Darkwood Manor

excellent! great job Liam and cast. I cant wait to see the next one. When Dorothy Stringer High School announces it is to close, all hope seems lost. That is until one of the students finds a flier on the street offering a reward to anyone who can spend two nights in Darkwood Manor. But when the intrepid group of volunteers and their form tutor arrive at the manor it quickly becomes clear that the resident evil is not a ghost after all and, one by one, they start to disappear. Lucia Coppola, Elliot Bell, Max Morgan, Charlie Wood, Finlay White, Evie Park, Steve Coogan Darkwood Manor started life as a Year 8 scheme of work and as such the title will be familiar to drama students up and down the country. For one student however, the project became something more and, having been involved in film throughout his school career, Liam Hooper couldn't resist the challenge set by one of his tutors to make one final film before leaving school. Working with students, staff, friends and family it took Hooper a total of three years and the best part of £1000 (of his own money) to script, film and edit the 1 hour 20 minute film.

I was lucky enough to catch this at the cinema and what a treat. Not only did he write and direct the film, he edited it, was responsible for locations, organising actors, special effects etc.(WHICH WERE NOT CGI) You can see a few glimpses of where the young directer drew his inspirations from as the plot unfolds. The actors were very good considering age and experience.A few of them could go on to do well in the film industry. All on the mega budget he had is a feat in itself!! Considering this young man is only 17 and was working on it for three years it is astounding. I think he will go far given the chance and i am looking forward to the next instalment from this young talented film maker. If you get the chance to see this film DO, don't miss it!!