Impacts of filming in South to be evaluated

The remake of the classic New Zealand film Goodbye Pork Pie is filmed in Naseby last month before...
The remake of the classic New Zealand film Goodbye Pork Pie is filmed in Naseby last month before shooting moved to Southland. PHOTO: CRAIG BAXTER
Venture Southland (VS) staff will evaluate the wider economic and social impacts of three films being shot in Southland this year.

Filming for Alien: Covenant took place in Fiordland over 15 days last month while the Goodbye Pork Pie remake has just wrapped up after 10 days of filming.

In August and September, the drama Lonely Girl is expected to be filmed over two weeks in Invercargill, Bluff and Stewart Island.

Visiting film crews, support staff and cast were predicted to boost the Southland economy by using more than 7500 bed nights this year, VS Enterprise and strategic projects group manager Stephen Canny said.

Alien: Covenant had the biggest impact, with 250 crew members and cast, plus support sector personnel, using an estimated 6100 bed nights.

Mr Canny said a full evaluation of the economic and social impact of each movie would be done after each movie was completed and would be finished some time next year.

"We will be working with executive producers to identify the total spend ... and social impacts.''

The results would be used to support VS' work with Film Otago Southland and local funders to encourage producers to shoot movies in Southland, he said.

"Making movies here helps to promote the region and its dramatic scenery, provides opportunities for Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) film students and budding actors, and boosts the general economy through avenues such as the hire of vehicles, accommodation and hospitality.''

Earlier this year, the Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, SIT, Community Trust of Southland, and Invercargill Licensing Trust together contributed $250,000 to assist the makers of Goodbye Pork Pie and Lonely Girl.

"There are growing numbers of movies being filmed in Southland and we want to be seen as a film-friendly region. Evaluation reports can help with that, and indicate how we can do things better.''

allison.beckham@odt.co.nz

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