A New Zealand production designer nominated for an Oscar for his work on the film The Power of the Dog says he hopes the people of Ida Valley, in Central Otago, are very proud of the nomination too.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil in The Power of the Dog. Photo: Supplied / Screenshot
The Power of the Dog, directed by New Zealander Dame Jane Campion, has been nominated for 12 Oscars, including best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actress, best supporting actor, best cinematography and best score.
New Zealander Grant Major has been nominated for best production design for his work on the film in which he transformed a small plot of Central Otago land into 1925 Montana.
Major said he was elated with the news.
"So proud of all the art department crew that made it happen, and everybody in the Ida Valley. They must be thrilled with the news as well. Brilliant."
Major said he found out when his partner saw the news online.
Ida Valley Photo: RNZ/ Peter Newport
The process of transforming the site to look like a different time and a different country was very complicated, he said.
"Finding the right location for it. Finding all the props and dressing that had to put into the sets, designing the sets. Building the sets on the windy, dusty, grassy open plains of the Ida Valley to make it look like it's been there for a quantity of time. All these things take lots of work."
It had been a long journey which is continuing, he said.