Acclaimed BBC Drama Normal People actors Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones add to students’ virtual experience.
MetFilm School launched the ‘Virtual Grindhouse’ last month with virtual masterclasses from actor Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes, Game of Thrones, The Wife, Tomorrow Never Dies, Evita…), writer Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax, Gentleman Jack…), cinematographer Roger Deakins (The Shawshank Redemption, Skyfall, BladeRunner 2049 and 1917), and many more… see editor’s notes.
Higher education across the globe was thrown into disruption during this pandemic. MetFilm School, with campuses at Ealing Studios in London and BUFA in Berlin needed to ensure a way of keeping students engaged during lockdown and between virtual lectures.
Normal People, the BBC/Hulu adaptation based on the bestselling novel by Sally Rooney captures the ups and downs of first love through the lives of two Irish teenagers. Released in the UK, through the BBC’s youth focused digital channel, BBC Three, the show has drawn a huge audience and rave reviews, making quick stars of its main cast members.
Actors Paul Mescal (in his first TV role) and Daisy Edgar-Jones will add hugely to MetFilm School students’ virtual experience on Tuesday evening (June 9th), in particular for the School’s very first BA Screen Acting students, now coming up to the end of the first year of their 2-year degree course.
Last week also saw the Director of the acclaimed drama, Lenny Abrahamson also give a masterclass in Directing to the students.
Jonny Persey, Director of MetFilm School said: “One of the most important features of being a student at MetFilm School, is a sense of community, which could too easily be lost during these times of social distancing and self-isolation.
“So, we launched an online community, named after the café at our London campus, The Grindhouse. The Virtual Grindhouse is home to online masterclasses, filming competitions, and opportunities curated from across the industry.
“At MetFilm School we have kept our community together, and despite our international student base, with many having returned to their home countries, we’re managed to cut through physical borders, and bring people who have a love of films and a love of making films together.
“The unfamiliar territory that we found ourselves in has heightened our use of technology which the students are already familiar with, but, it’s not just about the technical craft of making films, it’s the ability to tell a story. And, right now we need those stories to help us make sense of what’s happening in the world.”
