Bears in Woodhill Forest

BY CARALISE MOORE

If you go out in the woods today you could be in for a big surprise.

You might stumble across the set of Hanna-Barbera’s big-budget film version of the cartoon Yogi Bear in Woodhill Forest.

For the next few weeks more than 200 cast and crew will be camped in Woodhill.

Location media co-ordinator Ernie Malik says Woodhill is perfect for Yogi’s home.

"Scouts checked out the possible sets in the South Island first, but costs add up sending crew around the country, and Woodhill is a great location near Auckland city," he says. "It’s perfect for what we were looking for."

The plot follows the story of
Jellystone Park, threatened with closure because it has lost business. Mayor Brown wants to sell the land, which means families will no longer be able to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors. Yogi and pal Boo-Boo face being tossed out of the only home they’ve ever known.

Yogi must prove that he really is "smarter than the average bear" as he and Boo-Boo join forces with ranger Smith to find a way to save the park.

The film crew includes director Eric Brevig from Journey to the Center of the Earth and Total Recall, producer Donald De Line of I Love You Man and Body of Lies, and Karen Rosefelt from Twilight and New Moon.

Actors include Anna Faris from House Bunny, starring as a documentary filmmaker, Tom Cavanagh from TV’s Ed and the film How to Eat Fried Worms as ranger Smith, and Andrew Daly from The Informant as mayor Brown.

It also features the voices of Dan Aykroyd from Ghost Busters and Justin Timberlake, as Yogi and Boo-Boo respectively.

Most of the crew working on the film are from New Zealand, and in true Hollywood fashion the production is a logistical challenge with multiple sets, high-flying technology and Auckland’s tricky four-seasons-in-one-day weather living up to its reputation.

"The shooting for this kind of film usually takes around 12 weeks," says Mr Malik. "Production started in November where we spent two and a half weeks down south filming on locations in Taupo, and the rest at Woodhill and Auckland. The crew are expected to wrap up in April."

One main set in the film is ranger Smith’s cabin, in a secluded part of Woodhill Forest.

"It was built as a proper cabin just for the location – it’s not just a prop," says Mr Malik. "Someone was so keen to scoop the cabin up they have already bought it and will relocate it once we have finished filming.

"We also had an archway made of the Welcome to Jellystone sign. It’s just off a biking trail – we have that covered up. There are a lot of scenes we have used to film just off side roads in the forest."

New Zealand’s range of environments available for filming make it a prime location for international producers.

"For Yogi, producers chose the release date then backed the dates from then, estimating the time needed for visual effects, shooting – they worked out we had a year to complete it," says Mr Malik.

"Where can we shoot in a forest during summer? We needed a place in the Southern Hemisphere, which left us with the option of South Africa, South America, or Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand has some of the biggest pine forests, behind Canada, to film in.

"The New Zealand government also has a good tax incentive to film here and director Eric has worked in New Zealand before – which helps."

Yogi Bear will be in 3D. More than 30 3D films are set to be released in the next two years.

"We have some crew who worked on Avatar using the same equipment for that film on this one," says Mr Malik.

"The 3D fad started in the 1950s, then fell out of vogue. It became popular again in the 1980s, and out again.

"I’m not sure why it is taking off again, but the technology to do it is totally different to how it used to be – it’s changed like night and day.

"That type of technique only suits certain genres of film," says Mr Malik.

"It’s good for horror, action and animation.

"About six months ago the producers decided to go 3D for this film."

Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo will be animated characters.

"It is filmed just as if it was in the real world, and the animation of Yogi and Boo-Boo will be added after," he says.

Yogi Bear will be released in New Zealand cinemas on Boxing Day.

Many of those involved at Wood-hill are from Rodney and the work is expected to bring considerable benefit to the district.

- © Fairfax NZ News