Film people promoting S.I. as ideal base for industry

Press, 4 April 1987, Page 22

Film people promoting S.I. as ideal base for industry

By

JANE DUNBAR

» Flying the Alban Berg Quartet from Austria into New Zealand for just three days filming of a commercial for beer may seem a tittle extravagent, but the use of the South Island’s scenery as the background to the advertisement ft worth such expense for companies like Cubic Enterprises and its Japanese commercialmakers. * Even Walt Disney Productions has been attracted by the South Island and will be filming in the Queenstown area in April and May. New Zealand’s own film Industry also reflects this interest as the three major films in production at present have been mostly shot in the South Island. Mirage Entertainment’s feature film “Starlight Hotel,” its tourist promotion film, “A Kiwi Experience,” \ and Cinepro’s feature film, “Illustrious Energy,” have all used South Island locations. - What some people are now asking is: "Why shouldn't there be a more permanent base for the film industry in the South Island?” - Marilyn Hudson, the co-ordina-

tor of Christchurch’s film and video training programme, insists the South Island has more to offer New Zealand’s struggling film industry than just locations. John Egden, of Egden. Wignall and Co., says there are plenty of South Island people with money to invest, and that there is acertain loyalty within the South Island community. Although vast sums of money are involved with financing films, he adds, finance is not an insuperable problem. “People are ready to invest in anything, as long as the project is viable.” Egden Wignall and Co. would be “very interested” in underwriting a viable film project. Marilyn Hudson believes a third television channel would be important for developing a stronger base for the industry in the South Island. “According to the stipulations there would have to be a lot of local content, so there would be more work for

the freelance industry,” she says. "I also think the character of people down here is important. South Islanders have a reputation for being innovative, and that’s important for any industry. We have lots of talented and enthusiastic people, including local writers such as Margaret Mahy, Anthony Holcroft, and Michael Brown. “I also think South Islanders don’t have such high expectations, and are prepared to work longer hours for lower wages as part of the new era of the industry. The days of luxuries flowing from tax advantages are gone, and we know it. “The training programme, too, is important. It has the potential to make a significant impact on the industry, and could become the training centre for the whole country.” Fenola Dwyer, the producer of “Starlight Hotel” which was filmed in Central Otago at the beginning of this year, has her

doubts about this, however. “The training course is good,” she says, “but it’s cut off from the rest of the industry.” She does concede that this could change. She is employed by an Auckland-based company, Mirage Films, and says that working in the South Island was marvellous. “Everyone found it so relaxing being away from the big cities, and the resources and scenery here are just great. “We could not have made ‘Starlight’ in the North Island for the sort of money we were able to make it for here. Of course, it cost a lot to bring everything down, but we saved a lot in production costs because of the resources here, and got really good screen value. “We found, and were able to use, deserted farmhouses, for example — something which would be impossible in Auckland — and the scenery is amazing. It could not be reproduced.” The real snag, she says, is the cost of bringing to the South Island the crew and facilities. She did employ three people

from the,. Christchurch training programme, but adds that with small budget films an experienced crew is vital and taking on trainees is a risky business. “I am sure that if the services and facilities are here film people will come down more readily. Many commercials are made here, so the facilities must be getting better all the time. Hirequip from Dunedin, for example, was able to provide us with a silent generator. “Then there are people like ‘Podge’ (Roger Preston) who can provide mobile facilities, which are tremendously useful.” z “I think the industry is promising, and that I ought to be here,” says Preston. The facilities he provides, under the name of Rainbow Rental, include a makeup car — “a hair salon on wheels” — a wardrobe truck (a 40ft semi-trailer with its own generator), and a couple of four- - “It’s like I’m looking after 50 people out camping,” he says. “I can provide power, water, heaters, shelter, and even a marquee and tables and chairs,

for lunchtime.” The most important factor in deciding whether a film will be shot in the South Island or riot, however, has little to do with facilities, say both Fenola Dwyer and the director of “Starlight Hotel,” Sam Pillsbury. “Films come from stories, so if more films are to be made in the South Island there would need to be more scripts based on the South Island,” says Pillsbury. He concedes that the future of the industry throughout the country is unsure. “I do think there’s hope, though. We’re now in a more reasonable position as other forms of tax avoidance have also been crunched, and we’ve been

showing investors they can still make profits from films. “The grass roots of our industry should be making small-scale movies about'* ourselves, . with small crews and small budgets — that’s what ‘Starlight Hotel’ with its budget of $1.7 million is all. about.” Fenola Dwyer agrees that making smaller films is the trend today, although she says bigger films will still be made. “With ‘Starlight’ we aimed at a small budget and a quick turn-round so we could get the money back to the investors and build up confidence in the market,” she says. Others in the industry agree that this is a critical period, in which anything could happen. A

climate such as this provides opportunities for people with ideas, initiative, and enthusiasm. Marilyn Hudson says, there are plenty of such people In the South Island. She adds that the Christchurch film and . video training programme is producing people who have an understanding of the industry, arid that as potential crew members they will be important in establishing a stronger base for the industry in the South Island. ’ ? In the meantime, it seems that script writing is particularly important for future South Island: film prospects. So anyone with an idea for a script set locally,: give it a go.