When the news came out that the Lord of the Rings would be filmed here in New Zealand, there were plenty of questions about why Peter Jackson was so set on doing it here. There was less discussion of what Peter Jackson might have to bring to Middle-earth, and I’d like to indulge in some speculation – like we used to have in the early days. Not to downplay the huge impact that New Line will make on this production, but Hollywood filmmaking is more of a known quantity. I’m looking at what’s unique about New Zealand film-making and what it might have to offer the story of the Rings.
I’d like to offer an invitation to anyone who works in the film industry in NZ, or who has an interest in NZ film, to contribute their ideas and insights to this discussion. [More]