Christina Asher Casting
Christina Asher Casting

About

Casting since 1985:  
TV Commercials to International Feature Films

AWARDS RECEIVED:

2017: WIFT Mana Wahine award 

2021: Te Tumu Whakata Taonga/ New Zealand Film Commission – Te Aupounamu Award of $25,000.00

Kia ora koutou katoa,

While I’ve enjoyed forays into acting, directing and choreography, I always return to casting where I can utilize my theatre and film skills. After three decades I still feel privileged to see actors at work with directors who know their craft. Bringing the two together remains deeply rewarding.

My First Feature Film:  “Te Rua”, 1991. Directed by Barry Barclay and produced by the grandfather of the NZ Film Industry, John O’Shea. An unforgettable experience where I called on whanau to fill roles,  made everlasting friendships and careers were launched.

TV commercials: too many to recall but the most memorable has to be the Lotto dancers in 1987s “We’re In The Money.” One of the biggest TVC productions of the time, filmed in a real theatre with dozens of dancers who I also choreographed. I’m pleased to say that by the time we made the second “Happy Days,” we’d signed the cast up to Equity.

PAANUI // CURRENT NEWS

Nau mai hoki mai,

2021 began with a Netflix film, THE ROYAL TREATMENT, shot in Dunedin. It surprised us all by reaching the Top of Netflix popularity charts for a while. The rest of the year saw us locked down too often with Covid while trying to complete various projects like BEYOND THE VEIL series, TAUMANU, TE KOHU, GIVING UP THE GHOST & The UNTOLD TALES series.

2022 Three major feature film releases this year. The Epic WHINA, The terrifying MURU and the anthology response to Captain James Cook’s arrival in Aotearoa and Australia WE ARE STILL HERE. The latter two have been screening at International Film Festivals including TIFF.

Next year you should be treated to Irish Co-production series THE GONE and a few surprises.

Here’s hoping you have come through Covid unscathed.  I wish you all good health and peace of mind for the future.

Piki te ora, piki te kaha, piki te manawanui.

ma te wa na Christina Asher

Check out other websites and IMDB which is not so accurate, but at least has some records.