Look To The Stars News: Peter Jackson

Neil Finn And The Hobbit Stir Up Interest For Charity

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Over 350,000 hits from all over the world have been recorded for a unique charity auction on Trademe.co.nz – which includes advice and studio time with Crowded House’s Neil Finn, an on-set visit with The Hobbit and Peter Jackson, immortalizing your face at Richard Taylor’s Weta Workshop plus a number of other brilliant personal experiences.

The hits on the Neil Finn experience alone are 200,000.

The Stars Come Out For Christmas charity auction aims to raise money for Sir Ray Avery’s charity Medicine Mondiale.

Visit The Hobbit For Charity

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Peter Jackson released the first trailer for The Hobbit this week, and now he is giving you the chance to visit the set of the movie in New Zealand to benefit charity.

The Stars Come Out Auction launched this week on Trademe.co.nz to raise funds for Sir Ray Avery’s charity Medicine Mondiale and will run until January 9th.

Also going under the hammer are the chance to record your songs with Crowded House founder Neil Finn and get your face immortalized by Hobbit effects wizards Weta Workshop.

Peter Jackson Helps West Memphis Three Receive Pardon

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson has brought one of the West Memphis Three inmates freed from prison after 18 years to New Zealand, to help him work on receiving a full pardon.

Damien Echols was one of three men convicted of killing three 8-year-old boys in Arkansas in 1993. He and the other two men – Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. – were released in August after pleading guilty to lesser charges. Echols was the only one of the three to face the death sentence.

“There are all sorts of emotive headlines about Damien Echols, killer, coming to New Zealand, but the reality is that Damien Echols is an innocent man who has spent 18 years incarcerated in a tiny cell,” Jackson said at a press conference. “He’s come here to work with us on a couple of things. We’re doing investigative work, we’re doing forensic work with the purpose of getting a complete pardon.”

Stars Rejoice Over West Memphis Three Release

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder were in Arkansas in the weekend to support family and friends of the West Memphis Three, who were freed from prison after 18 years.

The pair have been vocal supporters of the West Memphis Three – Jason Baldwin, Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley Jr., three men charged with the murder of three 8-year-old boys in 1993 – for a number of years. A host of celebrities have been behind the release of the men, including Peter Jackson, Johnny Depp, Jack Black, Ben Harper and Patti Smith.

“Beautiful things went down in Arkansas today,” tweeted Maines. “Beautiful beautiful things… I’m sitting in a holding room at the courthouse about to see three men walk free!”

Celebrity Charity Cricket Raises $500,000 For Earthquake Victims

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The celebrity charity cricket game held at Wellington’s Basin Reserve in New Zealand yesterday has raised NZ$500,000 for victims of last month’s devastating earthquake in Christchurch.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key took part in the game against Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, New Zealand sporting heroes and a selection of hobbits.

Umpired by Martin Freeman and Mark Hadlow from Peter Jackson’s production of The Hobbit, as well as several All Blacks, the game saw teams “coached” by Russell Crowe and James Nesbitt go head-to-head in a friendly game to help those in need. Ian McKellen was also on hand to donate his time.

More Hobbits To Play Celebrity Charity Cricket In New Zealand

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:30:00 +0000

More stars from The Hobbit have been named to take part in this weekend’s celebrity charity cricket match in New Zealand to raise money for victims of the Christchurch earthquake.

Actor Martin Freeman – who will play Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s upcoming films – will umpire the game, along with Kiwi actor Mark Hadlow, who plays Dori the dwarf. Ian McKellen will be match referee. And British actor James Nesbitt – cast as Bofur – will go head-to-head with Russell Crowe as a coach of the two teams, which consist of New Zealand All Blacks and other sporting greats. Even Australian cricket legend Shane Warne is set to appear.

“We’ve been blown away by the level of interest and I’d be very surprised if it wasn’t a sellout,” said Gavin Larson, Wellington cricket boss. “The ground was recalibrated three years ago and the capacity is 8000, which I get the feeling we are going to reach a lot quicker than we thought.”

Peter Jackson Signs Lord Of The Rings Miniatures For Earthquake Auction

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Following Peter Jackson’s announcement that he will do everything he can to help victims of the recent earthquake in New Zealand, the Lord Of The Rings director’s special effects company, Weta, is auctioning some very special signed miniatures to raise money for the Red Cross.

Weta has listed three rare and autographed items on eBay to raise money for victims of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Christchurch last week, killing over 200 people. Going under the hammer is a Bag End Miniature Environment signed by Peter Jackson, a Prancing Pony Environment signed by Weta head Richard Taylor and a unique customized Dr Grordbort’s Raygun signed by Greg Broadmore.

The auctions run until March 6, and can be accessed here.

Christchurch Earthquake - A Personal Plea For Help

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ Feature Editor, Tim Saunders, writes from New Zealand.

The first 24 hours were the worst, as we waited anxiously for news of family and friends. There was no communication, no way of knowing what was going on. Just scenes of rubble and dust and smoke… people bleeding, crying… we felt powerless, impotent, just waiting, waiting, waiting….

The sun has just risen over Christchurch for the second morning following Tuesday’s earthquake. For the third day we sit here and watch and wait while emergency workers frantically move from building to building, looking and listening for survivors. We just wait and hope.

Jackie Chan Buys King Kong Dinosaur At Charity Auction

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Jackie Chan was in Shanghai on Sunday to take part in a special charity auction.

The action star forked out 500,000 yuan (US$73,877) for a dinosaur model donated by five-time Oscar winner Richard Taylor of Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop. The model was one of the original miniatures used when Jackson was planning King Kong.

The Shanghai International Film Prototype Exhibition charity auction featured 20 items that raised money for earthquake victims in Yushu, and was attended by renowned director Stanley Tong, actress Lin Peng, Zhang Meng, and a variety of government officials and entrepreneurs.

Meet King Kong In 3D For Charity

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Director Peter Jackson will be onhand – via 3D screen – at Universal Studios Hollywood tomorrow, June 29, for the grand opening of the King Kong 360 3D attraction.

A special red carpet event at the theme park will launch the attraction, which will benefit the Wildlife WayStation. Situated on 160 acres in California’s Angeles National Forest, the animal refuge is internationally recognized for its ongoing, charitable efforts to rescue and rehabilitate wild and exotic animals. Established in 1976, the facility has provided shelter and care to over 75,000 animals.

The new attraction will be part of Universal’s tram ride, and will let you confront hungry raptors, a vicious T-Rex, and the colossal Kong himself.

Peter Jackson Lets Sick Kids Tour Aircraft Collection

Mon, 24 May 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Film director Peter Jackson brightened the day for a group of sick children earlier this month when he allowed them to be given a guided tour of his collection of vintage aircraft in New Zealand.

Jackson – who helmed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as King Kong and The Lovely Bones – let the eight patients from Wellington’s children’s hospital explore his aircraft at the Old Stick and Rudder Company in Masterton. The children – aged between eight and fifteen – were flown to the location courtesy of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

“These children have a really hard time with heart issues, kidney disease or cancer and they miss out on so many childhood moments because of the amount of time they are in hospital,” Wellington Hospital and Health Foundation event co-ordinator Maria Quigley told The Dominion Post. “A little treat like this can really turn their perspective around and shows them how much more is out there.”

Peter Jackson Joins Kermit To Sell His Heart For Charity

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:27:00 +0000

Variety’s Kids has launched a very special online auction featuring Muppet legend Kermit The Frog and his celebrity friends – including legendary director Peter Jackson and his cast from The Lovely Bones.

A whole bunch of stars have signed paper hearts featuring the famous amphibian for the charity, including Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Josh Duhamel, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Mark Wahlberg, Melanie Lynskey, Rose McIvor, Stanley Tucci and many more.