Taylor heads for new heights at Monte Carlo

May 28, 2007

Weta Workshop and Weta Digital co-founder Richard Taylor
heads for new heights at Monte Carlo

Richard has helped create some of the most memorable film images in recent cinema history and is the co-founder of Weta, one of the world's largest effects facilities, offering the widest array of creative services found anywhere. Nominated six times, Richard has won five Oscars in three distinctly different special effects disciplines, including visual effects, costuming and special effects make-up.

Is there anything more for Richard Taylor to achieve?

Now he's vying for the title of 2007 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year, after winning the New Zealand title last October.

"Monte Carlo - Wow! It is going to be a fantastic opportunity for me to meet some of the world's leading entrepreneurs and get a taste of some the amazing things they have accomplished," he said.

Richard will compete against 46 prestigious individuals from 39 companies around the world, all of whom have achieved the distinction of being named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in their own country. The Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will see them all vying for the ultimate global business award.

The winner will be announced at a black-tie gala in Monte Carlo this Saturday [eds: June 2; NZT Sunday, June 3].

Ernst &Young New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year Awards director Roger Hatrick-Smith, said Richard Taylor is a remarkable individual who is representative of a true New Zealand business hero - combining passion, hard-work and kiwi-ingenuity in an industry which is notoriously hard to conquer.

"Richard has created an extremely successful business within the tough entertainment industry doing something he is passionate about - creating wonderful, out-of-this-world creations.

"He is going to be on the world stage amongst the top business geniuses from around the globe - we have every confidence he will truly shine," said Mr Hatrick-Smith.

Along with his co-directors Peter Jackson and Jamie Selkirk, Richard now operates Weta Workshop and Weta Digital out of a 65,000 square foot facility with 640 highly creative staff members, but they started out small. Originally Richard and his partner Tania Rodger began their small effects business in the back of their 1987 Wellington flat.

Film New Zealand chief executive, Judith McCann, said Richard and Weta have allowed New Zealand to compete competitively within the global entertainment industry.

"Richard's achievements through Weta Workshop and Weta Digital have helped place New Zealand as a screen production centre on the world map," Ms McCann said.

Over the past twenty years, Weta has provided physical and digital effects for many films, advertisements and television shows including the widely- acclaimed The Lord of the Rings trilogy and most recently, King Kong.

Mr Hatrick-Smith said Richard's ambition and creative drive were admirable and inspirational.

"Even after such success Richard continues to diversify and grow his business with new and exciting opportunities including a collectible sculptures business, and recently a children's television production company," he said.

"It is this vision to build on the core business as well as diversify into associated businesses that make him a successful entrepreneur and an inspirational business leader."

Finalists at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards are judged by an independent panel of eight judges that includes former Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year country winners and judges.

Judging criteria includes - entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, national and/or global impact, innovation, personal integrity and influence.

ENDS

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