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.
Showing posts with label Queenstown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Queenstown. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Jackman takes in Queenstown
It's official - Hugh Jackman is in Queenstown. The resort town has been buzzing with sightings of the Australian heart-throb since shooting began for Hollywood blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Film publicist Victoria Buchan confirmed the star had been in town for more than a week.
She said filming was under way in the Queenstown Lakes District, and would take three or four months. Jackman faces a rigorous filming schedule, but is still finding time to take in the sights.
He was snapped enjoying a Shotover Jet river ride last weekend.
Blog posts on the internet have also recorded sightings of Jackman around the resort, including one of the actor running through the woods near Glenorchy in full Wolverine costume.
Picture can be found here.
Film publicist Victoria Buchan confirmed the star had been in town for more than a week.
She said filming was under way in the Queenstown Lakes District, and would take three or four months. Jackman faces a rigorous filming schedule, but is still finding time to take in the sights.
He was snapped enjoying a Shotover Jet river ride last weekend.
Blog posts on the internet have also recorded sightings of Jackman around the resort, including one of the actor running through the woods near Glenorchy in full Wolverine costume.
Picture can be found here.
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Qtown to 'add impact' to X-Men film shoot
From: 
Scenes in action blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine to be shot in Queenstown will be some of the most important in the film, according to the team behind the movie.
"There's not a huge portion of the movie being shot in New Zealand," Wolverine publicist Victoria Buchan said. "But the scenes that are being shot here will have a huge impact on the film. Queenstown will definitely be the backdrop to the movie."
Ms Buchan said the region's outstanding scenery was the reason it was chosen as a location for the film.
"The movie's producer John Palermo was quoted the other day saying how the natural beauty of the area had attracted him to Queenstown. I believe that there are around 250 local people working on the film between here and Dunedin," Ms Buchan said.
Mr Palermo co-owns production company Seed Productions with Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who is set to star in Wolverine.
The movie is the fourth instalment in the X-Men series, which has grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide.
Details of the film's scheduling are being kept top secret by 20th Century Fox in Hollywood.
Sets have been created at several Wakatipu locations, including Deer Park Heights and Arcadia Station, as well as in Dunedin, but the official cast list has not been released.
"Hugh is the only cast member that has been confirmed so far," Ms Buchan said.
"The main unit filming has not started yet. All that I can say about the schedule is that we will be here for another few weeks. "
Other people confirmed to be involved with the filming are director Gavin Hood, producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, who also produced the first three X-Men films, and Marvel Comics' Kevin Feige as executive producer.
Scenes in action blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine to be shot in Queenstown will be some of the most important in the film, according to the team behind the movie.
"There's not a huge portion of the movie being shot in New Zealand," Wolverine publicist Victoria Buchan said. "But the scenes that are being shot here will have a huge impact on the film. Queenstown will definitely be the backdrop to the movie."
Ms Buchan said the region's outstanding scenery was the reason it was chosen as a location for the film.
"The movie's producer John Palermo was quoted the other day saying how the natural beauty of the area had attracted him to Queenstown. I believe that there are around 250 local people working on the film between here and Dunedin," Ms Buchan said.
Mr Palermo co-owns production company Seed Productions with Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who is set to star in Wolverine.
The movie is the fourth instalment in the X-Men series, which has grossed more than $1.2 billion worldwide.
Details of the film's scheduling are being kept top secret by 20th Century Fox in Hollywood.
Sets have been created at several Wakatipu locations, including Deer Park Heights and Arcadia Station, as well as in Dunedin, but the official cast list has not been released.
"Hugh is the only cast member that has been confirmed so far," Ms Buchan said.
"The main unit filming has not started yet. All that I can say about the schedule is that we will be here for another few weeks. "
Other people confirmed to be involved with the filming are director Gavin Hood, producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter, who also produced the first three X-Men films, and Marvel Comics' Kevin Feige as executive producer.
Friday, 1 February 2008
X-Men production team upsets local council
From: 
[VIDEO]
The makers of the latest movie in the X-Men series are storing explosives in a building in Queenstown Gardens to the annoyance of the local council.
Fox Studios has approval from the Department of Labour to store tonnes of explosives in the Queenstown Fun Centre, which houses an ice rink, but the use of the building for this purpose violates the lease with owner Queenstown Lakes District Council, Radio New Zealand reported.
Council chief executive Duncan Field said he was disappointed the film company had ignored council instructions. Fox Studios said its production team was storing all items correctly and when concerns were raised some items were relocated.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the fourth movie in the series, is scheduled for release in America in May 2009. Details of the film's timetable and shooting locations have been the subject of speculation. Locations are expected to include Queenstown, Deerpark Heights, Skippers Canyon, Glenorchy and Milford Sound.
The use of the centre has already been controversial. Local ice hockey players will have to practise elsewhere for up to three months because the production team is using the centre.
A planned training camp in Queenstown for February had to be moved to Christchurch. Ten Queenstown ice hockey players are vying for selection in the New Zealand ice hockey team to compete in the division 2 world championships in Australia in April.
Fox Studios has approval from the Department of Labour to store tonnes of explosives in the Queenstown Fun Centre, which houses an ice rink, but the use of the building for this purpose violates the lease with owner Queenstown Lakes District Council, Radio New Zealand reported.
Council chief executive Duncan Field said he was disappointed the film company had ignored council instructions. Fox Studios said its production team was storing all items correctly and when concerns were raised some items were relocated.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the fourth movie in the series, is scheduled for release in America in May 2009. Details of the film's timetable and shooting locations have been the subject of speculation. Locations are expected to include Queenstown, Deerpark Heights, Skippers Canyon, Glenorchy and Milford Sound.
The use of the centre has already been controversial. Local ice hockey players will have to practise elsewhere for up to three months because the production team is using the centre.
A planned training camp in Queenstown for February had to be moved to Christchurch. Ten Queenstown ice hockey players are vying for selection in the New Zealand ice hockey team to compete in the division 2 world championships in Australia in April.
Shooting for Wolverine set to commence in South Island
From: 
Shooting is about to get underway in the South Island, for the highly anticipated X-Men movie, Wolverine.
Filming will take place around Queenstown and Dunedin over the next six weeks, but it seems it is taking more than just impressive scenery to attract movie producers down under.
The Queenstown film office is joining together with other regions to offer producers more than just mountains and lakes.
“It sort of makes it a one-stop through Queenstown,” Kevin Jennings from Film Queenstown said. “And then we can put them onto some of the other regions which might have a coastline, or barren hillsides, tussocks, clay cliffs or small towns.”
Last year’s vampire flick Perfect Creature chose Oamaru and Dunedin to achieve its dark gothic look.
Dutch film Bride Flight also shot in the two southern cities late last year, after struggling to find period locations further north.
International filmmakers also employ many local workers and say shooting down under is like a bit of a holiday.
But while films are perceived as the glamour projects, the Queenstown chairman of the Film Technican’s Guild says it is the overseas advertisements that often appeal to crew.
“The commercials are for me, more of the glamour shots,” Joshua Dunn from the Film Technician’s Guild said. “More helicopters, more rushing around, more crazy hours, more unpredictable locations. But film once it’s cranking along, is a bit more of a big machine.”
A machine that is expected to continue to grow, with at least three more film projects rumoured to be heading south over the coming year.
[VIDEO]
Shooting is about to get underway in the South Island, for the highly anticipated X-Men movie, Wolverine.
Filming will take place around Queenstown and Dunedin over the next six weeks, but it seems it is taking more than just impressive scenery to attract movie producers down under.
The Queenstown film office is joining together with other regions to offer producers more than just mountains and lakes.
“It sort of makes it a one-stop through Queenstown,” Kevin Jennings from Film Queenstown said. “And then we can put them onto some of the other regions which might have a coastline, or barren hillsides, tussocks, clay cliffs or small towns.”
Last year’s vampire flick Perfect Creature chose Oamaru and Dunedin to achieve its dark gothic look.
Dutch film Bride Flight also shot in the two southern cities late last year, after struggling to find period locations further north.
International filmmakers also employ many local workers and say shooting down under is like a bit of a holiday.
But while films are perceived as the glamour projects, the Queenstown chairman of the Film Technican’s Guild says it is the overseas advertisements that often appeal to crew.
“The commercials are for me, more of the glamour shots,” Joshua Dunn from the Film Technician’s Guild said. “More helicopters, more rushing around, more crazy hours, more unpredictable locations. But film once it’s cranking along, is a bit more of a big machine.”
A machine that is expected to continue to grow, with at least three more film projects rumoured to be heading south over the coming year.
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Wolverine Filming Dates Extended
From: 
NewstalkZB is reporting that X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which is being filmed in Queenstown, will now wrap in April instead of March:
The company making the $100 million blockbuster, Woz Productions, has applied to vary their resource consent. It wants to extend their filming period from March to April, as well as double their helicopter movements from 10 to 40 each day.
Directed by Gavin Hood, the 20th Century Fox "X-Men" spin-off stars Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Kodi Smit-McPhee. It opens in theaters on May 1, 2009.
NewstalkZB is reporting that X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which is being filmed in Queenstown, will now wrap in April instead of March:
The company making the $100 million blockbuster, Woz Productions, has applied to vary their resource consent. It wants to extend their filming period from March to April, as well as double their helicopter movements from 10 to 40 each day.
Directed by Gavin Hood, the 20th Century Fox "X-Men" spin-off stars Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber and Kodi Smit-McPhee. It opens in theaters on May 1, 2009.
Friday, 25 January 2008
'Wolverine' explosives raise concerns at Queenstown Fun Centre
From: Comics2Film.com.
Radio New Zealand says the 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' crew has been approved to store large amounts of explosives in Queenstown Gardens and that doesn't sit well with all residents.
Fox Studios, which is filming the latest movie in the X-Men series, obtained legal permission from the Labour Department to store the explosives in the Queenstown Fun Centre.
However, that violated the lease the company signed with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The council's chief executive, Duncan Field, says he is disappointed the film company chose to ignore its instructions.
Fox Studios says its production team has ensured all items are stored correctly, but when concern was raised, some items were relocated.
Read the full story...
Radio New Zealand says the 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' crew has been approved to store large amounts of explosives in Queenstown Gardens and that doesn't sit well with all residents.
Fox Studios, which is filming the latest movie in the X-Men series, obtained legal permission from the Labour Department to store the explosives in the Queenstown Fun Centre.
However, that violated the lease the company signed with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The council's chief executive, Duncan Field, says he is disappointed the film company chose to ignore its instructions.
Fox Studios says its production team has ensured all items are stored correctly, but when concern was raised, some items were relocated.
Read the full story...
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
First Wolverine Set Photos Online
From: 
The first photos of sets for 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" spin-off X-Men Origins: Wolverine have turned up online. Directed by Gavin Hood, the action-thriller stars Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber. It opens on May 1, 2009.
The first Queenstown photo was taken by 'Oliver' while the second photo comes from this article in The Southland Times where they say that "construction is under way on the set at Deer Park Heights, where crew can be seen creating what looks to be a log cabin looking out over Lake Wakatipu. A site office, security hut and portaloos have also been installed in advance of the crew's arrival."
The first Queenstown photo was taken by 'Oliver' while the second photo comes from this article in The Southland Times where they say that "construction is under way on the set at Deer Park Heights, where crew can be seen creating what looks to be a log cabin looking out over Lake Wakatipu. A site office, security hut and portaloos have also been installed in advance of the crew's arrival."
Sunday, 13 January 2008
Hugh Jackman Starting to Look Wolverine-ish
From: 
Hugh Jackman and his adorable son Oscar went out for a day of shopping in Australia, the hunk's homeland. Hugh looks like he is growing out all that face fur, as he is headed to Queenstown , New Zealand at the end of the month to start filming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
[MORE]
Includes pictures.
Hugh Jackman and his adorable son Oscar went out for a day of shopping in Australia, the hunk's homeland. Hugh looks like he is growing out all that face fur, as he is headed to Queenstown , New Zealand at the end of the month to start filming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
[MORE]
Includes pictures.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Casting and Location news.
From: 
Who is Schreiber Playing in Wolverine?
Source: CHUD , January 11, 2008
CHUD is reporting that Liev Schreiber is playing Victor Creed (AKA Sabretooth) in the Gavin Hood-directed X-Men Origins: Wolverine and not a young Stryker as was previously believed.
Source: CHUD , January 11, 2008
CHUD is reporting that Liev Schreiber is playing Victor Creed (AKA Sabretooth) in the Gavin Hood-directed X-Men Origins: Wolverine and not a young Stryker as was previously believed.
The site adds that Michael C. Hall ("Dexter") is instead in talks for the role of Stryker and that they are eyeing Michelle Monaghan for Silverfox.
Leading up to the events of X-Men," "Wolverine" tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe.
The movie opens in theaters on May 1, 2009.
Wolverine Production Using the Queenstown Fun Centre
Source: Advanced Dark, January 9, 2008
The Otago Daily Times has published an interesting report, which mentions that the X-Men Origins: Wolverine production will be using the Queenstown Fun Centre Limited:
Queenstown may be preparing itself for Hollywood fever as filming for Hollywood blockbuster X-Men Origins: Wolverine nears, but one group of Queenstown residents has been left high and, quite literally, dry, with the production studio renting the Queenstown Fun Centre.
The Otago Daily Times understands the ice was taken off the rink recently and the surface will remain dry possibly until March.
Rumours are circulating the Fun Centre may be earning as much as $4000 a week for the rental.
Hit the link above for more on this.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
From thousands of sources around the net.
X-Men News
Queenstown waits for film crews
via The New Zealand Herald
Queenstown is fast becoming a venue for big-budget movies. The fourth movie in the X-Men series starts shooting there shortly.
Old News: Gambit May Be In Wolverine
via Cinema Blend News
Ah, the slow news days of the end of the year. If you don't have a "best of" or year end recap to put up, it's getting hard to find news, so some places will run just about anything they can get their hands on. via Cinema Blend News
Rumors of Gambit on the Big Screen? Bailey Chase meets for casting of...
via Wizard Universe
“Saving Grace") said that he is in negotiations for a part in the new "X-Men Origins: Wolverine”
In an article in New Zealand's Sunday Star Times, and mentioned on Comics2film.com, Bailey Chase said that he is in negotiations for a part in the new "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" film, which stars Hugh Jackman ... via Wizard Universe
Wolverine May Get A Pop Star
via Cinema Blend News
Remember when pop star Kylie Minogue played the part of Cammy in Street Fighter ? How about that cameo appearance by Vanilla Ice in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Secret of the Ooze ? It looks like the ... via Cinema Blend News
Natalie Imbruglia Auditions For Wolverine
via The Post Chronicle
Singer/actress Natalie Imbruglia has auditioned for a role alongside Hugh Jackman in X-Men spin-off Wolverine, according to reports. via The Post Chronicle
Natalie Imbruglia auditions for 'Wolverine'?
via Daily India
“Shooting (Elise) and getting to play such an interesting character was a dream come true”
Sydney, Dec 27: It looks like Natalie Imbruglia's big-screen career is going to be on a roll after she reportedly auditioned for a part in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'. Sources have revealed that the ... via Daily India
Int'l film makers seek out New Zealand's magical powers
via Xinhuanet
“Wolverine X-Men: The Beginnings”
After the staggering success of "Lord of the Rings" trilogy at box offices around the world, many world-class directors are making for New Zealand, hoping that the southern Pacific nation can bring the same ... via Xinhuanet
Wolverine Shooting Locations?
An article from The Southland Tales reveals more possible shooting locations for X-Men Origins: Wolverine:
The proposed locations for filming include Queenstown, Deerpark Heights, Skippers Canyon, Glenorchy and Milford Sound.
Stay tuned for more as it comes in.
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