Days 5 & 6 Dunedin

The pool scene set-up on Day 5 began at 4:00AM with hopes of catching a dramatic Kiwi sunrise on film. These hopes were quickly dashed by cloudy, but rain-free weather. Despite the clouds, Ogilvy, Ken & Co. produced some beautiful footage of our talent in the community pool set beside the shores of Dunedin. After 12 hours poolside, we ventured back to downtown Dunedin for dinner, and later did our part to support the local 'gaming industry' at a nearby Casino. If the number and prominence of casinos and legalized brothel houses are any indication, New Zealand appears to be a nation that places great emphasis on rugged individualism and personal liberties.

The following morning we started off at Otago University where the production team built a masterful replica of an all-American baseball batting cage. It took some time to teach the extras how to properly swing a baseball bat - as they are tainted by the upward motion of a Cricket swing - but eventually they got the hang of it. Later that afternoon we went back the the beaches to shoot a surf fishing scene. Stunningly beautiful cliffs, sea lions and 10 foot waves created a dramatic backdrop for the scene. Imagine Normandy-like cliffs and bluffs with wide beachs covered in incredibly soft, white sand. Unblemished by commercial influences, the beaches are free of T-shirt shops, snow-cone stands, and high-rise hotels. Some members of the team feel more at home in this tranquil environment than others. Larry was clearly a fish out of water, and lamented the lack of amenities saying, "This beach would be great if there were more cement and a Bagel Bob's stand on the corner." His request to move video village back to the hotel room via closed circuit link was summarily denied. Peter F. in an impressive show of self-discipline and control remained as focused on, and effective with, his blackberry on the beach setting as he is in almost every other environment. Notes to all US readers who email Peter - cut him a little slack on the email while he is away.

Day 4 - Jon Jumps off Bridge en route to Dunedin

Was it a mid-life crisis, temporary loss of sanity or simply his zest for life that drove Jon to jump off of a 150 ft. bridge overlooking a canyon in Western New Zealand? Fortunately, there was a bungy cord attached which functioned perfectly and brought Jon to safe landing at the bottom of the canyon.

Thanks to Jon for providing a much needed diversion from the 7+ hour journey from Queenstown to Dunedin. Another highlight was our stop in 'Lawrence', a quaint town town of less than 1,000 people and more than 50,000 sheep. As Larry gazed upon the rolling hills dotted with puffy white-coated sheep he felt moved to share with us his boyhood dream of becoming a pig farmer. Was it the repressive nature of his kosher upbringing or something deeper that fostered this dream? This and other related questions gave us fodder for about an hour and helped shorten the perception of our drive time immensely.

Upon arrival to Dunedin, we were whisked immediately into a meeting to discuss wardrobe, alternate lines, and other logistics for Thursday's shoot. With a 5:00AM start time the following morning we decided to grab a quick bite at what turned out to be a fascinating restaurant called 'Plato'. Given the name 'Plato', we were prepared for a philosophical dining experience that would explore both the sensible world and the intelligible world or, as Plato called it, the world of the ideas. Instead, it felt as though we walked into a large garage sale circa 1975 in which thousands of tchachakis,

adorned the walls. 100's of minature tea pots, ceramic animals, snow globes and other tacky kitsch was stacked side-by-side on book shelves throughout the restaurant. Despite the unusual decor, the food was outstanding and we were all particularly wowed by a local variety of fish called - 'Gurnard' (prounced in a harsh German sounding accent - "Ghhherrrrnn-aahhhrrdd". Amrish was so moved by the mild, flaky, white and immensley flavorful fish, that he is doing due diligence on a plan to be the first commercial importer of 'Gurnard' to the U.S. He is accepting start-up funds from anyone interested in this venture.

Day 2 - Queenstown

Perhaps the initial adrenaline and excitement of our arrival masked the fatigue and jet lag from our travel, but Day 2 was a catch-up and recover day. Peter, Jon and Larry booked a charter to Milford Sound, just thirty minutes South of Queenstown via puddle jumper. Having been there with Julia just five years earlier, I decided to stay home and try my luck fishing for trout and salmon. Unlike the guys, who have amazing photographs (thanks to our designated trip photographer Larry), I have nothing to show for my experience. I decided to let the fish go, in fact I ultimately decided not to bother even catching them at all. I did enjoy the boat ride and long chat with the head of the charter company. You know Queenstown is small (population 30,000) because 'Stu' knew about all of our commercial and our itinerary for the week. As a random plane passed overhead, he said, "Th're your fellers coming back from Milford." In fact it was their plane - it was a little freaky in a 'Deliverance' kind of way. When I asked him how he knew that they were my friends and that they were traveling to Milford Sound he said, 'just know' and I thought it best to halt the inquiry at tht point. I later learned he lost the bid to provide props for the 'fishing scene' in the Male version of the spot. Again, small town.

In the evening we met with JC and Dave to review some new copy for the spots, graphics treatments and other details for the shoot. If the weather holds, we should be ready to start shoot tomorrow. However, a wind storm has moved in which could create havoc on the set. We shall see...

Day 1 - Queenstown

Larry and I met up in the Auckland airport after 20 hours of flight time to New Zealand. I feel cheated because Day 1 with Larry should have really started on Friday, but BI and Pfizer travel departments were not coordinating our itineraries. Hence, 'Day 1' is really day #3 of journey as it is Sunday here - 18 hours ahead of eastern standard time.

We arrived in Queenstown at noon (36 hours after leaving my house in CT) and immediately went to Lunch with Jon D and Peter F comparing and contrasting our trips on Air New Zealand and Quantas. While BI saved a thousand dollars per ticket by flying ANZ, Larry was spared the 5 hour layover in SanFran and another 6 hour layover in Auckland. We learned over lunch that with more than 40 in-flight movie options we all somehow managed to watch the Woody Allen film - 'Vicki Christina Barcelona'. Larry shared that he also watched and was deeply moved by 'Mama Mia' - the broadway musical hit turned Hollywood production story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA. We noted how stereotypical this was of Larry to be watching a fantastical movie based on a broadway musical, and he responded with his patented line "I'm really not as gay as everyone thinks!" Several jokes related to "Queenstown" immediately popped into mind, but we are here for two weeks and I have limited material so I'll have to spread them out.

Larry brought a very high end, albeit cumbersome, digital camera with him on the trip. Given his artistic eye and knack for finding great shots, we all designated him the trip photographer. My camera will stay in my hotel for the rest of trip.