Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Yet More Hobbit

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    Is there anything wrong with the code here? Is anyone breaching it? Could the actors provide some examples?

    I'd certainly love to know if Robyn Malcolm -- or any other cast member of OF, past or present -- felt that the code was being violated on a show that could get *cough* pretty raunchy by NZ television standards. (I don't know about anyone else, but Shane Cortese seems to spend half his screen-time this series with his head between Antonia Prebble's legs.)

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

  • Sue,

    Maybe they are planning nudity in the hobbit prequels, maybe prequel 2 will explore sam and frodo's early relationship.

    ;)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    Thank god for someone finally mentioning Global Rule One which is actually the core of this whole thing: how the way that rule would work in NZ Employment Law has been represented to the FIA by the MEAA, and how it has been represented by Actor's Equity to their own members.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Thank god for someone finally mentioning Global Rule One which is actually the core of this whole thing.

    Thanks to Kyle for emailing me the paper I quoted from.

    I'd have quoted it more extensively, but it's a scan of a paper document.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    And now read this, and tell me what's wrong with what's being said in terms of the statement 'this is not a boycott'.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Transcript-Jennifer-Ward-Lealand--Craig-Parker/tabid/1348/articleID/179336/Default.aspx

    (PS: here is 'global rule 1'

    “No member shall work as a performer or make an agreement to work as a performer for any producer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement with the Guild which is in full force and effect.” - from the SAG Constitution

    http://www.sag.org/content/global-rule-one

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Bennett,

    As I've posted before, actors' contracts on OF were in line with Pink Book guidelines. This includes the 'nudity clause'. Which was adhered to throughout all six series.

    I directed many episodes of OF (and was an Executive Producer). Sex scenes were always dealt with as a process of rehearsal and negotiation. Actors were not asked to do anything they felt uncomfortable about. On the rare occasions where an actor was uncomfortable, the scripted action was changed. In rehearsals, I always discussed with the actors what the shots would be, and considered it a matter of the strongest professional ethics to adhere to this promise.

    If any actor was unhappy with the way any nudity/sex scenes on OF were handled, I'd love to hear about it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 174 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming,

    Is the Pink Book online, Simon? I've never read it.

    Edit: forget I asked. I found it

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    How sustainable is the big budget film industry in NZ?

    There will always be cheaper locations snapping at our heels, and with Jackson the only player, what happens when he retires, dies or loses his mojo?

    Is the Wellington economy going to be devastated by the loss of a 3 billion a year (or whatever the trickle down econofantasy number is meant to be?) industry?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Bennett,

    I don't know if it is - I've always worked form a hard copy. I'm sure SPADA or any of the actors' agents would be able to provide you with a copy.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 174 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming,

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Actually Sue's answered my question. NZ can become the San Fernando valley of slash fic movies.

    All we need is our copyright law adjusted to allow such shenanigans, and we're home free.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Lyndon Hood,

    I did have the hazy impression that the MEAA was thinking of a closed shop.

    But the 'rule one' slot in my head has been permanently occupied by "Do not act incautiously when confronting a little bald wrinkly smiling man".

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1115 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    Yet More Hobbit

    Be careful. If not physically addictive, this stuff is highly hobbit-forming.

    Shane Cortese seems to spend half his screen-time this series with his head between Antonia Prebble's legs

    And remember, goblin your food is bad for your elf.

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

  • Ian MacKay,

    Does this mean that Peter Jackson's "tirade" against the Aussie Union might well have been well founded?

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    Yet More Hobbit
    Be careful. If not physically addictive, this stuff is highly hobbit-forming.
    Shane Cortese seems to spend half his screen-time this series with his head between Antonia Prebble's legs
    And remember, goblin your food is bad for your elf.

    *applauds*

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    People might find this interesting. In 2008, the MEAA's Simon Whipp lobbied against the George Miller-directed film Justice League Mortal getting a tax break to be made in Australia:

    The director of the equity section of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Simon Whipp, has lobbied against Justice League Mortal's eligibility, describing it as an American story that will be performed in American accents.

    "For the public, both in Australia and outside of Australia, it will be seen as an American film," he said. "I have tremendous respect for George and his work, which has been some of the most successful films that we have ever produced. But the studio I think in this instance is seeking to push the limits of the envelope."

    Miller, an Australian responded thus:

    Miller said he had "utter creative control" over Justice League and plans to appeal against the decision. "It feels to me like I'm not fighting for this film. I'm fighting for the Australian film industry."

    The Australian-born director said the industry needed movie franchises, even if they were not identifiably Australian, to boost production, improve skills and draw talent back from overseas.

    "New Zealand built up their franchises through Hercules and Xena into Lord of the Rings," he said. "Now they're doing three Tintin films, two more Hobbit films and Halo. They've got work for 15 years in that country."

    It's almost as if someone wanted to put a stop to all that ...

    Seriously, if anyone knows actors who are behind the MEAA action, could you ask them to read this?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Neil Morrison,

    so nudity's covered by a Pink Book

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Does this mean that Peter Jackson's "tirade" against the Aussie Union might well have been well founded?

    I live and work in a highly unionised industry in Australia, all I'm going to say is that I think it's to everyone's advantage that Kelly and Conway from the NZCTU are involved. IR in Australia is far far more combative, on both parts I should add.

    Russell, I've also wondered if there's not an ulterior motive. Guess we should be pleased that John O'Neill's not involved.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Jacqui Dunn,

    "It's almost as if someone wanted to put a stop to all that ..."

    If it's the choice between a conspiracy and a cock-up....I know which one I would choose, but that's because I believe people are basically good.

    That this whole thing has stirred up so much phlegm may be just what the industry needs - toughen up, get focussed, get organized and get on with doing what you do best. And that goes for all facets of it.

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

  • SteveH,

    And now read this, and tell me what's wrong with what's being said in terms of the statement 'this is not a boycott'.

    The SAG advisory states:

    The makers of feature film The Hobbit – to be shot in New Zealand next year – have refused to engage performers on union-negotiated agreements.

    Members of Canadian Actors Equity, US Actors Equity, the Screen Actors Guild, UK Actors Equity, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (Australia) and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists are advised not to accept work on this non-union production.

    If you are contacted to be engaged on The Hobbit please notify your union immediately.

    It doesn't matter how many times JW-L claims it isn't a boycott, the SAG have made it one.

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    So then the question becomes: have they been telling their own members it's not a boycott as well?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    It's almost as if someone wanted to put a stop to all that ...

    If a third Fantastic Four movie every gets off the ground, they should bring it to Australia and cast Whipp as Galactacus, Devourer-of-Worlds! WTF is this man on, and why hasn't someone cut him off?

    If it's the choice between a conspiracy and a cock-up....I know which one I would choose, but that's because I believe people are basically good.

    I'd like to think that too, but film industry workers can't afford good intentions and toxic levels of naivety from their representatives? Especially when it seems they're being used as pawns across the ditch.

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

  • Neil Morrison,

    i think the US film unions have been quite upfront about what they want.

    The way unions and studios operate might sort of work in Hollywood but it would not work here. It's too small an industry.

    Since Nov 2006 • 932 posts Report Reply

  • SteveH,

    So then the question becomes, are they telling their members it's not a boycott as well?

    From that interview JW-L claims the NZAE advice to their members is "don't sign anything until we've met with the producers". She's not saying what the position will be if the meeting doesn't go the way NZAE want. But many foreign unions are saying "don't sign anything until we get a collective agreement" (see the MEAA factsheet), so I don't imagine NZAE members will be advised to sign unless NZAE get what they want. Whatever they are calling it, it is in effect a boycott.

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    I expect there's actually quite a few actors outside of NZ who'd jump at the chance to work on The Hobbit and won't give a shit about SAG's boycott. I wouldn't shed a tear if there isn't one single American accent in the entire movie.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

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