Sir Richard Taylor: a local guide to cinema

Wellington became a UNESCO City of Film in 2019. The title is an acknowledgement that the city is the best place in Aotearoa to create and engage with the screen industry. One of the cornerstones of that industry is special effects and film prop company Wētā Workshop. Its founder and creative director, Sir Richard Taylor, set up shop in 1987. Since then, he’s spent a huge amount of time behind the scenes creating award-winning movie magic and sitting in front of screens enjoying the result. The long-time Wellington resident focuses his lens on how the city inspires and supports his vision. 

Location destination 

Wellington has long been the backdrop for famous screen scenes. From ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ and ‘Mortal Engines’, to ‘Ghost in the Shell’ and ‘The Adventures of Tintin’. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy utilised many of the Wellington region’s reserves, parks, and waterways. Kaitoke Regional Park became Rivendell, the Hutt River starred as the River Anduin, and four hobbits hid from the Black Rider in Mount Victoria. Sir Richard’s favourite Wellington location is on the Miramar peninsula. “We have shot so many cool miniatures there. It’s a canvas that paints itself every day in beautiful light”. Despite its adjacency to the city, its height makes it the perfect location. “You can shoot out to clear sky with no interruption from modern architecture.” 

Miramar plays a large role in Sir Richard’s life. His home and business are in the area, so it’s no surprise that he adds a cinema and bar from his neighbourhood to the list. When it comes to watching a movie on the screen, there’s only one option. “The Roxy, of course — why, because my wife owns it!” Sir Richard’s wife, Tania Roger, is one of a group of film industry folk who renovated the original 1928 Capitol Theatre. From the elaborate 1930s door handles to the retro-science-fiction fresco on the upstairs foyer ceiling, the cinema is fabulously decorated. 

Eat, drink, and talk film 

After a movie, it’s always good to sit down and have a debrief with your film buddies. The cinemas around Wellington are well equipped with quality bars and cafes to relax in before or after a viewing. The Penthouse in Brooklyn and the Empire in Island Bay have large licensed cafés attached. In the city, Lighthouse Cuba has an upstairs area to lounge in with a drink. Havana Bar and Restaurant is across the road if you want to spoil yourself with a cocktail or two. The Embassy Theatre has the sophisticated Black Sparrow bar downstairs and Capitol Restaurant next door for serious foodies. For Sir Richard, it’s Coco downstairs at The Roxy. “It’s got great food, and the atmosphere is ideal for those wonderful filmic conversations”. 

Wētā Workshop is not only involved with movie projects — its creations can be found around the city. Sir Richard is particularly proud of a sculpture project at Wellington Zoo. During the making of Planet of the Apes, Wētā took plaster casts of chimp hands at the zoo. Later, when primatologist Dr Jane Goodall visited, Wētā took a cast of her hand. The combined cast holding hands now lives at the zoo. 

With Wētā continuing to attract work from big movie projects, Sir Richard is used to receiving international visitors. If they are looking for the ultimate Wellington experience, he is quick to direct them to one of the highest points in the city. “The wind turbine at the top of Brooklyn. It has the best of views and the wildest of winds in our beautiful city.”