Apprentices use skills on star Sheen’s new film set
HOLLYWOOD actor Michael Sheen has been talking about encouraging young talent in Wales on the Welsh set of his new film.
Eleven young people, chosen after applying through the Foot in the Door programme, have been filming with the Hollywood star on location for Netflix period drama Apostle, which co-stars Beauty and the Beast actor Dan Stevens.
The Foot in the Door programme is designed to open up the film industry to young people not already in employment, education or training.
Sheen described the apprenticeships as important, and told BBC Wales: “What we really want to do is support and encourage work from within Wales – our homegrown stuff.
“It’s also really important for younger people.
“When I was growing up, I had no idea that you could do anything other than act on film, I thought it just happened magically”.
The apprenticeships have been organised by Ffilm Cymru Wales and Charter Housing Association and have seen the apprentices work in areas such as make-up, and art and design.
Some of the filming is taking place near to Sheen’s hometown of Port Talbot, and is due to continue for several more weeks.
He added: “It’s fantastic. I’ve done some work in Port Talbot – specifically on The Passion in 2011 – but I’ve never filmed here, not like this on this scale.
“It’s amazing. They’ve built this incredible village here in Margam Park. I used to come here all the time when I was growing up. Now to see what they’ve done here is really great. We’re attracting a lot of film production into Wales, which is fantastic.”
One of the Foot In The Door apprentices, Jaimie-Leigh Grierson, from Abercarn, told the BBC: “From when I was a little girl, I always wanted to work on the other side of the camera, watching how things are made and I’ve got a passion for make-up.
“It’s been amazing and opened my eyes to where I can look to get further jobs in the industry and it isn’t such a strange world now.”