Gisborne again a backdrop for a movie

Back in Gisborne to shoot opening sequence scenes for post-apocalyptic movie Neila, is Alaska-based film-maker Fred Potts. Mr Potts frames Gisborne girls Nevaeh Rewiti-Peters (left), Danielle Hegarty and Reremoana Te Ora Karaka-Maynard in a low-angle shot at Brown’s Beach, Muriwai. Danielle plays Neila, who is among about 7000 survivors of a virus that almost drives the human race to extinction. Mr Potts has visited Gisborne before to film scenes for movies such as Tikanga Amerikana, Night Gallery, Memoirs of a Vampire and Tukino. Pictures by Liam Clayton

A post-apocalyptic wilderness was created from the tussocked dunes of Brown’s Beach, Muriwai this week.

The dunes are among various Gisborne locations where film-maker Fred Potts shot scenes for his futuristic film Neila.

Gisborne girl 16-year-old Danielle Hegarty was cast in the title role for the planned trilogy that begins with a 20-25 minute sequence. Danielle was an extra in an end scene for a film Mr Potts shot outside Auckland last year.

“I saw the talent in her, so I auditioned her for the part of Neila and cast her in the film.”

Mr Potts will use the opening sequence to support his pitch to Chinese investors for the proposed feature film.

Shifting between present day and 2000 years in the future, the film tells the story of Neila’s trek through a desiccated and de-populated landscape in search of food and water.

The opening sequence includes present-day scenes and scenes set 2000 years in the future. One brief establishing shot shows Earth as a virus-devastated planet that blackens as electricity supply systems crash.

“The film takes place in our timeline and in the year 3849 AD,” says Mr Potts.

“At that time, fewer than 7000 people are left on the planet. Earth has become a wasteland. The story follows Neila, who is escorting a child across the wasteland. Neila will meet a lot of good people and a lot of bad people.”

Part of Mr Potts’ inspiration to make the film was Star Wars filmmaker George Lucas’s comment that he made the science fiction film because he wanted to see what the future would be like.

“My inspiration was to write the screenplay for Neila, who lives in a world I will never see.”

The next step towards getting the trilogy made is to fly Danielle and film crew to China, where they plan to shoot scenes at locations that include Crescent Lake, an oasis set in the dunes south of Dunhuang in north-west China. Mr Potts hopes to be in full production by November.

Danielle’s parents Lyn and Willy Hegarty accompanied Danielle to locations such as Auckland International Airport, Tokoroa, Putararu and the Desert Road for filming. Mr and Mrs Hegarty were caterers for film crew and cast.

Along with footage shot at Brown’s Beach, other Gisborne locations include Carl’s Junior, Village Superette, the railway yards where two policemen joined the cast as extras, and Te Hapara School for a scene that included drama student extras from Gisborne Boys’ High, Girls’ High and Campion College.

A few segments from the footage can be viewed at www.vimeo.com/user1305462.

• Tikanga Amerikana (The American Way), Dark Past, My Carol Anne are among movies Alaska-based filmmaker Fred Potts has shot, or shot scenes for, in Gisborne.

While taking a break from shooting Tikanga Amerikana in 2003, Mr Potts made four short films in Gisborne — Sideroad, The Maori lady, Aliens - The New Species and Remote Control.

He has also visited Gisborne to shoot scenes for Night Gallery, Memoirs of a Vampire and Tukino.

Mr Potts was in Gisborne this week to shoot scenes for a 20-25 minute opening sequence for his futuristic,

post-apocalyptic movie Neila.