Eagle vs Shark (2007)

Director:

Taika Waititi

Writers:

Taika Waititi (story)
Taika Waititi (written by)
(more)

Release Date:

17 August 2007 (Ireland)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Finding love was never so... Awkward.

Plot:

Eagle vs Shark is the tale of two socially awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love; through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games.

Plot Keywords:

Shark | Dead Brother | Love | Revenge | Bully

Awards:

5 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Loren Taylor	...	Lily (as Loren Horsley)
Jemaine Clement	...	Jarrod
Joel Tobeck	...	Damon
Brian Sergent	...	Jonah
Craig Hall	...	Doug Davis
Rachel House	...	Nancy
Morag Hills	...	Vinny
Bernard Stewart	...	Zane
Taika Waititi	...	Gordon
David Fane	...	Eric Elisi
Cohen Holloway	...	Mason
Gentiane Lupi	...	Tracy
Chelsie Preston Crayford	...	Jenny
Adam Gardiner	...	Tony
Jackie van Beek	...	Burger Staff
Miranda Manasiadis	...	Burger Staff
Ban Abdul	...	Burger Staff
Mike King	...	Burger Staff
Madeleine Sami	...	Burger Girl Customer
Anna Horsley	...	Meaty Love Girl
Dylan Taylor	...	Meaty Love Boy
Cori Gonzales-Macuer	...	Mark
Aaron Cortesi	...	Duncan
Kura Sanderson	...	Kid #1
Riley Brophy	...	Kid #2
Rosie Graham	...	Kid #3
Justin Wu	...	Kid #4
Monique Bradley	...	Party Woman
Luke Buda	...	Party Man
Rachel Forman	...	Kissing Girl
Matt Whelan	...	Kissing Boy (as Matt Wheelan)
Tyrell Samia	...	Skateboarding Boy
Tammy Davis	...	Fight Extra
Julian Arahanga	...	Fight Extra
Tanea Heke	...	Jarrod's Mum
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Will Hall	...	Hoon (uncredited)
Daniel Rathbon	...	Party Hoon (uncredited)
Michael Whalley	...	Hoon (uncredited)

Directed by
Taika Waititi

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Loren Taylor		story (as Loren Horsley)
Taika Waititi		story
Taika Waititi		written by

Produced by
Georgina Allison	....	line producer
Cliff Curtis	....	producer
Ainsley Gardiner	....	producer
Emanuel Michael	....	executive producer
Simon Ranginui	....	line producer

Original Music by
The Phoenix Foundation

Cinematography by
Adam Clark		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Jonathan Woodford-Robinson		(as Jonno Woodford-Robinson)

Casting by
Loren Taylor		(as Loren Horsley)
Taika Waititi

Production Design by
Joe Bleakley

Costume Design by
Amanda Neale

Makeup Department
Susan Durno	....	additional makeup assistant
Frankie Karena	....	hair stylist (as Leanne 'Frankie' Karena)
Frankie Karena	....	makeup artist (as Leanne 'Frankie' Karena)
Angela Mooar	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Erina Epiha	....	additional unit manager
Pamela Harvey-White	....	post-production supervisor
Peter Tonks	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Emma Cross	....	second assistant director
Axel Paton	....	first assistant director
Jacqui Pryor	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Rupert Grobben	....	art department assistant
Campbell Read	....	graphic designer
Amber Richards	....	set dresser
Michael Roberts	....	propmaker
Melissa Spicer	....	props buyer
Anthony Weinberg	....	art department assistant (as Tony Weinberg)
Sarah Weinberg	....	stand-by props

Sound Department
Christian Biegai	....	assistant sound editor
Michael Hedges	....	sound re-recording mixer
Craig Kyllonen	....	ADR recordist
Gilbert Lake	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robyn McFarlane	....	foley editor
Nic McGowan	....	sound recordist
Polly McKinnon	....	dialogue editor
Carolyn McLaughlin	....	foley artist
John Neill	....	sound manager: Park Road Post
Ferand Peek	....	boom operator
Nigel Scott	....	additional adr recordist
Matt Stutter	....	mix sound editor (as Matthew Stutter)
Chris Ward	....	adr recordist
Justin Webster	....	assistant sound editor
Dave Whitehead	....	supervising sound editor
Neil Aldridge	....	adr recordist (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Dan Ashton	....	scanning and recording technician: Weta Digital Ltd.
Jason Bain	....	visual effects computer systems: Another Planet Ltd.
Nick Booth	....	scanning and recording supervisor: Weta Digital Ltd.
Tim Capper	....	visual effects director: Another Planet Ltd.
John Craney	....	model maker: Another Planet Ltd.
David Hampton	....	scanning and recording technician: Weta Digital Ltd.
Brett Johansen	....	digital painter: Another Planet Ltd.
Brett Johansen	....	visual effects game designer: Another Planet Ltd.
Megumi Ogo	....	model maker: Another Planet Ltd. (as Magumi Ogo)
Brian Scadden	....	optical effects: Park Road Post
Tomi Svehla	....	digital painter: Another Planet Ltd.
Pete Williams	....	film scanning and recording: Weta Digital Ltd.
Chris Williamson	....	digital painter: Another Planet Ltd.
Chris Williamson	....	visual effects technical director: Another Planet Ltd.

Stunts
Sam Williams	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Darren Bradnock	....	low loader grip
Kyle Clifton	....	video split
Jamie Couper	....	lighting technician
Charles Edwards	....	camera operator
Chris Emerre	....	lx assistant
Samuel Fordham	....	best boy (as Sam Fordham)
Matt Grace	....	still photographer
Adrian Hebron	....	gaffer
Blair Ihaka	....	clapper loader
Maurice Kapua	....	grip assistant
Melissa Ririnui	....	key grip
Reiner Schoenbrum	....	camera operator: rostrum camera, Park Road Post (as Reiner Schoenbrunn)
Matthew Sharp	....	lighting assist
Angus Ward	....	focus puller

Animation Department
Guy Capper	....	animator: stop motion, Another Planet Ltd.
Francis Salole	....	animator: stop motion, Another Planet Ltd.

Casting Department
Tina Cleary	....	additional casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lucy McLay	....	wardrobe assistant
Julie Zavala Ron	....	seamstress
Sheree Roud	....	assistant seamstress

Editorial Department
Julie Alp	....	avid technician
Jay Berryman	....	negative cutter: Upper Deck Ltd.
Yana Gorskaya	....	additional editor
David Hollingsworth	....	telecine colorist: Park Road Post
Sarah King	....	negative cutter: Upper Deck Ltd.
Shannon Leaf	....	assistant editor
Jon Newell	....	telecine manager: Park Road Post
Lynne Reed	....	color timer: Park Road Post
Reiner Schoenbrum	....	negative cutter: Upper Deck Ltd. (as Reiner Scghoenbrunn)

Music Department
Christian Biegai	....	assistant music editor
Christian Biegai	....	composer: additional music
Luke Buda	....	musician
Warner Emery	....	musician
Chris Gough	....	music supervisor
Julie Hodges	....	music supervisor
The Phoenix Foundation	....	musician
Lee Prebble	....	assistant music editor
Lee Prebble	....	musician
Age Pryor	....	composer: additional music
Reduction Agents	....	composer: additional music
Will Ricketts	....	musician
Samuel Scott	....	music editor
Samuel Flynn Scott	....	musician (as Samuel F. Scott)
Richie Singleton	....	musician
Conrad Wedde	....	musician

Transportation Department
John Davis	....	driver: swing
Andy Matthews	....	driver: swing
Nigel Nally	....	driver: cast

Other crew
Julian Arahanga	....	electronic press kit
Claire Ashton	....	additional location scout
Wynter Blathwayt	....	title designer: end titles
Tracey Brown	....	facilities coordinator: Park Road Post
Anni Browning	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances
Tina Cleary	....	cast coordinator
Annie Collins	....	creative consultant
Suzy Elmiger	....	creative consultant
Matt Emery	....	legal advisor: Emery Legal
Gyula Gazdag	....	creative consultant
Nathan Hickey	....	electronic press kit
Don Hills	....	chaperone
Scott Hollingshead	....	traffic and safety
Jane Howley	....	accountant: visual effects
Myron I. Kerstein	....	creative consultant (as Myron Kerstein)
Veronique Lawrence	....	continuity
Brita McVeigh	....	acting coach: Ms.Horsley & Mr. Clement
Linus Murphy	....	production accountant
Peti Nohotima	....	facilities coordinator: Park Road Post
Dallas O'Neil	....	production assistant
Gabe Page	....	assistant to unit manager
Maramena Roderick	....	unit publicist
Stuart Rutherford	....	runner
Peter Tonks	....	location manager
Barbara Tulliver	....	creative consultant
Andy Wickens	....	lab liaison: Park Road Post
K.C. Yeung	....	lab manager: Park Road Post (as KC Yeung)
Linda A. Borgeson	....	executive in charge of post production (uncredited)
Felicity Hamill	....	body double (uncredited)

Thanks
Michael Almereyda	....	special thanks
Walter Bernstein	....	special thanks
Kenneth Brecher	....	special thanks (as Ken Brecher)
Kathleen Broyles	....	special thanks
Bill Buell	....	special thanks
Joan Darling	....	special thanks
Suzy Elmiger	....	special thanks
Sally Field	....	special thanks
Judah Friedlander	....	special thanks
John Gatins	....	special thanks
Gyula Gazdag	....	special thanks
Keith Gordon	....	special thanks
Gemma Gracewood	....	thanks
Todd Graff	....	special thanks
Matthew Greenfield	....	special thanks
Clark Harris	....	special thanks
Michael Hoffman	....	special thanks
Philip Seymour Hoffman	....	special thanks
Ellen Kuras	....	special thanks
Christine Lahti	....	special thanks
Damian McDonnell	....	thanks
Ilyse McKimmie	....	special thanks
Peter Medak	....	special thanks
Harold Ramis	....	special thanks
PJ Raval	....	special thanks
Robert Redford	....	special thanks
Michelle Satter	....	special thanks
Susan Shilliday	....	special thanks
Stewart Stern	....	special thanks
Joan Tewkesbury	....	special thanks
Barbara Tulliver	....	special thanks
Jon Turteltaub	....	special thanks
Alesia Weston	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• New Zealand Film Commission
• Unison Films
• Whenua Films

Distributors

• New Zealand Film Commission (2007) (worldwide) (theatrical)
• Capelight Pictures (2007) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Hoyts Distribution (2007) (New Zealand) (theatrical)
• Icon Film Distribution (2007) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Miramax Films (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• Optimum Releasing (2007) (UK) (theatrical)
• Atlantic Film (2008) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Focus Filmes (2008) (Brazil) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Another Planet (special effects) (animation)
• Weta Digital (film scanning and recording)

Other Companies

• Another Planet  opening titles (as Another Planet Ltd.)
• Boomerang Services  catering
• Casting Company, The  additional casting
• Crombie Lockwood  production insurance
• Emery Legal  legal advisor
• Fat Dot  publicity
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• Gripping Stuff  grip equipment
• Lightin Up  lighting equipment (as Lightin' Up)
• Mana Music  music legal services
• Mana Music  music supervision
• Nic  poster design
• Panavision New Zealand  camera equipment (as Panavision Ltd.)
• Park Road Post  flm laboratory and telecine
• Park Road Post  sound mixing facility
• Sergery, The  score recording facility (as The Surgery)
• Soundtrack  ADR Facility
• Sundance Institute, The  developed with the assistance of
• Upper Deck Film Services  negative cutting (as Upper Deck Ltd.)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality, and brief animated violence

Runtime:

USA:88 min | Germany:93 min (Berlin International Film Festival)

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 (theatrical) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Australia:M | Finland:K-7 | Sweden:11 | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Cuba Mall, Wellington, New Zealand

Company:

New Zealand Film Commission

Trivia:

The script was workshopped at the exclusive Sundance Director's and Screenwriter's Labs.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the gas station, when the camera is on Lily in the car, the letters on the pump have been humorously vandalized to read "FUCK PUMP." When the shot changes, the letters read "TRUCK PUMP."

Quotes:

Jarrod:I'm so complex!

Movie Connections:

References Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

Soundtrack:

Hitchcock

"I was going to come as a shark but I realized an eagle was slightly better."

"Eagle Vs Shark" is the story of two people considered 'losers' by society and how they might...just might...be right for one another. On one hand you have Jerrod, a twelve-year old boy trapped in a man's body who enjoys making candles, plotting revenge on the school bully that ruined his life and playing the video game 'Fight Man'. On the other hand, you have the fragile Lilly who sings songs about tangerines, lets people walk all over her and dreams about how Jerrod (a regular customer at the fast food restaurant where she works) may one day love her.

Creating a quirky, whimsical movie featuring two geeks who are awkward and barely able to function in society is difficult to pull off but New Zealand film maker Taika Watiti manages it. What makes this movie different to many others which focus on similar characters is that "Eagle Vs Shark" never stoops to mocking its characters despite the opportunity to do so. The audience is invited to share in their hopes and defeats, rather than stand back and laugh at their offbeat behaviour. It is a romantic comedy about two characters who are ill-suited to the genre (Lilly wears her shark costume while lying in bed with Jerrod for example).

Whilst both leads are magnificent, Loren Horsley is the real find here. With her wide innocent eyes, crooked smile and shy demeanour, she creates a character which you can truly connect with. Jerrod may be a complete jerk and oblivious to everyone around him but you never doubt that Lilly truly loves him. She's the type of girl who fades into the background of any room and Horsley manages to convey her joy and heartbreak in a way that you really want her to have a happy ending. Jermaine Clement as Jerrod is a lot harder to warm to because of his actions (and inactions) throughout the movie but ultimately you come to share Lilly's faith that the two are right for one another.

It's hard to avoid the comparisons to "Napoleon Dynamite" when reviewing "Eagle VS Shark". The deadpan deliveries of the characters in both movies is similar and the tone is almost identical. It's safe to assume that if you hated "Napoleon Dynamite" then you're absolutely going to loathe "Eagle VS Shark". Everyone else should give this movie a chance. Like the characters it features, it's not perfect but, like love, it's an uplifting experience.

Awkward. Quirky. Wonderful.

Recommended.