Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Hobbit Wars

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  • Russell Brown,

    Jonathan King- no. You've told me that Peter Jackson (& Richard Taylor & associated studio bodies) have helped your 2 films to get made. Did they help with - what is truly the essential matter - in getting your films out onto the world's screens? Are your films in dvd format? Accessible as downloads?

    Oh for goodness sake, Islander. You claimed that Jackson never helps anyone in the industry but himself. I gave you an example -- and then Jonathan gave you a personal account about being directly helped with his two feature films -- and you response was to demean Jonathan's films. That's completely out of order.

    The comment above is really misguided. Peter Jackson has no responsibility for distributing Jonathan's films or securing DVD releases? Why on earth should he? Jonathan has distribution companies, for goodness sake.

    And as for 48 Hours, well, probably thousands of people in centres the length of the country have benefited from PJ's support for the event. I really can't understand why you're being so nasty about it. I'm disappointed.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Unions are no longer compulsory, they do not give orders and they are not insurance companies. They are collections of working people, who, of course, have intimate experience of their own industries.

    Please Jan, I understand the first part, there's really no need to patronise. I've been a union delegate, and earned the ire of management for my actions. I've had reason to be grateful for the help unions have provided, but I've also been bitterly disappointed at the lack of interest and condescending arrogance of people from whom I'd expected better.

    It simple hasn't been my experience that union professionals invariably have an 'intimate' knowledge of the conditions in which their members work. I've had to deal with this more than once, probably because I've worked in an area where there was a degree of competition between rival unions to recruit membership outside of their traditional turf. As a lifelong believer in the importance of imagination in all walks of life, I only wish that such qualities were more widely rewarded in the ranks of union professionals.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Russell - read what I said again:

    and now, read it again.
    And, now, read again what the fuck you said.

    We really are not communicating eh?

    OK.

    I dont care.

    Wont carry on this conversation. Very tired. And the whole thing is silly.
    Bye bye.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Jonathan King - that is wonderful! (Ur, was going on its release here, where the sales impression wasnt -quite so much.)

    Nope, Black Sheep did well here too, especially compared to some more fancied films.

    I see now it's been sorted out a bit, but I'm still surprised at the unpleasantness this is all generating.

    I found the atmosphere at The Standard upsetting this afternoon, but I might not have had I not been feeling a bit stressed and tired. I'm used to it from the comedy sociopaths at Kiwiblog ...

    But I suppose there's some irony in seeing the trojans of the Left pouring shit over Crown Law and hailing the opposing opinion of a corporate legal firm. I should have got a photo.

    Anyway ... back from nailing one of the things I was stressed about: the Book Council's 'True Stories' earthquake fundraiser. It was bloody fantastic (Braunias, Perkins, Pooley, Noelle McCarthy -- how could it not be!?), and I had the immense satisfaction of cursing Eric Watson and Doug Somers-Edgar before a room full of people during my bit. Yay.

    Bit over Hobbits now, but.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Russell - read what I said again:
    and now, read it again.

    And, now, read again what the fuck you said.

    I was responding to your first few comments, on the previous page, which were out of order. I thought you were really rude to Jonathan (as in, an apology would have been in order), and I disagreed with your dismissal of Jackson's support for the industry.

    I wasn't seeking to offend, I'm not going to swear at you, but I did think you were wrong.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Bit over Hobbits now, but.

    Yeah but.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Shand,

    Bit over Hobbits now, but.

    bleh teh poor wee hobbits need a union now to make sure the Russel Browns of the world know about 2nd breakfast and trolls turning to stone in sunlight

    auck • Since Aug 2008 • 79 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Bogans!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    And here's a particularly delish piece of fuck-wittery from Trotter:

    What should we make of the well-known media personality and (of all people) the film producer (!) who rolled up to the NZ Actors Equity union-meeting in Grey Lynn expecting to be admitted?

    As you say Craig, it wasn't a union meeting (loads of people there, probably a majority, weren't AE members) and I turned up in good faith to hear the arguments. Perhaps I got it wrong, but it wasn't billed as a closed meeting, and John Barnett and others hadn't had that understanding either. As soon as I saw I wasn't welcome, I left. But it was ... confusing.

    I'm not going to read the rest of Trotter's post. I'm sick of this shit, frankly.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Joe Wylie,

    Bogans!

    . . . hairy-arsed Bogans.

    flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    But I suppose there's some irony in seeing the trojans of the Left pouring shit over Crown Law and hailing the opposing opinion of a corporate legal firm. I should have got a photo.

    Um, yes... and one might disrespectfully suggest Chris Finlayson does have a track record of putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to supporting the arts. I think he still personally sponsors one production a year at Circa.

    And with all due respect to Helen Kelly (and none at all to the usual suspects at The Standard) I don't see how the Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister seeking Crown Law advice on a matter directly relating to his portfolio is "taking sides". A Crown Law opinion isn't holy writ, granted, but it's not exactly something to dismiss out of hand either.

    And in a case of no-minds not thinking alike. Come on down Bomber: Chris 'Sauron' Finlayson promotes strike breaking Scabbits.

    Shit, someone better tell Jennifer she called a strike, because she seems to be operating under the delusion that's what she's trying to avoid...

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

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    It's a special industry.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    to make sure the Russel Browns of the world know about 2nd breakfast

    Mmm ... second breakfast.

    Although right now I'm thinking more about appreciatin' dodgy old Pt Chev Super Liquor, for:

    (a) Being open when everyone else is shut.

    (b) Remembering that I'm the guy who wanders in every three months to buy a bottle of single malt.

    (c) Cutting me a stonking discount on the Highland Park 12yo. Respect. I needed that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    I dont think I was. i don t care. Bye bye.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Shand,

    I'm sick of this frankly.

    Take a ride down river in a barrel and escape those distrustful scheming elves of mirkwood

    auck • Since Aug 2008 • 79 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    PJ even did a guest appearance at the end of that short film. I laughed. Cos it was funny.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Bit over Hobbits now, but.

    As I said in my PAR piece this week: The real phantom menace we should be up in arms about is Jar-Jar frigging Binks and Princess Alabama-Ding-Dong in 3-D -- and that's just for starters. “This is the path to the dark side. Re-releases lead to meaningless extra scenes. 'Enhanced' multi-disc box sets lead to another load of shit on over-priced BluRays. BluRays lead to shitty 3-D that makes Clash of the Titans look like Avatar. And Annie still sucks nerf dick. Bad touching of wallets leads to nerd-rage. Nerd-rage leads to cries of "you've raped my childhood for the last time, Lucas". Bizarre and vulgar rape analogies lead to a million desks crying out in terror... and then silence."

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

  • Nick Shand,

    "you've raped my childhood for the last time, Lucas"

    you could just not watch this rehash hairy-ass bogans trash. I'm on a film binge for the school holidays but won't go near lucas arts latest troll droppings

    auck • Since Aug 2008 • 79 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Ugh. Folks, it appears this Hobbit thing might get worse soon.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    I have a word for that ---unjoy

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Ugh. Folks, it appears this Hobbit thing might get worse soon.

    I think farcical is the word you're looking for.

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

  • Rich Lock,

    The real phantom menace we should be up in arms about is Jar-Jar frigging Binks and Princess Alabama-Ding-Dong in 3-D --

    Craig, please. It's too early in the morning for my blood pressure to be rising so rapidly.

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Catering to the masses...

    Being called a class traitor

    I feel this was just a case of the usual
    web malady - woeful spelling...

    I'm sure they really meant that you are
    a Class Traiteur!

    A word which indicates you are a fine provider of food for thought and to takeaway...
    and that you are from a Guild background
    and use your home to benefit others...

    The absent Giovanni would call it a Trattoria ...

    ...and I guess this explains why most threads
    end up discussing food! :- )

    You are respected, warm fuzzies to you and yours...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Nick Shand,

    hmmm am looking at the stuff.co.nz

    An actor, who is not a union member, but was invited to vote

    It would seem voting rights were granted to all actors in attendance and I would hope that this applied to speakig rights as well.

    NZ Actors Equity president Jennifer Ward-Lealand said "while a significant number voted in favour of the resolutions, a number of performers represented alternative views and we have a duty to take their opinion into consideration".

    Yet a majority vote is non binding which then leads to the danger of the democratic process being cherrypicked

    Most attendees were tight-lipped when approached by media afterwards

    Ha be patient there media jr. If you had any experience of unions you would know that transparency is a must because nothing stays secret for long and the juicy bits are what get talked about most.

    I agree with the previously stated sentiments that this is going to get messy.

    auck • Since Aug 2008 • 79 posts Report Reply

  • David Hood,

    I think we are seeing not just the death throws of a union (and speaking as a unionist the lack of a clear, coherent response to the Wellington actor's question "Why aren't Auckland actors targeting the American T.V. serieses filming in Auckland?" says lack of strategic campaign collective sharing of struggle planning to me) but also the death of a movie, as this situation is getting so P-addled-snake-pit I am having trouble seeing a way forward (particularly using international talent) whatever country it might be filmed in.
    Arguably, killing the Hobbit will be good for the U.S. and U.K. actors unions, which may well have some trickle down effects for N.Z. actors. I'm not sure it is doing anything leading to more concrete local improvements though, such as renegotiating the Pink Book.

    Dunedin • Since May 2007 • 1445 posts Report Reply

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