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	TROOPS DESERT TWO FILMS The conflict in East Timor has created a setback for director Peter Jackson, who had been hoping to cast the majority of 15,000 mounted extras from New Zealand's army, the British magazine Empire reports in its current issue. The magazine said that casting agents are combing the country for replacements. The story goes on to detail how Steven Spielberg's HBO WWII mini-series has also been negatively impacted. The Press out of New Zealand furnishes this story first published Wednesday, February 09, 2000. Jackson and his new Y-fronts WELLINGTON -- Movie director Peter Jackson has made a rare public appearance to promote new hi-tech facilities at a film studio in Lower Hutt. But he could not escape questions on progress in filming The Lord of the Rings. Jackson held the launch at the Film Studio, formerly the National Film Unit, which his company WingNut Films bought from Television New Zealand. Guests included Prime Minister Helen Clark, Speaker Jonathan Hunt, Hutt City Mayor John Terris, and film industry representatives, including director Vincent Ward. None of the film's stars, including Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, or Christopher Lee attended the launch. Jackson told guests he had a reason for not preparing a speech. "Spending all day with Gandalf telling Sauron the ring must be destroyed ... over and over again. My head's in a different space at the moment. "It's always very exciting, it's a very famous book. It's a privilege to be involved in Lord of the Rings. You wake up every morning and plan to do that (film the book). It's like a large military operation." He had recently been checking areas around Mount Ruapehu and confirmed it may be used as the location for Mordor -- a place in the novel which includes the volcano Mount Doom. "It's a strong possibility." At the heart of the hi-tech facility at The Film Unit is a machine called a Y-front telecine. The machine copies film on to a digital format for editing and special effects. --NZPA	EMAIL US     Back to ACBO   Aussie Cate Blanchett Online [ACBO] © 1999,2000 Lin, Dean, Lance. Heading design and layout by Lin. 800x600 screen size recommended. A proud Australian Site.