Actress makes the connection in Banks Peninsula film
Banks Peninsula’s beauty and an abundance of local talent is showcased in a new short film airing next year.
Peninsula is a story of three main characters who experience difficulty connecting with one another, until they are brought together by the actions of one of them.
That character is played by Amber Ranson, whose friends say often brings people together with her personality outside the film world.
Ranson joked that filming on a movie set was a ‘‘piece of cake’’, indicative of her sense of humour. ‘‘On a serious note, there definitely were a lot of challenges,’’ she said.
‘‘It felt amazing to get through all of the scenes. I am not someone who normally gives up easily ... just put your head down and get on with it.’’
Ranson, who has Down syndrome, said starring in a film was on her bucket list and this project was a lot of fun.
‘‘In one scene my character had to be dancing, so the crew put on Thunderstruck by AC/DC – one of my favourites.
‘‘I busted the moves out and then off camera the whole crew was dancing with me.
‘‘I will never forget that.’’ Writer and director Fiona Mackenzie said she wrote the film with Ranson in mind. Mackenzie had been teaching Ranson in a performance arts class and said she knew her student would be perfect for the role.
‘‘Amber is a strong performer and a strong character. I knew she was a strong enough person to enter a film set without blanching.
‘‘Also, when people see Amber in this film they will think it is a film about Down syndrome, which it is not. I am so over these things having to be about disability just because the people involved are disabled. ‘‘Can’t we move on?’’
The film was shot over three days in Banks Peninsula and is now in the editing process.
Producer Scott Slyger hoped to tour the film around international festivals, starting in February 2020.
The film would be on show in New Zealand around September or October, he said.