Junior Morgan Kennon; sophomore Aubin Lacoss; freshman Brandon Herridge; and sophomores Payton Campbell, Emma Partin and Makenna Roehr visit the Weta Workshop in Wellington, New Zealand, Sept. 24, 2019. Fall 2019 was the first semester HUA went on the workshop tour. I photo courtesy of Emma Rose Hill 50 The fall 2019 HUA trip visited a visual .effects and props workshop that made set pieces for films and television. The Harding University in Australasia (HUA) program added a new stop on their semester-long journey in fall 2019. While in Wellington, New Zealand, the group visited the Weta Workshop - a multi-award winning design studio and physical manufacturing facility servicing the world's entertainment and creative industries. Pam Little, HUA director, said the Weta Workshop was an addition suggested by Dr. Jeff Hopper, former dean of International Programs. "Hopper suggested going to the Weta Workshop in Wellington, New Zealand, because we were going to have a film crew from America travel with us," Little said. "The students this year were able to go into the actual workshop and watch behind glass windows the making of swords, weapons, costumes and the various creatures in the 'Lord of the Ring' movies and 'The Hobbit."' Junior Emma Rose Hill had a special connection to the visit. As a sophomore in high school, Hill did a project about the Weta Workshop. She said finally getting to see it in person was exciting. As a mechanical engineering major, Hill said she was interested in seeing the 3D printed models made at the Weta Workshop. ''I'm an engineering major, and so, getting to see the applied engineering and 3D printing was awesome," Hill said. "I actually 3D printed a little hobbit hole last semester, so getting to see that was amazing." Sophomore Georgia Dunning said the Weta Workshop was not just home to props and set pieces from "Lord of the Rings." "The museum was really interesting, and we got to see a.lot of props that were used in not only the 'Lord of the Rings' movies, but all kinds of famous movies as well," Dunning said. "We got to learn how the props for the movies were made, and our guide showed us where some of the swords were made for the 'Lord of the Rings' movies." Dunning said she enjoyed getting to see the sets from various television shows and movies. "My personal favorite part of the tour was the room filled with sets that have been used in famous TV shows and movies," Dunning said. "My 7-year-old self was freaking out at all of the Barbie doll-like houses, and even the guys thought the sets were the coolest part, too." Dunning said she hoped future HUA programs would return to the location. "I would 100% request that this be a trip future HUA students take," Dunning said. ''I'm not even a 'Lord of the Rings' fan, but learning and getting to see all of the hard work that is put into each film was really interesting. Everyone on my trip enjoyed themselves, and our tour guides told us a lot of stories about funny things that happened to the actors on set for 'Lord of the Rings,' which made the tour even cooler!" Little said she did not know what the next year for HUA would hold. The program explored the continents of Australia and Asia and offered students unique travel experiences similar to the Weta Workshop. "We may go there again in the future; it really just depends on what other new opportunities open up as I start to plan the program every year,'' Little said. "With HUA, I like to make each year have an element of surprise and a first for the students. Because we don't have an actual campus, the opportunities to spread our wings are unlimited." story by Karli Williamson & Kyle Raney
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