Post by Admin on Jul 25, 2012 9:28:52 GMT -5
July 24, 2012
Clients of Launchpad Reading have been working on a movie battle between two Elvis Presleys.
Backed by lottery funding, the charity, which helps homeless and disadvantaged people, took around 30 clients, some who had never worked, to spend three exhausting days shooting the 10-minute comedy film, in which the prospects for an old Elvis impersonator were threatened by a younger rival.
Award-winning director Tim Bunn directed and the location – Bridges nightspot on Caversham Bridge – was given free of charge by owner Winston Graham.
Launchpad chief executive Ian Caren said: “I expected to see a crew of about four people, but they came in with £250,000 worth of equipment and about 15 to 20 people.
“It was staggering.”
He said clients of Launchpad who had never spoken to others before were taking a full part and Mr Bunn said he was taken aback by the response when he told one of the Launchpad clients that she was a natural in front of the camera.
The girl said no-one had previously told her she was good at anything.
There were two professional actors, Dan Caren and Michael Warburton, and about eight clients had lines in the film. Others were extras.
Ian Caren added: “Winston [Graham] was really nice, he was really good to us.
“That’s part of what this is all about.”
A premiere of the film will be shown in mid-November before being put on the Launchpad website.
To keep up to date with Launchpad check the charity’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaunchpadRdg
www.getreading.co.uk/entertainment/film_and_cinema/s/2117591_battle_to_be_the_real_elvis_presley
Clients of Launchpad Reading have been working on a movie battle between two Elvis Presleys.
Backed by lottery funding, the charity, which helps homeless and disadvantaged people, took around 30 clients, some who had never worked, to spend three exhausting days shooting the 10-minute comedy film, in which the prospects for an old Elvis impersonator were threatened by a younger rival.
Award-winning director Tim Bunn directed and the location – Bridges nightspot on Caversham Bridge – was given free of charge by owner Winston Graham.
Launchpad chief executive Ian Caren said: “I expected to see a crew of about four people, but they came in with £250,000 worth of equipment and about 15 to 20 people.
“It was staggering.”
He said clients of Launchpad who had never spoken to others before were taking a full part and Mr Bunn said he was taken aback by the response when he told one of the Launchpad clients that she was a natural in front of the camera.
The girl said no-one had previously told her she was good at anything.
There were two professional actors, Dan Caren and Michael Warburton, and about eight clients had lines in the film. Others were extras.
Ian Caren added: “Winston [Graham] was really nice, he was really good to us.
“That’s part of what this is all about.”
A premiere of the film will be shown in mid-November before being put on the Launchpad website.
To keep up to date with Launchpad check the charity’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaunchpadRdg
www.getreading.co.uk/entertainment/film_and_cinema/s/2117591_battle_to_be_the_real_elvis_presley