BULLIES: Joe , Phil , actor Tommy Russell, Ben and a bewigged Matt
Students and the school were given a 70s makeover as the cameras rolled on the follow-up to the award-winning film East Is East.
Over 40 students worked as extras when the school was transformed into a Salford comprehensive, the setting for West Is West, and four students were chosen to play the school bullies who make the life of the film’s star a misery.
“It was great fun being encouraged to behave contrary to everything we are expected to do at St Bede’s”, said “bully” Phillippe Lopeman, St Bede’s Head Boy. “They gave us free rein to run shouting along the corridors and we were directed to egg-on other bullies and laugh at the main character whilst he was kicked and had his head flushed down the loo, something I have never witnessed at the College!”
“Joe McMylor who had to put the lead character’s head down the toilet said, “It was really exciting doing the recording, meeting all the stars and being treated like Hollywood royalty. We even had our own changing rooms, although mine did not have my name on it. It was amazing to be in a proper movie, when each frame was gone over and over until it was perfect. It felt a bit strange and alien playing a bully, but I enjoyed it. My role is quite a crucial part to the story so I am really looking forward to seeing it at the cinema.”
“Mrs Nicki Alderson, Head of Drama and chaperone to the students, knew this would be an invaluable experience. “The students were treated very well by the crew,’ she said, ‘and they responded by being incredibly patient, even when they had to do 15 takes for the same scene outside on a freezing cold January day! It was fascinating to see the College transported back to the 70s. Some of the students had never seen a copy of Jackie and they loved the vintage buses.”
