Dance Dance Revolution 2.0 – Post Production Push

Back in March 2020, Dance Dance Revolution was successfully funded via Boosted at 106% of our funding target. 89 wonderful donors got on board to get this idea off the ground. It has been so awesome to see so much support.

We have come a really long way since then, to give you a quick update; we have had an epic time shooting the documentary and managed to wrap principal photography on the weekend before Level 4 lockdown kicked in. In just by the skin of our teeth really. Lockdown worked well for us and gave ample time to edit over the last 8 weeks. Things are shaping up pretty good in terms of story and narrative especially with the COVID drama thrown into the mix.

We recently saw that the Future Fund was chipping in $1000 koha to every campaign which reaches $1000. This interested us, as a couple unexpected costs came up across the production as well as COVID throwing a spanner in the works financially. Despite very tight budget management, this last couple months put us behind a little bit for our final post production budget allocation. So we are coming back for a second round of funding to help finish the project off at the standard it really deserves.

We’ve had a huge amount of people featured in and around 121 get behind what we are trying to do, even after our Boosted campaign closed so much support has poured out from their community. We had the idea to launch a new 'top up' campaign to get us over the line in regard to a high-end sound, score and colour mix. We are pretty confident donors will help support this final push.

Unfamiliar with what Dance Dance Revolution is? Let me give you a refresher
 121 is about to host their first 3-day music festival. We want to make a film that explores the curious tale of how the founders got there and if they can hold this festival without being mired by NZs notorious delinquency. We need YOUR help to make this happen, we require $5,000 to get this puppy off the ground and the story of 121 to the big screen. What is 121?

121 is a revolution created 5 years ago by throwing a party in Olly De Salis' family home. Whilst his parents were away on holiday blissfully unaware of what was ensuing, 121 Sefton Street became the cultural epicentre of Wellington’s music scene. Olly began hosting some of New Zealand’s biggest up and coming musicians and DJs in his living room. This later grew into a Cuba St nightclub in 2017. They amassed a cult like following whilst hosting international artists & DJs that are regulars on the European festival circuit. The rebellious twenty-somethings turned their house parties into commercial success by launching their first 1-day festival; Carlucci Land. And later the 121 Warehouse Rave, with NZ music icons Fat Freddie’s Drop as their main act. The film begins as 121 are about to host their first 3-day international music festival in Wairarapa's luscious forest moments before COVID 19 shakes the events industry.

What's this film all about and who are 121?

At 23 years old, Olly de Salis is manning the ship which has seen a rebirth of the now thriving house scene in Wellington. This documentary is a fly on the wall look into what it takes to host a sold out festival and how the founder got there. The trials and tribulations of being young and creating your own lane. Each day encounters new challenges of being ambitious, blended with the cinematic retelling of 121’s inspiring origin story. The film details the 5 years prior that lead Olly to where they are today. At it's core this film is about whether Olly, the founder, can successfully hold this event without being mired by NZ notorious drinking culture. Olly and his mates are offering a safe, sustainable, real and positive alternative to NZs well documented delinquency. It seems like 121 and the music they bring might be the catalyst for change the youth of NZ need.

Why make this film? Despite our frequent succumbing to Tall Poppy Syndrome, it seems our kiwi humbleness dares us to dream big. All of the great kiwi success stories came from a bunch of young folks sitting around in a cold flat with a bright idea. Here's the start of the next one. With the sale of the long-held establishment in kiwi music RNV to a multinational corporation and the simultaneous up crop of new independent music festivals every year in NZ, it begs the question: What is the future of independent NZ music festivals? A new generation of entrepreneurial young kiwis have the answer. As a little nation, we are always taking on the ‘big man’ and doing alright at it. Big business continue to dominate the global economy. Despite that, our home grown kiwi entrepreneurs have always found a way to stick it to the man. Our little patch of paradise at the bottom of the planet finds a way to show the world how impressive we really are

About the team:

Director / Producer Rob Burrowes

Rob is a Director and photographer based in Wellington, New Zealand. It all kicked off for him when he won the Canon EYEcon photo competition in high school. They put a brand new camera in his hands and he hasn’t looked back since. Rob has worked as a photographer and creative director for a range of local and international clients. In 2018, Rob directed and produced his first short film for Pacific Heights’ VNZMA award nominated album “A Lost Light”. On this project, he was surrounded by a hugely talented crew that really helped make it happen, some of which will be working with again on this new documentary project.

Producer Ethan James

Ethan has a background in commercial video production, primarily working as a creative producer and DOP. Through his tenure of 3 years, he has successfully project managed content for Wellington Airport, Education New Zealand, WREDA and Wellington Paranormal. He has worked on some of New Zealand's biggest commercial shoots, helping to develop and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues and suppliers. Ethan is a contractor to the creative agency Wrestler, working in the video team as a DOP and editor where his love truly lies in creating beautiful moving image. Telling honest, human centred stories is his passion.

Camera Operator Shyam Patel

Shyam is a New Zealand based videographer and Photographer. He studied at Massey University, BDes (Hons) and has just released a music video for Riiki’s debut single ‘One Day’. Shyam has had the pleasure of directing and producing work for Drax Project, Ocean Alley and Red Bull New Zealand. As well as working alongside Rob on “A Lost Light” (2018) as 1st AC.

Thank you for your support! Rob, Ethan & the team   Disclaimer: This film is an independent production from 121 as an organisation. 121 has provided approval to make this film however the production is mutually exclusive to subjects of the film.