A steady flow of Wakatipu residents of all shapes, sizes,
ages and backgrounds attended the open call for extras for
The Hobbit at the Queenstown Events Centre yesterday.
Hundreds answered advertisements placed by talent agencies
for "character faces" for an undisclosed shoot in late
October, late November or early December.
The timing corresponded with resource consent applications
lodged this month by The Hobbit production company
Three Foot Seven Ltd to film at at least three Wakatipu
locations.
For reasons not given, the audition was closed to media and
hopeful extras signed a confidentiality agreement when they
registered their interest.
Asked to comment, on condition of anonymity, outside the
centre, a Queenstown man said he attended the audition
because of his "lifelong love of all things Tolkien".
The atmosphere in the mezzanine function room was "buzzing",
he said.
"I'm ugly enough to be an orc, but I have no expectations.
But I do hope, against all odds, I land an extra's role."
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.