SAE Creative Media Institute worked alongside the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help make a young Auckland girl’s wish come true.

Seven year old Dori Salanoa, from Mangere,  has an inoperable brain tumour and dreams of being a youtube star. New Zealand charity Make-A-Wish, an organization that helps children who are battling life threatening illnesses dreams come true, stepped in - and SAE Auckland stepped up.

Recent graduates from SAE Institute’s ’s Bachelor of Film Arts, Corey Fleming and Clara N’Diaye, led the project. working alongside a team of third year students and under the guidance of film Head of Department Michael Miller. The SAE team embarked on a five-week journey that involved shooting, interviewing and editing a feature film, which premiered at Hoyts cinemas in Sylvia Park for 200 of Dori’s friends and family. The shoot saw them go into family homes, schools and also involved a shoot at the SAE film studios. The final product included a range of interviews, music videos and of course featured Dori as the star. 

“I took this as an opportunity to give back to our community while also getting real world experience,” says Michael Miller. “We conducted the interviews using a recently acquired Black Magic Mini Pro, so we learnt on the job. It was educational in the pastoral sense too. We learnt about understanding and caring for others. This is just as important as operating a camera when you are on set.”

Wish Co-Ordinator Kelly Bruce from Make-A-Wish was blown away with the professionalism the SAE team displayed throughout the whole process.

“Clara did an incredible job on the music video and the whole team from SAE who contributed to filming, editing, and interviewing the family and teachers were so amazing to work with,” says Kelly.

“We were really lucky to have such talented film makers working alongside us on this project. They really made the whole thing come together so beautifully.” 

Third year film student Patricio Bendezo was boom operator on the day they visited Dori’s school. “It was so heart-warming. Dori was so happy to meet us, she had a microphone in her hands when we arrived keen to start filming. She was super excited, it was really something special.”

The New Zealand branch of Make-A-Wish has been granting wishes for Kiwi children since 1986. Since then approximately 2000 wishes have come true in all corners of the country.

Campus Director Dr Suzette Major has a big heart and supporting great community initiatives like Make-A-Wish sits high on her priorities. “SAE is part of the community, and while we exist primarily to train people into the creative industries, we realize the skills and talents we hold can serve other purposes. Supporting the Make-A-Wish project simply reflects the community values of SAE.” 

SAE Creative Media Institute offers workshops, diplomas and degrees in film making, as well as audio and music production. As a category 1 provider, SAE has been given the highest rating possible by NZQA in their most recent External Evaluation and Review.