Joann Ishmael helping film Grieg City Academy's episode of the series.

Hornsey students take on TV filming project in Alexandra Palace

by Sara Macham Wednesday, July 18, 2012
2:39 PM

A group of Hornsey drama students have impressed a successful actor by producing their own television show entirely from scratch.

Pupils from Greig City Academy wrote, directed and starred in the first episode of The Frame as part of a project set up by TV actor James Gaddas, best known for his role as prison governor Neil Grayling in ITV’s Bad Girls and recently back on screen in the latest series of the BBC One hit Waterloo Road.

Mr Gaddas, who also funded the project, wanted to give young people the opportunity to work in the industry who might not otherwise have the chance.

The making of The Frame saw the sixth-formers filming at Alexandra Palace with the help of a professional TV crew – but it was less their skills in front of the camera that impressed Mr Gaddas than their interest in what goes on behind the scenes.

He said: “We tend to forget that for every kid who wants to act, there are between 50 and 100 who don’t want to be on screen.

“There is so much that goes on behind the camera. It will benefit everybody if we encourage young people to take an interest in these aspects of television.

“I was incredibly impressed with the students at Greig City Academy. They knew exactly what they wanted to do.

“It’s been fascinating to see them blossom and take such an interest in the technical side of things.”

Scriptwriter and pupil Joann Ishmael, 17, found the experience exhilarating. The aspiring drama teacher said: “I’d never written a script before, so it was a major project for me. It was hard work but well worth it.

“It was a very valuable opportunity for me. All of us agreed it was the best unit of our course.”

With filming completed, The Frame will go to the editing suite this week. The remaining 10 episodes will be produced by other schools across the capital.

The series will be screened online in September.