More "Ninja Storm" production news from NZ...
Ecliptor17
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"Deal Reels in Millions"
by Kelly Sinoski
(September 25, 2002)
The country's "biggest film studio" is to be built in Waitakere City in a
bid to cash in on New Zealand's growing appeal as a film-maker's mecca.
In a closed door meeting this week, council unanimously endorsed a decision
to spend $3m-plus to buy the former Enza cool storage sheds on Henderson
Valley Rd and convert them into an 11,000sq.ft, multi-million-dollar
facility, to be called the Auckland Film Commission Studio.
"We are aiming to make the local film industry not only bigger but
sustainably bigger; a place where the Spielbergs of this world would want to
come on a regular basis," Mayor Bob Harvey says.
"It truly stacks up as one of the best investments we can make. Even if the
movie business fails after five years we could flick it back to the private
sector and double the amount."
The 4ha site, used extensively to film popular television series Xena:
Warrior Princess and Hercules: Legendary Adventurer, is already booked for
three major film productions - one worth as much as $130m.
West Weekly sources hint one of the three will be the big screen adaption of
the CS Lewis favourite The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Waitakere's d 1iverse locations, cheap labour, talented crews and tax
incentives have always been a big draw for international film-makers but a
lack of soundproof production facilities with high rooflines has limited
production of big sets.
The studio - to be managed by the council-owned Waitakere Properties - is
expected to create more than 1000 jobs and allow the city to cash in on
international film-makers who already contribute a huge chunk to the country
's $565m industry.
"The movie business is taking off and it's creating jobs and traffic around
Henderson," Mr Harvey says. "It is the biggest movie deal after Lord of the
Rings in New Zealand."
The city's announcement comes just weeks before production is scheduled to
begin in mid-October on Disney's Power Rangers series on Glen Eden's
Waikaukau Road.
The Village Roadshow KP production is expected to take 18 months and
reportedly $28m. Wellington star Sally Martin is one of the stars.
Studio West declined to comment on the action series, but Mr Harvey says:
"It's one of the greatest coups any film group could have. It is a good
project for Studio West and for us."
Disney spokeswoman Patti McTeague says the strong exchange rate, Auckland's
access to varied locations and scenery and the trained crew of professionals
with technical and stunt experience was a big draw.
The country's reverse seasons were also a factor, particularly as most of
the Power Rangers scenes will be filmed outdoors among waterfalls and other
natural assets in Waitakere.
In the 1999 heyday before Xena and Hercules bid farewell to television
viewers, Waitakere helped reap $203m of the country's then $290m industry
coffers. Epic feature films such as Lord of the Rings and Vertical Limit
cast the country into the international spotlight, bringing in $565m in
revenue last year. Of that revenue, $411m was from North America with $53m
from Europe.
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So, we've been told $20 million, and now $28 million. Hmmm... Also,
production on "Ninja Storm" is expected to last 18 months? (That would be
great, but we must keep in mind that this article was written back in
September, and a lot of changes could have been made in that time. Two New
Zealand production sites I check regularly claim production's only supposed
to go until April or May. A seasonal break, perhaps?)
Lurker at Large
Wouldnt it be a major coup for PR if it turns out she had/has an uncredited
role in one of the Lord of the Rings movies? Nothing with a line, but, a
background villager, or an elf or something. After all, Peter Jackson's also
from Wellington.
--
Power Rangers Wrestling Federation -
http://hometown.aol.com/crowmeus/myhomepage/business.html
Ecliptor17
> >Wellington star Sally Martin
>
> Wouldnt it be a major coup for PR if it turns out she had/has an
uncredited
> role in one of the Lord of the Rings movies? Nothing with a line, but, a
> background villager, or an elf or something. After all, Peter Jackson's
also
> from Wellington.
Sally may not have, but John Leigh did! (He played Hama, and is an upcoming
guest-star on the show.)
Burgundy Ranger
>So, we've been told $20 million, and now $28
>million.
Could be in NZ currency. BTW, what is the monetary unit of NZ and the
approximate exchange rate?
>
>Hmmm... Also, production on "Ninja Storm" is
>expected to last 18 months? (That would be great,
>but we must keep in mind that this article was
>written back in September, and a lot of changes
>could have been made in that time. Two New
>Zealand production sites I check regularly claim
>production's only supposed to go until April or May.
>A seasonal break, perhaps?)
Unless they're already signed for a two-season stint. How? You got me.
Some possibly awkward transition from Hurri to Aba? Make the 52
Hurricanger eps last for two U.S. seasons? Or do they just hit that
magical Disney 65-episode wall and shut it down?
Just some speculation there, gang. I got no idea if one of those is any
more likely than the others.
Power Rangers On-Air Central:
Nutty88
"Burgundy Ranger" <Burgund...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:19184-3E...@storefull-2276.public.lawson.webtv.net...
> Ecliptor17 wrote:
>
> >So, we've been told $20 million, and now $28
> >million.
>
>
> Could be in NZ currency. BTW, what is the monetary unit of NZ and the
> approximate exchange rate?
The currency of NZ is Dollars.When converted $28million NZD comes to
$14,645,934.51 USD or £9,175,585.50 GBP
*Currency conversion correct at time of post