What Will You Do in the Shadows?

Back in 2014, a highly reclusive society granted a documentary crew safe passage into a secret world: the result was What We Do in the Shadows.

Earlier this year, Wellington-based film-making outfit Second Unit Productions attended a meeting of the Wellington Vampire Society and the Lower Hutt Vampires and Witches Club, chaired by The Beast, and were given permission to film again.

Second Unit Productions start filming at the Wellington Waterfront on 13 June and they need warm-blooded bodies to complete an epic film shoot of unholy proportions.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 3 April for a new immersive event in Wellington as Second Unit launches for the first of a three year-pilot. Second Unit is a live immersive experience inspired by famous films, and the first event will take place on a huge custom-built set on Wellington’s Waterfront from 13 June 2019.

The film inspiring Second Unit 2019 is What We Do In the Shadows, the award-winning vampire mockumentary set in Wellington. The film’s directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, who have just launched a US series, are not involved in Second Unit, but this live production has their blessing.

Tāwhiri’s Executive Director Meg Williams says, ‘The world of the film is very much present in Second Unit, but there’s a twist that makes it a fresh live experience. You can look out for cameos from a few famous friends from the original WWDITS and the film’s fans will get much from exploring the world. Its an experience that can be enjoyed by both fans of the film and anyone looking for a freaky night out’.

As well as being the producers of established events like New Zealand Festival and Wellington Jazz Festival, part of Tāwhiri’s mandate now is to develop new experiences for audiences outside of those festivals.

‘We’re growing creative experiences from the ground up, right here in Wellington. We’re very proud that Second Unit has such an exciting collective of Kiwi creatives making the show: Cuba Street Carnival founder and event impresario Chris Morley-Hall and Anna Wooles from Koko have joined forces with a team of terrific theatre-makers Stella Reid, Benjamin Henson and Andrew Foster, with set design by award-winning John Verryt,’ said Meg.

Koko impresario, Chris Morley-Hall says Second Unit will disrupt Wellington’s entertainment scene.

‘It has been a huge privilege to create and develop, alongside Tāwhiri, such an ambitious new event for Wellington. It’s been an adventure working with such a dynamic and talented team of creatives to shake up our theatre scene and audiences,’ says Chris.

Meg Williams adds: ‘It’s a bold, controlled, experiment – and we know that Wellingtonians are always up for something a bit different, so we hope they’ll come along and give it a go.’

With tickets starting from just $49, Second Unit has a movie, music gig or comedy-going audience in mind. Dubbed an ‘immersive experience’, the experience is more hand-on than a traditional show, inviting the audience to play and explore, either with a group of friends or as a solo adventurer. Second Unit takes the audience the behind-the-scenes onto a fictional film set, where nothing is quite as it seems. The plot and design of the show are being kept secret to maximise the surprise and impact.

Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency CEO Lance Walker says it’s no surprise a new, innovative creative experience was developed in the Wellington region.

“Second Unit is a cutting edge technical production and is certainly a new concept to Wellington and perhaps New Zealand. It utilises two of Wellington’s biggest strengths, its creative talent and the film sector, in developing a fun live immersive experience unlike anything else on offer. There could hardly be anything more appropriate in Wellington than having a creatively laden event where you discover what it’s like to be an extra on a major production.

“But Second Unit is more than just an excellent event. It will employ and help develop more than 120 cast, creatives and crew in the Wellington region to provide a boost to and increase the sustainability of the local creative economy.”

SECOND UNIT

1 Taranaki St, Wellington Waterfront

13-30 June, 2019. Tickets on sale Wednesday 3 April, 2019

Information and Bookings www.secondunit.nz

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