He is also a musician, having belonged to the band Titanium in 2012 before leaving in 2014 to move to Sydney, where he attended a performing arts programme.
“I think films are most powerful when the writer or person making them is deeply personal.”
Webber says something that is personal to you will resonate with other people in different ways, especially coming from a place of vulnerability.
He Kōrihi follows a Māori music producer who returns home to Kāpiti Island after the loss of his father. Through his grief, he finds solitude and guidance in the songs the birds around him create.
As an artist, Webber said he reflected on constantly having to travel for his work after spending most of his adult years around the world.
“I’ve lost a lot of memories with my friends, family and my people back here.”
He wanted to write something that represented his life of being an artist in the city, away from his roots, then having something personal that brings you back home.
Webber said directing wasn’t a priority early on, with his main focus being on acting.
He says he loves acting and always will, but he also wants to give his own stories a voice after telling so many other people’s.
Through directing, he learned the value of not applying too much pressure on yourself.
“You put so much pressure on yourself to learn your lines and nail it, but that’s such a small part of the picture. You don’t have to put that much pressure on yourself to get things perfect and right.”
Directing also showed Webber that while acting is an important component in creating art, it takes all aspects of film-making to really make something happen.
Webber says being able to return to Rotorua is “always a breath of fresh air”.
Rotorua actor Jordi Webber is making his directorial debut with short film He Kōrihi. Photo / Francesca Marr
He commented on the irony of being young and wanting to “spread your wings”, then after getting older and travelling more, realising you want to return home.
He says he is on the other side of that now.
“I love coming back to this beautiful little town.”
He says it means “everything” to him to be able to share his work with his community.
He stated through an Instagram post that Rotorua Boys’ High is where he “found his love for performing”.
“Raukura, you will forever be credited and acknowledged in my making.”
Jordi Webber pictured in 2011, when he was attending Rotorua Boys’ High School. Photo / Andrew Warner
Webber has an ultimate dream – to open a performing arts school in Rotorua, after calling his journey to becoming an actor “tough”.
He said that growing up, art was present in Rotorua but was not a priority – and still isn’t.
His goal is to help performing arts become more accessible to tamariki (children) who are looking to become part of that industry.
Rotorua actor Jordi Webber is making his directorial debut with short film He Kōrihi. Photo / Francesca Marr
“I had no cousins or friends who wanted to do that, so there was no blueprint for me.”
His advice to young people who are looking into acting is to utilise what you already have.
“Get together with your friends. That’s where a lot of creativity is born.”
He also advised finding an agent for booking auditions, and practising speaking in front of a camera to be comfortable with big cameras later on.
Webber says his creativity in film is the culmination of his life and his experience, crediting much of who he is and his personality to the way he was raised.
“All of that nurturing is what’s led me to this career. I’m able to pour all of the aroha [love] that I was shown into my films and my work.”
He hopes people can receive some of this through his art.
Francesca Marr is a Wintec journalism student.