"Interview with Peter Jackson, New Zealand director of the trilogy The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, adapted from the novel by JRR Tolkien.

What are you doing right now?

I'm in the editing room every day, working on the third installment of The Hobbit. I love this movie and I think it will be the best of the three.

Wingnuts Wings models came on the market in 2009. How did you come to this project to create this brand?

I did not think to create a brand as such. I do not really have any commercial interest or talent for that. I'm just a big kid who makes films, and if they work well, I find myself with a little pocket money I can spend on my hobby! The idea was born when Sir Richard Taylor of Weta Workshops (Ed, who made the models in The Lord of the Rings and King Kong), here in New Zealand, showed me their first examples of prototypes or "3D printer "- as it is called today. They could scan an object with a 3D scanner and design a perfect miniature replica. I was blown away by what seemed like science fiction. I began to think about all possible uses this technology. Combined with my lifelong passion is to produce plastic models of planes of the First World War, and it did not take me long to wonder if full size aircraft could be scanned and reproduced in miniature with 3D printing. Finally, today, we use many reproductions in 3D, but then all the parts are molded, not "printed." But this is the spark that started it all.

From your first kits, specialists of the model you have ranked among the top brands in the global market. You had the most critical acclaim. Leaders like Tamiya or Hasegawa have them, nearly 40 years of experience. What do you attribute this immediate success?

Several things. For me it is a passion, not a business. I want Wingnut Wings produce models of aircraft of World War I dreamed to buy me for 40 years, and not copies of the ones I get from the same time. They are meticulous research, combined molding machine, which allows us a very high accuracy in the realization of our kits. I have real planes of the First World War, and our models must be perfect miniature replicas. The members of our team are also essential. They combine great talents of designers and a real interest in the subject. We are well aware of having placed the bar very high, and we are constantly trying to improve ourselves to maintain our high standards.

You are passionate about your models from an early age. What drives this passion with you?

I know as much about it as any modeler, that is to say, not much! I loved it when I was a kid and I still love it. My ability to build models is fluctuating, it depends on my availability. The film industry offers me a lot of financial benefits, but it also takes a lot of evenings and weekends. My time spent on models is therefore reduced to a few minutes stolen from time to time. Like all designers, I have a growing collection of models still packed. But collecting is a non-negligible share this passion. Wait a modeler that build all the models he buys, this is like asking a stamp collector lick each stamp it provides, paste it on an envelope and post it! One thing I am aware that this is all that I love, and now all my leisure, come from my childhood passions. I'm not really interested in me nothing new since the age of 9 years. And that's fine with me! I really feel like a big kid.

Do you remember your first model? At what age did you start? Who did you discover this hobby?

I do not think anyone has made me discover. My father was not a modeler. But I was an only son, so it was the perfect time to pass all those hours of solitude. In New Zealand, during my childhood, everything we found it was registered as models Airfix or Revell. Not much else. And aircraft of the First World War to those who were passionate 1/72th me the most.

The models have been dreaming generations of kids in the '60s and '70s. What is your view on plastic model today?

Wingnut Wings models have two simple priorities: Providing for the first time a very detailed model, as one might find in museums. Be easy to assemble. Over the years, the model planes of the First World War took the bad habit of being very difficult to climb, reserved for experienced modellers only. Not ours! I also think a third element: provide a beautiful package. The decoration of the box, booklet installation ... I wanted it to be as collectibles. As collector myself, I love this stuff.

How do you get involved in the production of models Wingnuts wings?

Today I have no role in the creation of models. But at the beginning I gave them a great interest in order to help establish the style models. Today we have a great team of designers and creative, much more skilled than me. I just enjoy going up new models, like everyone else.

What criteria do you choose out a model. Who decides the final choice?

Me! I have the last word on my films, and same goes for the selection of models! This is very simple: I get an email from Richard Alexander, coordinator Wingnut Wings who told me that someone has the team on the verge of release. He asked me which model I would do next. I'm sure people think that there is a great marketing strategy behind it, but there is none! I just have to choose which model I want and 18 months later, I can build it, and the rest of the world too! This is an ideal situation for me.

Your film career has she influenced your approach to model building in Wingnuts Wings, whether artistic or philosophical level?

Only in the fact that I want to be proud of what I do, be it a film or a model.

The use of scale models and models in movies has she been influential in creating Wingnut Wings?

Not really. In fact, the same computer imaging technology that allows us to create stunning models, obsoletes reduced for film models.

Why did you choose not realize that models the First World War, a subject neglected by manufacturers?

I love since my childhood. And see the movie Twilight Eagles when I was very young, lit a passion that has not been extinguished.

The theme of the First World War never appeared in your filmmaking career. The only time you staged aviation, was the film Dambusters in 2008, and concerned the Second World War, and your role as a pilot in your King Kong movie. Or you're an aviation enthusiast. Why?

Good question! Being a director also drains a lot of attention, most obtrusive and eager. I love my privacy and am not much left. And my passion for the First World War is exactly that. An escape from all this fuss about our films. In fact, I am very reluctant to bring these two aspects of my life, what would happen if I made a film about the First World War. I still made a film about Aviation World War to the War Museum in Canberra, Australia. And our units are available to all filmmakers who want to use."

Is this interview translated from another source? Seems to be a lot of grammatical errors, for an English speaker.

What we need now is Peter Jackson's email, fax, voicemail, home phone number, cell number etc. so that we can get him to tell Richard to make a DR I and get the new Camel released. You all may hove some suggestions of your own. I am sure Peter Jackson would not mind a midnight phone call or two with a couple humble requests.

Halbersadt, any D, any CL, or

Hansa Brandenberg W-18 boat or

Curtiss D or Wright B from the 1909-1911 period.

Just a suggestion now that we are on that trail....

Absolutly Brilliant interview, thank you

Enjoy
Captn Tommy

While I'm not a fan of WW1 modeling, the interview clearly showed his passion for that era through his modeling efforts. And unlike all of us, he has the venue to have those kits produced for him and us with such a high set of standards, that other manufactures need to take heed of.

I did enjoy his answer to the question of the process for kit selection: Just him, and 18 months later you can build the kit!!

Personally, I would have preferred if the interview was more focused on his modeling and Wingnuts, but that's just my preference.

Joel

I believe it was originally in French?

Hi all,




Yes, this is the original article in a French Newspaper:
- Interview Peter Jackson - Ouest France

Jean-Luc

That's good to know. I was doubting the interview's veracity.

There was a very good TV interview with Sir Peter
here in NZ on ANZAC day.
It's worth a look if you can find it maybe on you tube.

Cheers


Chris