Scouting for somewhere that could be anywhere

The perfect film location is unique, easily accessible and looks ‘‘like it could be anywhere’’, says a Hollywood location scout. And Marlborough has it all.

Long-time location scout Jared Connon has been in Marlborough for two weeks sniffing out and photographing potential filming locations.

His images will be sent to Marlborough’s new film office, based at Screen Wellington, and be used to promote the region as a budding film destination.

Connon helped select much of Middle Earth for Sir Peter Jackson’s Tolkien narratives, including the Pelorus Bridge, on State Highway 6, west of Havelock.

The Auckland-born film guru, who now lives in Wellington, voiced his thoughts on the region at the Marlborough District Council last Thursday.

Connon said he was ‘‘really surprised’’ by his recent scout in Marlborough, as the region was ‘‘a lot more diverse than what people gave it credit for’’.

‘‘People are going to come here for your assets. They’re not going to come here for great pine forest, as they can go anywhere to get those,’’ he said. ‘‘They will come here for the Marlborough Sounds, as that’s something that’s nowhere else in the country.

‘‘Marlborough’s got that feel of North America. The forest is amazing, and it’s that short distance from the mountain and flats that’s quite unique as well.

‘‘Some of the valleys here are the best I’ve seen in the country, and you can drive all the way up there. If I can drive there and get there quickly, then it speaks volumes to the film community that it’s a good movie set as well.’’

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