A lunchtime date with friends has become the catalyst for a science documentary, writes Shane Gilchrist.
A whimsical tale about a man of science who uses ''magic'' to enthral and inspire youngsters in his quest to save the world, The Montana Magician is one of five films screening at a gala event this weekend to celebrate the achievements of students at the University of Otago's Centre for Science Communication.
Prof Garon Smith spent six months touring New Zealand last year, his science-based magic performances culminating in The Different Bangs Show, which was held as part of the New Zealand International Science Festival last year.
Charting Prof Smith's journey from ''Muggle to wizard'', Gabby Golding's directorial debut portrays a charismatic science communicator doing things differently.
Golding, who has completed a postgraduate diploma in science communication (natural history film-making), says the idea for the film began over lunch last year with friends, who mentioned an American professor was visiting Dunedin. The hitch? He was due to leave in nine days.
''I had a coffee with Garon the next day and then filmed him for the following seven days. I was supposed to be having a mid-semester break from a strenuous first semester, but opportunity waits for no man or woman.''
At the end of a ''crazy'' week, she had plenty of footage of Prof Smith performing but lacked a real story.
''This was when the work really began: finding the story to form the skeleton of the film, on which I would hang the footage and funny moments and charm of this amazing guy.
''I chose to portray his rags-to-riches story, how he began dreaming of magic as a little boy to becoming this Gandalf-like wizard.''
''At each step, friends and locals helped out. That's what's so wonderful about the Dunedin community; they go out of their way to help with whatever crazy endeavours you're passionate about.''
Having completed a diploma in television production at Aoraki Polytechnic, Golding secured an internship at NHNZ, then enrolled in the science communication (natural history film-making) course.
''Four weeks into the course I got a job at NHNZ, one week after I couldn't reverse the fees. I did both and 2014 was a frenetic, beautiful year as a result. I am so glad my fees weren't reversible because I would have missed out on some amazing things had I had the choice.
''The course is hard but very worthwhile. They have high expectations and you find yourself stretching to meet them but that is why it works.
''The graduates go on to do some very inspiring work.''
Golding now works for ZooMoo, a children's channel at NHNZ. Her boss is Emmy-award winning scriptwriter Ian McGee.
''Every day I get the opportunity play with words and ideas to convey the wonder of the natural world to kids.''
Available in New Zealand on Lightbox and shown in 23 countries around the world, including Australia and the United States, ZooMoo combines wildlife footage with a range of puppetry, animation and narrative techniques to create a unique learning experience for young viewers.
