Auckland Film Studios secures major international film shoot
Monday 5 December 2011, 2:25PM
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Auckland Film Studios has been selected as the New Zealand film base for Emperor – a US production by acclaimed director, Peter Webber.
Emperor (the movie’s working title), a political drama set amidst the tensions and uncertainties following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II, is inspired by true events.
Filming will begin in January 2012 once casting is confirmed. The film’s production company Corn Cob Limited is already constructing sets at the Henderson studios.
Academy Award winning production designer, Grant Major, Academy Award winning costume designer, Ngila Dickson, Oscar nominee Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh and Mr Pip producer, Tim Coddington, will work on the production.
The movie is the first major production to be filmed at Auckland Film Studios since Auckland Council Investments limited (ACIL), an Auckland Council council-controlled organisation, took a 100 percent shareholding in the studios in August.
“It’s a major coup for Auckland and Auckland Film Studios; it will allow us to further develop our strong foothold in the New Zealand film industry and support Auckland Council’s vision for film,” says Chief Executive of ACIL, Gary Swift.
“The film will create many jobs locally and will pump money into the domestic economy. It highlights Council’s wisdom in purchasing the remaining shares in the studios.
“Securing the film also helps to build New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class film location,” he says.
Two days of filming will take place in Wellington, with some scenes also being shot in Japan.
Peter Webber is the director behind the 2007 hit Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Emperor will be produced by Yoko Narahashi (The Last Samurai), Gary Foster (Ghost Rider, Sleepless in Seattle, The Soloist), Eugene Nomura (Tajomaru, Surely Some Day) and Russ Krasnoff (The Soloist).
Background information on Auckland Film Studios
Auckland Film Studios Limited is the largest film studio in New Zealand. The 10.5 acre site has five sound stages and 5,251 square meters of studio floor space.
The studios cater to a wide clientele from advertisers and television series such as Xena: Warrior Princess and Legend of the Seeker to Hollywood movies including The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and The Warrior’s Way featuring Kate Bosworth and Geoffrey Rush.
Auckland Film Studios Limited is 100 percent owned by Auckland Council Investments Limited (ACIL) - a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) of Auckland Council.
ACIL’s role is to manage Auckland Council’s major equity investments including its shares in Ports of Auckland Limited and Auckland International Airport Limited.
The return on these investments, in the form of dividends paid by ACIL to Auckland Council, are invested by the council into activities that help to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city.