Friday, 12 March 2010

Talented teen is off to Bollywood

TALENTED Cockermouth teenager Chelsie-Anne Pim left home at 16 to follow her dream of becoming a movie make-up artist – and just two years later, she’s heading for Bollywood.

She is one of the first 100 teenagers in the country chosen for a new international initiative aimed at the most talented school and college leavers.

She is poised to spend her summer on the set of Channel 4’s Hollyoaks for a week’s work experience before jetting off to India for six weeks as part of the Government’s Global Fellowships pilot scheme.

It aims to give 18 and 19-year-olds a chance to experience life in some of the world’s new global economies including India, Brazil and China.

Chelsie-Anne, 18, got 11 GCSEs at Cockermouth School but did not stay on to do A-levels. Her mother Donna, of Bellbrigg Lonning, helped her find a suitable course elsewhere.

Chelsie-Anne moved to Greater Manchester to start a BTEC certificate in media make-up, prosthetics and wig-making at Stockport College, clinching a double distinction last year.

She was also chosen to be the chief make-up artist on three fitness DVDs produced in Portugal, accompanied by an adult chaperone because she was just 17.

Chelsie-Anne is now predicted to get a triple distinction in the BTEC diploma next month and she has been selected to travel to India.

Her six-week Global Fellowship visit will include a trip to the Bollywood industry base in Mumbai.

While away, Chelsie-Anne will write a blog for a special Bebo website. In November, the students are expected to meet the Prime Minister where they will discuss their experiences and research projects. Chelsie-Anne said: “I decided to go to Stockport because they did not have the course I wanted to do in Cumbria.

“I was lucky, I knew in year nine what I wanted to be. I wanted to do all the blood and guts you see on shows like Holby City and Casualty.

She added: “I can’t wait to visit Bollywood. For me, as a make-up artist, that is brilliant. I will learn and experience so much. I’ve never really visited anywhere that is so cultural and so diverse.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “I congratulate the 100 young people who have been selected for the Global Fellowship programme. They have demonstrated outstanding talent and potential.

“The programme will develop the global awareness and enterprise skills that our young people will need to make Britain a success story in the future.”

The scheme is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and is managed by the British Council.

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