Philippa BoyensJack M writes: On Sunday 25th of October, Radio NZ broadcast an extended interview with Philippa Boyens; An extended interview with Philippa Boyens, an integral member of the trio of filmmakers who put New Zealand on the map with the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong. Philippa talks about the trio’s dynamics and looks ahead to the release of Peter’s next film, The Lovely Bones. (duration: 24′41″). The interview is available for streaming on here or on Apple iTunes PodCasts by searching for Radio NZ’s Arts On Sunday program. Be quick though, it’ll only be available for a couple of weeks.

Kiwi movie mogul Peter Jackson has co-directed the latest Tintin movie via the internet from his Wellington base. Actor Nick Frost, who plays one of the bumbling Thompson twin detectives, said Jackson gave his cast instructions via the world wide web which were then played on a PA system. Co-director Steven Spielberg was on set in California to coordinate the filming.

“Steve would come on and give a note and then through the PA system you would hear Peter say, ‘Hi guys, could you try this’, and then they would turn the camera around so that we could see him. It was strange,” Frost said. More..

oranzanz centerFor those of you who weren’t able to attend the Sunday Radio City events in NYC, message board member greendragon sends in this wonderful recap of the presentations that rounded out weekend. Having been lucky enought to attend, I would be remiss if I didn’t add to her report that her beautiful singing as part of the first presentation: The Music of The Hobbit, enchanted us all and, as our mistress of ceremonies, she was gracious and entertaining. Thanks, greendragon!

From greendragon: By now you’ve probably read many reports about the fabulous weekend in New York City, when many Tolkien fans gathered together to hear Howard Shore’s music played in Radio City Music Hall, with The Fellowship of the Ring projected on a huge screen behind.  The culmination of this magical weekend, on Sunday 11th October, was a day of presentations on Tolkien, the movies and the music.  We were fortunate, on a sunny Sunday in Manhattan, to be heading for a spectacular venue.  Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts maintains an amazing building on Norfolk St, which they had generously donated for our use that day.  This former synagogue is absolutely beautiful – you can read more about the venue here:

Continue reading “A wonderful Sunday of panels at the Angel Orensanz Foundation”

Peter JacksonTrevor Hogg at Flickeringmyth.com has put together a comprehensive and well written profile of director Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy). For those new to his cinematic career, this is a look at Jackson’s work from the very beginning. Read the first part here and part two here.

Oscar-winner Guillermo Del Toro may be a big guy in Hollywood circles but the director of The Hobbit is only too happy to help some of the local film industry’s “little guys”. He has pledged his name and support to a Q&A fundraising event for Wellington producer Bonnie Slater and director Sam Kelly’s first feature film, One for the Road. Billed as New Zealand’s first musical drama, it’s slated to shoot early next year and follows the fortunes of a struggling, small town band.

“We’re thrilled to have Guillermo’s support,” Slater says. “He has not done any event of this kind in New Zealand before and it’s a coup to have attracted him to headline our fundraiser and help promote our cause. More..

Steampunk is coming to Oamaru. Weta Workshop, the visual effects company that has won many Academy Awards, has confirmed its involvement in a steampunk exhibition opening at the Forrester Gallery on November 7. Yesterday, Weta Ltd general manager Tim Launder said he was looking forward to being involved. “We hope it’s something that’s going to grow. This year is about planting a seed.” It was part 1920s, part 1930s Victoriana, with some Jules Verne, Flash Gordon and “a bit of Monty Python” thrown in, Mr Launder said. More..