It's lights, camera, shhhh for our silent stars

AS PART of their 1920s studies, Herm School pupils have made their own silent movie.

The film, entitled The Herm Mob, was written a few months ago but lack of equipment meant it was originally going to be a slide show of stills.

However, a relative of two of the students was visiting the island and happened to have the equipment and the skills to bring their story to life.

Matt Hastings, the uncle of Brandon and Emy Hastings, acted as cameraman and will also edit the film for the children.

Head teacher Mary Carey directed the short film, which was shot at various locations around the island.

'High winds and bad weather, added to the fact we had no cameraman, had made it impossible to film before now,' said Mrs Carey.

The movie follows the story of glamorous singers, lively speakeasies, love and rivalry.

Silent Knight, Talullah Latter, Indie Twoshoes, Noodles Jones, Skinny Hastings, Pinky Jones, Emy Flowers and Wild Harry thoroughly enjoyed their day in the spotlight and threw themselves into their various roles.

The little cast seem to have a gift for expressive and comedic timing and translated the energy they always show in school concerts into moving pictures.

Wild weather did nothing to deter the young actors and actresses from their goal.

'It was sunny but rather cold,' said Mrs Carey. 'Not the weather to wear dresses and feather boas. And we had to hang on to our gangster hats. Many thanks go to Fiona Hastings, who was our brilliant wardrobe and prop manager, too.'

All that is left now is to choose music for the soundtrack and wait for the finished product to arrive back at school.

The film will be just under 10 minutes long and a good showcase for our little stars and their school.