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Department of Conservation Wakatipu area community relations ranger Anna Humphries has been hailed "a star" this week by Film New Zealand for facilitating the location shooting of The Hobbitin the Queenstown area. Photo by Michael O'Neill |
A Department of Conservation Wakatipu area ranger, the
Glenorchy Volunteer Fire Brigade and Naseby have been praised
by Film New Zealand for their critical support of The
Hobbit.
Ranger Anna Humphries, of Queenstown, features in a
nationwide Film NZ advertising campaign highlighting the
crucial role skilled New Zealanders working outside the
screen industry played in the production of The Hobbit: An
Unexpected Journey and the success of the New Zealand
screen industry.
The Glenorchy brigade and the entire population of Naseby
were also highlighted in the campaign.
Film NZ chief executive Gisella Carr said if there was an
award for "Best Supporting Country" New Zealand would win
"hands down".
"It took more than cast, crew and producers to make The
Hobbit trilogy happen," she said.
"It took a huge supporting role from everyday New Zealanders
like Anna who did their jobs with enthusiasm and great
skill."
Supervising location manager Jared Connon, who worked with
Mrs Humphries on The Hobbit, was full of praise for
the "brilliant job she did safeguarding the environment while
allowing film-makers access to the beautiful New Zealand
wilderness".
Mrs Humphries said yesterday she was "slightly embarrassed",
but "very flattered" by the campaign spotlight and it was
"nice to be recognised".
She was approached by Film NZ and sworn to secrecy a week
ago. Now, with the campaign launched, her department
colleagues were teasing her and asking for her autograph,
while friends and family in the United Kingdom were thrilled.
Mrs Humphries said the production team "managed our concerns
very well" during their shoot in Paradise near Glenorchy one
year ago. The concerns were about the large number of people
working in a remote location and the noise from camera
helicopters.
"You never quite know what you'll be asked to consider next,
but they're very professional.
"They understand our conditions and will go that extra mile
to meet them."
The ranger processes about 80 permits for domestic and
international film projects each year, helping film-makers
get the footage they need without damaging the environment,
or affecting the rights of other people using the area.
She said there was always a steady flow of Wakatipu film
permit applications to consider.
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey first
screens in Reading Cinemas Queenstown on Tuesday night,
12.01am, December 12.
The film screens in Dorothy Brown's Cinema, Arrowtown, from
December 13.
Domestic spending resulting from filming of The
Hobbit.
- 99 sets were built.
- 6750 domestic flights were
taken.
- 19 commercial properties were
leased long term.
- 93,000 hotel bed nights were
sold.
- 1800 rental cars were
hired.
- 1650 work vehicles were
used.
- $380,000 was spent on
coffee.
- $9,180,000 was spent on set
construction materials (with community suppliers).
- About 16,000 days were worked
by New Zealand actors.
- $1,450,000 was spent with
community food suppliers.
*Source: Film New Zealand
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