Casting for storytelling content now open

Casting for characters set to be immortalised within Te Unua Museum of Southland has begun – and locals are being encouraged to get involved.

With the physical build of the new regional museum scheduled to be completed later this year, a casting call for actors required for storytelling content was underway.

Te Unua Museum of Southland Director Eloise Wallace said the museum would open to the public after its experience and exhibition spaces were completed in 2027.

“There’s a huge amount of experience development mahi going on behind the scenes, for both our long-term centrepiece exhibition and our temporary exhibition galleries. We’re in a really exciting phase of work now, and the narratives within Te Unua are shaping up to celebrate Southland in such a meaningful way,” she said.

“Our region has such a fascinating and diverse history – and Te Unua is all about being a portal into a world people don’t see. The exploration of stories from the Subantarctic Islands, for example, speak to both the past and present of our region, and they take you to these places that otherwise may not be accessible to pique people’s imaginations.

“There is a real treasure trove of stories to be told, and we hope Southlanders are keen to help us bring these to the screen,” Wallace said.

Experience design firm Gibson International – the award-winning visitor experience, exhibition design, and production studio – was working with Council’s museum and heritage team to develop a series of videos that would give visitors an insight into the region.

Gibson International head of content strategy and media production Gary Scott said the storytelling captured would highlight some of the quirkier historical stories from around Southland.

“The stories really are a reflection of a slice of history – it’s very much a semi-fictionalised, but reality-inspired, romp through the events of Southland’s past. Each scene will give visitors a little glimpse into different corners of the place,” he said.

“They’re narratives that will not only tap into the nostalgia held by locals, as well as others quite unique to this part of the world. The common thread running through each is about giving people an insight into the identity of the people and place of Southland.”

Casting director Jackie Gay said about 20 people, with a variety of ages and backgrounds, were needed for the shoot.

Not all of the roles required an extensive resume of previous experience – but actors did need to be enthusiastic about being part of a project that would showcase Southland to the world, she said.

“Southland’s new museum is set to be a place that fosters an incredible sense of regional pride, and we want the storytelling content to be authentic and meaningful,” she said.

“Being part of the shoot is a way for Southlanders to see themselves reflected within the heart of Te Unua. We would love to encourage people to put their hands up, and be part of an experience that will capture the essence of Southland.”

Auditions would be held in Invercargill on 29 and 30 June, with shooting scheduled to take place in the city in mid-August. One day of filming per role would be required, Gay said.

Locals keen to take part could register their interest by emailing stillvision@xtra.co.nz, with a current photo and details of any previous experience they may have.

Te Unua Museum of Southland was scheduled to be opened to the public in 2027.

To find out more, visit teunua.nz