Scenic Soundscape presents broderbeats live from the Remutaka Range | Te Ara Tirohanga

WHO ARE WE 

Scenic Soundscape is a short-form documentary series sitting at the intersection of music, landscape, and visual storytelling. Each episode films a musical artist performing live in a location that holds personal significance to them, not as backdrop, but as collaborator. The result is a body of work that asks a simple question: what does a place sound like when the artist who was shaped by it performs there?

Episode 02 brings Wellington DJ and producer broderbeats to the summit of the Remutaka Trig Walk in the Remutaka Range, overlooking Wairarapa and Lake Ferry. 

THE ARTIST

broderbeats has built a strong reputation across the Aotearoa music scene, with appearances at Rhythm and Vines and the UMF Radio Stage at the inaugural Ultra New Zealand 2026. His sound is atmospheric and genre-fluid, carrying the texture of the landscapes that surround Wellington. The Remutaka hills are personal.

As a teenager, broderbeats escaped to these ranges to find inspiration and connection with the outdoors. The landscape fed directly into his sound during that formative period. Performing at the summit is not simply a location choice, it is a return to the place that he calls home.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The film will be produced as a single 60-minute video work and will be released on YouTube in October 2026, with a ticketed public screening at Massey University Wellington.

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Scenic Soundscape | EP01 YouTube

broderbeats | Instagram 

Jean Thoral | Instagram 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME

I'm Jean Thoral, a 34-year-old French/Australian creative producer, director, videographer and photographer based in Pōneke/Wellington. For 13 years I lived in Australia, working as an electrician on remote mine sites. 

A few years ago I made the decision to start over and pursue what I actually love: telling stories through film and music. That career change hasn't been easy, but it's been the most rewarding thing I've done, and my old trade still comes in handy on set more often than you'd think.

Since making the switch, I've had the chance to work on projects like Drop the Rent, Zoe Scott's "Shame" music video, and Lila Junior's latest video LJ live from Dirty Laundry. But if I'm honest, what I love most isn't any single credit, it's the people. 

Working with a team is my favourite part of this whole journey. Collaboration is the reason I do this, and it always will be. Every project is better because of the people who show up for it, and that's exactly the spirit I want to bring to this one.

THE AMAZING HUMANS INVOLVED

Lennox Brokerick | Main Artist 

Jean Thoral | Producer & Director

Sebastian Boyes | Director Of Photography 

Finn Gordon | Production Assistant

Mahana Dexter | 1st Assistant Director 

Arlo Andrew | Gaffer

Katy Comar | Grip

Edward Rice | Drone Operator

Ninon Bazin | Catering & BTS photography 

PROOF OF CONCEPT

Episode 01, filmed at Baring Head Lighthouse in 2024, was supported by Wellington Regional Council, Maritime New Zealand, NIWA, and CentrePort. 

Behind this project is the creative community as a whole. The industry is facing real difficulties right now, and Scenic Soundscape is our way of showing what's possible when people come together around something they believe in.

The $3,000 raised through this campaign goes directly towards paying the crew and covering core production costs for Episode 02.

Total expenses for the shoot come to an expected $4,050, made up mostly of crew fees: Assistant Director, Camera Operators, Gaffer, Grip, Drone Operator, Lighting, Catering, BTS, Production Assistant, and the artist, broderbeats. 

The remaining costs cover logistics (rental van, fuel), equipment (CDJ rental, lighting, power solutions etc), and post-production costs. We have been lucky to have a lot of in-kind support for technical equipment. 

Boosted funding is the largest source of income for the project, alongside support underway from CentrePort, the French Embassy, self-funding, and ticket sales from the screening event. 

Every dollar raised here goes towards making sure the people behind the camera and on stage are paid fairly for their work, in line with the project's commitment to paying all crew. 

As a a way to thank you all, each donor will have their name in the credits at the end of our episode. 

If you invest $300 or more, you will receive an Executive Producer credit and an invitation to the Premiere (if you can not make it, we will send you a premiere link to view it from wherever in the world).

Scenic Soundscape is a film series that places artists in landscapes that have shaped who they are, using live performance as a way of telling stories about place, history, and identity. 

The series aims to highlight the importance of the land by connecting artists and people with the stories that have lived through it over the years. It's not about owning or claiming land. The location is a context and a catalyst, a backdrop that lets an artist's story unfold. 

The series isn't limited to nature either; future episodes could just as easily be set in a warehouse or an office as on a mountain. Episode 01, filmed at Baring Head Lighthouse, was the proof of concept for the series, supported by Wellington Regional Council, Maritime New Zealand, NIWA, and CentrePort. It featured upcoming band Bruce performing at the lighthouse, with the story of the place told through the last lighthouse keeper of the area. 

Episode 02 is a collaboration with Wellington DJ/producer broderbeats, filmed live at Te Ara Tirohanga / Remutaka Trig Walk in the first week of September 2026. 

It's a ~ 60-minute episode capturing a live performance set against the landscape of the Remutaka range, at first light. 

The shoot is timed for pre-sunrise to keep public and environment impact minimal. 

The format follows three parts: an introduction to the land itself, the live performance, and an interview with the artist. Weaving together place, music, and personal story. Once complete, Episode 02 will be released online, with a public screening, aiming for October 2026. 

Scenic Soundscape is proof that with the right attitude, work ethic, and passion, it's possible to build a life around what actually drives you.

Scenic Soundscape wants to showcase the incredible talent that lives in Aotearoa. 

broderbeats is a hugely talented artist with a story that deserves to be told, and this episode is a chance to bring that story to a wider audience. Beyond the artist himself, this project is about showing what's possible when community comes together to create something meaningful. 

It's proof that with the right people, a different perspective, and a shared commitment to the work, powerful art can be made even in an industry facing real challenges right now.

Scenic Soundscape is also committed to sustainable, low-impact production practices, minimising our carbon footprint, leaving no trace and looking after the environment we film in. 

Just as importantly, we're committed to creating a safe, inclusive space to work, welcoming all genders, backgrounds, and cultures and to making art rooted in humanism, care, and love for the people and places involved.

The first episode was one of my wildest dream, help us make this second one even better. 

Much Love 

Jean and the whole Scenic Soundscape Team