Following the Wellington premiere of the web series/film Rūrangi on 2 August 2020, Elz Carrad (lead actor), Max Currie (co-producer and series director) and Craig Gainsborough (producer) talk about the production.
Summary
In this recording from Civic Square/Te Ngākau, Wellington, captured on August 2nd, 2021, the Wellington launch of the series "Rūrangi" is discussed by interviewees Craig Gainsborough, Elz Carrad, and Max Currie with interviewer Gareth Watkins. The event is recounted as a sold-out success, with a diverse audience ranging from children to the elderly, differing from the more lively Auckland audience. The interview touches on the emotional responses elicited among viewers, with Wellington attendees noted for shedding tears, and the positive impact of the film on the audience, with some members moved beyond words.
The importance of "Rūrangi" lies in its role as a rare opportunity for authentic representation of marginalised communities. The show's creation involved Cole Meyers and Oliver Page, with Meyers significantly contributing personal experiences as an activist and writer. A key element in fostering authenticity was casting transgender individuals in transgender roles, thus ensuring genuine portrayals through personal identification with the characters. The discussion further reveals how the script incorporated subtleties known to the transgender community, with ongoing dialogue on representation consistently integrated into the production process.
The series unfolded as a poignant narrative, giving characters space to express emotions non-verbally. The interview highlights the complexity of these portrayals and the careful consideration given to delivering an authentic experience. Screenwriter and directorial decisions were made to emphasize what is unspoken, deepening the storytelling.
The cast relates to their characters, noting shared similarities – in this instance, the shared experience as a transgender individual and the Māori background. The creative process involved the actors having separate rehearsal sessions to mirror the character's journeys and ensure the authenticity of on-screen emotional interactions. The film's engagement with emotional depth is also captured in scenes where dialogue is intentionally spare, leaving ample space for characters' non-verbal expressions to enhance the story's richness.
Addressing the impact of "Rūrangi," the interview sheds light on the series' reception and media coverage, revealing an imbalanced focus on transitions and transgender narratives over other aspects of the show. This disparity reiterates the necessity for diverse narratives encompassing more than identity transitions, underlining the complexity and talent within these communities.
Further expanding on the scope of the show, discussions turn to initiatives such as internships provided for gender-diverse individuals in various production roles, cultivating the next generation of storytellers from within these communities. These steps align with the series' larger goal of enhancing autonomy in storytelling.
Concluding the interview, personal responses to the show are contemplated, emphasizing the importance of the series not only in representing marginalized groups but also in touching the lives of viewers, including the poignant reactions from the parents of gender-diverse children, illustrating the profound impact of "Rūrangi"'s message of acceptance and understanding.
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