Time to get reel: film-makers set to meet top producer

Jon Kroll. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Jon Kroll. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Raised in a Northern California commune without television or electricity, it is ironic that Emmy Award-winning producer Jon Kroll has become such a big name in television.

He has produced shows starring British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, WWE wrestling star John Cena and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Nick Ut, among others.

And he is coming to Queenstown and Dunedin to share his experiences with Otago and Southland’s film-makers this month.

At present, he is an executive producer for National Geographic and Loveable Scoundrels Inc, and has been an executive producer for the BBC, CBS, Fox Corporation and 44 Blue Productions.

He has produced more than 200 films and TV shows, including The Amazing RaceGordon Ramsay: UnchartedFrom Hell to HollywoodExtraordinary Birder with Christian CooperPit Bulls and ParoleesAmerican GritBig Brother and Amish in the City.

He has also directed three movies, written multiple graphic novels and built a Hello Kitty theme park in Japan.

Kroll is also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts.

Film Dunedin head and Film Otago Southland co-manager Dr Stefan Roesch said Kroll now lived and worked in Wellington and would be coming to Otago for two film-makers’ workshops, scheduled for August 25 in Queenstown and August 31 in Dunedin.

Dr Roesch said the workshops were pulled together by Women in Film and Television New Zealand (WIFTNZ), Film Dunedin, Film Queenstown Lakes and Film Otago Southland.

"He has a lot of amazing stories to tell about the world of factual television — like, does Gordon Ramsay really eat some of the creatures presented to him on Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted?

"Bringing Jon down to our region is an amazing opportunity to showcase both our locations and our creative screen practitioner talent."

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

 

 

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