A Queenstown film crew at work in Arrowtown last winter on
a national television commercial for Hellers. Filming
activity is intensifying this summer. Photo by ruff.co.nz
Southern film-makers are enjoying a lucrative summer.
More than a dozen ''large-scale'' commercials for major
brands have been produced for global television since
November and more are scheduled before the end of the season.
Film Otago Southland executive manager Kevin Jennings, of
Queenstown, said many projects were repeat business.
''They like coming here because of the crew, the
infrastructure and the equipment based here,'' he said
yesterday.
''... they just bring their ideas and we've got the tools to
create the production.''
Kevin Jennings
Brand names could not be revealed because of commercial
confidentiality, but advertisements for soft drinks, cameras,
food products, computers, vehicles and clothing were shot in
the Wakatipu.
The commercials were destined for broadcast in New Zealand,
Australia, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Japan and
China.
The film and television commercial industry was proving
itself to be ''a strong economic driver for the region'',
with crew spending spread around the accommodation,
hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Statistics New Zealand's annual screen industry survey showed
$29 million was spent on production and post-production in
Otago and Southland in the 2011 financial year, Mr Jennings
said.
The survey showed $35 million was spent in the 2010 financial
year. The 2012 figure was expected to be boosted by the
benefits of The Hobbit, Top of the Lake and Walking
with Dinosaurs, which were shot in the Wakatipu last
year.
Commercials and feature films supported the employment of 120
mobile film and television crew members based in Queenstown.
There are 232 names and businesses on the Film Otago
Southland industry database.
''For the same reason Queenstown is a Mecca for tourists, the
clients and agencies love coming back here, even though
they've got a lot of options to go elsewhere in the world,''
Mr Jennings said.
Asked if a custom-made film and television studio in the
Wakatipu would encourage more business, he said ''yes''.
''With the television commercial market and certainly for
feature films, it would be a fantastic asset to be able to
offer.''
- james.beech@odt.co.nz
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