Saturday 16 August 2008

'Wolverine' crew backed green guide

From: Otago Daily Times.
By James Beech

Hollywood star Hugh Jackman has thrown his support behind a "how-to zero waste" initiative launched this week by the Queenstown Lakes District Council in association with Film Queenstown.

The Sydney-born actor starred in and co-produced X-Men Origins: Wolverine, filmed on location around the Wakatipu earlier this year.

The producers volunteered to participate in the trial that has become the council's "Green Screen Guide and Directory".

"It's great to be a part of a project that benefits the local economy while looking after the environment," Jackman said in a statement.

"The cast and crew really got behind this initiative, and we are proud to be a part of the new generation of sustainable film makers."

Film Queenstown manager Kevin Jennings said the appeal of shooting international movies in the district was its pristine environment.

The council had produced a "first-class insurance policy" to keep it that way.

"Wolverine was enthusiastic to be involved. They were willingly audited and the results were outstanding.

"The outcome is you can watch the new movie in the knowledge that it comes with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.

"The production made 670 tonnes of waste - 615 tonnes, or 92%, of which was diverted from the landfill, saving the film company an estimated $55,000."

Film production companies spent $38.7 million in Otago-Southland in the 2007 financial year, Statistics New Zealand said.

There were up to four television commercial and still photography crews operating in the district last month.

Wolverine, Peter Jackson's Lovely Bones and a Dutch drama, Bride Flight, were among the film projects to visit in the past 12 months.

The guide, which included information about how to recycle in the various departments of a film production, will be supplied to all future productions in the area and is on the council's website.

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