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December 05, 2004 - December 13, 2004

News for Dec. 13, 2004

Big Apple takes root in Lower Hutt

12/13/04, 3:40 pm EST - Xoanon

Start spreading the news – director Peter Jackson is recreating 1930s downtown New York, complete with Broadway, Times Square and Fifth Ave – in Lower Hutt. Building of the replica is nearing completion on vacant land in Seaview for important scenes in King Kong. Large numbers of extras dressed as 1930s New Yorkers, as well as many cars and other vehicles from the era, will be filmed on the set next month and in February. [More]

Kong Hits Auckland!

12/13/04, 3:32 pm EST - Xoanon

Richard writes: Auckland fans of PJ have long lamented that the Wellington director has never shot anything in Auckland - well no more. As has been widely reported by KiK,net, BPP (Big Primate Productions) are planning filming in Auckland's Civic Theatre and this week the telltale direction signs - green and white 'BPP' and pink 'LOC' (location) arrows - have sprung up in the central city. The ones I saw were leading to an empty lot on the the corner of Stanley St and Beach Rd, right at the junction of the port and below the University. [More]

News for Dec. 12, 2004

Tenacious D: Mock’n’rollers

12/12/04, 6:54 pm EST - Xoanon

Your average journalist gets off the phone from interviewing Jack Black and his partner in mock’n’roll, Kyle Gass, feeling paranoid. You’re unsure whether they were angry with you, they were being sarcastic, or you’re just an idiot who didn’t quite get it. Questions arise - are they like this all the time? Can anyone rock that hard? And how cool can a pair of chubby thespians with guitars be? [More]

Speaking of New York

12/12/04, 1:18 am EST - Xoanon

More Images from New York After being so impressed with PD68 I thought I'd head back to the New York set for a look... and it's fair to say construction is forging ahead! It's truly big and still growing, with the first four shots giving a wide view of the sprawling set. The first obvious addition is the train tracks running down the wide streets and many of the buildings are now part way through painting. From ground level I've taken several photos of the various facades, a couple of which look like theatres. Parts of the streets and sidewalks are now cobbled and paved and you'll also see near finished sections of brick wall - possibly for part of the set near the docks? Lots of photos in this update with so many interesting things to see! [More]

News for Dec. 10, 2004

Production Diary: Day 68

12/11/04, 12:54 am EST - Xoanon

Production Diary: Day 68

For those looking for information on New York...this is the PD for you! Not to be bogged down with filming in modern day New York City, Peter Jackson has created New York on one of the biggest sets ever seen. Hutt Valley is slowly turning into the Big Apple, complete with Broadway, Times Square, and Macy's! On top of that, the most detailed computer model of NYC has been created using cutting edge technology, and you have New York in New Zealand! This production diary blew me away! Take a look at the New York extras! Alan Lee working with PJ! Broadway..or 55th street...or it is Broadway? The digital Manhattan island! Ignatz...Ignatz? Amazing! [QT6 240x132px 10Mb] [QT4 320x176px 20Mb] [QT6 480x264px 25Mb] [Bit Torrents!]

Email us your questions and PJ may answer them in a future Production Diary!

Like what you see? Discuss it in our new Chat Room! [Click Here] Or the Message Boards? [Click Here]

News for Dec. 10, 2004

Jackson Unveils King Kong

12/10/04, 3:55 pm EST - Xoanon

King Kong director Peter Jackson took the wraps off some of the models and sketches he's using for the giant-ape movie and spoke passionately about his motivation for remaking the classic at the CineAsia movie convention in Bangkok, Thailand, Variety reported. "It's not a love story; it's a story about love," Jackson told the convention. Jackson is shooting King Kong at his studios in Wellington, New Zealand. [More]

News for Dec. 08, 2004

Production Diary: Day 66

12/08/04, 7:12 pm EST - Xoanon

Production Diary: Day 66

In what must be the fastest sequel to hit the public ever, Peter Jackson brings us 'Camera Production Diary 2'. Having seen how the footage is shot on the set, PJ takes things one step further and gives us the entire process from set to screening room. Be sure to check out the 'James Bond' firewire storage devices, PJ on the set of the Opera house! Colin Hanks and John Sumner footage, and more! [QT6 240x132px 13Mb] [QT4 320x176px 24Mb] [QT6 480x264px 30Mb] [Bit Torrents!]

Email us your questions and PJ may answer them in a future Production Diary!

Like what you see? Discuss it in our new Chat Room! [Click Here] Or the Message Boards? [Click Here]

Opera House & Venture Images!

12/08/04, 12:39 pm EST - Xoanon

Kong Opera House & Venture Images Gandalf writes: After 'KiKn' myself yesterday at not having a camera handy, I was able to return to town today (Wed) to find a similar scene at The Opera House. Extras in costume were again soaking up some sunshine on the balcony, with a row of production trucks and busy crew out the front. Old style outfits were clearly visible, while the guy in the second photo on the far left appeared to be in sailors clothes. I did manage to visit the Venture on Tuesday and found it looking mostly finished (and older) with more paint on the structures and masts, new black funnels and lifeboats (when compared to this photo from late October). On my return today (Wed) I found the Venture... gone! It set sail today, so I stuck around until it returned to the wharf in Evans Bay. The photos are all of Wellington Harbour, and in the second to last shot you can see the little boat that was shadowing the Venture as it sailed across the harbour and returned to the wharf. [More]

News for Dec. 07, 2004

Joe DeVito News

12/07/04, 9:23 pm EST - Xoanon

The Making of 'Kong of Skull Island' Joe DeVito writes: I will be at Philcon in Philadelphia this weekend Friday through Sunday. Brad Strickland will be there as well. I'll have a huge display of original art from the Kong book in the art show and a ton of other stuff in both painting and sculpture. Sunday at 10 AM in Salon H, we'll do a whole panel on the Kong book for a couple of hours.

Ingenious Jackson claims second spot

12/07/04, 8:40 pm EST - Xoanon

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is New Zealand's second most powerful person according to an inaugural power list that includes athletes and entertainers alongside politicians and businessmen. Jackson earned the ranking in the New Zealand Listener magazine's 2004 Power List for Return of the King's 11-Oscar sweep of this year's Academy Awards and the Rings film trilogy's impact on the country's culture and economy. [More]

More News on the Opera House Shoot

12/07/04, 8:37 pm EST - Xoanon

Gandalf writes: Filming has started at the Opera House here in town as reported recently in the media here and on the site here. I drove through town yesterday (Tuesday) and noticed several trucks parked out front, security present, but more interestingly - lots of extras in costume out on the balcony of the theatre in the sun. I didn't have time to grab some pics (curses!).

Sneak peek at King Kong extras

12/07/04, 8:31 pm EST - Xoanon

People in central Wellington’s Aro Park at lunchtime yesterday got a sneak peek at extras in 1930s costumes for Peter Jackson’s movie King Kong. The extras were taking a break on the balcony of the nearby 90-year-old Opera House, where director Jackson is shooting scenes for his $200 million film. [More]

Got Some Big Bucks?

12/07/04, 8:27 pm EST - Xoanon

Erik writes: I was clued into this auction on a prop forum that I am a member of and figured It might be nice to let him know. The auction is for the Witch Doctor's sceptre from the original King Kong. Bidding starts at $15,000.00 [More]

News for Dec. 05, 2004

Kong Article in Newsweek

12/05/04, 5:29 pm EST - Xoanon

Kong Article in Newsweek Last week Newsweek Magazine ran an article on Peter Jackson and King Kong. The article is very interesting, and the images are even more so! Take a look at what appears to be the first publicity stills from the movie! [More]

Ecran fantastique Talks Kong

12/05/04, 2:04 pm EST - Xoanon

The December issue of French movie magazine 'Ecran fantastique' featured this article on King Kong. [More]

The Daily Mail Talks Serkis/Kong

12/05/04, 1:52 pm EST - Xoanon

The December 3rd edition of the UK Daily Mail had this article about King Kong. [More]

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