Prominent Television Screenwriter to Visit New Zealand

Prominent Television Screenwriter to Visit New Zealand

One of the creative forces behind successful television sitcoms Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory will soon be winging his way to New Zealand.

Film New Zealand has announced Lee Aronsohn, the eminent US screen writer, director and producer, has been named the winner of the 2014 Film New Zealand competition to win a trip to New Zealand.

The competition, supported by Air New Zealand and Heritage Hotels, ran during Film New Zealand’s recent visit to Los Angeles to launch New Zealand’s new screen production incentives at the AFCI Locations Show and Celebration of New Zealand Screen events.

Mr Aronsohn, who has been making memorable television for more than 30 years, began as a writer on The Love Boat in 1978 before going on to contribute to such 80's classics as Charles in Charge and Who’s the Boss.

In the 90's, as writer and producer, he helped shape some of the decade’s most popular sitcoms such as Murphy Brown, Grace Under Fire and Cybill and in 2003 he co-created Two and a Half Men, which quickly became TV's number one comedy and the anchor of CBS’s Monday night line-up.

In addition to writing and executive producing Men for nine seasons (and directing several episodes), from 2007 to 2011 he also served as a writer and executive producer of The Big Bang Theory, another CBS hit.

Mr Aronsohn says the win has come at a great time.

“Visiting New Zealand has long been on my bucket list, and I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to do so before some fatal disease made it imperative!” he says.

“I’m looking forward to gorgeous scenery, friendly people, roast lamb, lamb kebabs, lamb burgers... and, oh yeah - finding the one ring to rule them all. Also, I plan to research a screenplay set in Auckland during WWII.”

Film New Zealand Chief Executive Gisella Carr says it will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase New Zealand to Mr Aronsohn.

“The best way to promote New Zealand is to have people come here. Lee Aronsohn has an impressive background creating some of the most seminal television production of the last three decades and I’m delighted to be welcoming such a distinguished visitor to New Zealand.”

Mr Aronsohn is the fourth winner of the competition which in previous years has included producer Ron Bozman (Silence of the Lambs, the Tempest), Executive Vice President of Production for Legendary Pictures Ty Warren, and international film financier Peter Graham of 120dB Films.

ENDS

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