The E Blacks

Kiwi video gamers fight for the chance to represent their country in Esports at the Commonwealth Games. 

We need your support to tell this important story on Loading Docs’ award-winning short documentary platform. 

THE FILM 

The battle is on! For the first time ever, Esports will be included in a major international sporting event with dedicated video gamers vying to represent New Zealand. Sam 'Fury' Johnson and Lucy ‘Yculstranger’ Tam strive to take out titles in fantasy battle game DOTA 2. They must level up as athletes, to fight for a place at the Birmingham Games and prove they can compete at a world-class level. 

The E Blacks short documentary will document an historic event – Esports is featuring for the first time as a pilot event running alongside the Commonwealth Games. We have exclusive access to follow Sam ‘Fury’ Johnson and Lucy ‘Yculstranger’ Tam – top DOTA 2 players in NZ – as they fight for places on the New Zealand E Blacks team. If selected, they will be trained at the Hyper Performance Training centre by sports professionals as athletes, with the ultimate goal of playing DOTA 2 with their teams for New Zealand in Birmingham. The E Blacks offers an insightful look into the world of competitive gaming, a world not often explored through documentary, portraying the high stakes, time and dedication involved in competing gaming at a world class level.  

Join us by donating to this compelling short documentary. 

THE TEAM 

The E Blacks filmmaking team consists of a wicked trio of seasoned storytellers – as well as casual gamers – who have come together to document this important story at an historic moment.  

“I have always wanted to share stories from the community that has given me so much. Through this film I hope to show that gaming is more than sitting in a dark room all day, this is dedication and passion! For these gamers to compete at the Commonwealth Games is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we hope to be there with them as this historic moment unfolds!” - Ashley Pitman (director). 

THE TARGET 

We are very excited to have been selected for Loading Docs 2022 – a prestigious short documentary initiative. As part of this initiative, we need to raise $3,500 in order to unlock the funding from Loading Docs. However, this is an all-or-nothing campaign and if we don’t reach our target we won’t be able to make this film. That’s why we need your help! 

Together we can make this journey come to life.  

Please donate to our Boosted campaign!  Help us make our story and document this important Esports event. Loading Docs is an award-winning short documentary initiative to develop New Zealand filmmaking talent. Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air with support from NZFC and Te Māngai Pāho. 

Thank you once again for your support. 

Ashley, Annamarie and Rajneel 

THE FILMMAKERS 

Ashley Pitman (director) –  Ashley Pitman is a Romanian born filmmaker who grew up in New Zealand. He has been working in film and television for twelve years and in that time he has made several short films and documentaries including BBC Knowledge funded film Beard Chronicles. In 2020, Ashley went full time freelance to give his filmmaking career a proper shot. This has led to several opportunities including being selected for Loading Docs 2022. Ashley continues to develop his vision and skills as a writer and director. He looks forward to filming feature length content and continuing to explore themes and issues that are important to him. Works that inspire and challenge the audience to reflect on their own lives to spark change. 

Annamarie Connors and Rajneel Singh (producers) - The Unkindness are a corvid hive-mind consisting of filmmakers Annamarie Connors and Rajneel Singh. An accomplished writer-director-producer combo, they like dark subjects, evocative images and loud music. Annamarie has 20 years experience in the field of art direction, creatures and puppets. Raj is a director of television and film and produced the 2019 Loading Docs short documentary Operation: Rambu! Together, they fight crime.