Lights, Camera, Learning

On set with Curative Collective

The Curative Collective started their journey with us in February. As part of their collaborative learning experience, they have been sharing input, ideas and critical feedback to help shape the development of the Future Within kaupapa to support whānau to keep pregnancy alcohol free. 

Building on the established campaign, the Collective helped to evolve and deepen the messaging and show a wider audience that we all have a role to play to support alcohol free pregnancies. 

As part of the experience, we were able to include a couple of the Collective in the production so they could see what happens behind the scenes. 

Here they share what that they learned on set: 

Hera: The perspectives within me, around me

Ko Sarah Watene toku ingoa, he uri ahau nō Te Rarawa, nō Tainui, me Ngāi Te Rangi hoki. Ko Tāmaki Makaurau tōku kāinga, I tipu ake au i Mōrenawhira.

Being a third year Screen, Advertising and Māori Development student, I understand how to approach media in a way that aligns with kauapapa Māori. I primarily indulge in videography, photography and kapa haka and have experience with running events and doing MC work, being the Kaupapa Whanui for Titahi Ki Tua. 

These skills really helped me on set, understanding how to hold myself and interact with the crew. Despite never being on a professional set before this, I had plenty of experience through student film that taught me how to hold myself and prepared me for how things would run.

What drew me to join the Curative Collective was the essence of the kaupapa they run, helping the communities that need it with beautifully-curated campaigns. What I appreciate the most is their desire to gather perspectives from the communities to ensure their campaigns hold relevance and respect.

Not only can I learn from the opportunities given to me, like being a runner on set. But I can better their approach with my unique Māori perspective and skill set. 

I appreciate that the collective is youth-led. Not only does it allow our voices to be heard by other generations, but also brings us together to learn from each other. Not all youth are the same, something that is not always taken into consideration.

I am looking forward to using this space to help make change on a social level while growing through what I learn and by the influence of the perspectives around me.

Boram: The Future Within with Curative – Through My Eyes

Certain lessons can only be learned by being present within the scene itself, and one of the best ways to learn is through direct exposure and experience. Playing an assistive role on the Future Within shoot enabled me to take a peripheral position, observing and absorbing how the workflow operated.

Working in an environment where professionals were willing to explain the thought process behind on-site creative decisions, while still being able to chat and banter casually, revealed the human side of the industry.

In high-stakes roles, these are often the kinds of moments that go unnoticed due to the demands and pressures of responsibility. Small interactions and details can sometimes only be captured by those just starting, who are given the space to learn, observe, and make mistakes without major consequences.

Opportunities to observe sets, speak with directors, and coordinate with a team while remaining in a low-stakes, peripheral position are rare, even for juniors, who are typically assigned more labour-intensive yet straightforward roles.

Taking full advantage of this experience, I created an Instagram post that lets others see what I saw through the still life and the people I was surrounded by.

To learn more about the Curative Collective and see what’s happening behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram.