‘Whale of a project' rewarded
Southland signwriting firm Creation Signs has clinched gold at the New Zealand Sign and Display Association Awards, having constructed a 8.5m humpback whale, to watch it destroyed in a matter of seconds by a hungry shark.
Manager Riki Shuttleworth said, in a statement, the honour, announced in Nelson on Saturday night, was testament to his team's passion for the industry.
"We might be located at the bottom of New Zealand but the quality of work which emerges from our workshop is now recognised at the very top," he said.
The gold was awarded in the vehicle-custom-wrapped category for a large semi-submersible replica whale for American film company Hazmat Productions, which released a documentary on the Discovery Channel for Shark Week 2024.
"It was quite literally a whale of a project. It needed to be realistic to succeed in its objective once in the water for filming and the finished product was very impressive," Mr Shuttleworth said.
Affectionately dubbed Earl 2.0, the humpback whale presented a unique challenge. Graphic designer Bradley Frew used 3-D software to create the realistic graphics which were printed in-house before being applied in sections to the 8.53m whale decoy in a workshop in Bluff.
"That was no easy task as the measurements needed to be spot on for it to be applied correctly to the 3-D surface. It was a great test of our skills."
Acting like a submarine, it fitted two people inside entering through a hatch. Made of fibreglass, rubber fins were added on the sides and tail filled with synthetic blood for the sharks to attack when in the water.
The end result made quite a splash when a Great White shark was filmed ripping it apart, just off Stewart Island. The shark was attracted to the fins.
Adding to the company's success, Creation Signs signwriter Brianna Hart was nominated for apprentice of the year and earned runner-up in a highly competitive field of finalists.
"It simply confirmed what we already knew — she's an absolute superstar and has a bright future in our industry. It was fantastic to see her skills and dedication recognised among the very best of her peers," Mr Shuttleworth said.
Created in 1997, the awards attract hundreds of entries every year and are designed to celebrate excellence.
— APL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
16 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Car crashes into restaurant injuring influencers as they film video
Two American social media influencers didn't get the dining experience they expected when a car crashed into the restaurant where they were eating. The footage captures the pair taking a bite of some sliders before the impact forces the glass to shatter and the window to buckle, sending large
NZ Herald
18 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Alex Warren brings fan's mum's ashes on stage at Auckland concert
An American singer and influencer held up a ziplock bag of a fan's dead mother's ashes during a concert in Auckland. Alex Warren, who rose to stardom in 2020 by posting on TikTok, was performing at The Civicon Monday night, when the bizarre interaction unfolded.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Went Up The Hill Heads Stateside, Opening On Over 130 Screens
Press Release – New Zealand Film Commission New Zealand-Australian co-production Went Up The Hill released over the weekend across more than 130 screens in the United States, marking a major international milestone for the critically acclaimed feature. Premiering as a Special Presentation at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, director Samuel Van Grinsven says the film's journey from Aotearoa to North America has been deeply meaningful. 'From its haunting landscapes to its emotional core, this film is deeply personal. I'm honoured by the response it's received and excited for American audiences to experience it.' A co-production between local producer Vicky Pope (Savage, upcoming Pike River) and her Australian counterparts, Sam Jennings and Kristina Ceyton of Causeway Films (Talk To Me, The Babadook), the film highlights the strength of trans-Tasman collaboration and genre storytelling. Pope says the film's growing international reach is a proud moment for the team, noting, 'to see Went Up The Hill reach audiences across the US is incredibly rewarding. This film has been a labour of love, and we're thrilled to see it resonate so widely.' NZFC CEO, Annie Murray, says the release signals continued progress for New Zealand storytelling. 'The release ofWent Up The Hillmarks another step forward for New Zealand film, building on a wave of creative momentum. With Tinā soon to reach US audiences and Mārama premiering at Toronto, our storytelling continues to evolve and resonate. Co-productions like this highlight the power of collaboration — bringing together talent, resources, and vision to create something truly special.' Starring Vicky Krieps (Corsage, The Phantom Thread) and Dacre Montgomery (Stranger Things), Went Up The Hill premiered in Aotearoa at Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival in Auckland, attended by Van Grinsven along with Montgomery and his New Zealand whānau. Currently, screening nationwide as part of the festival, the film offers local audiences an early opportunity to experience it on home soil. It's also showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival, where Van Grinsven is nominated for Best Director. Inspired by the director's childhood memories of South Island, the film blends psychological drama with supernatural tension. Jack (Montgomery) travels to New Zealand for the funeral of his estranged mother, Elizabeth. He claims to have been invited by her widow, Jill (Krieps), though she has no memory of doing so. Jill nonetheless welcomes Jack into her striking South Island home. As night falls, Elizabeth's spirit begins to stir, revealing unfinished business that binds both Jack and Jill. Went Up The Hill was made with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Australia, and the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate, along with support from ScreenCanterburyNZ and Screen NSW Vendetta Films is distributing the film in New Zealand and Australia, while Greenwich Entertainment is handling distribution in North America. Bankside Films is managing international sales and co-representing North American rights alongside CAA Media Finance. About the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) is the government agency responsible for supporting and promoting New Zealand's vibrant screen industry. It invests in the development, production, and marketing of New Zealand films, both locally and internationally, and works to grow the country's reputation as a world-class destination for screen production. The NZFC provides production financing for New Zealand feature and short films, offers talent development initiatives, and administers the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) – a key driver in attracting major international productions. It also supports official co-productions and offers resources to connect New Zealand filmmakers with global partners. Through its dual focus on nurturing local storytelling and bringing international productions to New Zealand's shores, the NZFC plays a vital role in the economic and cultural growth of the screen sector.
