Hollywood Film Unit At Work In Christchurch

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31001, 5 March 1966, Page 22

Hollywood Film Unit At Work In Christchurch

A Hollywood film unit is at present working in Christchurch on a segment of a nation-wide scenic production. The unit, which is divided into two crews, has already shot more than 18,000 ft of colour film in the main scenic and tourist centres of New Zealand.

When shooting has finished the total film will be close to 30,000 ft, which, after processing, will be shown on colour television throughout the United States. The film director for the company (Mr W. F. L. Singer) said the production would get away as much as possible from the “dull travel film” style by making the audience feel that they were actually on location.

This effect had been sought by mounting cameras on jet boats and aircraft and recording on-the-spot sound effects. Mr Singer said the film would be divided into two, one

showing the highlights of New Zealand scenes and the other going into detailHis company had shot the cinerama production “South Seas Adventure” which had led many Americans to come to New Zealand to see the scenes in reality.

Some of the people Mr Singer had met on his present visit had told him this. Poor weather conditions in Christchurch have held up filming in the last few days and during the last five weeks 40 per cent of the weather has been unfavourable for shooting.

Mr Singer said he was looking for bright sunny days to do the city of Christchurch justice. He spoke highly of the general appearance and scenic attraction of the city. The whole film will fit into a series on American television entitled “Wide, Wide World.” The New Zealand segment is being partly sponsored and assisted by the Tourist and Publicity Department, the National Film Unit, Air New Zealand and the National Airways Corporation. The film will be shown in the United States in October and later in New Zealand.