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From: Alistair @ Scoop
This is the FIRST look at the BREE SET!! More to come!!
Day: October 11, 1999
The Dominion in Wellington reported today on the first dayÕs filming, which started up in the Town Belt on Mt. Victoria, in Wellington. Early morning strollers found them setting up on their walkways, with port-a-lounges, port-a-loos and tents; a few macrocarpa branches had to be cut to make room. Most people were happy enough to travel around the scene, though one woman complained, saying it was like a circus.
Film publicist Claire Raskind did not see any problems apart from in the immediate surrounds to the filming, and Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean asked for the publicÕs patience for the next five days around the tracks where filming was taking place.
ÔWe would hope that people would realise that this is a very big deal,” he said. “If we do this right, there is every chance of more (film) work for Wellington. If a security guard asks someone not to interrupt filming, I would hope they would understand.”
He went on to add that the damaged macrocarpas were not protected trees, and could be expected to recover.
“We have to give them a certain leeway in easing their passage.”
Check out the Spy Reports, since filming has started, the spies have been sending us stuff non stop!
From: Sam
Hey. I’ve become enthralled with The Lord Of The Rings through your website…i’m going to go out
and read the books straight away. ANyway, the reason i’m writing…don’t know if you’ve heard yet or
not. I live in wellington, nz, and get the evening post daily..and on page three i was interested to see
this article…
By Tom Cardy
Part of Mt Victoria’s Town Belt became a dense wood and a walking track for hobbits as filming began on The Lord Of The Rings today.
Producer Tim Sanders said the bush around Mt Victoria was ideal for a scene for the $360 million epic, which will be filmed at various locations around the country. Extra trees were taken in to make Mt Victoria’s bush denser.
“We’re pretty excited. It’s been a long time in preparation – 2 1/2 years,” he said. Depending on the weather, filming on Mt Victoria would continue for the next few days.
Film publicist Claire Raskind said about 140 crew were involved today, filming a scene with hobbits walking through the woods, including one of the film’s stars, Elijah Wood, who plays the hobbit Frodo.
“We have some hobbits working today and that’s pretty much it,” she said.
The Post was not allowed on the set, but was allowed to look down from Alexandra Rd at the top of
Mt Victoria where several equipment trucks and a wind machine were parked.
Film crew with several large lights could be seen hidden in the bush down a steep bank, but no sign of anyone with big hairy feet.
The only hint as to what audiences may see on film was a black horse wearing a medieval-style saddle and armour in the Mt Victoria Bowling Club carpark, with another two horses.
Cast, crew and equipment were ferried up into the steep hill tracks using four and six-wheel motor
cycles.
Hope that helps. Would love to hear back from you.
Sam.
This is just a reminder that the Tolkien Brain Bender contest begins tonight. At 8PM EST the question will be posted, the first 3 people to mail the correct answer to the GreenBooks staff will be winners. For full details on the contest click here.
So make sure to really sluff off at work today so your mind is in top form tonight.
Everyone in NZ who was watching the evening news got to see a bit of the first day’s filming. We’ll look at ways to post a video clip of the TV news on the website, but meanwhile, we have a juicy monster spy report describing what was seen.
Filming began on Mt. Victoria, a wooded hill in the middle of Wellington. The reporters were not able to get as close as they…as YOU would have liked, but some joggers were interviewed after they’d charged blindly right through the set. And producer Tim Sanders was quite talkative by (LOTR film standards)when interviewed.
Check it all out in ‘The Spy Reports’