Second Nature - Short Film

This short is being created as a proof of concept for the SECOND NATURE feature film, currently in development.

Everyone who donates will be credited

Rather than aiming for festivals, this project is about testing and refining the film’s DNA — its tone, rhythm, and emotional core.

It’s a creative experiment designed to:

• Explore how a story built on tension and truth can unfold in real time
• Workshop the chemistry and physicality between the two lead performers
• Develop a distinct visual and emotional language for the full-length film

The short will act as a blueprint — helping us attract future funding, collaborators, and partners for the feature.

Director/ D.O.P/ Producer

Tyler Redmond is one of New Zealand’s emerging cinematographers and directors — a self-taught filmmaker whose passion, precision, and visual instinct set him apart. With experience on more than a hundred film sets before the age of 22, Tyler’s eye for composition and storytelling has already earned him recognition from the New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCS) and a win for Best International Student Film at the AFIN International Film Festival. His work has screened at the New Zealand International Film Festival and Show Me Shorts, showcasing a cinematic style defined by emotional depth, atmospheric lighting, and striking visual rhythm.

Driven by pure dedication to the craft, Tyler brings a rare mix of technical mastery and creative intuition to every project — whether he’s capturing the intimacy of a music video, the scale of a commercial, or the heart of a short film. He continues to refine his voice as a storyteller, collaborating with others who share his passion for creating meaningful, visually compelling cinema.

Here's some of Tylers previous work including his short film Dive as well as a showreel of his previous camera work Here

Co. Producer

Victoria Simoes is a dynamic New Zealand creative whose passion for storytelling extends across acting, content creation, and film festival advocacy. With a sharp creative eye and a deep love for collaboration, she’s carved out a unique space in the industry as both a performer and a behind-the-scenes force helping bring stories to life.

As an actress, Victoria brings authenticity and emotional depth to every role, seamlessly balancing vulnerability with strength. Beyond the screen, she contributes to the film community through her volunteer work with festivals, helping champion emerging talent and foster creative connection. Her skills in content creation and marketing further reflect her versatile approach to storytelling — from concept to audience engagement.

Driven, empathetic, and endlessly creative, Victoria Simoes is part of a new wave of multidisciplinary voices shaping Aotearoa’s creative landscape — equally at home in front of the camera, behind it, or amplifying the stories of others.

Casting Director

Holly Pretorius is a talented New Zealand actress stepping into the role of casting director for this production. With a strong understanding of performance and a sharp eye for authenticity, she brings both creative insight and empathy to the casting process. Deeply passionate about fostering inclusive representation on screen and creating opportunities for new and diverse voices across Aotearoa’s film industry, Holly is committed to helping stories reach their fullest potential through powerful, honest casting.

Cast

Paipera Hayes will be playing Abbey, She is a rising New Zealand actress (currently with HS Management ) Whose magnetic screen presence and raw emotional depth demand attention. She captured national acclaim with her breakout role in the TVNZ series Testify, where her nuanced portrayal of Dana, showcased her remarkable range and commitment to authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling. Her standout performance in the short film Matebot earned her a nomination for Best Performance at the 48Hours Film Competition, cementing her reputation as a fearless and dynamic performer.

Drawn to stories that challenge perspective and explore the complexity of human connection, Paipera brings honesty, intensity, and depth to every character she inhabits. Passionate about reflecting the heart and diversity of Aotearoa, she collaborates with both emerging and established filmmakers, continuously refining her craft. Grounded yet unstoppable, Paipera Hayes is rapidly establishing herself as one of New Zealand’s most compelling new voices in screen acting.

We’re raising funds to bring this ambitious short film to life — covering production costs such as paying cast and crew as our team is our backbone to this production and we want to value everyone time and commitment to this project.

Your support helps us create a high-quality proof of concept that captures the vision and energy of the future feature version of SECOND NATURE.

The Vision

The film is crafted like a tango — graceful, dangerous, and precise.
It’s a story told through movement, pacing, and power dynamics, rather than plot twists or spectacle.

• One location
• Two Actresses only: no supporting cast, no extras
• One continuous take: no cuts, no resets

Every take will be treated as a live performance — a cinematic dance where control and vulnerability constantly shift between the two characters.

SECOND NATURE is a story about accountability — for our choices, our past, and the masks we wear.

It’s also a creative experiment that celebrates what filmmaking can be when it strips away everything but the truth — performance, camera, and character.

By supporting this project, you’re helping a team of emerging filmmakers push boundaries, test bold ideas, and lay the foundation for a feature-length film that dives even deeper into these themes.

Your contribution — whether financial or simply sharing this campaign — helps us take one step closer to bringing that vision to life.

Let’s make this dance happen.