NZ still in Hollywood's spotlight says Film Venture head

The Last Samurai was filmed in Taranaki three years ago.

More Hollywood films may be on the way, but the New Zealand film industry needs to be wary of arrogance and overcharging, says Film Venture Taranaki's Peter Avery.

Mr Avery, who has just returned with a Film New Zealand party from the annual Association of Film Commissioners Internationale in California, said New Zealand was still firmly in the minds of Hollywood film executives.

"But competition is definitely increasing across the globe and we've got to be careful what we do from now on," Mr Avery said in a statement today.

"We need to keep two simple rules foremost in the near future - get arrogant and greedy and we could lose it all, and keep the message of New Zealand one of clarity and consistency."

More than 10,000 people attended the three-day event, including film students, film company representatives and studio executives.

"Just about everyone who approached us already had an incredibly favourable impression of New Zealand," Mr Avery, who assisted Warner Bros in filming The Last Samurai in Taranaki three years ago, said.

"Our reputation since Samurai and Peter Jackson's (Lord of the) Rings trilogy is still strong."

But he said the film community needed to guard against breakaway elements and unrealistic costs that could drive foreign moviemakers away.

"Our reputation is there to be lost - it's as simple as that," he said.

"And whilst we will probably see more large movies here, things like unrealistic talent rates or inferior service will be elements of concern."

He said there was a trend towards United States-based locations, while there was also strong competition from Iceland, Canada, South America and the Middle East.

"Having said that, there is still a lot of interest in Peter Jackson and what he's doing here," Mr Avery said.

"It's going to be very interesting at Christmas, when his King Kong film is released simultaneously with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (shot in New Zealand by Andrew Adamson).

"Those two films will continue to suspend New Zealand in Hollywood's spotlight. But it's what happens next that will be most important.

"We are suffering because of our exchange rate - what that does is reduce our suitability for a lot of projects large and small.

"Good management and realistic expectations will see us through this period. And I predict we may see many movies to come."

- NZPA