How teenager landed dream movie role
MANY teenagers spend their summer holidays slaving away at a part-time job.
But talented teen Greer Ellison had a blast on his break after landing a role in Cherry Bomb – the latest movie to be filmed in Northern Ireland.
The Bangor lad landed the role when he went to auditions “for a laugh” and ended up rubbing shoulders with James Nesbitt and Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint.
Greer, 16, said: “I never thought I’d get a part – I didn’t expect anything from the audition.
“Now I’ve come away well-paid, with plenty of contacts and tips on securing an agent.”
He wrapped up filming last Saturday and jetted to Ibiza to finish off his holiday in style.
Along with plenty of home-grown talent – with Jimmy Nesbitt and a score by acclaimed local DJ David Holmes – Cherry Bomb also features Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging star Kimberley Nixon.
It is a coming-of-age drama set in Belfast that tells the story of two booze and drug-fuelled pals vying for the affections of a beautiful girl.
Best friends Malachy (Grint) and Luke (Robert Sheehan) go on a wild weekend with captivating Michelle (Nixon).
But their friendship is pushed to the limit when a dangerous game of dares to win her over goes wrong – with fatal consequences.
Greer added: “I couldn’t believe I ended up on the set with all these stars. Everyone was really friendly, and I used the opportunity to ask them all how to get ahead.”
The Bangor Grammar School pupil tried out for the part after being handed a flier by a casting director after class.
“I wasn’t nervous at all because at first I only did it for a laugh,” he said.
“But when I realised what an opportunity it was I took it far more seriously.”
He ended up doing gruelling 12-hour stints on set, often picked up from his house at 5am for make-up.
The film is the joint debut of married couple Glen Leyburn and Lisa Barros D'Sa.
They brought a huge crew of designers, stylists and set dressers – some of whom had worked on Closing the Ring – for shooting around Belfast.
Grint – most famous for his part as Harry Potter sidekick Ron Weasley – said he loved Northern Ireland.
“I really enjoyed the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge,” he said.
The 19-year-old was also spotted out with co-star Jimmy Nesbitt on a break from filming.
The movie is due for release next January.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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