23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Jack's the lad as teenager debuts in GOWK - short film set in Wishaw housing estate
Emerging director Ryan Pollock's latest work will world premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival
A rising film maker returned to his roots by using Wishaw as the backdrop for his latest work.
Ryan Pollock produced a number of well-received short films which landed him a place in a year-long programme with the Sean Connery Talent Lab for emerging filmmakers.
The Netherton man was matched up with other aspiring talents and they were provided a budget of £25,000 and tasked with producing a short film to be showcased to the industry, with support and creative guidance from BBC Film.
It was produced by duo Kitty McMurdo-Schad and Katriona Tweedie. The talented crew also included cinematographer Vasileios Kapnis and was edited by Fraser Ballantyne.
Written and directed by Ryan, GOWK will be one of six short films which are set to world premier at the Edinburgh Film Festival in August.
An invited audience was treated to preview the finished article on Thursday night at Garrion People's Housing Co-op (GHPC) in Wishaw.
'This was the second screening, we had the first screening in Edinburgh on Tuesday there,' said Ryan. 'We've had plaudits from people like Walter Murch, who did the Godfather and Apocalypse Now, who gave us a great review.
"Big producers from across Britain have seen it and it's went down really well.
'That's the biggest budget I've had and it was a bigger crew and production. It's turned out well and I've definitely learned more. It is strange working on something for a year that's 15 minutes long.
'It's a true story from when my dad was a boy, so it's good having him see it here in the place it actually happened. And it's good for Wishaw to see itself on the screen.'
Among the audience at the screening in Gowkthrapple was 14-year-old Jack Mavin from Pather, an S3 pupil at St Aidan's High, who plays the main character in the 15-minute-long film.
The teenager looks like a natural in the role, despite being a newcomer to acting with no previous experience.
'It's exciting to see it,' Jack admitted. 'It wasn't filmed in chronological order, different parts were filmed at different times so it's good seeing it finished.'
Jack spent his October week holidays from school filming in Gowkthrapple.
'It was brilliant,' he added. 'It's the first time I've done any acting but I absolutely want to do more now.
'I'm in a drama class at school but I don't do drama out of school. My mates love it and think it's dead cool.'
Jack's face also features on the film's poster, he has linked up with BAFTA award-winning London-based agents Des Hamilton Casting, so an exciting future could lie ahead.
'It's an exciting opportunity but when he first told me about the film I thought he was at it,' his mum Siobhan admitted.
'Although Jack has been jumping about in a James Bond suit since he's been a wee boy.,' she laughed.
Kitty McMurdo-Schad said: 'Working on this we've just had continuous yes's and we're really appreciative of everyone who's helped us along the way.
'We couldn't have done it without the help of every single person in this community. It's been such a heartwarming experience.
'It's all came together really well and the performances in the film are amazing. We've made quite a lot of shorts but this one has been a really special experience for us.
'It's a big step up in scale for all of us and has been a great opportunity. We've got so much from it personally as well as professionally.'
Katriona Tweedie, added: 'It's been a long road but it's been so exciting getting to share it this week with and audience, the people involved in the film and family and friends who've supported us on the journey.
"The feedback has been so positive and there's been huge compliments to Jack, the lead in the film. We're really excited for its launch at the Edinburgh Film Festival, and hopefully that's the start of its journey across the world in the festival circuit. It's a really exciting moment.
'It's been great having mentors and working with BBC Film and getting their feedback on the script and on the edit has been really valuable. Hopefully we can develop a feature next as a team.'
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