Your chance to take a star role on screen

EVER fancied starring in a film? Most of us have had a hankering for the spotlight at some point and imagined how great it must it feel to land a lead role in a hit movie.

Well, here’s your chance to do just that. Free green screen sessions in Newcastle are offering film fans a chance to enjoy a sprinkling of that movie magic by starring in a scene from a ready-made classic – and we’re talking northern greats including Get Carter and Billy Elliot.

So, how about joining the war-time action of Atonement or the magical world of Harry Potter, which was part-filmed in the North East? Or perhaps the groundbreaking sci-fi stunner Bladerunner made by Ridley Scott who grew up in South Shields?

During special Remake a Take film-making sessions running at a range of locations across the Newcastle, fans can step into scenes from favourite movies made not just in our region – or with connections to it – but across the wider North.

So, there are a wide range of films and genres to choose from, such as 1945’s classic black and white railway station romance Brief Encounter, which was made in Lancashire, and 2000 animation Chicken Run, whose creator Nick Parks is also from that county.

With the help of a green screen, Gateshead-based Northern Film and Media has positioned interactive film stills at various indoor and outdoor locations and visitors are invited to “grab a prop and jump into your favourite northern movie”. They can choose their preferred characters too.

The have-a-go sessions are free to drop-in until September during the course of Great Exhibition of the North at venues chosen to match, where possible, the theme of the films, with Brief Encounter on offer, for instance, at Newcastle Central Station.

At Ouseburn Farm, visitors will join Ginger, Bunty, Babs and crew in Chicken Run, at the point they plot their escape from Tweedy’s Farm.

With Get Carter still enjoying iconic status among Geordies, many people are also set to snap up the chance to take part in The Get Carter Remake a Take session, which is available at Times Square.

Fans are invited to perfect their grimace as Michael Caine prepares to throw them off the car park.