BAFTA Los Angeles Backs UK Film

As the BBC celebrated a win for its re-imagining of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock - taking two awards during a star studded British Academy of Film & Television Arts, (BAFTA) ceremony in London this week - the organisation's Los Angeles branch has been preparing for two further celebrations.
While BAFTA President Prince William and wife Kate are to fly in this July to support a major event, BAFTA has already been undertaking an ambitious new inner-city project that is bringing together a group of inner city students to produce an open-air performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet as well as a feature-film documentary that chronicles the entire journey.
This endeavour will culminate in two performances at the Ladera Heights Amphitheatre on May 28th and 29th with the second performance will be open to the paying public.
All proceeds will benefit the Media and Arts Programs at George Washington Preparatory School, particularly in the light of recent Los Angeles Unified School District budget cuts.
Using the play as a familiar backdrop, BAFTA Los Angeles has been working with students of George Washington Preparatory School who have been recruited as actors, set-designers, stage managers, wardrobe assistants, and hair and make-up artists.
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Against a backdrop of a community often rife with disillusionment and apathy, the accompanying documentary film will cover casting auditions, rehearsals and final play preparations with an engaging cast of students, teachers, and parents which is hoped will become an inspiration in itself to other students and schools.
BAFTA Los Angeles Members have been mentoring the students through the play and documentary projects, bringing their own professional skills and artistry to the production.
Meanwhile, Prince William's Presidency of BAFTA - announced earlier in 2011 - will soon see the newly wed price and his wife Catherine leading an early July event to promote the British film industry.
LA-based stars from across the film world are said to be keen to attend whatever event the royal couple promotes - adding another boost to the current run of success for British film and television.
(BMcC/GK)