Harnessing VFX to Bring Fears to Life in The Sea Inside Her

The Sea Inside Her is a captivating short film that explores the depths of fear through the extraordinary measures a grandmother takes to protect her grandchild. Starring the iconic contemporary dancer Kilda Northcott, this visually stunning film brings to life a grandmother's intense struggle against manifesting fears during a bedtime routine.

Directed by Alyx Duncan and written by Michele Powles, the film was supported early on by Creative New Zealand. This support enabled the team to experiment with movement and prototype puppets designed by Paul Lewis. Initial workshops were crucial in determining the interactions of the film's creatures, leading to a collaboration with Frank & Kara at OHUfx. Their VFX expertise seamlessly removed puppeteers from the frame, making the creatures appear alive.

Despite challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the dedication of OHUfx and the film's team ensured its completion. The film will premiere on August 18th at NZIFF and be part of an exhibition at Art House Trust at Pah Homestead in Auckland from July 24 to September 15.

The VFX Guild is proud to support innovative projects like this, showcasing the power of visual effects in storytelling.