Part of the Etc.
Budding filmmakers have been given an exclusive look behind the scenes at one of the world’s leading film studios.
Receiving a VIP invite to Pinewood the Film and TV students were the guest of film producer and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit A J Riach.
A former Stockton Riverside College film student himself, A J is working on his next release at the London studio.
He said: “There is nothing like the experience of being able to see first-hand what goes on at a working studio and I found myself in a position to help make that happen.”
A J’s own career sky rocketed to BAFTA-recognised success after the Middlesbrough-born filmmaker produced his first full feature film, Set Fire to the Stars, in 2014 starring Elijah Wood.
His latest film, Bees Makes Honey, starring English actress Alice Eve and written and directed by Jack Eve, is now in the final stages of production at Pinewood.
Working from the home of some of the world’s biggest blockbusters, A J said: “It is awesome. To think that the two films currently in production at Pinewood are Star Wars and Bees Make Honey is a bit surreal.”
Given the huge demand for any details from the much anticipated Star Wars sequel the goings on behind the scenes at Pinewood are a closely guarded secret.
Describing the students invite to the studios as the equivalent of getting a golden ticket Stockton Riverside College’s Film and TV lecturer Kelly Fairhurst said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for some.
“Even for me it was quite an eye opener reinforcing just how successful we are in film in the UK. It is easy to think that the biggest films are out of our reach when in fact they are happening right on our doorstep.”
Treat to an exclusive tour of Pinewood the students weren’t allowed in to see all the action from the upcoming epic space adventure, but having walked by the set Matthew Taylor, 17, from Billingham, said: “We did see the storm troopers but they were covered in big black robes so you could only see their boots. It was crazy once in a lifetime stuff.”
Matthew Dickens, also 17, of Ingleby Barwick, said: “It was amazing. No matter what you think Pinewood will be like it still manages to top your expectations.
“We got a tour of the underwater filming stage where they have filmed all sorts including scenes from Guardians of the Galaxy.”
The group also stumbled across award winning Slumdog Millionaire sound engineer, Richard Pryke, during their visit.
To see A J, a former Stockton Riverside College student, working in that environment among such big names, Matthew said: “It’s an inspiration to see someone who was where we are now that has gone on to make it in the industry.”
Receiving a VIP invite to Pinewood the Film and TV students were the guest of film producer and BAFTA Breakthrough Brit A J Riach.
A former Stockton Riverside College film student himself, A J is working on his next release at the London studio.
He said: “There is nothing like the experience of being able to see first-hand what goes on at a working studio and I found myself in a position to help make that happen.”
A J’s own career sky rocketed to BAFTA-recognised success after the Middlesbrough-born filmmaker produced his first full feature film, Set Fire to the Stars, in 2014 starring Elijah Wood.His latest film, Bees Makes Honey, starring English actress Alice Eve and written and directed by Jack Eve, is now in the final stages of production at Pinewood.
Working from the home of some of the world’s biggest blockbusters, A J said: “It is awesome. To think that the two films currently in production at Pinewood are Star Wars and Bees Make Honey is a bit surreal.”
Given the huge demand for any details from the much anticipated Star Wars sequel the goings on behind the scenes at Pinewood are a closely guarded secret.
Describing the students invite to the studios as the equivalent of getting a golden ticket Stockton Riverside College’s Film and TV lecturer Kelly Fairhurst said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for some.
“Even for me it was quite an eye opener reinforcing just how successful we are in film in the UK. It is easy to think that the biggest films are out of our reach when in fact they are happening right on our doorstep.”
Treat to an exclusive tour of Pinewood the students weren’t allowed in to see all the action from the upcoming epic space adventure, but having walked by the set Matthew Taylor, 17, from Billingham, said: “We did see the storm troopers but they were covered in big black robes so you could only see their boots. It was crazy once in a lifetime stuff.”
Matthew Dickens, also 17, of Ingleby Barwick, said: “It was amazing. No matter what you think Pinewood will be like it still manages to top your expectations.
“We got a tour of the underwater filming stage where they have filmed all sorts including scenes from Guardians of the Galaxy.”
The group also stumbled across award winning Slumdog Millionaire sound engineer, Richard Pryke, during their visit.
To see A J, a former Stockton Riverside College student, working in that environment among such big names, Matthew said: “It’s an inspiration to see someone who was where we are now that has gone on to make it in the industry.”
