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 (New Zealand), 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.
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 COMING SOON...