New Curious director, Rachel House, certainly knows how to elicit great performances. She is an exceptional actor herself and though trained at the renowned Prague Film School in the Czech Republic as well as New Zealand’s national drama school, Toi Whakaari.

House has acted in Boy, White Lies, Whale Rider, Eagle vs Shark and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and was an acting coach for the young actors in the movies, Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (among others).

In 2016, she received the WIFT [Women in Film & Television] NZ Mana Wāhine Award for her contribution to theatre and film, both in front of and behind the camera. And in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the performing arts.

House was also chosen to direct the performances for Te Reo Moana, the Maori language adaptation of the animated Disney film, Moana. This was the first time a film like that has been translated.

Her first TVCs, for ASB True Rewards with WiTH Collective New Zealand, were applauded by Stop Press New Zealand in its Ads of the Week. House starred in, and directed, the ad.

House commented, “I love the challenge of getting those high impact moments within the short story form of commercials. Humour excites me most.”

“What an absolute inspiration to work with her. Every aspect of the process was fluid, collaborative and creative. Rachel is a genuine, world-class talent,” commented WiTH Collective creative directors, Nicole Hetherington and Simon Fowler.

“Rachel brought a warm and fun approach to getting a campaign we are all proud of,” added Thomas French, ASB Marketing Manager.

House has joined Alma Har’el’s Free The Bid, as has Curious. Curious managing director and executive producer, Matt Noonan, has also committed to achieving a 50-50 gender spread by 2019.