Speculation is building over the filming of three projects in the Waimarino region, including Peter Jackson's The Hobbit.
The news on the street is that scouts have been out looking for accommodation in the region, but when it would be required and for how many people was not known.
What is beingtalked about is that some of The Hobbit will be filmed in the Waimarino.
A call to Wingnut Films in Wellington yesterday confirmed they were on a 2 month break, but in line with industry communication where everything surrounding filming is cloaked in secrecy, they would not confirm their filming schedule or locations.
Wingnut Films is producer/director Sir Peter Jackson's film production company.
The filmmakers were in the region a few months ago looking at horses for The Hobbit, but according to one of the people the Chronicle spoke to yesterday, they were looking for smaller Welsh ponies.
One secondary student, whose horse they looked at, was told by her cousin that she could apply for a dwarf role. However, neither she nor her horse will be making their film debut.
And another local confirmed a short film was being shot in Horopito yesterday.
The Chronicle spoke to a spokesperson at Thick as Thieves film production this week who confirmed they were going to start filming, but once again the event was cloaked in secrecy.
She said they could release information about the film on Wednesday.
However, the Chronicle has learned that a young student in Ohakune has a role in the movie.
Meanwhile, Tammy Davis, better known as Munter of television's Outrageous Fortune, has been in his hometown of Raetihi, where he spent the first 12 years of his life.
Davis' mother and other relatives still maintain a presence there.
Davis, of Ngati Rangi and Te Atihaunui a Paparangi , held auditions at Raetihi School to cast a young boy in a short film about him growing up with his older brother in the Waimarino town.
