Shmeat Film Score

Funded by the New Zealand Film Commission's Fresh Shorts scheme, Shmeat is a short animated black comedy about a dystopic New Zealand where we've run out of meat. A peculiar scientist, Lecta, has come up with an idea that may just save us all, and it's probably not quite what you'd expect. The film is narrated by award winning actress, Geraldine Brophy (How to Murder Your Wife, King Kong, Shortland Street), whose warm, yet ominous voice lends itself perfectly to this nightmarish fairytale.

We're already two thirds of the way to the finish line, but now we want to take Shmeat to the next level. Like many kiwi films, we could go with a digitally-produced score with only one or two live instruments, but a music-heavy fable like Shmeat calls for an epic, Elfman-esque soundtrack recorded with a live orchestra. We have the chance to do just that, but we need you to make it happen. 

On the 22nd of September, we are looking to record 15 fully professional orchestral players in a two hour session with recording engineer John Neill of Park Road Post. The depth of expression, humanity, warmth and colour that live musicians can achieve leaves even the finest digital mock-ups in the dust. 

We want Shmeat to be the best film it can possibly be, so please donate and join us in producing a high quality short animated film that leaves audiences hungry for more!

Shmeat is the first NZFC funded film from 48Hour award winning writer/director, Matasila Freshwater and animator, Chris Callus. Their most recent short film, Lets Play, won best animation and best original song in the Wellington finals. 

"The Fresh shorts panel who chose  Shmeat to be funded believed the Director and Producer had the vision to bring this fresh, original story to life. NZFC supports the  Shmeat team in their drive to make this film the best it can be." -  Jude McLaren, Talent Pathways Manager, NZFC

Shmeat's composer, Ewan Clark, was orchestrator for the NZ feature film Beyond the Edge, and has composed original music for numerous short films and documentaries that have screened at the Cannes Film Festival and many others. He holds an MMus in Composition for Screen from the Royal College of Music (2012) and is currently completing a PhD in film scoring under the supervision of Arts Foundation Laureate, John Psathas.

"Ewan Clark is a formidable film-scoring talent and Shmeatis a beautifully structured, quirky, original film. Realising the score withhigh qualitylive musicians will bring to life what is a fantastically imaginative music score and make a huge difference to the overall impact of this terrific story." -John Psathas