Kiwi actors ready to role-play

At least half the 75 main character roles in the two Hobbit movies could go to overseas actors.

Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show Sir Peter Jackson's production company has permission to bring in 40 internationals for speaking parts.

Shooting on the two-year project begins in Wellington tomorrow week.

The Sunday Star-Times understands only 33 of the main roles - defined as those with any dialogue - have been assigned so far, with 16 spots going to Kiwis. Britain's Martin Freeman will play The Hobbit's hero Bilbo Baggins, and big- name stars Sir Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett are back to play Gandalf and Galadriel, respectively. Local actors on the project include Mark Hadlow and Jed Brophy.

Jackson's production company 3Foot7 applied to the Department of Labour for "approval in principle" for work visas for 40 overseas actors in November after a highly public dispute with Actors Equity, which recommended its members boycott the movies.

The boycott was withdrawn a week before the films' American backers, Warner Bros, travelled here to meet Prime Minister John Key, who promised government support, including tax breaks and employment law changes.

Documentation shows Actors Equity subsequently objected to the approval in principle - granted on the same day a call for comments from the union closed. An $8400 processing fee was also waived.

"Equity is astounded that a request for 40 roles has been made at all, and in particular, made without any evidence whatsover which would go to proving that New Zealand performers are not available for these roles," the union said in its submission to the Labour Department.

"The production company has not supplied Equity with documentation by which we can assess whether they have made any effort whatsoever to engage local performers for these 40 roles, and so satisfy immigration policy."

Actors Equity said at the time of the application, immigration policy stated companies had to provide "adequate evidence" that the applicant was of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or essential to the production; and that "appropriate consideration" had been given to employing available locals, and that no local jobs were at risk, unless wider benefits outweighed the loss of job opportunities.

Work and Income comment was sought on the approval. An email released to the Star-Times shows it supported the application, saying a search of its database, "confirmed that we have 103 people registered nationally that indicate they are seeking employment as actors. Twelve have indicated they have in excess of five years' experience in the industry".

Graham Dunster, Auckland- based actor's agent, said last week he didn't think it would be difficult to find 40 - or 75 - good actors in New Zealand.

"The more this sort of thing happens, the more actors have little choice but to leave New Zealand and work overseas or simply give up being an actor."

Frances Walsh, Actors Equity industrial organiser, said the union estimated up to 95% of the country's performers were out of work at any given time. "It's high skill and high unemployment terrain." However, she said few would be on the dole.

In the 2006 census, 588 people identified themselves as performers. At the height of The Hobbit dispute, Actors Equity had 625 members.

The Star-Times understands around 600 auditions - some of them involving one actor going for multiple roles - were conducted locally, and New Zealanders were considered for all lead roles that were not reprisals of those established in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In addition, an estimated 20,000 work days for local extras, stand-ins and doubles, would be generated by The Hobbit movies.

Casting sessions were conducted in London, Los Angeles, New York, Australia and New Zealand.

- Sunday Star Times http://www.stuff.co.nz

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