12 October 2010

Calls For Calm On The Hobbit

NZ Equity has called on the makers of the feature film The Hobbit to resolve the industrial issues surrounding the film through private good faith discussions.

“We want to see this film shot in New Zealand,” said Actors’ Equity New Zealand President Jennifer Ward-Lealand. “We believe the best way to do this is to sit down calmly and talk.”

Over the last few weeks there has been a high level of interest and emotion in the issues surrounding the engagement of performers on the production. “We have chosen, in a deliberate decision, to avoid the media fray on this. Negative comments don’t serve the primary objective of seeing the production made in New Zealand,” said Ms Ward-Lealand.

“We want to see this film produced in New Zealand,” said Simon Whipp, Director of the Actors’ Equity Section of the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance of which NZ Equity is a branch.

“We have chosen not to discuss this matter extensively in the media. We believe discussing the terms and conditions for the engagement of performers with the producers in a calm and reasonable manner will be more productive. Media speculation will only serve the interests of those who seek to lure the production from New Zealand,” said Mr Whipp.

ENDS

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