stills PHOTOGRAPHy ON THE SET OF A LOCAL SERIES
Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of season one of Secrets at Red Rocks. Three nominations at the Children’s & Family Emmy® Awards! Five nominations at the NZ Screen Awards! And now we have confirmation that the show will have a second season.
It was a privilege and a memorable experience being the stills photographer for the show. This involved on set photography to document the making of the series, capturing images for publicity and promotion, as well as shoot the key art which you see on posters and marketing.
behind the lens: capturing 'secrets at red rocks'
As an on-set photographer, my role is to preserve the essence of a production; its energy, its characters, and the magic of storytelling. Working on Secrets at Red Rocks, an eight-part Aotearoa adventure-drama series filmed along Wellington’s rugged south coast, was an experience that blended the raw beauty of our landscapes with the warmth and camaraderie of a dedicated crew.
(Secrets at Red Rocks: Season 1 | Where to watch streaming and online in New Zealand | Flicks)
Director David Stubbs on set with Jim Moriarity
A story rooted in te whanganui-a-tara
Secrets at Red Rocks follows twelve-year-old Jake, who, while visiting his father on Wellington’s south coast, discovers a sealskin belonging to Cara, a shapeshifting selkie. The series intertwines Celtic mythology with Māori culture, creating a narrative that resonates deeply with our local heritage.
Filming took place over the winter months, offering a moody and atmospheric backdrop. Locations like Red Rocks, Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Carlucci Land, and Princess Bay provided stunning vistas, though they also presented challenges. The horizontal rain and biting southerly winds tested our resolve, but the shared laughter and the ever-present hot coffee from craft services kept spirits high. (Behind the filming of Secrets at Red Rocks - Screen Wellington)
Behind the scenes: a photographer's perspective
As the unit stills photographer, my task was to capture the essence of each scene without disrupting the flow of production. It required a blend of diplomacy, speed, and tenacity; moving seamlessly with the crew, taking the shot, and then blending back into the background.
A crew like no other
The heart of any production lies in its people. From the talented cast to the dedicated crew, every individual brought their best to the set. Their professionalism and passion were evident in every frame I captured. Director David Stubbs emphasised the importance of location, stating, "I think we forget how beautiful it is out there. It had to be [filmed] at Red Rocks. We followed the novel very closely in terms of the locations."
Capturing the moment
Each photograph I took aimed to encapsulate a moment: a fleeting expression, a shared glance, the play of light on the rugged coastline. These images not only serve as promotional material but also as a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
Watch the journey unfold
Secrets at Red Rocks is now streaming on Neon in New Zealand. Experience the adventure, the mystery, and the beauty of our local landscapes through the lens of this captivating series. Screening on NEON.
Director David Stubbs with Script Supervisor Celia Jaspers, Director of Photography Simon Tuffy, and 1st AD Robin Wright.
Character gallery stills for 'secrets at red rocks'
