New Zealand Prime Minister Makes Sales Pitch to Hollywood

October 5, 2012, 12:52 pm

By MICHAEL CIEPLY

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - There was John Key, the prime minister of New Zealand, looking resolute and serious in a dark suit and tie on Thursday afternoon, as he addressed a small group of similarly dark-suited members of the media in front of the Sheraton Universal hotel.

“Domestic stuff,” Lesley Hamilton, Mr. Key's press attaché, explained of what turned out to be a session with representatives of New Zealand's Fourth Estate.

Mr. Key is no stranger here. After all, his country has played host to some of Hollywood's biggest productions, including the New Zealand director Peter Jackson's upcoming “Hobbit” films from Warner Brothers and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Thursday found him about hal f-way through a 48-hour whirlwind tour that was aimed at luring more film and television productions to New Zealand.

With the tie off, and the television on-he was watching cable news recaps of the presidential debate in his room-Mr. Key, in a brief interview, said he didn't know yet which, if any, of Hollywood's studios might next produce a movie blockbuster in New Zealand. But the next round of New Zealand production might come from another medium, he suggested.

“We're under-served in television,” said Mr. Key.

The hunt for more Hollywood-based shows to go with his Hollywood-based movies might not endear Mr. Key to the California-based unions. Only in the last few days did organized labor groups in Hollywood breathe a sigh of relief, as California's governor, Jerry Brown, approved a two-year extension of the state's film tax-credit. The relatively modest credit is meant to keep film work from going to places like, say, New Zealand.

But those who govern the film business were paying attention to Mr. Key on Wednesday night. By his count, as many as 40 people met at the home of Jon Landau-whose business partner, James Cameron, has bought a massive homestead in New Zealand-to have dinner and talk about the prospects down under. Guests included top executives like Jeff Robinov of Warner, Jim Gianopulos of Fox and Alan Horn of Disney.

Mr. Cameron spoke of New Zealand's virtues, as did Mr. Key. Mr. Jackson appeared (as he often does) via video.
But will the soiree-and Mr. Key's state visits this week to the Warner, Disney and Sony lots-bear fruit?

“It's too early to say,” said Mr. Key.