PISA/VCD collaboration paves way for new film voices

Pacific Island Screen Artist members discover the possibilities of developing their stories through the use of the Virtual Production Studio at the AUT City Campus.

PISA General Manager Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, in collaboration with Auckland University of Technology’s Virtual Creative Design Research Centre, coordinated a proof of concept shoot for director and PISA member, Ali Cowley (front centre of image). Ali’s preliminary talks with AUT started after a tour of the VP studio with the South Auckland Creative and Tech Hub (SACTH) students to explore pathways into creative tech.

Ali’s concept was to capture a moment in time based around the arrival of the MV Matua Union steamship, nicknamed “The Banana Boat”, as it journeyed through the Pacific Islands to New Zealand during the 1960s. This particular story is about a young girl who travels from Samoa to reunite with her parents, who had already been working in New Zealand to bring her over.

The shoot day posed questions about how to work more efficiently with the new virtual production tools, especially in the preproduction phase. Part of the AUT PISA collab was to invite AUT students to participate and work alongside some experienced film industry crew.

There also was the opportunity for PISA members to drop in and see what goes on behind the scenes and to spark new ways of bringing their stories to life. Ali says that this initial project is just the beginning for PISA members, and with more opportunities like this, our film community can teach the next generation, such as the SACTH students.