College students stunned by movie star visit (From Bridgwater Mercury)

College students stunned by movie star visit

9:20am Thursday 19th February 2009 in News By David Hemming

THREE Bridgwater students were stunned when a Hollywood movie star paid a surprise visit – and asked them to help film a promotional video.

Pirates of the Caribbean, Shaun of the Dead and Love Actually star Bill Nighy arrived at Bridgwater College to make the film for the White Ribbon Alliance charity, which promotes healthy motherhood in the third world.

Students Rich Hall, Jordan Hatton and Matt Ives (pictured with the actor) were called into action by the A-lister himself tasked with finding props and other items to support the film.

The trio were also sent on several tea and coffee making missions for the whole crew.

Student Rich said: “It was almost like a game show in a way. They set you a challenge of something to find and you work against the clock to make sure you get it to them.”

Local film director Julien Temple was also involved in the making of the film after his work supporting the charity.

Bridgwater College was chosen for a scene where Bill plays a newsreader because of its large blue-screen, which was needed to recreate an earlier scene filmed at 10, Downing Street, with Prime Minster Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah.

The visit was kept a secret as media course leader Alan Hardcastle wanted to surprise his students with a valuable experience and did not want large crowds of people turning up at the college.

He said: “It was a great experience for everyone concerned and it was great that the crew were impressed with the professional attitude of the students in helping the day go without a hitch.”