Got The Spirit

When dissatisfied yo-pro Paris’ amateur DJ boyfriend Dan dies unexpectedly, she is secretly relieved she never had to dump him. Unfortunately, Dan returns as a ghost- believing his unfinished business is to be a better boyfriend to Paris than he was while he was alive, the last thing she actually wants. Paris must either endure Dan's awkward attempts to rekindle their dead romance, or build up the courage to do what she never could while Dan was alive - admit that she wants to break up.

"Got the Spirit" is about how all the best relationships take effort, but true love shouldn't be a slog. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for someone else is dump them.

The core of "Got the Spirit" is the relationship between Paris and Dan, two imperfect people who have stayed together for maybe just a little too long.

Paris is a perfectionist yo-pro who's too embarrassed by everything to think about what she actually likes, or who she even is outside of her job description. Dan is a selfless extrovert DJ who is genuine to his core, but can genuinely bugger things up for himself by not thinking through the consequences of his actions.

They're a classic "golden retriever and black cat" relationship. Unfortunately, the things that set them apart from each other when they first met have ultimately pulled them apart from both each other and their own happiness.

Dan's new living situation has forced the pair into a scenario where they must confront the root of unhappiness in their relationship, but when the one thing they have in common is being conflict avoidant, can they actually own up to being unhappy in the first place?

Got the Spirit is a dramedy, in the spirit of our favourite films like Lars and the Real Girl, Palm Springs, The Worst Person in the World, and Muriel's Wedding, with the character dynamic between Paris and Dan fuelling both the comedy and the drama. Our film is funny, but has a strong emotional core that will deliver a real, heartfelt emotional climax about love and relationships that audiences can relate to, and feel a little less embarrassed about that one ex they regret dating for as long as they did.

Made by Massey University 3rd year Screen Arts students, we are a crew of emerging student creatives looking to make something that reflects the talent of our crew and the way we see the world. This is a huge chance for us to develop and showcase our skills, and kickstart our careers in the growing New Zealand screen industry.

By supporting this project, you're supporting and nurturing the next generation of kiwi film voices. (No ouija boards required)

Your generous donation will help to fuel our project by:

• Paying our actors
• Commissioning an original score by our talented composers
• Cover location fees
• Feed our crew (filmmaking is hungry work!)
• Empower our art department to flesh out the world of the film
• Help pay for film festival entries on completion!

The Team:

Co-Director and Writer- Molly Power

Co-director- Tom Lewis

Producer- Kate Chu

Director of Photography- Harry Orange

Composers- Mason Blair and SUPABAD

First AD- Olivia Johnston

Art Director- Toby Din

First AC - Harry Armstrong-Coop

Gaffer - Emily Ardern

VFX Supervisor - Bailey Norman

Sound - Zac McSweeney, Will Grafton-Howe, Oscar Smit

Art Department Assistant- Daisy Din

Graphic Design - Mikayla Strahorn

And other Massey University Screen Arts Students across Third and Second Year.

Thanks for your support, anything we get will really BOOst our spirits. Ha. Just a little ghost pun for you. (Excess funds will go towards getting better ghost-themed jokes)