University Library in a galaxy far, far away

Star Wars creator George Lucas is about to get a glimpse of Hamilton – and the University of Waikato – as very few people have ever seen it.

A Star Wars homage film shot entirely in Hamilton by a University of Waikato screen and media graduate has been chosen as a finalist in an international Star Wars fan film competition. All finalist films win a viewing by the veteran director, who will make his selection of the best.

The 10-minute movie, written and directed by Sasha Nixon, is titled Star Wars: Hunter. It follows the adventures of wanted man Rek Daggard, who lays a trap to capture a Jedi in order to win a full pardon from the Empire. Unfortunately, the plan backfires.

The action shifts between a scene in a bar (actually the second floor of the University’s newly-renovated Library where Nixon currently works) and a scene near the Waikato River. One of the biggest challenges, says Nixon, was how to make Hamilton look like the Evil Empire. Then he had the idea of shooting part of the movie at work.

“The University Library has been under reconstruction for a while, and it struck me that Level 2 looked just like a futuristic bar with its white main desk, polished floors, pillars and coloured ceiling lights,” he says.

Nixon himself stars in his own movie; he also draws on the acting talents of other Waikato students, including Hillary scholars Shoshana Sachi and Jeremy Mayall. Mayall also composed the film score along with Hamilton composer Chris Lam Sam. The film also features a range of realistic props specially created by Tauranga-based Star Wars enthusiast, Tony Price.

“No film is made in a vacuum; I had a lot of amazing help on this,” says Nixon. "Working with such huge talents such as Shoshana and Jeremy speaks volumes about the kind of passion and professionalism that can be found inside the University. Grant Sherson from Screen & Media was gracious enough to let me use Mediarena, a media facility for grad students, to edit the film.”

All the Star Wars finalist films will be available to view online from July 5, and Nixon is hoping that people will support his entry by voting for it.

But the greatest thrill, he says, is the opportunity to put his work in front of George Lucas himself. “I hope it rings nostalgic bells for him,” he says. “I grew up watching movies like Star Wars, so my film is very much an 80s love fest.”

Watch Star Wars: Hunter.

Sasha Nixon - Star Wars: Hunter

Waikato University graduate and writer/director of Star Wars homage 'Star Wars: Hunter' Sasha Nixon, tells us how we can support his film to win the international Star Wars fan film competition and reveals what his next film project involves.
7th July 2011