Film’s off-camera dramas

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 21

Film’s off-camera dramas

By

LES BLOXHAM

Travel Editor Producing a prize-winning action film showing the thrills of rafting down a NewZealand river had its element of danger for the crew of the National Film Unit. The director of “White Water Ride” (Derek Wright), which was awarded the Pacific Area Travel Association’s grand prize for best tourism film of the year, cracked ribs and broke a bone in his foot in two separate episodes during the filming. The N.F.U. also had to dry out a camera after a rubber raft dumped its crew in the wild waters of the Mohaka River, east of Taupo, and tipped over a cameraman.

On another occasion, a rubber raft, being transported upstream by helicopter, for a retake, got'hooked up on a, tree. It had to ~be freed, again hy helicopter, and hastily repaired. “White Water Ride” reflects the growing interest in action holidays. Overseas visitors are coming to New Zealand in increasing numbers to take part in backpacking, horse trekking, sailing, climbing, rafting and other active holidays. v “When New Zealanders meet overseas visitors who enthuse over such holidays, they realise what a wealth of activities this country has to offer,” said Mr Neil

Plimmer, general manager of the Tourist and Publicity Department, after receiving the award at P.A.T.A.’s conference in Bangkok. “The National Film Unit, a division of the Department, plays a vital role for tourism in showing this diversity. ‘White Water Ride’ captures dramatically the excitement and thrill of rafting.” Rafting is one of the fastest growing adventure sports in New Zealand. In 1976, there were only two firms offering raft trips, now there are 13. Rafters on private trips have increased similarly. There are 13 South Island rivers rafted commercially now and six in the North Island.