Why showbiz keeps f locking to Thames
Unique locations, historic buildings and friendly crowds have put the historic Waikato town of Thames firmly on the books for film-makers.
In August, Netflix released its first New Zealand-based film, Falling Inn Love, which was shot in Thames, drawing singing star turned actress Christina Milian.
In August last year, Kiwi writer-director Tim van Dammen’s hit time-travel comedy Mega Time Squad opened to rave reviews in the United States.
Van Dammen, who was working at Thames Pak ’n Save while he wrote the film, told Stuff he set the movie in Thames because that’s where he grew up.
‘‘I think there’s something about the place – the small community and being surrounded by the mountain range. I think it’s an interesting community,’’ he said.
This week, filming for The Justice of Bunny King wrapped up in the Coromandel Peninsula town, starring up-and-coming New Zealand actor Thomasin McKenzie fresh from her star performance in Taika Waititi’s award-winning Jojo Rabbit.
Thames has been a backdrop for movies as far back as the early 1980s, when American filmmaker Sam Pillsbury’s adaptation of Ronald Hugh Morrieson’s 1963 novel, The Scarecrow, featured Thames’ main street.
Jean director Rob Sarkies said Thames’ appeal was in its unspoilt history and supportive community.
Set in the 1930s, Jean is the story of Kiwi-born aviator Jean Batten, who become the first person to fly solo from England to New Zealand.
‘‘There’s a huge advantage to some of these smaller places because they haven’t been visually destroyed, there’s a friendliness to the community, they welcome film-makers and that just makes your job so much easier . . . and there are a lot of creative people in Thames,’’ he said.
Film-making infrastructure wasn’t always important when it came to production, ‘‘you’re never going to compete with the studios in West Auckland or Wellington,’’ he said.
But small towns offered interesting locations and enthusiastic locals willing to get involved as extras and supply accommodation for crew.
‘‘Film-making really is a travelling circus, literally. We turn up in our trucks and we put up our tents and we basically bring everything with us,’’ Sarkies said.
‘‘It’s funny because, in the end, it’s not city councils or film offices that determine where stuff gets made, it comes down to the attitude of the people. And great coffee, that’s very important, and Thames has got that.’’
Bella Pacific Media’s Kirsty Griffin is originally from Thames, moving back to her hometown with film-maker Viv Kernick in 2012, after working in the film industry in Auckland for 30 years and living in New York for a year.
Their successful House of Champions documentary follows three Thames flatmates who train for the New Zealand Special Olympics National Summer Games.
They’re back in Thames (and the Chatham Islands) for their next project, a short documentary about a Hauraki weaver, who travels to the Chathams for weka feathers.
Co-director and producer Griffin said the town’s historic buildings and proximity to Auckland made Thames an attractive option.
Award-winning cinematographer Ginny Loane just wrapped The Justice of Bunny King in Thames, an independent movie about a sharp-tongued windscreen washer who is constantly letting her mouth get her into trouble.
Loane, who lives in the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames, said the town was ideal for small-budget productions.
‘‘There are many different budgets in film making, there are Netflix budgets or Avatar budgets that are huge . . .
‘‘And then there’s the film that I’ve just been on, an independent New Zealand little feature, with a great story and great actors who are drawn to the script but there’s hardly any money,’’ she said.
‘‘So what we have to do is get extras together and make a donation to the operatic society or the drama society, and you have to have people willing and up for it for a bit of fun.’’
And that’s when Thames comes into its own.