Parr takes on new job

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 453, 15 September 1992, Page 5

Parr takes on new job

By

Marnie

woodd

Well-known Raetihi film producer Larry Parr has a new job - he is now director of production for Avalon National Film Unit Studios. He will be producing such programmes as Crimewatch, Fair Go, Country Calendar, A Dog's Show and Sunday Arts. His major tasks are to cut costs, increase output, then try to expand the range of programmes they're producing. The director's position is a new one, a result of restructuring at Avalon to make them more client responsive. The position wasn't advertised and Mr Parr said Avalon made him an offer he couldn't refuse. "Being an independent producer, working from project to project requires • a lot of energy." He's thinks it will be a real challenge and is looking forward to using Avalon' s "fantastic facilities". "I've dreamed about computer facilities like the ones they've got down there." He doesn't see himself as being trapped behind a desk, just a little bit further removed from the set. Mr Parr is currently ' commuting between Wellington and Raetihi, and the rest of his family plan to move down there by Christmas. Mr Parr has produced or co-produced many New Zealand feature films including Smash Palace, Sleeping Dogs, Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Constance, Pallet on the Floor, Came a Hot Friday, Shaker Run, Bridge to Nowhere and A Soldiers' Tale. Earlier this year he produced an episode of the Ray Bradbury series. He is married with three sons aged 21,16 and five