Film studio puts stardom up for sale

MIKE SCOTT/Taranaki Daily News

ALMOST FAMOUS: Wangawood owner Tony Williams, who is auctioning off a movie role on TradeMe.

Relevant offers

For sale - a chance to be a movie star.

Trade Me is a seller of many things, now up for grabs on the auction website is a role in a Taranaki movie.

Wangawood, an independent Taranaki film studio, is creating a feature film called The Big Fat One and is selling a part in the comedy.

So far there have been six bids and the price is up to $20.

Wangawood owner and film director Tony Williams said they thought about putting a reserve on the acting offer, but not having one meant kids could make a bid.

"We'll cast the role to whoever wins it. But this is a speaking part and will involve a close up, so they"ll be 20 foot high on the big screen," Williams said.

The Trade Me offer has attracted plenty of interest.

"Wangawood is offering you a part in a zany comedy. The Big Fat One is a family comedy, you can be any age or gender there is a part for you.

"It doesn't matter what your level of experience is ... you will get expert direction. To qualify for your moment of stardom, you just have to be able to get to New Plymouth for part of the filming period and be the highest bidder," it says on the website.

Proceeds from the auction will go back into the film. The auction closes just before midnight tomorrow.

The Big Fat One is the story of a jewel thief hiding out in a small country school under threat of closure.

Filming began earlier this year and it was originally anticipated the movie would be wrapped up by now.

But, after viewing a rough cut of filming, Williams has decided to re-shoot parts and add some footage, including extra scenes in Whangamomona.

"It was agreed that one of the things that would get people out of their houses and to come to the cinema to watch the film was Whangamomona. So I've decided to increase the Whangamomona factor and I thought there were other things we could do."

A new crime element has been added via the jewellery heist.

Last week Williams and other Wangawood crew were in New Plymouth scouting new locations, including Puke Ariki and the New Plymouth District Council building.

Filming will take place next month.