AN ACCLAIMED TV screenwriter and a Rhyl studio executive have helped Rhyl pupils bring their vision to the screen.

Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School, in Rhyl has teamed up with BAFTA award winner Jimmy McGovern and Paul Higginson, executive vice president EMEA for Twentieth Century Fox, and a former pupil of the school, to create Fight or Flight.

Working with the Denbighshire Curriculum Enrichment initiative and Old Colwyn based TAPE Community Music and Film, Pupils at, have been given the lead role by acting in and producing the short film.

Steve Swindon, chief executive officer of TAPE, said: “It has been fantastic to see how talented these pupils are. They have really done themselves proud and produced some amazing work in front and behind the camera.

“We are keen to develop our inclusive support for the creative industries in terms of providing a supply of skilled and trained backstage crew and this project has given pupils and insight into those industry demands.”

The film, shot over three days of filming at the school, explores important issues facing today’s teenagers, including self-esteem, bullying, body image and social media.

The cast and crew of pupils, aged between 11and 16, learned about film production techniques, behind-the-camera roles, costume design, production management, distribution and marketing under the watchful eyes of McGovern,Higginson and TAPE film British Winters director Andrew Turner

The visit marked a return to the school for both the veterans, as McGovern - who had his start on Liverpool soap Brookside is best known for penning gritty dramas such as Cracker, Hillsborough and The Street - had previously given a screen writing masterclass there as part of TAPE's Coastline Film Festival n November 2017.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for education, children and young people, said: “I’m delighted the pupils have had the chance to learn so much about the film industry from this project.

“This has been about inspiring students and showing them what career options are available. It is a priority for the Council to provide young people with effective career advice and mentoring as well as offering them the opportunity to develop skills for life and work.”

The film will be premiered at the school in the summer term 2019.