TV fans the world over probably wonder sometimes where that latest commercial was shot. James Beech discovers southern New Zealand is still hot property for advertising companies wanting a pristine backdrop.
Television commercial production around the South is expected to ramp up his month, but there is concern nature might not provide as much snow as production crews want.
Film Otago Southland executive manager Kevin Jennings, of Queenstown, said this week the winter had kept Southern film-makers steadily employed so far, with repeat business from northern hemisphere clients shooting their winter commercials here.
''This winter, June and July, is tracking on par with previous years,'' he said.
''There were about 30 commercials shot in June to August last year, but this August is shaping up to being incredibly busy with TV commercials and still photography, in addition to scouts on recces.
''There is some trepidation about snow conditions. We're fortunate that we've got a fairly life-like Snow Farm which has snow-making capability and is film-friendly but, similar to the ski industry, we are dealing with Mother Nature.
''Thankfully, we do get big dumps in August and fingers crossed we get one shortly.''
While brands are usually kept confidential until commercials are aired, the South's variety of urban and natural environments have helped promote food, clothes and cars domestically and internationally.
The Snow Farm, the Remarkables, Glenorchy, Queenstown, Dunedin and Oamaru are among the popular spots for filming commercials, ''the bread and butter'' of the Southern screen industry, Mr Jennings said.
Crews can number from one or two people, working on still photography campaigns for catalogues and magazines, or recording aerial footage by aircraft, up to TV commercial crews of 30 to 60 film-makers using multiple locations.
Each crew member spends dollars in the South eating, drinking, sleeping and hiring equipment and extras.
''We're an established market, a one-stop shop, and the number of return customers is becoming more and more apparent year on year,'' Mr Jennings said.
''We have two pertinent seasons and, like tourism, we're trying to create work in the other seasons.
''The infrastructure for tourism also suits the film industry to a tee.
''Visiting crews often comment they are amazed they can be out at a remote location all day and enjoy fine dining every night.''
Queenstown, Strath Taieri and Central Otago locations were praised for their beauty and absence of 21st century intrusion, in a six-minute featurette on The Hobbit home entertainment release.
Southern locations will get a new lease of exposure after the featurette was posted on YouTube and in the first Hobbit release by reappearing on the extended version of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on October 22.
Top of the Lake, the crime drama miniseries by Academy Award winning film-maker Jane Campion, was shot entirely on location in Queenstown and Glenorchy last winter.
The BBC Two, UKTV and Sundance Channel co-production earned critical acclaim when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and made its European debut at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year.
The series has two more episodes to air in the United Kingdom. Producers and stars will know how many Emmy Awards they will win on September 22.
Top of the Lake will be released on DVD on both sides of the Tasman Sea on August 28.
Both The Hobbit and Top of the Lake have done much to raise awareness of film-making opportunities in the South, Mr Jennings said.
''They've solidified our reputation on the world stage for being able to deliver top productions on an international scale.
''The eight Emmy nominations for Top of the Lake speak for themselves.''
In the picture
Some of the brands which have shot commercials in the South over the past year: Air New Zealand, Carlsberg, Dunlop, Fujifilm, Holden, Honda, Jeanswest, John Lewis, Lowe Alpine, Mainland Cheese, Natural Gas, Neurofen, Nikon, Quaker Oats, Samsung, Speight's, Vodafone and Yamaha.
