Colin Blakeston - Video, DVD, and Film Producer by Cilla.

Colin Blakeston and I have at least one thing in common. And that's how this article came about. We're both big Emma Rugg fans. Colin is responsible, together with his colleague Dave Stubbins, for the production of a video featuring Emma playing at the Lamp. Check it out www.ukscreen.com/screen/74. Colin is another example of a Hull born and bred 'bright young thing'. At the age of 27 his list of credits is seriously impressive. Music videos, feature films, TV, theatre as well as corporate and educational productions.

Colin and Dave

I called Colin to ask him his story. 'I'm a local lad, went to David Lister school and I look forward to Spiders at the weekend!' Colin left school not really knowing what he wanted to do with his life. He said that all he wanted was 'a computer - because they're cool, Sky television and a video camera to make silly films with my friends'. Well, it was a start!

Several years on, Colin helped his mum compile a video report for a course she was attending at university. After that, he says he received loads of encouragement to continue making films. He travelled to the US for the release of 'Star Wars' and says that he enjoyed so much being around the filming fraternity he realised that this was the career for him and that's how it all started.

'I studied TV and film in Hull for 3 years at Riley College before spending two years in Grimsby taking an HND. I've been back in Hull just over a year now and it's amazing how many cool things are happening here. I work for a Video/DVD production company in town called GH Productions. We do a lot of work to promote Hull and that's why it's nice to see a website doing the same thing!' (Thanks Colin - Editor).

Since working there, Colin has been involved in productions for such clients as The Deep, KC Stadium, Ferensway, Children's University and The Zone, to name a few.

When not working for GH Productions, Colin likes to take on other projects. He contacted Emma Rugg to talk about doing something together after reading about her in the press and the result was the video. They're now talking about producing a music video for her first single. Colin is hoping to be working with other artists on Emma's label, 'Indream Records' in the near future.

And as if all that isn't enough to be getting on with, Colin recently entered the National 48hr Film Festival (again with Dave Stubbins). The team is supplied with a random title and genre, and have 48hrs to make a finished film. Colin and Dave shot the film over two nights in a garage on Holderness Road! Although their film didn't win through to the next round, Colin was really pleased with the feedback it received.

He says 'The film had over a thousand hits in ten days, was shown on CNN in the US, and will be mentioned sometime soon in the Washington Post and New York Times. But the best thing is it was linked and mentioned on Director Kevin Smith's website (of 'Clerks', 'Chasing Amy', 'Jay n Bob Strike Back' fame) which is totally cool because he's a hero of mine!' continued below

Colin Blakeston - Video, DVD, and Film Producer continued by Cilla.

The finished film can be viewed online at www.ukscreen.com/screen/76. I asked Colin who were his heroes. He's always been a huge Star Wars fan, so of course George Lucas' name was mentioned. Also Robert Rodriguez' because he believes in doing the very best that you can with whatever you've got, and I like that philosophy. And of course, Emma Rugg!'

To read more about Colin Blakeston visit his web page on www.ukscreen.com/crew/CBlakeston Photographs copyright  ©2003, and courtesy of Colin Blakeston.

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