I was quite moved by Sir Richard Taylor's words in this speech (he is the Co-founder / Co-Director of Weta Workshop) sent in by a daily MarketSaw reader in New Zealand(Thanks Gem!) - I think you will be too. It is in 3D if you have the means to watch it, or watch it in 2D here.
Also seen in the clip is Gino Acevedo - Senior Prosthetics Supervisor of Weta Workshop.
Warner Bros - if you are reading and watching this video, please consider the passion that these New Zealanders bring to THE HOBBIT's table. It would be unmatched anywhere in the world and impossible to quantify.
Still no official word from New Zealand yet on whether Warner Bros will pull the plug on the Kiwi location for shooting THE HOBBIT or not.
What I can tell you is there are plenty of demonstrators who are voicing that they want the production to stay. Executives from Warner Bros are talking things over with Peter Jackson's team and key government officials - including the Prime Minister. Hopefully the noise from the street will nudge the ball along in Kiwi's favor.
From TVNZ:"Prime Minister John Key has accused the actors' unions of using The Hobbit as a way to advance their union "wish list". Key will meet several high-powered executives from the film's main producer Warner Brothers in Wellington over the next two days, hoping to convince them that there will be no issues about filming the movies in New Zealand.
...(Public) Rallies were held in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Queenstown and Matamata, where the Hobbiton sets have been built."
A statement from Peter Jackson was read aloud to the 2000+ in Wellington (via NZHerald): "Turning us into another state of Australia under the sway of a destructive organisation carries the very real risk of destroying the great big heart that beats inside our films," Sir Peter said.
"Don't open up the door to an Australian trade union who will never put the interests of Kiwis first, and invest that union with the power to destroy everything we have built."
Sir Peter said the film industry was a family that loved its work. "That love ends up on the screen and I truly believe it sets our films apart from those made in any other country.
"I know your message to the studio will not go unnoticed. You have said loudly and clearly: New Zealand is where The Hobbit films should be made. Their creative DNA is here. This is where Middle Earth was born and this is where it should stay."
There is also an excellent interview on TVNZ that involves one of the protagonists in this story, Helen Kelly - president of the Combined Trade Unions. She is joined by John Barnett of South Pacific Picture who defends Peter Jackson. You can watch the interview there as well (no embed available).
The attached photos were sent in from a source of mine on the island nation. Very passionate people are involved here. Makes you wonder if things could turn ugly if it is announced that Warner Bros is in fact moving THE HOBBIT.
If the production does indeed move, it won't feel the same to me at all.
** SAME DAY UPDATE #2: A new actor's union has formed in New Zealand and announced that it WILL NOT boycott the production of THE HOBBIT. More info from Variety. No word on whether this development is simply too late to keep the project in New Zealand.
**SAME DAY UPDATE: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have issued a statement via the Press of New Zealand:
“The damage inflicted on our film industry by [the actors unions] is long since done,” and resolution of the union issue now “does nothing to help the film stay in New Zealand. Next week Warners are coming down to New Zealand to make arrangements to move the production offshore. It appears we cannot make films in our own country even when substantial financing is available.”
How sad is that?One of the great prides of New Zealand is close to waving goodbye.Wow. The stupidity of this actor's union boggles the mind.
Hey guys - I have more breaking news from that industry meeting over THE HOBBIT that was held in Wellington only hours ago! All images here are MarketSaw exclusives sent in by a source for our site.
Click on images to expand.
Seems that meeting was organized by the Actor's Equity union to discuss new industry standards as it is looking to solidify a collective agreement for actors. It has in fact asked for its membership to boycott the production of the two Hobbit movies.
HOWEVER, Sir Richard Taylor who heads Weta Workshop met with film technicians only hours ago too. There were over 1000 of them. Those technicians had originally planned to protest outside of the Actor's Equity meeting but the actors CANCELLED their impromptu gathering and so that group of 1000 technicians took to the streets of Wellington.
These are photos of that march.
Taylor said the following quotes: "Everyone gathered felt that they had done their part in assuring the New Zealand film industry that they care passionately about seeing the Hobbit made in New Zealand and that the industry as a whole should be left as it is for the successful and ongoing future of film making in New Zealand."
"Wellington film technicians want to be heard. They want to be represented in these very bizarre and strange events that are going on right now."
"The producers are doing all that they can to retain the film here in New Zealand.
"By the actions of a very limited few, a huge fraternity of film makers, technicians, and artists will be affected."
Taylor was also expressed his opinion that the New Zealand film industry was "at some level of peril" and told TVNZ there was a mood of "great concern".
It is very important to note that the Actor's Equity union has NOT received full support from the actors and that Peter Jackson refuses to meet with them (quotes via Stuff).
Tempers are heating up in Kiwi and with good reason - their whole industry could be at stake should they lose THE HOBBIT's production to another country over this dispute.
Greed seems to be oozing out of that corner of the world but to me it seems like it is the MEAA trying to force their hand on a smaller country's livelihood and pride. THE HOBBIT needs to be filmed in New Zealand folks. Let's get this over with now.
It looks like action is taking place in Wellington regarding the future of the New Zealand film industry as well as recent developments with Peter Jackson's THE HOBBIT!
I have it from a very trusted source that a meeting is taking place at Stone Street Studios, A Stage, Miramar at 5pm on the 20th of October for ALL MEMBERS of the New Zealand Film Industry, regarding recent news with THE HOBBIT and the future of the film industry as a whole.
Actors, crew, technicians and production are all URGED to attend this open discussion.
Click here to see our exclusive image of this new sound stage in Wellington from earlier this year.
What have they settled? Anything at all? Or are they going to try and bring everyone together for consensus? Regardless of what their intentions are, the world will know in very short order what has become of the labor dispute it seems.
Fingers crossed THE HOBBIT stays in New Zealand!! More info when I get it...
I was quite moved by Sir Richard Taylor's words in this speech (he is the Co-founder / Co-Director of Weta Workshop) sent in by a daily MarketSaw reader in New Zealand (Thanks Gem!) - I think you will be too. It is in 3D if you have the means to watch it, or watch it in 2D here.
