She has Hollywood all a flutter for her role as Tinker Bell in the TV2 drama Once Upon a Timeand in the racy Sky TV SoHo drama Masters of Sex, but forKiwi star Rose McIver nothing compares to working at home.
The 25-year-old, whose big break was Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones, has a short but sweet role in Dangerous Ride, a 15-minute film that’s part of the nationwide Show Me Shorts festival.
Although the part is small, it’s a big deal – Show Me Shorts is New Zealand’s only festival recognised by the Academy Awards, which means Rose’s flick could be in the running for an Oscar nomination.
Rose has been based in LA the past few years, and while she is loving the opportunities coming her way, when she sees the lush forest out west in Waitakere City, Auckland, she’s feels right at home.
“It is so lovely to spend time back there,” says Rose, who was raised in French Bay, West Auckland, by her mum Annie, a ceramic artist, and father, photographer Mac.
“What I miss about working on Kiwi projects is the sense of family we have here,” she adds.
“There is a familiarity and trust that is just an absolute pleasure to be around.”
In Dangerous Ride, Rose plays Renee, a young woman who puts herself at risk when she hitchhikes up the coast.
Although short films may be unfamiliar territory for most Kiwis, Rose says the medium is a chance for audiences to challenge themselves and try something different.
“Given their duration, [short films] are able to ask questions and invite the audience to ask questions, rather than being focused on delivering answers. The sad part is letting the character go so quickly,” says Rose.
Scheduling conflicts mean Rose won’t see her work on the big screen, as she has two film premieres at the Austin Film Festival in Texas – indie flick Light Years and horror Blood Punch.
But we will see more of Rose on Once Upon a Time when it returns for TV2’s 2014 new season – and although her character is small in stature, Rose feels like she has hit the big time.
“I have been enjoying playing Tinker Bell. Flying around on wires, exploring Neverland and revisiting childhood stories. What’s not to enjoy?” she says.
For more information on the Show Me Shorts festival, visit showmeshorts.co.nz
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