Barnes Film Academy worked with 23 young people to create a film.
A film written, shot and acted by schoolchildren hit the biggest screen of all at Hampton Court Palace’s open-air cinema on Sunday evening.
‘Big Trouble in Little Barnes’, created in just one intense week by the Barnes Film Academy, shared the huge Luna cinema screen with Oscar award-winning ‘Life of Pi’ in the beautiful palace gardens.
With a red carpet entrance and a full crowd, the 23 budding Spielbergs were anxious to see their final product for the first time.
Alex Haug, 14, played the lead role of a nerd who finds his ‘swag’ when he puts on a magical necklace.
“It was an intense week of acting, but the whole experience was great,” said the promising actor, who is currently in the final stage of auditions for the Globe Young Players.
Sam Cullis, founder of Barnes Film Academy, said: “They’ve learnt the whole film-making process from beginning to end. It’s the first project of its kind.
“The kids were amazing throughout, it was really invigorating.”
A making-of documentary was shown after the film, emphasising the hard work that went in behind the scenes.
“The kids learnt a lot about patience and teamwork” said Tara Whiteson, an English teacher at the Harrodian School in Barnes, who was involved in the project.
“It was really exciting knowing you’re going to have an end result like this.”
Rory Chambers, 15, who played a bully as well as being heavily involved behind the scenes, spoke before the ‘unique and special event’.
“I’m pretty confident the final cut’s going to be good, I’m more anxious for the outtakes film.”
The Barnes Film Academy will regroup in October to create a horror film, providing an opportunity for more youngsters to get involved and give their families a fright.
Ms Whiteson explained that a lot of those involved in Sunday’s film have already signed up to do it all again, in another all-action week of script-writing, directing, lighting and camera-work.
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