Weta Digital’s Richard Taylor and other New Zealand businessmen are seeking to raise up to US$400 million (NZ$550m) to buy intellectual property with box office potential. If the explosive popularity of Twilight or Harry Potter is anything to go by, good intellectual property can clinch the success of a film, and spin-offs like computer games, action figures and branded beach towels.
Mr Taylor (often associated with Peter Jackson and the Lord of The Rings films) is teaming up with Christchurch-based Infiniti Capital chairman Kenji Steven, Nick Gerritsen, of Picton, and China-based Gavin Crombie to create film fund Panda Screen Productions. More..