LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Ian McKellen, Aaron Eckhart, Brittany Murphy and Nick Nolte are in negotiations for the indie drama “Never Was.” The project marks the directorial debut of writer Joshua Michael Stern, and is headed for a September shoot in Vancouver. [More]

Paul writes: There’s an NZ 48hr film BLOODY GOOD MATES that parodies the story of how Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor got together. It features Philippa Boyens (Queen of the Geeks!) son Calum as a ‘jogger’. Andrew Beattie (a prosthetics stalwart who was with Weta for five years) providing a dead ringer impersonation of Mr Peter Jackson himself. Andrew also did all of the splatter FX in the film. Richard Taylor is played by Steven Grey – a well known kiwi movie critic. (Language/Content Warning) [More]


Today is Marton Csokas’ Birthday! Marton was born on June 30th, 1966 in New Zealand. That makes him 38 today! Happy Birthday Marton!

Deni sends along more info on the interesting ‘Wellington 48 hour film project’, the finals of which were this saturday. He/She/It/They also give us the latest news regarding the goings on in Miramar, Stone Street and Park Road Post. [More]

Deni writes: Well, as I wrote a few weeks ago, there were a few WETA people involved in the local Wellington 48 hour film project, the finals of which were this saturday. As far as the rumours can tell, there was only one group including WETA digital that made it to the finals. Their’s was an interesting story about a relationship which is being threatened by a blow up doll that comes to life. The only real WETA impact that was easily spotted in the film was a morph between the doll and actor, although it is also possible that I just blinked, and some interesting credits. Unfortunately they didn’t win any prizes, and as far as I know it was a completely amateur team that won the competition.

As for the goings on in Miramar, it is actually quite quiet at the moment. Construction races ahead at Stone Street and Park Road Post although the big shipping containers do block the view somewhat, but I’m working on a new place to spy.

Halfdan Hansen, part of the team that made the real One Rings writes: We’ve just been told by the BBC that they are running a short news clip featuring our workshop in Nelson including an interview with Thorkild. It is being shown today on BBC World at 05:00 June 30th London Time and 21:00 Los Angeles Time tonight June 29. I’m going to try to get a video clip and permission to view or link to it from them too but this might not be possible.