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World video travel guide
News • New Zealand • 2011-03-18
Camera, action ... Queenstown filming location
Already considered the tourism jewel of New Zealand’s South Island - Queenstown has now been crowned top spot for television commercials with a bumper number of big-budget shoots in the region this year.
Since the beginning of 2011, 34 major commercials have been filmed in the Central Otago and Southern Lakes region, with large international companies using the dramatic scenery to promote their luxury and high profile products.
Porsche and Audi cars, popular beers, international wines and soft drink companies have all contributed to the millions of dollars injected into the local economy through a blossoming film industry.
Queenstown on film
Queenstown’s contrasting terrain - snow capped mountains, deep clear water lakes, rugged hills and vast plains - as well as four distinct seasons, clear air and unique light, all contribute to the region’s worldwide reputation as a filming Mecca.
The increase in the number of international commercials has been matched by more big-budget films and Queenstown has built a strong support network for the film industry.
Film Otago Southland executive manager K J (Kevin) Jennings said film projects brought up to NZ$37 million into the Otago - Southland region lin 2010.
And he says big-budget TV commercials shot in the Queenstown region are the "bread and butter" of the industry.
Industry "pumping"
Although not able to reveal individual budgets or details because of confidentiality, Jennings confirmed 34 commercials had been shot in the Queenstown region this year.
"We're absolutely pumping, and this has been the best start to a new year in a long time," Jennings said.
TV commercials brought in a lot of money, which stayed in the region, and the reach of the industry went well beyond the film sector itself, he said.
Making the 34 TV ads had taken 150 shooting days meaning more than two commercials were being shot on any given day this year.
Luxury cars
It is believed that the commercials shot in Queenstown included TVCs for luxury car companies Audi and Porsche and another for international beer giant, Heineken.
A big-budget commercial for Carlsberg beer was also shot at various locations, including the Snow Farm in Cardrona Valley, in February. Snow Farm, 55km from Queenstown and 35km from Wanaka, is New Zealand’s main cross-country skiing destination and part of the popular Cardrona ski area.
A commercial was also shot in the Queenstown area for popular US soft drink Mountain Dew and featured base-jumping in Glenorchy - a small settlement at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu.
Glenorchy
Historic Glenorchy, 40km from Queenstown, is described as an outdoor enthusiasts’ paradise.
As well as base jumping, which provides an adrenalin-fuelled bird’s eye view of the dramatic jagged mountains and glassy lake scenery that featured in the Lord of the Rings saga, Glenorchy is a popular destination for tourists wanting to relax in luxurious surroundings.
Five-star lodges like Matakauri and award-winning Blanket Bay - which rates amongst the best in the world - attract visitors purely for the location, but others come to walk, hike, cycle, sky-dive, jet-boat, bungy-jump, play golf and enjoy the region’s legendary wine and food.
Gibbston Valley
Great Wall Wines, a Chinese wine company, recently shot a commercial which featured international models cavorting through a Gibbston Valley winery.
The valley, at the heart of the Queenstown Lakes District, is known as the "Valley of Vines" and is home to numerous award-winning wine producers.
With shale soils in a narrow valley enclosed by mountains, Gibbston is the coolest and highest of Central Otago’s winegrowing regions and about 250 hectares of vines thrive on the sloping, north-facing land.
As well as wineries and restaurants, Gibbston Valley is also a popular destination for adventure and recreation including fly-fishing, mountain-biking, horse-riding, hiking, hunting and golf.
The original A J Hackett Bungy Jump is situated at Kawarau Gorge and the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown is also nearby.
Queenstown film industry
The Queenstown region’s attributes have inspired drama, adventure, romance and many emotive experiences that have been captured on film and screened worldwide.
America’s reality TV show The Bachelor shot a romantic episode in Queenstown which was seen by an audience of 14 million and inspired star Jason Mesnick to return and propose to partner Molly Malaney.
The Bollywood movie I hate Luv Storys - a romantic comedy featuring Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor - was also shot in Queenstown and became one of India’s top grossing movies of all time on opening day
The movie showcased Queenstown to a potential audience of 150 million and was invaluable for local tourism and the economy, said Destination Queenstown chief executive Tony Everitt.
K J Jennings says shooting international television commercials and large-budget films has helped build a legacy of expertise in Queenstown.
The TV commercial industry supports about 120 film freelancers in the Wakatipu district and Queenstown's talent agencies and catering companies, which provided actors, models and on-set meals, had been built around the industry.
Films like 10,000 BC, Lord of the Rings, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Vertical Limit and most recently, Prince Caspian were testament to the area's scenic potential, said Jennings.
Greening the screen
In order to protect the region’s pristine environment, which is the key appeal of shooting international movies and commercials, the Queenstown Lakes District Council, in association with Film Queenstown, has launched a Green Screen Guide and Directory.
Jennings says it is an insurance policy, tailor-made for the region and reflects the national industry’s highly regarded, cutting edge ‘green screen’ philosophy.
"The key appeal of shooting international movies in our region is the pristine environment. The council has now produced a first class insurance policy to keep it that way and the film industry is right behind that move," he said.
The initiative was successfully trialled in the region when producers of the movie Wolverine, filmed in and around Queenstown, volunteered to participate.
The production made 670 tonnes of waste, 615 tonnes (92%) of which was diverted from the landfill, saving the film company an estimated NZ$55,000.
Background: Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown’s snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lake and crisp dry climate provide a classic alpine setting for winter and summer holidays.
With some of New Zealand’s best ski areas on the doorstep, and lots of bars, restaurants and boutique shopping in town, Queenstown is a snow-lovers paradise.
Snowfields open from early June, and a good season runs well into October. The Southern Lakes region has a stable climate and southern ski fields rarely close due to bad weather.
The ski fields offer a range of terrain suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Queenstown, the birthplace of the bungy, is known as New Zealand’s adventure capital. Year-round thrill seekers have a wide choice of activities from bungy to jet-boating, zip-trekking through forests and swinging across canyons, and water sports on the lake and rivers.
Other recreation choices include top international golf courses, award-winning vineyards, walking tracks, luxury spas, shops, galleries, bars and restaurants.
