By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 14:06, Thursday, 19 March 2009

An assistant film director from Wigton has made his Hollywood debut working on The Young Victoria.

Michael Groom

Michael Groom, 28, took his family to Carlisle’s Vue cinema to see the hit film and watched his name roll in the credits at the end.

“That was a proud moment,” said the former Nelson Thomlinson School pupil. “I knew the line producer from another film that I worked on and she asked me if I wanted to come in to chat to the French Canadian director Jean-Marc Vallee.

“It is my first major Hollywood-funded film, although I did work as an assistant co-ordinator on A Mighty Heart with Angelina Jolie. My brother David also worked on this film as a production assistant runner.”

Mr Groom studied English and writing for performance at York University where he graduated in 2003. “As soon as I graduated I knew that I wanted to get some experience in the film industry and I worked with British director Michael Winterbottom on his movies,” he said.

The Young Victoria, which tells the story of the early life of Queen Victoria, was filmed at stately homes in the south of England including Arundel Castle, Belvoir Castle and Wilton House. It stars Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend.

Following her early life as a cloistered teen surrounded by a retinue of servants and advisors all looking to influence and subvert her, the film then traces Victoria’s development into the longest reigning British monarch.

The film is produced by Sarah Ferguson and Princess Beatrice makes a fleeting performance in the opening scene.

Mr Groom said: “I worked on the film’s pre-production for 11 weeks and then on the main shoot. They were 12-hour days but I loved every minute of it.

“Emily Blunt, who plays Victoria, is absolutely lovely. She is really sweet and had a laugh with everyone on the set. Rupert Friend, who played Prince Albert, was more serious. He really threw himself into the role and was less inclined to have fun with the crew.”

Mr Groom is currently at home in Wigton focusing on his writing. He said: “I moved back home so I could do more writing. I’ve got a film coming out next month which is a romantic comedy called Dogging: A Love Story. It was filmed in Newcastle but the last scene happened in the Lake District.

“I’d like to do more filming in Cumbria.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the film industry. I have been inspired by the director David Lean who made films like Dr Zhivago and Brief Encounter,” he added.

First published at 11:32, Thursday, 19 March 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk