Don’t Whistle At The Aurora
For those who know what it means to chase something that cannot be caught
Don’t Whistle At The Aurora is storm chaser adrenaline meets intimate art doco, with hints of comedy, quirky characters and a shared passion for finding hidden beauty in the world.
20min // Documentary
synopsis
When the Aurora Australis appears above the southern lakes, a dedicated community of Aurora fanatics drop everything in pursuit of a glimpse of one of nature's most spectacular displays.
Set against the remote landscapes of Aotearoa New Zealand, Don't Whistle At The Aurora follows a handful of eager Aurora chasers, hoping for a chance to see the magic of the Southern Lights.
A local family piles into the car after receiving an alert, turning a late night mission into an adventure for the whole whānau. A solo photographer hikes deep into the hills, seeking solitude and the perfect shot beneath the stars.
Meanwhile, a couple of first time Aurora hopefuls gather on the Wānaka lakefront, guided by experienced locals as they attempt to witness the elusive lights for themselves, and learn a few unwritten rules along the way.
As these stories unfold, the film explores not only the science behind the Aurora, and the techniques used to predict and photograph it, but also the myths, legends and personal meanings woven around the dancing lights. Cultures both north and south of the equator have shared tales as old as time around the celestial phenomenon, but what do we really know?
Through Māori traditions, international folklore and the stories of those who spend sleepless nights searching the horizon, we learn how the Aurora has become more than a natural phenomenon, but a source of wonder, connection and hope.
Blending astrophotography with the energy and unpredictability of a real time chase, Don't Whistle At The Aurora is a visually stunning and deeply human story about our enduring fascination with the night sky, and the lengths we will go to experience a little moment of magic.
As the heart warming journeys of our quirky Aurora chasers unfold, so too do the deeper stories of ritual, isolation, purpose, and connection to something beyond ourselves.
For those who know what it means to chase something that can’t be caught. A phenomenon that arrives without warning, without rules, and with no guarantees, yet speaks to something deep and universal; our need to find light in the dark.
Mood and style
This film not only allows for, but demands a mix of filmmaking styles. Capturing personal and relatable character driven interviews, filming lowlight yet high energy ‘chase scenes’, bold dramatic Aurora timelapses, and creating visual representations of ancient myths and legends, all requiring a different approach.
It is this blend of techniques that ultimately make this film work so well. The interviews will be curated observational documentary. They will feel natural, inviting and warm, with hints of humour, allowing the audience to quickly feel a personal bond to our characters.
The ‘chase’ scenes will lean into the low light. Using head torches and car interior lighting to let us see what is needed, while letting the darkness create a sense of frantic pace and feeling of unknown.
For the myths and legends, we will use ‘inkblend’ animation style yet done in a bold, vibrant watercolour approach that ties into the Aurora.
Motion controlled timelapses of the Aurora itself will climax the night, the awe of the dancing lights and that surreal feeling of the lapsed time allowing the audience to get lost in the moment and the wonder.
The Team
Don't Whistle At The Aurora is bought to you by Erin + Joe Murdie of Bunker Street Film Co.
As dedicated Aurora chasers ourselves, we have spent countless nights watching forecasts, chasing clear skies, and standing in the dark waiting for a glimpse of the Southern Lights. Over the years, we've become fascinated not only by the Aurora itself, but by the community that forms around it - the photographers, families, adventurers and dreamers who are drawn to the night sky in search of something extraordinary.
This film brings together two things we care deeply about: telling authentic human stories and celebrating the unique landscapes and natural wonders of Aotearoa New Zealand. Building on our experience creating award winning scripted and documentary projects, Don't Whistle At The Aurora represents an exciting step forward in developing our long form documentary voice and sharing stories that connect local experiences to universal themes.
At its heart, this is a film about wonder, curiosity and connection. Through the pursuit of the Aurora, we hope to showcase not only the beauty of the Queenstown Lakes region, but also the remarkable people who find meaning, community and inspiration beneath its night skies.
Erin Murdie
Erin is an emerging producer with ambitious goals. With a background in corporate operations, legal, HR and finance, Erin has leveraged these extensive skill sets in the production of global drama and reality projects over the past 7 years as well as more intimate short films and award-winning documentaries.
Joe Murdie
Joe is a Director and DP with over a decade of experience in the film and television industry, working across documentary, scripted, and commercial productions throughout Aotearoa, Asia, and the U.S. He loves the thrill of the Aurora chase and is looking forward to bringing this project together visually.
There’s something irrational about chasing the aurora.
You lose sleep, drive for hours, freeze in the middle of the night, all for a chance that the sky might do something beautiful. I’ve done this more times than I can count. And every time, no matter how fleeting the glow, it feels worth it.
Director // Joe Murdie
why this film? why now?
Just watch the questions flood into Aurora chasing Facebook groups and community pages to see the fascination. Every time an Aurora flare up hits the news, thousands of people want to know: What causes it? When can I see it? Where should I go? How do I photograph it?
What was once a niche hobby for astronomers and photographers has become a genuine cultural phenomenon. Thanks to smartphone cameras, forecasting apps and social media, more people than ever are stepping outside in the middle of the night to look up and experience the magic for themselves. At the same time, we are currently experiencing one of the strongest periods of solar activity in years, creating some of the most spectacular Aurora displays many New Zealanders have ever seen. The Southern Lights have never felt more accessible, or captured the public imagination more completely.
But for us, this story is about much more than colourful lights dancing across the sky.
Aurora chasing has been part of our lives since we moved south more than a decade ago. One of our first adventures after arriving in Wānaka was a camping trip in search of the elusive Aurora Australis, something we had dreamed of seeing for years as young filmmakers growing up in the North Island, where such an experience felt almost impossible. Since then, we have spent countless nights watching forecasts, driving lonely back roads, standing in freezing paddocks and sharing the chase with a passionate community of fellow Aurora enthusiasts. Along the way, we have realised that people are not simply chasing a photograph. They are chasing wonder. They are seeking connection, with nature, with each other, and with something larger than themselves.
In a world increasingly lived through screens, and when everything going on in the world feels a bit too much, the Aurora has the power to draw people outdoors, bring strangers together, and create moments of genuine awe. Whether gathered on a lakeshore, standing alone on a hillside, or sharing sightings online with people across the globe, Aurora chasers are connected by a common desire to witness something extraordinary.
At its heart, Don't Whistle At The Aurora is not a film about space weather.
It is a film about hope, curiosity and the enduring human need to look beyond ourselves.
That is what makes this story worth telling now.
There is so much story to share about the Aurora Chasing world, that we see this short film as a calling card for a future 8x 30mins travel Docu-Series that we intend to pitch to platforms such as TVNZ, BBC and Sky.
Our aim is for this project to establish the tone and storytelling approach that we can use to take to market to potential collaborators and platforms of the longer series.
Current intended storylines of the Don’t Whistle At The Aurora 8x Part Docu-Series:
Aurora Chasers Unite - we meet hilarious, quirky and adventurous Aurora Chasers around the globe who take us on the hunt! Why are we so obsessed?
The Power of Awe - research shows people who regularly experience awe live longer. Could frequent aurora chasing genuinely contribute to a longer, healthier life?
Auroras of the Gods - across cultures, myths and legends share striking similarities — including rules about how not to anger the spirits of the sky. What are the rules?
The Magnetic Pull - why can’t we sleep during a big solar storm? Is there something deeper going on that connects us all during a flare up?
Astro Photography How To’s - just watch the questions roll in to the Aurora Chasing facebook pages to see the every day people crying out to learn how to capture the magic. Our astrophotography experts share their gear, settings and techniques tips.
What even is it? - the actual science explained behind the solar phenomenon. We provide a clear, engaging breakdown of the science behind these extraordinary events.
The Etiquette - there is an unwritten Aurora Hunting etiquette, what are the Dos and Do nots around the world, from headlights to head torches.
Aurora Tourism - where is the best place in the world to find the lights? Let’s find out!
support this project
We have secured $5,000 in developments grants so far, with an application for a further $10,000 in progress, which would give us 23% of our required budget. We would love your help with the rest!
Funding tiers
“Project Brought to you by” Key Sponsors: support over $7,500
Customised recognition, brand integration and behind-the-scenes content options available for key sponsor supporters
Executive Producers or Sponsors: donations over $1,500
Name listed as Executive Producer in credits (+ logo in credits if Company)
Framed Aurora Australis print by Joe Murdie
2x Invites to Film Premiere
2x Don’t Whistle At The Aurora merch items
Regular email project updates
Associate Producers: donations over $750
Name listed as Associate Producer in credits (+ logo in credits if Company)
1x Invite to Film Premiere
1x Don’t Whistle At The Aurora merch item
Regular email project updates
Supporters: donations over $250
Name listed as Supporter in credits
Invited to Film Premiere
Thank You: all other kind and incredible donations under $250
Name listed in Thank yous in Credits
If you are keen to support, donations with your name as the referencecan be made directly to:
12-3494-0045762-51 THE FILM CREW LIMITED
Or please email Erin if you would like to chat further! erin@bunkerstreet.co.nz
We really appreciate your support to help bring this project to life!
Wanna help us
whistle at the skies
and see what happens?
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