Way back at the beginning of this project Peter Jackson talked about filming in different locations simultaneously, with him directing in one location live and the others via satellite. This is what they have ended up doing, according to a recent article in the Sunday Star-Times. Peter Jackson is using a kind of advanced video-conferencing system to direct in up to three locations simultaneously while working with live actors as well. New Line has its own dedicated satellite and images are beamed up to it.
The intereview with Barry Osborne confirmed that all three movies are being filmed simultaneously. I think some people still think that the movies are being filmed starting at the beginning and going through ’til the end. (I get emails, “Why isn’t so-and-so in NZ yet?”) The schedule as it stands, and with the added chaos of the flooding etc. must be a nightmare to keep track of.