Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Anatomy of a Shambles

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  • Russell Brown,

    New fact, from someone in a very good position to know.

    When This Is Not My Life was beginning casting, the production got a letter from NZAE/MEAA saying they had been instructed by cast members that they wanted to negotiate a collective agreement.

    Oddly, at that point, they didn't even have a cast to issue such an instruction.

    Later on, once shooting was underway, the union tried to get Charles Mesure blocked from working on it because he had been working in the States.

    That's nothing more than an attempt to put pressure on the production by preventing the lead actor from working. It's utterly destructive. And, like every other time, it failed horribly.

    You know, it's not hard to see why the production community doesn't like NZ Equity and its so-called strategy. It's just crazy.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    From Facebook thread with the video:

    Marc Tyron I tried telling that to the reporter who broke the story and he said to me "why would Robyn lie?"

    Oh hell. Stop digging, people, please.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    nm...

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Samuel Scott,

    meh. ok. comment deleted.

    South Wellington • Since Feb 2008 • 315 posts Report Reply

  • A S,

    The saddest bit is that whatever happens with the Hobbit, all sides have to work together again at some point, simply because the industry here is so small.

    Fingers crossed that when the dust settles, and despite all the acrimony things aren't irreparably damaged in what must be a very tight knit community.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2007 • 269 posts Report Reply

  • Alan Perrott,

    have we heard from anyone who was inside the Matterhorn?

    if Malcolm (assuming she was the source) was making shit up then she's a damn fool.

    and fair point on the Jackson comments...none of this nonsense reflects well on anyone.

    so, how about that SBW?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 438 posts Report Reply

  • FletcherB,

    So, watching that video, then, this:

    {edited for brevity- Article about Robyn Malcolm needing a police escort which may or may not be true}

    Would be false then?

    Actually.... watching that video (which mainly consisted of Mr Whipp and Ms Walsh walking down a street) would prove nothing about what did or didnt happen to Robyn Malcolm leaving the same place...

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan King,

    Actually.... watching that video (which mainly consisted of Mr Whipp and Ms Walsh walking down a street) would prove nothing about what did or didnt happen to Robyn Malcolm leaving the same place...

    Prove nothing? It proves they didn't have a police escort and -- with Robyn in frame much of the time -- shows no evidence of jostling. Indeed, she moves from behind Whipp at one point and steps closer to the camera, reaching out a hand to push the camera aside (the first I can see on camera of any physical interaction between the parties)..

    It does end with them walking away unaccosted.

    Since Sep 2010 • 185 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    umm, once again...no-one ever said there was a lynch mob. she was refering to the mood, and despite what that video shows, it may still have existed.

    Hey, Alan, I'm not calling you a cunt just saying you're in a cunt-y mood. Is that less offensive and troll-ish?

    And, FFS, do I actually have to man-splain what a lynch mob is? The "mood" the kind of folks who went out seeking to decorate their Christmas trees with dead niggers was, quite literally, murderous. Kelly knows that. You know that. I wish you'd stop being so damn cute, because it's moved beyond tiresome and is now offensively disingenuous.

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

  • FletcherB,

    with Robyn in frame much of the time

    I'm sorry, I didnt notice her, I just saw the main two.... if that is indeed correct, then I apologize. I'll go watch again...

    update- I've watched again, and she is indeed there. I'm sorry for calling your comment into question Jonathan King

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report Reply

  • SteveH,

    have we heard from anyone who was inside the Matterhorn?

    From the Stuff rewrite linked above:

    It is understood the technical workers approached Matterhorn staff and asked if they could approach the group and interview them.

    They were told they could do so outside and were warned against jostling or threatening the group.

    Matterhorn general manager Dylan Marychurch said nothing happened in the restaurant. "Apparently some people who had some influence over the decision were having dinner here and some others who were disgruntled about it turned up and that's about it."

    Since Sep 2009 • 444 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Later on, once shooting was underway, the union tried to get Charles Mesure blocked from working on it because he had been working in the States.

    Excuse me? Mesure shot TINML between stints on V, a union show and I presume did so with either a SAG card or a union-sanctioned waiver in his back pocket.

    Double irony points: Boycott supporter Karl Urban will be on movie screens everywhere next Thursday in Red; and he's probably going to walk straight off the set of Dredd into the next Star Trek flick. Guess he's never going to work in this town again...

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

  • Peter Cox,

    The story I've heard - which makes perfect sense - is that Robyn called the police from the inside of the Matterhorn to get an escort, because she was worried what might happen when they left.

    I guess they got bored waiting for the police and left anyway without them.

    Resulting story was created by some over-zealous news-journalist, as it the ways of journalists on occasion.

    But yeah, demonising the crew doesn't help things much. I doubt very much it's Robyn doing that though in all honesty (if that's what anyone's suggesting).

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    Bugger. I think I'm in love with Craig.

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • nzlemming,

    That won't end well...

    Waikanae • Since Nov 2006 • 2937 posts Report Reply

  • chris,

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report Reply

  • Petra,

    I guess they got bored waiting for the police and left anyway without them.

    If Robyn had called the police telling them that she feared for her and her companions' safety because a nasty crowd were waiting to lynch them, I don't think they would have had to wait too long.

    In the vid, she's sending txts - if she was that threatened wouldn't she keep her cell free to make a 111 call if necessary?


    I just don't buy it. Either the police came and decided there was no threat, or they were there and kept a low profile across the street or something, or they weren't called at all and someone is making stuff up. Have any of the media carrying the story called WGTN police to confirm?

    Rotorua • Since Mar 2007 • 317 posts Report Reply

  • Peter Cox,

    That won't end well...

    LOL

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 312 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Twatcocks like Trotter and "OirishBill" are not doing their cause any favours. Those who support strong unions have every reason to call out incompetence like this.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Those who support strong unions have every reason to call out incompetence like this.

    QFT

    Thank you for saying that.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Those who support strong unions have every reason to call out incompetence like this.

    You could argue that "those who support strong unions" have more reason to do so. After all, when your enemies are obligingly blowing off their toes one by one why stop the show?

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

  • Ross Mason,

    A recent conspiracy theory is that the country is due for some civil unrest - (1951, 1981, 2011?)

    So. We are waiting for the third strike and they're outta here.

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Sue,

    My pet new theory is MEAA are subsided by some European commission to kill productions in OZ and now NZ. Then for every killed production they get a percentage of the spend in europe

    to be honest it makes as much or as little sense as everyone elses theories :D


    however i don;t care about who said what now, i just want to be able to see Aidan Turner , martin freeman and the vicar of dibley's husband ambling down the streets of wellington.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 527 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan King,

    Chris Trotter rails against Peter Jackson:

    Men like Jackson demonstrate what the founder of sociology, Max Weber, called "charismatic leadership". At the heart of this, the most ancient form of leadership, is the concept of loyalty.

    For the charismatic leader the intense bond of personal fealty is all-important. Those who follow the charismatic leader do so because he has demonstrated extraordinary ability. He is a superior being, and that not only gives him the right to lead, but also imposes a moral obligation on all "lesser beings" to follow.

    The trade union is thus the mortal enemy of the charismatic leader ...

    And in doing so demonstrates the difference between a boss suitable to run, say, a shoe factory and boss suitable to be given HALF A BILLION dollars to make a movie. The trade union is the mortal enemy of the charismatic leader? OK, if you say so, Chris. But it takes a charismatic leader to make movies that big. Sorry. That's just the way it is. Don't like it, Chris et al, then get out of the movie business.

    Since Sep 2010 • 185 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Those who support strong unions have every reason to call out incompetence like this.

    And, Helen Kelly just said there could have been better communication from Actors Equity (on 3 news).

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

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