FILMING AT NELSON.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4451, 9 August 1922, Page 1

FILMING AT NELSON.

ANNETTE KELLERMAN FEATURE. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARRIVE. SUBMARINE SCENES. Among the passengers who arrive 1 at Wellington recently from San Francisco by the Ri,M.S. Tahiti were Messrs Fred Bentley and Fred Frank, wellnknown American cinema photographers, who are on their way to Nelson to take film pictures of. a feature production in which Miss Annette Kellerman is tp play the leading role. The picture, as is the case of other' films in which Miss Kellerman has figured, will introduce several swimming and under-twated scenes. Some of these will be performed in the clear water of the old Nelson reservoir. Messrs Bentley and Frank have specialised in ur.der-'water photography by means of submerged glass tanks, and their work is not unknown to New Zealand picture patrons ACTIVITITES AT NELSON;

CINEMA DIRECTOR EXPLAINS. Interesting information regarding the Annette Kellerman film was given by Mr J. R. Sullivan in an address befpre the Nelson Chamber of Commerce recently. After detailing his expediences in the Dominion in his travels with the object of choosing a locale for the submarine picture, Mr Sullivan said he went to Nelson, and was greatly impressed with the climate, and after the local support that had been given him, it decided him to c'.mmerice operations there. He was satisfied that a picture could be made in Nelson for £3OOO less than anywhere else. With the climate and assistance already offered he was satisfied that he could turn out a good picture.

ADVERTISING NEW ZEALAND. Mr Sullivan gave some interesting information concerning the advertising of the picture in America. As it proceeded newspaper articles would be sent, which would be widely distributed. There were 18,000 picture theatres in America, and Miss Kellerman’s pictures were shown in about. 4000. Everything in the picture must be of the .best, in order to compete with the American productions, and he might want the assistance of the public in this connection. The contpany did not want anything for nothing, but wanted the best. For the submarine scenes special apparatus was being obtained i]rom America, and some of these secnes would be taken at Takaka, where preparations were already in progress. Two sailing ships and steamers would be required, and also a, large liner for some of the scenes. He wanted to do everything In? Nelsop, and leave the money in the place. A lot. of. people would be needed, and business firms had met him very liberally in the matter of obtaining the large amount of material necessary for the production. Mr Sullivan indicated that on the result of the picture might depend the setting up pf permanent studios in Nelson, as pictures could be produced here cheaper than in Englan l, on account of the better climatic conditions. which were an important factor. Air Sullivan also stated that the making of] pictures also brought a lot of visitors to .the town, which would further help to advertise it. as well as leaving a good deal of money behind them.

One of those present appeared to be rather sceptical as to the report that porpoises and octopi were to be used at the reservoir in making the uietuve.

Mr Sullivan: The octppi and porpoises are going up there all right. I don’t know how, but they are going tp ge’. there somehow. (Laughter).