You oughta be in pictures - moviemaking in New Zealand

You Oughta Be In Pictures - Moviemaking in New Zealand

With its amazing scenery, beautiful weather and wonderfully welcoming people, it's no wonder that New Zealand has become a mecca for moviemakers.  There are snow-capped mountains and green lush valleys.  Volcanic lakes and fjords created by glaciers!

You can go skiing and surfing on the same day and all on an affordable budget!  For years movie makers have made us think that the beautiful scenery was actually New Zealand was mythical fantasy lands.  The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was filmed entirely on location in New Zealand - did you see that movie?  It was breathtaking, super long , but breathtaking scenery!!  The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was also filmed in New Zealand.  A country that looks so much like a fantasy land that you feel like you are on a movie set?  I really want to go there- maybe I can get a part in the Hobbit :)  Another movie that was filmed in New Zealand and is actually ABOUT New Zealand is Whale Rider , about a Maori tribe whose chief is ailing and the apparent heir has no interest.  The Chief's granddaughter must fight for the right to rule her people.  A wonderful, empowering movie with a great message for young girls but it is rated PG-13 so I probably won't be showing most of it to my kids, but I've got it on Netflix ready to go. * 9/9/12 I just watched Whale Rider and don't want to recommend it for very young kids - some emotional scenes.  I cried a few times but it was a beautiful movie and knowing what I've learned about the Maori really helped me get more out of it!  I didn't mean for this post to turn into a movie review or an ad for Lord of the Rings,  I just was struck by how diverse the landscapes of New Zealand is.  I hadn't really thought of it as much, I figured it was probably just like Australia, a place I was lucky enough to visit as a child.  But New Zealand has really struck me as a special kind of place - so calm and naturally beautiful.  The native animals so unique and interesting.   I just want to burst into Louis Armstrong singing "What a Wonderful World"....and with that thought I'm going to leave you with few pics of beautiful New Zealand....

                           Beautiful, isn't it?