World Premiere of History-Making Kiwi Film

World Premiere of History-Making Kiwi Film.

For young New Zealand film maker Mark Prebble June will be a major career-turning point with the World Premiere of his first feature film Futile Attraction. The Paramount Cinema in Wellington is hosting a special one-off screening of Futile Attraction on Tuesday 28 June 8.30pm.

In 2002 the 28 year-old directed the low-budget comedy. He spent 2003 editing it before running out of money for the final stages of post production. After traditional funding methods did not work, Mark turned to the internet to raise the remaining money. In 2004 he created www.makemarksmovie.com which allowed people around the world to contribute money online and get their names in the credits of the finished film.

It worked.

Throughout 2004 www.makemarksmovie.com received 10s of 1000s of hits, 100s of e-mails, support, help, publicity and, most importantly, money from all around the world. Contributions ranged from 70c to $1000. International volunteers designed, printed and displayed posters, composed music, arranged interviews in their home countries, sent e-mails, used chat rooms and spread the word in any way they could. Articles about the web-site have appeared on TV, Radio, Print and web-pages in UK, Europe, Asia, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

After steady progress through the year things took a huge leap forward late 2004 when three key sponsors became involved. Firstly Xtra decided to sponsor www.makemarksmovie.com and provide a broadband connection to help take the site and movie to a much wider audience. Secondly Auckland producer Johnny Givins became Executive Producer and arranged favours with other media friends, substantially reducing the remaining costs. Finally Radio Pacific offered to pay these remaining costs, live on air when Paul Henry interviewed Mark.

Now Futile Attraction is finally finished and, with its first screening, Mark is mere weeks away from making film history. It is believed that this is the first film completed using this method.

All are welcome to join in the celebration. Tickets are available from the Paramount box-office or by phone booking on 04 384 4080. Tickets are $13 each.

Futile Attraction is a mockumentary comedy about a film crew making a Reality TV show about a couple brought together by a dating agency. However the couple are so incompatible that the crew have to manipulate the couple to get the footage they need.

It features performances from Peter Rutherford, Danielle Mason, Alistair Browning, Glenda Tuaine, Michelle Ang, Lee Donoghue, Desiree Rose Cheer, Paul McLaughlin, Jeremy Randerson, Bevin Linkhorn, Richard Chapman, Lauren Jackson, Dra McKay and Christopher Brougham, with cameos from Taika Cohen, Adam Gardiner, Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie.

Says Mark:

This has been a long, tough ride and it blows me away to see the way different people have got involved. If you'd told me when I started this that the finished credits would have a 'Thanks to' list longer than the crew and a radio station as an executive producer, I'd never have believed it. I still haven’t seen Futile Attraction up on the big screen yet, so the 28th will be quite a night.

Says Shelley Johnston of Xtra:

We were keen to support Mark and the innovative way he is using the Internet to drive the project. His creative approach to funding the production is a New Zealand first, and possibly a world first. As he heads into the promotion phase of the project he will be able to use broadband to maximise the impact his movie makes here and overseas.

Says Executive Producer Johnny Givins:

I felt that it was imperative that the film be finished. When I heard how much energy, commitment and passion had gone into the film so far, I felt that I had to help. It’s no good to have it in cans in the corner of your bedroom! It has to be finished and put up on the screen so we can all see it. That’s why so many people have helped us get it done. It’s only by helping young directors like Mark tell their stories that we will have a future as an industry

And for Executive Producer Radio Pacific, Programme Director Chris Gregory says:

Paul first interviewed Mark back in March 2004. We were both impressed by his innovative approach to fundraising and his entrepreneurship. We saw a great opportunity to be involved, kept in touch and waited until our support would be of most benefit, i.e when it would actually finish the film.

ENDS

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