Film Work

Alvei has been contacted for possible roles in a new European reality show. Watch this space for further info.

A New Project - Hollywood is calling...
Three months ago Danny DeVito, along with Oscar winning Art Director Dan Henna visited Alvei in New Zealand. They were looking for props for a new film. A production schedule has not yet been posted; but Dan recently assured me that they were firmly interested in using Alvei in the new film.
 

As a traditionally rigged vessel Alvei is an ideal set for film, video or photographic projects. The vessel is rigged in the style of an opium runner or privateer from the mid-1800's but with simple cosmetic modifications can play a variety of roles.

If you are a producer or director interested in using Alvei in your project, please contact us with the particulars so we can provide you with an efficient and economic solution to your production needs.

Alvei was hired by Communicado Productions in 1998 to provide the setting for their production of a miniseries for New Zealand television.

The following is Captain Evan Logan's description of that project:

Alvei was part of an 8 part television series titled Greenstone. It is about people emigrating from England to New Zealand in the 1840's. Alvei was to be the immigrant ship along with 7 of us as sailors in the background.
Getting ready for the movies. We arrived back in Auckland a few days early. The studio chippies immediately got to work building sets around the cabins and painting steel spars to look like wood. We were taken to the studio and fitted with period costumes. The girls were given hats and the guys told not to shave.

On Location.
Filming took place 10 miles north of Auckland near the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

Each morning the director and the make-up artist would come to Alvei about 0700. Jim would tell us how he wanted the ship positioned for the days shooting and Wendy would smear fake dirt on our faces and oil in our hair. (What a bunch of grubby sailors!) The next boat would bring about 50 cast and crew. The rest of the day would be spent blocking out, rehearsing and shooting scenes.
There were busy 12 to 15 hour days. With over 50 people on board and tons of equipment, conditions were crowded. But through it all everyone was friendly and even-tempered. The people at Communicado were a fun group.
One day near the end of filming the second unit film crew, directed by producer Chris Bailey, came out on a chase boat to film us under sail. I put the New Zealand skipper Pony More on the helm and directed the crew on deck. We sailed several hours, beating and running, setting and furling 14 sails. It was a good day's sailing, the crew worked well.