Local Indie film producer, Raymond A. Porter, is set to start shooting his latest production in and around the district. Porter has assembled a cast and crew that have award winning credits from National and International Film Festivals. With several awards for film and writing himself, he is confident the project will do the district proud.
Porter is also an author, with five fiction books to his credit. Three of which are available to check out and read, from the library. Having been involved in a few TV shows and major films shot in NZ, giving technical advice to prop and wardrobe departments, it was suggested that he turned his hand to writing screenplays. This led to producing and directing a handful of short films. Porter has also had a short film, The Taxi, made by another producer, and recently had a feature length screenplay optioned by a production company. Porter has one film, Mr John, available for viewing on a number of platforms, and a second film, Highway Justice, that has screened on Sky TV’s channel 83.
The project Porter is in pre-production with currently, falls into the horror drama genre. No zombies, no vampires, and definitely not a slasher movie, it is a good old-fashioned horror. As a local resident with an extremely active imagination, what better way to make use of and highlight the regions swamps and waterways. The first pieces of footage will be shot in June, to take advantage of the fog that can hang in the air until midday in some areas.
Though not set in New Zealand, the story will make use of the regions landscape and history. Set in both the 1880s and modern times, the old coal mines will be mentioned. A blend of reality and fiction, it is hoped audiences will feel a connection. Porter hopes that the exciting storyline, relatable characters and use of the regions landscape will not only entertain but will draw audiences into the story. It is Porter’s plan that The Witch of Madden Swamp, will be the first of several feature films to be shot locally.
