A student filmmaker from Isleworth is crowdfunding in the local community to help stage his final university movie.
Thomas Allen, 22, is in his fourth year at the Arts University Bournemouth where he is the producer of graduation movie Baile.
Inspired by the true story of a crew member’s relative, the plot follows a mother in rural 1950s Ireland who speaks out after her daughter is badly beaten by her teacher and sent to hospital.
Mr Allen says the film touches on the themes of family, unity and challenging gender roles.
The 22-year-old grew up shooting short films around the Richmond area, as part of his GCSE and A Level in Media at Orleans Park School. He says his favourite filming locations included Church Street and Richmond Park.
Baile is now in its pre-production phase, with filming set to begin in February in a studio staged as a 1950s Irish family home.
In a tough year for many students due to the disruptions of the pandemic, Mr Allen is appealing for help to get the project off the ground.
“Film making is always a lot of stress but the relief and elation you feel when you come out the other side is always the high point.”
The pandemic has put a strain on what we can do – with Zoom meetings, masks on set and filming in specific zones - but it will be a testament to the quality to all of us if we can come out as the first class of pandemic student film makers.”
In the future, Mr Allen hopes to move back to London and pursue a career in British independent cinema.
You can find the fundraiser here or follow the journey on Instagram @baile_film or Facebook @BaileFilm
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here