Chris Henry: 818 Publicity Managing Director on Wellington potentially hosting the premiere of an Avatar movie

Wellington's seen as the ideal place to host a major movie premiere. 

That's due to a decade-old agreement between the producers of the Avatar franchise and the Government, given the amount of taxpayers' money that's been contributed.  

In return, the producers agreed to roll out a red carpet in New Zealand for at least one of the three movies. 

818 Publicity Managing Director Chris Henry told Ryan Bridge Wellington has a wonderful film culture. 

He says the capital is also home to the films' director James Cameron, and a number of stars. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now Avatar. The new movie Avatar of Fire and Ash,

(00:04):
releases in December this year. Have a listen.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
The blood will still find you wash people a lot
like us.

Speaker 1 (00:15):
They bring ruin. They've turned away from Awa, but maybe
not all is lost. It once bright war.

Speaker 2 (00:25):
Now I want to start it.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
One of the three Avatar movies that have been produced locally,
must have a red carpet, and Wellington at the studio
wishes to receive their final payment from the film's rebate scheme. Now,
Nicola Willis says, Wellington, she says. December. Chris Henry, managing
director at eight one eight Publicity with us this morning. Chris,
good morning, Good morning, Ryan.

Speaker 2 (00:48):
How are you good?

Speaker 1 (00:49):
Thank you? Now do you remember the Lord of the
Rings and Wellington back in the day? It was incredible.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Oh, a couple of strapping young men hopping on the
train from Paparum into Wellington, thousand people. It was quite special,
wasn't that?

Speaker 1 (01:02):
It really was? So do you think they'll do another
one here at Do you think they'll do the Avatar
one in Wellington?

Speaker 2 (01:08):
I would really hope. So, I mean, well, it is
a fantastic place to hold a film premiere. It's got
thought a wonderful film culture, and it's also the home
of the film's director and lots of the stars. They
always run out the red carpet and it would be
a fantastic way to premier the film. For sure.

Speaker 1 (01:23):
You mix and mingle with all of the celebs and
you know a lot of hob nubbing in your business, Chris,
would we get some decent talent here? You know with
the big overseas stars, do they do that? Do they
come to places like New Zealand still for the for
the premiers and the openings and things.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Oh? Absolutely. The people that have been involved in the film,
the actors that have been in the film, they would
have had an incredible experience living and working in Wellington
and the chance to come back and experience that again
in this environment, I think we'll be really appealing to them. Also,
so well known for our wonderful hospitality, that beautiful place
late these and Wellington in the summer I think would

(02:02):
be a prime location for it and deferently something that
would be encouraging to see to come back down.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
Jeff Wellington more than anyone. When we just need to
pray that the pipes don't versed. While it's happening. That's
soundly problem. Hey, hey Christmas, before you go, how long
would you need to actually plan something like this, Oh.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
You would need a wee while, But you're amazed. You'd
be amazed about how the key ingenuity can can move
itself together quite quickly. I'd imagine that that the wheels
would be in motion, you know, in the coming months,
but it would take a good few months to get
it already.

Speaker 1 (02:33):
Chris, appreciate your time. Chris Henry Managing director at eight
one eight Publicity. They do all of the big stuff.
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