The Creaking Introduction

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The Creaking

What we're doing

We're making a horror film on almost no budget between Christmas and New Year at the Whangamata Mystery House owned by Ben Goodger's grandparents in the beach town of Whangamata.

Why should I be interested?

Because a) you get to be in a film (albeit not a very good one) and b) Whangamata is a cool place at that time of year. Beach, sun, sand, beer (see liquor note below), etc. Use of the House and its facilities is provided free of charge to people participating in the film effort.

The Whangamata Mystery House

The Whangamata Mystery House is a 3 room (+ bathroom) New Zealand Forestry Services kitchen, relocated to a large section in the Coromandel beach town of Whangamata. WMH consists of two bedrooms - one with a venerable double bed, and another with three single beds (two bunk-style beds, and one wire-wave). The living area has a nasty foam folding sofa type thing that can theoretically become a 1.5 bed. The house is in a state of disrepair, but is inhabitable for short periods.

Facilities

There is no hot water. Repeat: there is no hot water. One last time, say it with me now: there is no hot water. Why? The hot water cylinder doesn't work. There IS electricity, thank the merciful heavens. There is a shower, cold, toilet, laundry of sorts with ancient beatty wringer washer. Kitchen includes two plate cooktop and small oven, and a glorious old 1950s Fridgidaire refrigerator, the kind kiddies get stuck in.

Location

219 Ocean Road (no marking or letterbox, you just have to know where it is) Whangamata. 5 minutes walk from the beach, 10 minutes walk from Port Rd shops. 5 minutes drive from Whangamata Harbour and Estuary.

Whangamata

Happenin' coastal town around new years. Swells to around 60,000 people at that time. Many New Years events, beach, etc. At one point there was a can-am cars type thing, also miniature golf, real golf (2 courses) probably some tennis courts somewhere. 2 hrs drive from Auckland, Sth on SH1 until reach Thames/Coromandel turnoff for SH2. Follow SH2, making sure to take the "Thames" turn every time a choice is offered (one intersection about halfway between Pokeno and Kopu, need to go left), turn right at Kopu, then left quickly thereafter onto road to Whangamata/Pauanui. Follow this road 30 min until a road branches off to right to Whangamata, 30 min. Road map is the best bet.

Liquor

Worth a special mention as there is a liquor ban in effect in Whangamata over new year's. All supplies must either be brought in beforehand and stashed in the Mystery House, or smuggled in vehicle. By smuggled I don't mean shoved in boot under some blankets. The police may randomly stop your vehicle and search it. Even sticking cans around the spare tire may not be enough to stop them. Suggest use minivan like Honda Odyssey with impossible number of hidden cubbies. We (Ben Gregory and Ben Goodger) will be making a few trips down to the house before shooting commences to finalize storyboards, and check the sets. We can probably take supplies with us then.

Who are you?

Ben Goodger and Ben Gregory, two just-finished-fourth-year Engineering students at University of Auckland.