Ipswich film-maker out to impress festival judges

Village Green Pictures' Luke Penning with Followed writer and actor Troy Whymark (Image: Archant)

Luke Penning, 18, already has his own production company, Village Green Pictures, founded last September. Projects have included the documentary Developing Ipswich, Martlesham Primary School’s musical, videos for local music acts and shooting behind the scenes footage for the Film Suffolk feature With Love From Suffolk.

His short film, Followed, sees teenager Ryan trying to get his life back on track.

“He’s had massive things happen in his life, he’s finding it hard to cope and feels the only way to put things right is by turning things on their head in a bit of a twisted, psychotic kind of way,” says the former Suffolk One creative media production student.

Luke, who cites Twin Peaks creator David Lynch as a major influence, developed the idea with his friend Troy Whymark, a Sudbury-based actor. The latter wrote the script, with filming beginning last November.

“I wanted to create something a bit dark, a bit bizarre and confuse people. I was suffering with anxiety around this time. There were a lot of things going on; I was close to my nan and she died, there were exams… I channelled some of that into the film.”

The teenager knew he wanted to work in film from an early age. He used to shoot movies on his camera phone and was a member of the BFI Film Academy in Colchester.

Inspired by former teachers Darren Meitner Harvey, who founded the EASFF; and Grant Abbitt, Luke starts his digital film production degree at UCS this autumn. He is also already working on a sequel to Followed.

The EASFF winners will be announced soon, with Cineworld Ipswich screening their movies on October 10. The Colchester Film Festival winners will be revealed on October 1.

Watch Followed here. Visit www.facebook.com/villagegreenpictures, www.facebook.com/followedshortfilm, www.twitter.com/VGPictures, www.villagegreenpictures.wix.com/website for more details