Peter Jackson mentored Andy Serkis while shooting 'The Hobbit'.

'The Lord Of The Rings' director helped Serkis -- who voices sly goblin-like creature Gollum in the film franchise -- make his directorial debut as a second unit helmer on 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', and Jackson monitored his progress closely on set.

Serkis said: "He would watch form his set, call: 'No, no, it's not working. Just bail out of the shot.' He was mentoring me.

"There were different ways we worked. We'd set up entire sequences, or he'd start a scene and I would finish it if there wasn't time."

The British actor was stunned to receive an email from Oscar-winning director Jackson last year, asking him whether he would like to help helm the motion picture.

He added to Empire magazine: "Pete's known that I have wanted to direct for many years and he's always been very encouraging.

"I was just going to come over [to New Zealand] and do Gollum, and then get on with my life. This wasn't part of the game plan."

The long-awaited first part 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' is scheduled for release in December.