Jim Booth
About
Biography
Biography
New Zealand producer who established the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), which he directed from 1983-88, before seguing into his own carnivalesque mode of production. Booth formed a partnership with film director Peter Jackson after encouraging the NZFC to back Jackson's "Bad Taste" (1987), a comedy about alien cannibals who are fast-food entrepreneurs. Booth became "Kiwi King" of low to no-budget fare after leaving the NZFC, turning out three other features which displayed feral wit: "Meet the Feebles" (1990) which featured puppets trying to make it in showbiz; the awesomely bloody cult flick, "Dead Alive" (1993), and his elegant swan song, "Heavenly Creatures" (1994), which was dedicated to his memory. This last effort offered a splendidly twisted take on what could have been a "Masterpiece Theater"-styled outing. Critics lined up to sing its praises as did audiences.
Filmography
Producer (Feature Film)
Art Department (Feature Film)
Film Production - Construction/Set (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1983
Established New Zealand Film Commision (NZFC) and became executive director
1987
Began working with director Peter Jackson when the NZFC funded Jackson's debut film, "Bad Taste"
1990
Debut as producer, "Meet the Freebles"
1994
Last film produced, "Heavenly Creatures"
