The Making Of

This project started when pupils from Coryton Primary School attended a lecture for our module Creative Industries Professional Practice. They performed a pitch to ask for our help in creating a film they were working on scripting. Following this pitch we were invited to take part in interviews to put together a crew for the projects. I applied for Producer, Production Manager, Documentary and General Help. After these interviews I was appointed the job of Production Manager.

Shortly following this we were invited to attend a day at the Doctor Who Experience with Coryton School. This was the first time I met the directors working on this project and it was a great way to start getting to know the rest of the crew. We talked to the kids and teachers about different ideas that were being discussed as storylines for the film.

For the next few weeks there were many production meetings and visits to the school as the project started taking shape. We swiftly moved into pre-production with plenty of location scouting and paperwork involved. At the same time we were doing workshops with the kids, teaching them about the film making process, how to use cameras, branding, costumes etc and building the sets.

Rehearsals took place at Coryton school where we went through lines, stage directions and how to be a coal monster. The rehearsals were very encouraging seeing how much work the kids were putting into learning their lines and how excited they were to start filming.

During Production I took over the role of Producer.

Our first filming day was at the Atrium in the drama studio where we had built a mine scene for the coal monster’s lair. Filming over took place for two months in various locations such as Bristol Avon Valley Railway, St Fagans, Bedwellty House and Whitchurch.

Post production began towards the end of the academic year with all crew members from the University working incredibly hard to create a high quality film. Visual effects were added to the film and the marketing team began gearing up for the red carpet premiere on April 29th at Cineworld Cardiff!