Posts Tagged ‘hobbit’

NZME is on a mission to change the Government

Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, February 7th, 2022 - 133 comments

NZME owned entities including the Herald and Newstalk ZB appear to be on a mission to change the Government.

The repeal of the Hobbit law

Written By: - Date published: 12:24 pm, October 29th, 2017 - 70 comments

Labour has indicated that as a priority it wishes to repeal the Hobbit law, a clumsy attempt in breach of International Law to prevent workers in the film industry from organising collectively and to divert attention from the fact that the National Government had been played by Warner Brothers.

Warner Bros – corporate welfare beneficiary

Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, September 9th, 2015 - 63 comments

Figures have been released showing that Warner Bros were paid NZ $191 million in tax rebates to create the Hobbit Trilogy.  The films were very profitable.  Why is corporate welfare for profitable activity tolerated?

All is not well in the VFX industry, Squires

Written By: - Date published: 9:57 am, June 18th, 2013 - 50 comments

Many praise Jackson and Weta for the work it brings to NZ. However, a recent US-focused survey by Scott Squires, shows how subsidies, like that for the Hobbit, plus lack of unionisation are contributing to increasing exploitation, income insecurity and competition among skilled VFX workers internationally. [Update: Squires’ response]

Two videos & a documentary

Written By: - Date published: 12:09 pm, April 25th, 2013 - 6 comments

A Jackson PR video promoting NZ scenery as a beautiful backdrop for the Hobbit & tourism; a Campbell Live video on a Dannevirke protest against Big Oil exploiting their area; an anti-fracking Canadian team filming in NZ.

Caption Contest

Written By: - Date published: 1:29 pm, February 27th, 2013 - 40 comments

Death threats and dud deals

Written By: - Date published: 9:10 am, October 29th, 2010 - 78 comments

Today we learn just how extreme some of the anti-union nutters in our country are, with news of death threats to unionists and actors involved in The Hobbit fiasco.  I hope we hear soon of a sustained police effort to track down the perpetrators.  Or are we as a country going to effectively condone these actions by ignoring them?

Campbell on Key’s sell out

Written By: - Date published: 3:39 pm, October 28th, 2010 - 21 comments

Scoop’s Gordon Campbell has written a long piece on the Hobbit settlement and its implications.  Key said that we couldn’t match the tax deals offered by other countries, but according to Campbell’s calculations that’s exactly what we have done. Campbell also has harsh words to say about Key’s “skill” as a negotiator, and advice about strengthening the film industry in NZ.

Win win for Key

Written By: - Date published: 7:18 am, October 26th, 2010 - 156 comments

Lucky John Key – he’s going to have a great week!  It’s hard to see how he can lose.  He’ll either be the man who single-handedly saved The Hobbit, or he’ll be handed a big stick to beat the evil unions with forever.  In reality, however, the decision to keep the movies here is probably already made.  Key’s ego will be just another tool used against him in negotiations as the studios go for the best deal they can get…

One of these things is not like the other XII

Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, October 3rd, 2010 - 28 comments

One of these things is not like the other, One of these things is not quite the same. Can you guess which one is not like the other, Can you tell me before I finish the game?

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