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THE HOBBIT LOCATION SCOUTS SCAN QUEENSTOWN

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January, 2010

Film location scouts for The Hobbit movie are looking at Queenstown locations and it is understood shooting crews could be working in the area this year.

A Queenstown film industry source has reportedly said that while no filming was guaranteed, some shooting of what is likely to be a two-part concurrently shot film was likely to happen in the area.

"The Hobbit will almost definitely be coming to the South Island," a film crew freelancer said.
"Location scouting is currently happening around the Wakatipu area, but is also happening in Canterbury, Wanaka and the Nelson area, " he said.

"I'm pretty sure they want to come back to the area that worked really well for them in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and local crews are excited about the chance to work on it."

The source said while no crew members had been offered contracts, Queenstown crews had been on standby for filming to possibly begin in late March or early April, but that shooting dates were likely to be pushed back.

"We'd be ready for March or April, but it's a big project that will require a huge effort and timing could work out to have us starting in July or even October. There are likely to be two big shooting units, one that will be based in the studio and one that will shoot on location," he said.

Film Otago Southland executive manager Kevin Jennings said while any speculation that The Hobbit would involve a Queenstown shoot could not be confirmed, a shooting crew would be welcomed in the town.

"I haven't had any direct involvement with the production team," he said. "But if they do come to the area we will do everything we can to facilitate them. We would welcome a production of that calibre, especially given the success of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and what that has meant to the reputation of this country."

Pre-production work on The Hobbit began in 2008. The film is to be directed by Academy Award winning Mexican horror and fantasy director Guillermo del Toro, produced by Peter Jackson and shot from a Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens script.
Source: The Southland Times