Latest CNNGo.com "Say What? with mrbrown" column: mrbrown on a finding-Fuji fail in Japan
Excerpt:
This is a very heady week for our region. First, the Singapore Exchange (SGX) wants to merge with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).Then "The Hobbit" almost left New Zealand for greener shores. And then Singapore and Malaysia may have a high-speed maglev train from KL to Singapore.
Well, "The Hobbit," it seems, was the easiest to resolve. Once Warner Bros. got the NZ government to sort out the unions and sweeten the deal with some tax rebates and US$10 million dollars of marketing funds, it looks like "The Hobbit" will be made in New Zealand after all.
I am glad that is the case. I mean, New Zealand IS the land of the hobbits in my mind now.
When I think of New Zealand, I don't just think of sheep, cows and wide open spaces with long stretches of road lined with sheep and cows. No! I think of Mordor and the Shire and Minas Tirith.
They wanted to move it to the UK, for goodness' sake. That's just daft. How many digital effects do you think they will need to replicate any of New Zealand's natural scenery?
Sure they may have better internet connectivity in the UK, but NZ is Middle Earth personified! (cont'd)
