Fantastic film fun at Poltimore House

Exeter’s Summer Film School will be held at Poltimore House from 3 – 7 August.

It offers children aged between 10 and 13 a unique opportunity to create their own short film. They will be supported in this task by skilled and experienced film and theatre professionals including Exeter based theatre company Four of Swords and shooting on location at the incredibly magical and atmospheric Poltimore House.

The Film School was created and developed by Colourburn, an Exeter-based film production company, working in partnership with Exeter Phoenix. Damo Cross, Creative Director of Colourburn, explains: “We provide aspiring young actors, producers, directors, designers with the experience of what it’s like to be on a professional film set, to give them a full-fat, fun, film making experience and a film they can be proud of.” 

The finished film will have a public screening at The Big Screen in the Park in Northernhay Gardens on 12 August, before the main feature which that evening is Toy Story, after a VIP screening for friends and family.

Philip Kingslan John, co-founder of Four of Swords, adds: “As well as our performances for the general public we have been building a body of educational work, partnering with the Central Devon Personalised Learning Service and Cambridge University Press on different projects and visiting various schools in the South West. It’s this experience we will bring to bear on Summer Film School 2015.”

This year film school activities include drama games and puppetry, another Four of Swords speciality, and prop-making workshops, as well as providing hands-on experience with cameras, microphones, clapper boards and exciting special effects. 

There are only 20 places up for grabs, at £200 for the full five days, so early booking is recommended. Tickets are available from Exeter Phoenix www.exeterphoenix.org.uk or 01392 667080.