By Dan Parker
In contrast to its suburban surroundings, Stone Street Studios is a hive of activity.
Production on the Hobbit films is into its second week, and a plane spotter is warning noise from nearby Wellington Airport is a sure sign filming dialogue is underway.
Spotting a hobbit however is much more difficult.
Since photos surfaced on the internet of the actors fans believe are Martin Freeman - who plays Bilbo Baggins - and Andy Serkis - who plays Gollum- new security measures, including jackets and umbrellas, are being used.
Getting a look in proved more productive last night at the opening of the Roxy.
Miramar's new $7m 3D cinema was rebuilt by Sir Richard Taylor's wife Tania Rodger and film editor Jamie Selkirk.
“The whole concept of making the cinema was to get that nice nostalgic 30's feel,” says Selkirk.
Wizards, dwarves and the film's director Sir Peter Jackson, dressed as the Rocketeer, also attended, taking a brief moment of respite from the Hobbit's busy shooting schedule.
“It’s a massive film, and it's the biggest film any of us have ever done and somehow Peter, Fran and Phillipa make us feel like we are we are all part of, at the moment, a happy family,” says actor James Nesbitt.
And now the cast will have somewhere to go on their days off, especially if they want a history lesson in Sir Peter's films.
3 News