British Film Company Exploring Plan To Shoot In NZ

Top British Film Company Exploring Plans To Shoot In NZ

The leading British production company Working Title has just completed a week-long survey of film-making prospects in New Zealand.

Working Title, whose productions include the international hits FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, NOTTING HILL and BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY, sent two representatives to New Zealand for the survey.

"We are here because we have a number of New Zealand feature film projects which we are developing," said production executive Lisa Chatfield. "And we have other projects which could use New Zealand as a location."

One of the founders of Working Title is New Zealander Tim Bevan. The company has recently established a regional office in Sydney, headed by producer Tim White, another New Zealander, who began his career working with director Vincent Ward.

Lisa Chatfield, who has just joined the company's regional office, is another successful New Zealand producer. Her first feature was SCARFIES, directed by Robert Sarkies. It is one of New Zealand's top ten most successful films.

She carried out the New Zealand survey with Jon Finn from Working Title's London office. He was producer of another Working Title success, BILLY ELLIOT.

"LORD OF THE RINGS has shown the international film-making community what can be achieved in New Zealand - it has absolutely proved that New Zealand is a credible production base for international productions," said Lisa Chatfield. “And the services of Film New Zealand have been invaluable in carrying out our survey - we are finding them very supportive.

"It's really great to have Film New Zealand as a local resource of information and practical co-ordination - they can pull everything together for visiting producers. The regional film offices, notably Film South, have also looked after us very well."

During a week-long tour of New Zealand, the Working Title team spent four days seeking locations, and three days meeting production personnel and facilities.

Film New Zealand is a non-profit organisation supported by Industry New Zealand, Trade New Zealand and the New Zealand Film Commission. Its mission is to generate foreign exchange and foreign investment in New Zealand's creative businesses and supporting infrastructure, and to support regional development by promoting location shooting.

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