New Zealand film industry to get a boost in Los Angeles

MEDIA RELEASE

September 13, 2011

New Zealand film industry to get a boost in Los Angeles

Film New Zealand and Park Road Post Production are upping their presence in the American home of film-making, Los Angeles.

Park Road Post, a post production facility, is part of the creative cluster of companies offering premier film-making and talent at Miramar in Wellington.

The two organisations are partners in a new initiative that will see Vicki Jackways, Head of Marketing at Park Road Post Production working for Film New Zealand as well when she goes to Los Angeles on a semi-permanent basis from 2012.

General Manager of Park Road Post Production Cameron Harland says his company and Film New Zealand feel strongly that an on-the-ground presence is the best way to extract real value from the North American market.

"We are delighted to be partnering with such a progressive organisation as Film New Zealand and grateful for the support of the industry as a whole. We look forward to delivering real benefit through a more focussed market push into the States," he says.

Film New Zealand Chief Executive Gisella Carr says the United States is a key market and several of New Zealand's competitors, including Australia, have long had representation there.

"Thanks to the talents and entrepreneurship of our screen industry across the country, and the backing of successive New Zealand governments, New Zealand has built a remarkable reputation as a film-making culture. New Zealanders would be amazed, and proud, to see how highly New Zealand is rated. Los Angeles-based representation is an important next step in taking full advantage of this reputation."

Gisella Carr says the initiative is part of Film New Zealand's industry partnerships programme where it works with industry partners for whole industry gains. She says that the Los Angeles partnership, as well as pursuing international production business under Film New Zealand's mandate, will also be available as a service to New Zealand companies and filmmakers.

"This partnership exemplifies the things we are known for as a film-making country; where we pull together for the whole country. It makes great business sense and we are delighted to be tackling this in this innovative, industry-led way."

ENDS

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