Yogi Bear stars explore New Zealand
13 Jan 2010
Cast and crew of the 3D Yogi Bear movie currently being filmed in New Zealand say they’re glad to be in the country and are enjoying sightseeing during their downtime.
The big screen version of the 1960s cartoon features the voice of Ghostbusters star Dan Ackroyd as Yogi - "smarter than the average" - Bear, and Justin Timberlake as his little friend Booboo.
American actor and comedian Andrew Daly is the conniving Mayor Brown who tries to close down Yogi’s home, Jellystone Park.
Daly, who met Auckland’s real-life mayor John Banks during filming this week, says he’s done a lot of sightseeing during his time off.
Rotorua and Taupo
"We shot for a while in Taupo, which is near Rotorua, so I've seen those two cities and other unpronounceable places, and really had a terrific time," he said.
Mastering the Kiwi accent and local lingo was a bit hit and miss, but Daly says he’s been working on it and trying.
Director Eric Brevig says the cast and crew are glad to be in New Zealand.
"Of the English-speaking countries that are available, we discussed several of them. We scouted New Zealand and it offered everything we were looking for," said Brevig.
Multi-million dollar movie
More than 200 cast and crew are involved in the production, and apart from the main cast all are New Zealanders.
Yogi Bear is the latest in a string of multi-million dollar movies to be made in the country and with the film likely to bring between NZ$40 to 50 million to the Auckland region, it was big business and totally worth any disruption, said Mayor Banks.
Auckland City Council had blocked off sections of road and find alternative parking for residents during filming this week, while Mayor Banks gave up his offices and allowed the crew to take over Auckland Town Hall.
"We’re going for it because it’s about keeping Auckland talent in Auckland and not shifting them to Los Angeles," said Mayor Banks.
"We are hoping to out-gun Melbourne and Sydney as film locations."
Simple permit
Yogi Bear is the first 3D film to be made in Auckland, and Mayor Banks said he was now keen to take on Wellington as the film-making capital of New Zealand.
The Auckland City Council has introduced a film-friendly policy meaning film-makers need only a simple permit instead of resource consent.
The Yogi crew have now packed their picnic baskets and headed for Woodhill Forest in West Auckland for the next stage of filming.
The Woodhill area, a short drive from Auckland city, is popular with walkers and mountain bikers. It will appear on screen as Jellystone Park.
3D films are making a mark on the industry with more than 30 set to be released in New Zealand in the next year. Yogi Bear is due to hit the big screen next December.
More information:
Spotlight on NZ film industry
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