Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Anatomy of a Shambles

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  • DexterX,

    Kyle made a comment about the use of the word "Union" - it is of course a trade union.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • SteveH,

    Out of interest -- when was the last time one of the above directed a film shot in Mexico?

    Guillermo del Toro: Cronos (1993)
    Alfonso Cuaron: Y tu mamá también (2001)
    Alejandro González Iñárritu: Amores perros (2000), though Babel (2006) was party shot in Mexico.

    All three of them were producers on Rudo y Cursi (2008).

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Fair enough perhaps - but that still doesn't suggest a pre-existing plan to take the films out of New Zealand, does it?

    Nope - and if there was, Warners didn't need to "beat up" an industrial dispute to relocate Green Lantern from Sydney to Louisiana.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • simon g,

    Radio New Zealand has seen the e-mails (discussed up-thread):

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/60105/emails-contradict-warners-on-hobbit-boycott

    Looks like Warner Bros have been "disingenuous" (as they say in Parliament).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1333 posts Report

  • Petra,

    Hey, guys...just wondering if you could lend a hand, please.

    I'm discussing this on Facebook here - http://www.facebook.com/Todd.McClay.MP/posts/169630283047469 - and I'm trying to find out more about tax incentives for non-Film industries in NZ to show one commenter that tax incentives are not just for the Film industry (‎@Petra -- The film industry should receive tax incentives over other industries because why...?). However, my Google Fu is weak on this one, and search results are pretty much all about film. Is there a website out there that breaks down current NZ investment incentives across all industries so I can make my point clear and concise, and with facts an' stuff?

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Gordon Campbell's latest article further examines the financial and industrial implications.

    Incredibly, the government is now talking about suspending our employment laws for the duration of the filming. Judging by what Minister of Economic Development Gerry Brownlee was saying on RNZ this morning, the government is considering taking the draconian measures contained in our “Major Event” legislation (meant to protect the commercial interests behind the Rugby World Cup) and applying them to the 18 months period of filming The Hobbit.

    So, having earlier rewritten our tax laws around the shooting schedule for Lord of the Rings, we seem willing to suspend our employment laws this time around. In particular, Brownlee seems willing to circumvent the Supreme Court ruling in the Bryson case. That case established that some workers – regardless of the contracts they may have signed, or were induced to sign, defining themselves as independent contractors – will qualify for the rights and conditions of employees if it can be shown that their actual and ongoing work situation is that of an employee. Apparently, Brownlee is considering suspending that ruling.

    He also characterises Helen Kelly as having an "ideological blindspot."

    To her, this is a case of Hollywood studios bullying New Zealand to cough up bigger tax incentives. It is a conspiracy, and a race to the bottom. I disagree.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Can I just say that I am fucked off by Ian Mune's oh-so avuncular bullshit on Breakfast this morning? Patronising delusional old prick.

    That was quite bizarre wasn't it. And didn't really add anything to the debate other than some heat.

    Kyle made a comment about the use of the word "Union" - it is of course a trade union.

    Did I?

    Like others I think the idea that Warners have done this deliberately to get out of NZ is pretty far fetched. There would certainly be implications for them if they did though in terms of public opinion however. There's an attachment out there between middle earth and NZ amongst a lot of fans and it would be a minor backlash.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Looks like Warner Bros have been "disingenuous" (as they say in Parliament).

    Interesting. Score one for the unions? That makes it... 1-10 now?

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Taut tillers are directors too...

    Guillermo del Toro is Mexican, as is Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.
    Out of interest -- when was the last time one of the above directed a film shot in Mexico?

    I note Gazillion movies lists 31 movies as being from New Zealand and 38 from Mexico if that is relevant... admitttedly Pan's Labyrinth wasn't shot there - but then again the Bulk of "Kiwi" movie, directed by Toa Fraser, Dean Spanley was shot in the UK...
    while this Movie Locations site lists many more made there, and wikipedia has more details on directors, etc
    at least Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu ( Amores Perros - 2000) shot some of Babel (2006) in Mexico, Cuaron hasn'y done much there since Y tu mamá también, in 2001. While poor Guillermo del Toro has been in a holding pattern for 2 years in NZ, so not much - but I am looking forward to his take on H.P. Lovecraft's At The Mountains of Madness wonder if they will film in Antarctica? Its film industry needs a kickstart!

    Also these three (above) have started Cha Cha Cha Films a production company in Mexico - so far none of the three have directed one set in Mexico, but are still contributing by producing and releasing Cuaron's brother's (Carlos) movie Rudo y Cursi, which is.
    {edit} I now see SteveH has said this all, much more succinctly, up the page...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Petra, corporate welfare is widespread but funnily enough not publicised that widely or accessibly. Someone might have a link or two. I've often wondered why event organisers or cruise ship companies expect their facilities to be paid for by taxpayers, for instance. Other industries bring economic benefits without seeming to put their hands out quite so often.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Looks like Warner Bros have been "disingenuous" (as they say in Parliament).

    @SimonG: Really? Interesting how heavily qualified NatRadio is in that story - "appears", "not clear" aren't words they drop into a story for the sake of euphony.

    I'm also cautious about chain e-mails until that Nigerian business man put the $15m he promised into my suspiciously empty bank account.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Interesting snippet from that Radio NZ story about the emails (thanks, Simon):

    Mr Brownlee said New Zealand actors need to distance themselves from the Australian-based Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), which is linked to New Zealand Actors' Equity.

    Taking sides?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Petra,

    Thanks, Sacha. The lack of transparency is ...errr...blinding.

    We really need a public website that lists all lobbyists, and industries receiving tax incentives. How can we have a proper democracy without this info easily accessible to plebs, like moi, who argue on Facebook? I like facts, dammit!

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Jacqui Dunn,

    Petra: don't know if this is the sort of thing you're after, but EECA offers incentives to industries which are heavy users of power and energy.

    Any time you want a hand with the dishes, give me a call!

    Deepest, darkest Avondale… • Since Jul 2010 • 585 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Come together...

    ...it is of course a trade union.

    as long as they are civil unions,
    right?
    Tirade unions are so tiresome...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Pat Hackett,

    I reckon NZAE and Helen Kelly's emails to Warners on Sun/Mon are probably legit, but I bet my left nut Simon Whipp added some "riders" of his own to Warners on separate emails. Warners have said as much, except specifically who added the riders. If it wasn't Kelly or NZAE, it can only have been Whipp.

    It was Helen Kelly on Nine to Noon yesterday who made the first "official" announcement to the media that the boycott was lifted, and the SAG announcement was some hours later. She forced a fait accompli on Whipp.

    Auckland • Since Oct 2010 • 95 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    Don't think Warner Bros have been "disingenuous" - as their concern is detailed in the link Simon provided - what follows down the page is also interesting in that some Actors consider splitting from union NZAE on the basis that the "union doesn't speak for them, and doesn't even speak for all its own members."

    After MEAA & NZEA threw the shit at the fan a month ago MEAA then register to be a NZ union last Thursday. Not only were MEAA not consulting with their members of the affialite they respresent they also had no legal standing to throw the shit until last Thursday.

    It is doubtful the present excutive of each of NZEA, The CTU and MEAA have the maturity to sort things out - it is one thing to through shit at people it is another to work constrcutively and clean it the mess it creates.

    If the siutaion can be saved - it doesn't matter who does it as along as it is done.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Craig, they use words like that when fearful of large and litigious corporations.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Petra,

    Thanks, Jacqui - it's a good start. And I've also got the $1.2m the govt is giving the wine industry this year to help it in the US market.


    But I might take a break from it now, and go do some dishes in the sunshine. *hic*

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Sacha,

    Warners have said as much

    Do share

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    an easy kick to touch...

    I've often wondered why event organisers or cruise ship companies expect their facilities to be paid for by taxpayers, for instance. Other industries bring economic benefits without seeming to put their hands out quite so often.

    That's right - we've hardly mentioned the impendulous Rugby World Cup for ages...
    How is that waterfront RWC base coming along?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Alan Perrott,

    @ Craig: Really?

    Here's the quote you're refering to...

    ''The messages were sent back and forth and forth between the studio and the unions on Monday night, and it appears a statement was intended for release on Monday (LA time).

    It remains unclear why the statement was not released, and at exactly what point it faltered.''

    now putting your old journo hat back on, just how far would you be willing to push the accusatory boat out when you're dealing with a rather enormous corporation?
    there may be several reasons for the qualifications, but I doubt "because the story is rubbish" is at the top of the heap.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 438 posts Report

  • Petra,

    Thank you, Ian and 3410

    A raise of the glass to y'all! (ok, bottle - no one ever said I were couth)

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report

  • Kumara Republic,

    According to the RadioNZ link, Equity/MEAA sounds like it's going Peoples Front of Judea.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

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