A dream a day — for
Kiwi photographer and film maker Fraser Grut has set himself the task of recording 10,000 people’s dreams, finds
What’s your dream? No, really, Fraser wants to know. Chances are you haven’t seen the young Aucklander around the place, camera in hand and grin on face. But don’t be surprised if you do. He is just over 3.5 per cent, or 375 dreams, through a project to document the dreams of 10,000 people then post them on Instagram — one dream, one day at a time.
The mathematical realities? Grut has about 26 years to go on his project. At 23, he has youth on his side. But still, is he mad?
Only if madness is measured by relentless positivity and a desire to leave the planet a different place than he found it.
“My dream is to change the world through film,” he tells the Herald on Sunday, before we ask.
“I want to change the world and I think film is so powerful; I want to tell stories that inspire people.”
Grut’s dream starts with the on button on his Canon C300, is carried by a whole lot of chutzpah and is nurtured by the knowledge he’s living the change he wants to champion.
He has canvassed restaurant-goers, spoken to homeless people and walked into churches — including an unsuccessful visit to the Church of Scientology — since he picked up his camera 10 months ago and started asking people their dreams.
High-profile Kiwis, including former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry, rapper Kings, political reporter Patrick Gower, former Air New Zealand boss Rob Fyfe and Bachelor NZ lovebirds Art Green and Matilda Rice, are also among those to land in Grut’s viewfinder.
In news sure to please those at the top of the political food chain, Gower’s dream is to write a book — not about politics — and Fyfe and Green want to help others live their best lives.
Sir Graham is among the fortunate few to be already living their dreams, he tells Grut. “The dreams have come true. I’m very fortunate that I’ve got all this life to live . . . talking to people, loving the Grut grandkids, catching fish and touring theZ world. Life’s a ball.”
Everyone should reach the place Graham has, Grut says.
“I just want everyone to be able to have the opportunity to chase their dreams . . . it’s amazing how many people just don’t know their dreams. It wakes you up a bit.
“But then when we ask them it challenges them to think and then when we post, it keeps people accountable, which is kinda cool.
“Because once your friends and family see what your dream is, it’s like, ‘Uh oh, I should probably start acting on it’.”
Grut knows how tough it can be to hang on to a dream. Sir
His passion for film goes back to childhood. He started his film company, Frog Productions, aged 7 — specialising in action man and teddy bear movies before his horror short film 23 House debuted on TV2 when he was 12.
But two years ago his dreams came crashing down when his first featurelength film, Syrenia, debuted.
Nothing came of it, and it was devastating. “It came out at cinemas but no massive opportunities opened up afterwards. I thought I’d be like a film protege . . . I thought Hollywood would call and they didn’t call.
“So that really just knocked me back, and then I owed a lot from making the film. There was a lot of debt.
“There was just a year of, ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t know what to do’.”
Grut gave up film for six months before realising, with the support of mentor former film company owner Richard Nauck, and family, that he had to pick himself up and get on with it.
“I’ve got to make it happen myself. I can’t just expect others to give me all these opportunities.” Filming free commercials opened financial doors and gave him his confidence back. Since, Grut has done more than 100 commercials, working with his brother, Tom, and contractors.
He also married, wedding Belinda in February — just two months after starting 10,000 Dreams.
Life’s sweet, and there’s plenty more good stuff to come.
He hopes asking people their dream, showing that someone is interested and cares, will make a difference. But if more help is needed, his next big goal is to form a trust to help people make their dreams reality, Grut says.
“It’s basically Make-a-Wish, but for everyone in the world. Where once we ask you what your dream is we’ll put a plan in place to help you get there and we’ll supply you with funding and contacts and opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Grut’s wife accepts 10,000 Dreams is going to be part of the couple’s life — probably forever.
When Grut started the project he planned only to do 365 Dreams — and she cautioned him then to be sure it was what he wanted.
But Grut felt felt unchallenged, so pushed the target even higher to 10,000 Dreams. There was no battle over the move.
“Now she’s kind of like, ‘Yep, you’re doing it. Just, whatever.’
It’s a lifestyle now.”
Just as well, because Grut doesn’t really think he’ll reach his own goal. He reckons he’ll exceed it.
“To be honest, once I get to 10,000 I’ll probably just keep going because it’ll become a lifestyle at that point, like brushing your teeth.
“I may as well do till I die.”
“Once your friends and family see what your dream is, it’s like, ‘Uh oh, I should probably start acting on it’.”
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