Richard Taylor

Company Director, WETA WORKSHOP

Richard established Richard Taylor Effects Ltd fifteen years ago in the back room of the flat with partner Tania Rodger. Richard operated in this manner for several years, providing special effects and puppet work for numerous clients.

The company adopted the name Weta in 1994, when it expanded and Richard and Tania joined with Jamie Selrick and Peter Jackson. This meant the company was able to provide a one-stop workshop offering all the effects and requirements for the New Zealand film and television industry.

Weta Digital produced all the cutting edge computer effects and compositing for the trilogy of 'The Lord of the Rings'. Weta Workshop took on the design, production and onset operation of all the weapons, armour, creatures and special make-up effects, and the construction of the miniature models. For a company to take on so many departments on a single feature, let alone a trilogy, is almost unheard of.