Harry Potter star to give First Writes a flying start

Harry Potter's Quidditch captain, Scottish actor Sean Biggerstaff, is to introduce a new scheme giving young people the chance to create movie magic of their own.
The First Writes screenwriting competition will be officially launched at the UGC Cinema in Renfrew Street, Glasgow at 10.30am on Wednesday December 4 2002.
Biggerstaff, currently playing Oliver Wood in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets', will, on behalf of First Writes, invite young people between the ages of 11 and 16 to write stories that can be turned into short, five-minute films for their own age group.
Three winners will be chosen to have their scripts filmed by a professional production company. They'll get the opportunity to be involved throughout the filmmaking process, from casting right up until final editing, and also enjoy a cinema premiere of the completed film before an invited audience of friends and family.
First Writes is the brainchild of Scottish Screen and First Light, the Film Council Lottery-funded initiative for young people's filmmaking.
Scott Donaldson, Education Officer of Scottish Screen, said: "First Writes is a great avenue for young people to display their imagination, as there is no restriction on how creative these ideas have to be. Add that to the fact that these ideas could be eventually realised on the big screen, and you have a competition that should stir any young person with an interest in film."
(GB)