Engari - MFA Short Film

Engari is a short film being made as a part of the MFA (CP) in Film at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. This film is one of the capstone projects for the Masters course.
 

Ashley wrote the story about their dad and the small rural community he grew up in. Ashley remembers all the times they drove past Hatupatu's rock in Ātiamuri, their dad's hometown, and was warned of the birdwoman coming to seek revenge. 
 

In Engari, the main characters are inspired by Ashley's dad and uncle, mischievous kids looking to make some money by scamming tourists at their local cave, owned by the birdwoman. One day, they choose to take the tourists inside the cave, knowing that it’s not allowed. Though they earn more money, the birdwoman is enraged and goes to thwart revenge. Just as she approaches to attack, she shares a quiet moment with the younger boy, and realises how similar he is to the cheeky pīwakawaka she adores. They decide to make a pact and help one another to scam more tourists.

We are incredibly excited to work with such a talented and dedicated crew!

Our Team:

Writer / Director - Ashley Pye

Producer - Ethan Morais

1st Assistant Director - Alfie Hartshorne

Director of Photography / Colourist - David Browett

Art Director -  Vjeta Covich

Editor - Jerry Chu

Sound Design - Erin Thomas-Riley and Chris MacClure

Composer - Tom Godbert

Gaffers - Prajwal Kalose and Zara Millikin

1st Assistant Camera - Jack Gosling

2nd Assistant Camera - Chelsea Shakespeare-Laing

Grip - Tong Wang

Lighting Assistants - Meg Wheatley and Tom Hannon 

Foley/Instrument Recording - Sarah Taylor

Script Supervisor - Benjamin Pilbrow

Childminder - Isabel Calvi-Freeman

Production Assistant - Kalib Cooper

Art Assistants - Hazel Perigo-Blackburn, Lucy Woodall, Emily Marson-Pidgeon, Amanda Smith, and Izabella Solomon

Costume Makers - Oli Sim and Dimitri Economou

Character Concept Artists - Alex Pham and Clydille Rave

Hair and Makeup Assistant - Bridie Gilbert

Unit - Melissa Pye and Lauren Bennett

On Boosted, we need to hit the full goal to get any of the pūtea you donate! If we don’t make the goal we don’t get any of the funds raised, so we really need your help to get us to that goal!

The $4000 will cover:

• The costumes, with our biggest individual cost being Kurangaituku’s costume!
• Our set dressing and props for each scene
• Koha for our wonderful cast
• Koha for our generous locations
• Applications to local and international film festivals, so our mahi can be seen all over!
• The 10% fee for Boosted to cover transaction costs

“Two cousins fight over getting rich and doing what is right when they discover a new business venture at their local cave.”

Engari is a 12-minute coming of age drama with magic realism sprinkled in. We aim to develop a warm, nostalgic vibe with the world of the town which will provide a stark contrast to the few flashes of thrilling magic realism.

He waka eke noa. We are in this waka together. This is a whakataukī that has helped inspire the concept of the film; exploring the infinite ways our actions impact one another. 
 

This is a film about togetherness, community, and family. By supporting this film, you are helping to push more stories about our gorgeous and intrinsic Māori mythology, and show off the lives lived in our most rural towns - rich with culture, experience, and warmth.
 

Your support will enable us to complete our Master’s degree to the best of our ability, and beyond this, allow us to take the story to festivals near and far!