Photo by Craig Simcox for Dominion Post
Category: New Zealand
9 February, 2011, Wellington – Sir Peter Jackson’s Wingnut Films Productions Limited and Rings Scenic Tours Limited are pleased to announce that they have entered into a joint venture arrangement to allow movie fans to visit the newly reconstructed film set which is located near Matamata. The new venture will be known as Shire Tours. The companies have been working towards this agreement for some time, and the joint venture came into effect on January 24th, 2011.
The set, originally designed by the Art Department of THE LORD OF THE RINGS films, has recently been rebuilt at the original location on the Alexander Farm on Buckland Road, Matamata. It will be used again for the filming of the two films based on THE HOBBIT late in 2011, during which time the location will be closed to the public. Continue reading “HOBBITON MOVIE LOCATION TO BECOME JOINT VENTURE WITH SHIRE TOURS”
From: nzherald.co.nz: Hobbiton, near Matamata, has announced it will be closed for five weeks from February 14 – almost certainly meaning filming of The Hobbit is about to start. No one is confirming a start date, but Matamata-Piako Mayor Hugh Vercoe said he understood production was due to begin shortly and it would be a closed set.
The bickering is over, the director is on the mend, and The Hobbit is about to start shooting. Hobbiton, near Matamata, has announced it will be closed for five weeks from February 14. While Matamata locals were tight-lipped about any goings-on, Matamata-Piako Mayor Hugh Vercoe confirmed filming was due to start and that the Hobbiton site – used for Shire scenes in The Lord of the Rings and now rebuilt for The Hobbit – would be a closed set.
“I’m just aware that filming is about to start,” Mr Vercoe said.
Production company Three Foot 7 Ltd has had resource consent to film on the site since December 2009. Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours refused to comment. Hobbit publicist Melissa Booth denied the film had a start date. More..
Take a look at our collection of Hobbiton pics, dating back to 2000! Hobbiton in Pictures
On this week of Hobbit in 5, Rebekah Platt delves into more character studies, updates fans on Peter Jackson’s surgery recovery, and covers more Hobbit casting news than you can shake a stick at. Plus a new Lord of the Rings: War in the North trailer is revealed.
With production on the Hobbit films to begin in the next couple of weeks, business owners in Miramar, the home of Sir Peter Jackson’s studios, are gearing up for what they believe will be a very busy season.
Since the Lord of the Rings hit the big screen, the town of Miramar has been a hive of activity, with blockbusters like King Kong and Avatar also being produced there.
And now from doggy daycare to cafes and stores, Miramar business goers are preparing themselves for the arrival of hundreds more animators, set builders and film crew. More..