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RURU

Ben Wagstaff | Film

$2,530 of $2,500 Raised

101%
30 Generous Donors

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Overview

ABOUT THE FILM   

A young girl reluctantly navigates a forest trail through the night, recruiting mysterious shadows to help her face her fear of the dark.

Ruru is an important story that highlights the values of self-confidence, friendship and working together. It also has an integral relationship to Te Ao Māori and Aotearoa’s native landscape, in showing the emotional connection one can foster with nature.

 

INSPIRATION FOR RURU
 
Ruru was inspired by Sophie’s (our writer & directors) own experience on her Year 6 school camp in the Abel Tasman National Park. The exhiliating feeling of being so young and left to find your own way through the forest on a Burma Trail has always been a moment that Sophie has wanted to bring to the screen.
 
 
WHY IS RURU IMPORTANT
 
The kaupapa of Ruru is turangawaewae (belonging) and tūhononga (togetherness and connection). In order for our main character Pip to find the confidence and belief in herself that she needs, she has to discover who she really is and where she belongs. This later helps her to foster connection and friendship with Holly and Georgia, the other students in her class who haven’t always been so kind to her.
 
I think so many of us can relate to the feeling of being lost in the woods and unsure about the version of ourselves that we think truly represents us. I believe it is important to show these moments and how we are able to overcome our own fear of the dark, especially for younger audiences who may be dealing with these big emotions for the first time.
 
Our film is also representative of Te Ao Māori, with Pip using her culture as a connection to the environment around her. It is extremely important to elevate Māori narratives and filmmakers in the New Zeland film industry, to help our voices and stories thrive.
 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

Boosted is an ALL OR NOTHING platform - so every dollar counts and we need your support to raise $2,500 to help bring our vision of this film to life.

This is a low-budget student production so we are looking for funding to help make this important project a reality.

 

WHAT YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP US WITH
 
Donating to our Boosted Campaign will mean you, yes YOU, will be helping Ruru thrive!
 
As we are filming at night, in the middle of the bush, with young talent, while creating fantastical shadows - you can imagine there are lots of challenges we are facing. Your support will help us to navigate these by allow us to:
 
  • Give koha to our incredible talent
  • Provide yummy and nutritious food for all people on set
  • Allow us access to a secure, warm unit base for long nights of shooting
  • Provide enough supplies to help us make our shadow puppets come alive and fly!
  • Cover transport costs for our cast and our crew
 
Ruru is being made as part of the major capstone projects for the MFA(CP) at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington 2024
 

THE KEY TEAM

Director and Writer  -  Sophie Hampson

Producer and Director assistant  -  Ben Wagstaff

Director of Photography  -  Acacia Wong

1st Assistant Director  -  Kiran Kaur

Editor and Camera Assistant  -  Liam Eagle

Sound Design  -  Max Norwood

Composer  -  Brendan Galvin

Art Department  -  Aaron Beck

Art Dept Assist  -  Hamish O'Malley King

Gaffer  -  Mateusz Mendrun

Best Boy   -  Raj Dhindsa

Child Minder  -  Amelia Walshe

 

Thank you so much for your generosity. Every little donation brings us closer to making this film happen!

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Donors

  • Danielle Hampson

    So excited to see this film come to life possum xx

  • Calvin Liao

  • Nicole Mackes

    Go Ben &team !!!

  • Angie Hampson

  • Amelia Walshe

    Live laugh Ruru

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Project Owner

Ben Wagstaff

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