THE credits are starting to roll in for four Havering College students determined to break in to the film industry.
Jack Blake, Louis Taylor, Daniel Attrill and Connor Boundy from the HNC Media Production course at Havering College of Further and Higher Education have been grabbing every opportunity to act as runners, bit part actors and assistant directors.
Jack, 19, from Dagenham, has landed a role working on the re-make of 70s television classic The Sweeney with East London actor Ray Winstone.
Jack said: “It’s all happened after meeting the casting director on a music video shoot I was on with the recording artists Mz. Bratt and Ms. Dynamite. I am really excited about being involved in The Sweeney as my ambition is to be a film director.”
Jack’s impressive CV also includes working on music videos for JLS, Chipmunk as well as a number of up-and-coming performers.
Classmates Louis and Daniel availed themselves of the chance to work on videos with ex-EastEnders actor James Alexandrou aka Martin Fowler.
Louis said: “It was fantastic experience as one of the videos with James was being used to pitch an idea for a series to the BBC.”
The 19-year-old from Harold Hill, Romford, has also found himself in front of the cameras acting as an extra in the urban comedy film Anuvahood directed by Adam Deacon. He has since gone on to play a wedding guest in The Knot - a romantic comedy starring a host of British and American acting talent, including Mena Suvari, Talulah Riley and Noel Clarke.
“I love filmmaking and the opportunities I have through the Media Production course at Havering College, where we have with all the latest cameras and editing software, are fantastic,” said Louis.
Daniel, 20, from Romford, whose ambition is to be a film editor and writer, has been a film crew member on music videos for Amy Winehouse's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.
Connor’s lucky break came when the 19-year-old Hornchurch resident spotted cameras being taken into a Tower Hill apartment block where the six-part ITV drama Identity was being filmed.
He explained: “My dad works there and as soon as I saw the crew with their equipment. I asked if I could work with them. They took over an entire floor of the building and installed lots of difference sets. My roles included set rebuilding, assisting the actors and helping the sound engineer. It was a great experience.”
Havering College Media Lecturer Stephen Pick said: “I am very proud of the way our HNC Media Production students are using their initiative to get as much industry experience as they can.”
For further information on the HNC Media Production course and other further and higher education courses at Havering College call Threshold Services on 01708 462801, email [email protected] or visit www.havering-college.ac.uk
