Nadya Vessey was born with a condition that meant her legs would never develop properly. By the age of 16, both of her legs had been amputated. A woman of strong character and determination, Nadya Vessey hasn't let this destroy her. She recently made the headlines – with a little help from some friends – by transforming herself into a mermaid.
A Chance Encounter
It was a chance encounter with a little boy that started the process. Children lack inhibitions when it comes to asking questions that adults would find embarrassing. One day a little boy was watching her take off her prosthetic legs when he asked her why she didn't have any legs. Thinking quickly she asked him whether he had heard of The Little Mermaid. He nodded and so she said "I am a mermaid"! Nadya says "he got this look on his face and he said 'wow that's cool' and ran off to tell his dad".
The seed of an idea took root in Nadya's mind and after mulling it over for a while she decided to contact WETA Digital, Peter Jackson's digital effects company famed for their input into blockbuster movies such as The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and King Kong.
Realizing the Dream
It took two years for the artists at WETA Digital to research and construct a suit for Nadya. The suit consists of a tail section that is tailor-made to fit onto Nadya's legs. This is wrapped up in a suit decorated with hand painted scales that fits Nadya up to the chest and attaches by straps at the shoulders. After a dummy run in the local swimming pool, Nadya was off to the open sea to try out her mermaid suit.
Nadia was delighted with the results. She has subsequently said that she intends to use the mermaid suit practically in charity swimming events she is proposing to participate in.
WETA Workshop
WETA Workshop is a collaboration between New Zealanders Richard Taylor and Tanya Rodger and their team of writers, designers and artists. Since the 1990s they have been winning awards for their amazing creations and digital effects in moves such as The Lord of the Rings and TV shows such as Xena. Amongst a host of BAFTAs and Academy Awards and nominations, their clever business acumen has also gained them recognition by the New Zealand government for their contribution to exports.
The Hobbit Film 2011
WETA are currently working on three film projects; The Avatar, TinTin and The Hobbit, as well as its companion movie, which will be shot on location in NZ utilizing the expertise of Weta Workshop and Weta Digital.
The WotWots
In the meantime, watch out younger fans, for the WotWots, two colorful aliens who are landing on Earth in March 2009 to entertain the pre-school fraternity.
References:
- WETA NZ
- SeaWay Blog
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