A Keswick student got the opportunity of a lifetime when he joined the production staff for the filming of Hollywood movie The Batman.
Jake Sampson, a media production student at Liverpool John Moore’s University, joined the stars on the set after applying for a work placement on a major film production through the university’s screen school.
The latest Dark Knight adaptation starring Robert Pattinson was shot in Liverpool, with its Georgian architecture and waterfront doubling as Gotham City, and St George’s Hall used for pivotal scenes in the film.
Working on the set of such a massive global film production, meant Jake was sworn to silence to not share any spoilers from filming.
He and fellow students allowed on the set had to sign a comprehensive non disclosure agreement which included not taking any photographs while on set. The students were often working alongside the main cast on set too.
“The whole industry is very social and about networking,’’ said Jake. ‘’I learnt a lot about the hard work that goes into each second of a film, and that you have to be willing to work extremely hard to succeed.’’
Ruth Doughty, programme leader for film studies at LJMU said: “Our connections with Liverpool Film Office, mean students here are among the first to hear about exciting placements, where they can gain valuable experience and get into the film industry.”
“Liverpool, is the second most filmed UK city after London and has an almost chameleon-esque sensibility. Our city has featured as the backdrop for films set in New York, Russia, London and Birmingham.
‘‘What’s more, film making in Liverpool is about to grow exponentially with the new film studios under development at the former Littlewoods site on Edge Lane, making it an ideal place for those interested in film, media production or journalism, to study.”
The Batman stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman alongside Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis and Colin Farrell.
It is set in the superhero’s second year of fighting crime.
It sees Batman uncover corruption in Gotham City while pursuing the Riddler (Dano), a serial killer who targets Gotham’s elite.
