Tale of NZ's own little mermaid
25 Feb 2009
A New Zealand woman who lost her legs as a child has realised a long-held dream to become a mermaid, thanks to Wellington-based film industry specialists, Weta Workshop.
Two years ago Nadya Vessey wrote to Weta Workshop - the multi-award winning company best known for film projects like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy - asking if it was possible to make her a prosthetic tail.
"I’m a little mermaid"
Ms Vessey lost both legs below the knee as the result of a medical condition she had as a child. And when a little boy asked her one day what had happened to her legs she told him: "I’m a little mermaid."
The idea stuck and Ms Vessey decided to approach Weta. She says she was astounded when the company agreed to make her a tail.
Delightful challenge
Weta Workshop director Richard Taylor, more used to winning Oscars for visual effects from movies, says he was delighted to make it happen.
"Nadya was very patient. We haven't always been able to fulfil some requests. We were engaged in it pretty quickly because it was a challenge," Taylor said.
Hand-painted scales
The suit was made mostly of wetsuit fabric and plastic moulds, and was covered in a digitally printed sock. Mermaid-like scales were painted on by hand.
Taylor said it was important that the tail was not only functional, but also realistic because it became apparent "that she actually physically wanted to look like a mermaid".
Beautiful to watch
Weta costumer Lee Williams, who worked on the suit between film projects with seven other staff, said she wanted Nadya to be beautiful and sexy.
After seeing Ms Vessey test the tail in Wellington’s Kilbirnie swimming pool then frolic in the harbour, Ms Williams said: "It was absolutely amazing. It's beautiful to watch Nadya swim and to see that dream come true and to be a part of that. I feel quite blessed."
Ms Vessey said she was delighted her long-held dream had come true. "A prosthetic is a prosthetic, and your body has to be comfortable with it and you have to mentally make it part of yourself," she said.
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