20 January 2007

Film Wellington uses contacts to help build major motion picture

Film Wellington’s Jean Johnston introduced the major players who today announced they will film a major motion picture based on the life of Kiwi racing great Bruce McLaren.

Mr McLaren died tragically in 1970, but founded the Formula 1 motor racing giant today called Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. The team logo is a stylised orange kiwi.

“Final decisions on the production are not finalised so it’s unclear where filming will take place, but I can say that the major players are Wellington-based,” says Ms Johnston.

“From an economic development point of view this could be yet another big feature to keep the industry humming, and this is another great Kiwi story that wants to be told.”

The film was announced at an international press conference at this weekend’s A1GP motor racing round in Taupo.

Members of Mr McLaren’s family and ground-breaking Brazilian Formula One driver Emerson Fittipaldi, who was Formula One champion with McLaren in 1974, were among those who attended the press conference.

Ms Johnson says that in 2005 she was contacted by German film-maker Marc Biniek who was looking for work in New Zealand.

“Marc’s CV included work as a unit manager filming Formula 1, so when I heard from Mike Garlick whose idea it was to film a drama based on Formula 1, I remembered Marc and put the two in touch,” says Ms Johnston.

“I thought the idea had real potential, but productions like this need finance and often you need a top name to attract funding.

“I have worked with producer Barrie Osborne (The Lord Of The Rings, The Matrix, The World’s Fastest Indian) before and knew he had the credentials to make the project work, so I asked him to have a look at it.”

Mr Osborne soon contacted Mr Garlick and they agreed to create a film. They will be co-producers.

Film Wellington is an initiative of Positively Wellington Business, the Wellington region’s economic development agency.

PWB acting chief executive Suse Reynolds says creative industries such as film are an important part of the Wellington economy.

“This is an excellent example of what we do best – making connections and put the right people in touch with each other to make business happen.”

ENDS

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