Students meet Game of Thrones star
Students turned out in force to attend talks given by TV and film star Maisie Williams about her career and her new app, Daisie.
Maisie, best known for playing Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, visited Steyning Grammar School and Chichester University students earlier this month.
Created by Maisie and co-founder Dom Santry, Daisie creates a network for creative people from the worlds of art, fashion, TV, film, photography, music and literature.
Its aim is to bring people across the industries together, help foster joint working with other artists and hopefully provide an alternative route into the creative industries.
The award-winning actress spent time speaking to a packed hall of students at Steyning Grammar School about her journey to becoming the famous face she is today.
At the age of 12, Maisie did not have the funds to go to a performing arts school, so applied for a talent show in Paris and spent time fundraising by putting on cake sales so she could go.
When she got there, her mum told her she might as well enter every category, so she did – singing a song from The Lion King, dancing, a monologue and even modelling.
It was at this talent show she met an agent who told her she should go into acting, but Maisie really wanted to be a dancer. She auditioned for a part in Nanny McPhee 2: The Big Bang, but did not get the role. Her second audition was for a part in Game of Thrones, where she landed the huge role of playing Arya.
When working on Netflix film iBoy, Maisie met camera technician Dom who spoke to her about the huge problem with the way people enter into creative industries.
Maisie said: “There are so many talented people who do not have the means to get into these places because you always need a pot of money.”
Because of this, Daisie was launched last August and had 30,000 downloads on the first evening, with an improved version set to launch in April.
Maisie encouraged the students to take steps towards the career they want. She said: “I think in school you are often asked what you want to do and what you want to be. Just do something, do anything. It is never too late to start again.”
A question and answer session at the end quickly turned from the biggest lesson she has learned – having a good group of friends is key – to talk of series eight of Game of Thrones, which comes out on April 14. One student dared to ask what could be revealed about series eight but Maisie was not giving anything away.
Nick Wergan, headteacher, said: “We are always looking for inspirational role models who can tell their stories about how their careers have evolved. Maisie exemplifies never giving up and reaching your goals.”