INTRODUCTION
Te Ao Mārama (The World of Light) is a visually immersive 3-minute 3D short film/documentary about the Māori creation story. The story is focusing on the moment when Tāne Mahuta (the god of the forest and birds) separates Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) to bring the first light into the world. The film blends cinematic storytelling and real-time world-building workflows in Unreal Engine with indigenous mythology, set in a realistic, procedurally created New Zealand environment. As individuals with non-New Zealand origins with a deep love for Aotearoa, we are telling this story to learn and grow alongside Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview). The film is guided by Tikanga (Māori ethics framework) and Māori cultural advisors for the Tangata Whenua (People of the land) to ensure an ethical and accurate retelling and representation.
CULTURE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This project acknowledges the original landowners, Tangata Whenua (people of the land) of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the founding document of New Zealand, the agreement between the British Crown and Māori chiefs) as the foundation for our commitment to partnership, protection, and participation. Respect for the elders of this land, past and present, is vital.
We recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the founding document of New Zealand, the agreement between the British Crown and Māori chiefs) as the foundation for our commitment to partnership, protection, and participation. Respect for the elders of this land, past and present, is vital.
This contribution will significantly impact the development of ethical research and the realisation of this project.
Honouring cultural values is essential to promoting meaningful, responsible, and respectful creative visualisation.
We honour the sacred lands, the ancestors who have walked before us, and the guardians of this place.
We acknowledge Ranginui above, Papatūānuku below, and the living breath that binds all life between them.
May our work be guided by respect, truth, and the spirit of Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview), under the guidance and wisdom of Māori. We stand in humility, gratitude, and reverence.
We acknowledge Ranginui above, Papatūānuku below, and the living breath that binds all life between them.
May our work be guided by respect, truth, and the spirit of Te Ao Māori (Māori worldview), under the guidance and wisdom of Māori. We stand in humility, gratitude, and reverence.
ABOUT US
Te Ao Mārama is produced and directed by Laura Moldenhauer-Noethling and Tomomi (Goom) Hasegawa, together known as Two Pixels and a Dream.
Over the past two years, we have developed a strong creative partnership, working flexibly across disciplines. We share knowledge, adapt to challenges, and support each other throughout every phase of production, leveraging our strengths to complement one another.
Laura Moldenhauer-Noethling
She is the Project Lead, Director, Writer, Art Director, and Technical Lead Artist. Her focus lies in creating 3D environments, procedural workflows, visual development, and overall project coordination. With a solid background in project management, world-building, storytelling, and visual effects (VFX) supervision, she is responsible for shaping the project’s vision and technical execution.
She is the Project Lead, Director, Writer, Art Director, and Technical Lead Artist. Her focus lies in creating 3D environments, procedural workflows, visual development, and overall project coordination. With a solid background in project management, world-building, storytelling, and visual effects (VFX) supervision, she is responsible for shaping the project’s vision and technical execution.
Tomomi (Goom) Hasegawa
He is the Co-Director, 2D Concept Lead, and Lead Animator. His strengths include storyboarding, 2D development, and both traditional and digital animation. He leads the 2D concept and storyboard development, and contributes as a 3D artist to environment design, VFX support, compositing, and sound. He is also responsible for modelling and rigging the character.
He is the Co-Director, 2D Concept Lead, and Lead Animator. His strengths include storyboarding, 2D development, and both traditional and digital animation. He leads the 2D concept and storyboard development, and contributes as a 3D artist to environment design, VFX support, compositing, and sound. He is also responsible for modelling and rigging the character.
Together, we are committed to deep cultural research, ensuring that our work authentically reflects Māori cultural values and is developed with respect and responsibility.
USED SOFTWARE, TOOLS & MESHES
PRE-PRODUCTION
MOODBOARD & CONCEPTS
STORY
ANIMATIC
Turn on the sound for the voice-over.
Our animatic has been carefully shaped by Tikanga Māori principles, in close collaboration with our Māori adviser to ensure cultural integrity. The voice-over script was written by Laura Moldenhauer-Noethling and performed by Goom Hasegawa, with direct support and training from our Māori adviser throughout the language learning process.
Looking ahead to the final cinematic short documentary, we are committed to casting an official Māori voice actor, fluent in Te Reo Māori (Māori language), to bring the story to life with authenticity and respect.
CREDITS & RESPONSIBILITY
PRODUCTION
