Last updated at 21:05, Thursday, 26 July 2012

A Great Broughton teenager is directing his first feature film.

• VIDEO CLIP: Greenwood Manor

Lee Rielly, 16, of Coldgill Avenue, has created Greenwood Manor, based on a boy called James who loses his parents in a car crash.

It tells how he goes to stay at his aunt and uncle’s house, where strange things happen.

The thriller is being filmed at Tallentire Hall, in Tallentire, near Cockermouth.

Written by Lee, it stars Calum MacGregor, of Cockermouth, and Jessie Cassidy, of Carlisle.

Lee, a media production student at Carlisle College, said: “I started writing the script in early May as a short film and it developed from there.

“After winning an award for my short film Goodbye Dad, I realised I could make better films and decided to develop Greenwood Manor into a longer feature film.

“The idea of the boy being alone in the house with strange things happening was sparked by the film Paranormal Activity.”

Lee, who went to Cockermouth School and has written several short films, added: “A friend’s family own Tallentire Hall so I’m lucky to be able to film there.

“I’ve always loved films and draw a lot of inspiration from directors like Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino.”

He started filming Greenwood Manor on July 14 and will finish by August 7. He is looking for a venue to hold a screening in September.

The 80-minute film has been funded by Lee and his family.

Lee won a Royal Television Society award for best drama earlier this year for his three-minute film Goodbye Dad, which was filmed along the River Derwent near Great Broughton.

He said: “I’m directing and will be editing but I have a great cast and crew, mainly friends from my course, who have helped make the film possible.

“I really want to be a famous director so I will continue to make feature films and hopefully I will make more and more contacts.”

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 26 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk