A fancy party aiming to promote Wellington as a film destination in Los Angeles fell flat when it ended up entertaining
only Hollywood small-fry.
Capitalizing on the success Lord Of the Rings, and Stickmen, both American funded film productions in Wellington,
Wellington and Waitakere Mayors Mark Blumsky and Bob Harvey held a party in Hollywood, hoping to attract more
film-moguls and their money to New Zealand.
In particular they were looking to convince Lucas Film, the makers of Star Wars prequels, to film Episode Three of the
Star Wars trilogy in New Zealand.
With the help of US Ambassador Jim Bolger they held an expensive party for film industry people complete with a lavish
selection of New Zealand food and wine and the highlight, a six minute preview of Lord Of the Rings.
However despite the hoopla, including the promise of speeches from the mayors, no one from Lucasfilm turned up at the
function.
And Mr Harvey's scheduled meeting with an executive of Twentieth Century Fox, which distributes Star Wars, fell through.
Indeed their were no movie moguls at Mr Bolger’s party, held at the home of Consul-General Jim Howe - only a mix of
people at various levels in the film industry.
Film Industry sources said while those involved should be given brownie points for trying, the do was unlikely to
succeed in Hollywood, a town known for its lavish parties.
“It’s hardly surprising that no-one important showed. In Hollywood people are throwing parties all the time, and this
sort of thing would be viewed as a grain of dust over there” said one.
“The Mayors would have been better off spending their money on a billboard, or an orchestrated promotion; one-off
parties don’t have much impact," said another.