves Nz
On the move: Amazon has decided to uproot its $1Bn The Lord Of The Rings TV series from the franchise’s longtime home in New Zealand to the UK ahead of filming season two, the streamer announced yesterday. Season one, which recently wrapped, will complete post in Nz through June 2022, while pre-production will happen concurrently, scheduled to begin on Brit shores in January next year.
Reaction: The decision has sent shockwaves through the Nz audiovisual business. Crew only found out about the news just before it went public. David Strong, CEO at the New Zealand Film Commission, said in reaction: “It’s a shame and I feel for everyone who has put their hearts into this production.” As...
Lotr Leaves Nz
On the move: Amazon has decided to uproot its $1Bn The Lord Of The Rings TV series from the franchise’s longtime home in New Zealand to the UK ahead of filming season two, the streamer announced yesterday. Season one, which recently wrapped, will complete post in Nz through June 2022, while pre-production will happen concurrently, scheduled to begin on Brit shores in January next year.
Reaction: The decision has sent shockwaves through the Nz audiovisual business. Crew only found out about the news just before it went public. David Strong, CEO at the New Zealand Film Commission, said in reaction: “It’s a shame and I feel for everyone who has put their hearts into this production.” As...
- 8/13/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) CEO David Strong has expressed regret that Amazon Studios’ untitled The Lord of the Rings series will not return to the country to film season two, but remains confident of attracting other international productions.
Amazon announced today that it would relocate filming on the project to the UK as part of a strategy to expand its production footprint and invest in studio space there.
Post-production on season one will continue in Nz through to June 2022, and pre-production on season two will begin concurrently in the UK after January 1.
Strong said while the production would have been welcomed back for season two, its departure opened the door wider to others to come in.
“We’re an easy country to do business in and New Zealanders have a reputation for being highly skilled, innovative and creative,” he said.
“In a year of Covid, they brought in around...
Amazon announced today that it would relocate filming on the project to the UK as part of a strategy to expand its production footprint and invest in studio space there.
Post-production on season one will continue in Nz through to June 2022, and pre-production on season two will begin concurrently in the UK after January 1.
Strong said while the production would have been welcomed back for season two, its departure opened the door wider to others to come in.
“We’re an easy country to do business in and New Zealanders have a reputation for being highly skilled, innovative and creative,” he said.
“In a year of Covid, they brought in around...
- 8/13/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
David Strong will be the next CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc), succeeding Annabelle Sheehan.
Strong has worked in the screen industry since 2006, including as a specialist advisor on major projects such as Disney’s Mulan and Amazon’s Lord of the Rings TV series.
He is the co-owner of Wellington-based Craftinc.Films Limited, and has written, directed and produced several independent short films.
Strong was also a founding member and inaugural chair of ScreenSafe, an independent pan-industry body established to improve the New Zealand screen sector’s health and safety and ensure safe workplaces.
Outside of the screen industry, Strong is currently leading the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE), at Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua Tertiary Education Commission.
He is also a former lieutenant colonel with a 22-year Nz Army career, serving in the Middle East, Sarajevo, Bosnia and East Timor, with two United Nations Commendations for Service to Peace.
Strong has worked in the screen industry since 2006, including as a specialist advisor on major projects such as Disney’s Mulan and Amazon’s Lord of the Rings TV series.
He is the co-owner of Wellington-based Craftinc.Films Limited, and has written, directed and produced several independent short films.
Strong was also a founding member and inaugural chair of ScreenSafe, an independent pan-industry body established to improve the New Zealand screen sector’s health and safety and ensure safe workplaces.
Outside of the screen industry, Strong is currently leading the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE), at Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua Tertiary Education Commission.
He is also a former lieutenant colonel with a 22-year Nz Army career, serving in the Middle East, Sarajevo, Bosnia and East Timor, with two United Nations Commendations for Service to Peace.
- 6/14/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
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