St Gemma's High School FILMCLUB meets actor Michael Smiley
FILMCLUB students from St Gemma’s High School in Belfast had the opportunity recently to meet actor Michael Smiley as part of an initiative organised by FILMCLUB which helps schools set up and run weekly film clubs encouraging young people, age 5 – 18, to watch, discuss and review a diverse range of films from past and present, and from around the world.
Michael Smiley won the British Independent Film Award in 2011 for Best Supporting Actor in Kill List and other acting credits include The Other Boleyn Girl, Burke and Hare and Luther.
The FILMCLUB Close Encounter event attended by the actor was hosted by the school to celebrate the launch of their new FILMCLUB. St Gemma’s have been running FILMCLUB since last month with screenings such as 500 Days of Summer and most recently Burke and Hare, which Michael Smiley was involved in.
The event showcased some clips of Michael in action and the young people had the chance to hear from Michael about his career and to ask questions about the filmmaking industry and they were given tips and advice on following film as a career path.
Brian McGleenon, Head of Moving Image Arts at St Gemma’s High School said “The A Levels pupils had a very engaging and productive discussion with award winning Northern Irish Actor, Michael Smiley. The discussion also included an analysis of film clips from Michael's films. Michael gave the pupils inspiration and advice from his broad experience in the film industry.”
Bernard McCloskey Head of Education with Northern Ireland Screen said “FILMCLUB plays an important part in Northern Ireland Screen’s aim to provide young people with better access to a wider range of films. We want children to enjoy film in all its different forms with their friends and classmates. FILMCLUB is the perfect starting point on their film journey.”
FILMCLUB member Danielle Larkin said “I found Michael very funny and thought the event was really relaxed and enjoyable as he was very easy to talk to.”
FILMCLUB member Kerry Sharkey added “It was nice to meet an actual actor and was interesting to find out Michael’s journey into the industry and what he is currently working on.”
FILMCLUB in Northern Ireland is a Northern Ireland Screen extended schools initiative funded by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and is managed by Cinemagic and the Nerve Centre. Currently delivered in 228 schools throughout the province, FILMCLUB is one of Northern Ireland’s most popular after schools activities with over 4000 students taking part each week. The scheme has been extended to 338 schools in receipt of Extended School Funding - to reach 75% of all Extended Schools in Northern Ireland and approximately 28% of the total number of schools in Northern Ireland.
For further information on FILMCLUB and FILMCLUB in Northern Ireland visit www.filmclub.org or contact Laura@cinemagic.org.uk or e.king@nervcentre.org