Cannes 2008

PRESS RELEASE

Peter Ferris of Ferris Entertainment flew out his actor Paul Clash, to meet him in Cannes in order to promote the film "Happy Fridays" in which Paul had the lead role, which was directed by young up and coming director Gareth Griffiths. Whilst sitting by the pool, Peter, Paul's agent, recieved a call and Paul was summoned from Cannes to go to London to audition for a commercial to be filmed in Holland.

No this is not the plot of a Jackie Collins novel!!!

All the people are real.

They are all from Wales

Peter Ferris from Penarth, Gareth Griffiths from Llanelli and now lives in Cardiff and Paul Clash from Caerphilly

This is just another week in the lives of the Directors, Agents, Actors, Teachers and Writers from Penarth based Ferris Entertainment and proves that you do not have to leave Wales in order to achieve International success.

If this was a novel then the story would begin when director Gareth Griffiths was introduced to Peter Ferris at the Ferris Entertainment Performing Arts Screen Acting classes which are held in the Conservative Club in Penarth. Gareth was in the final stages of developing his script and pre production for his film "Happy Fridays".

Gareth worked with the actors, hohning the script through readings, performance and improvisation.

"This was a great way to work" said Gareth "Not only was it great to work with such proficient screen actors and that even included the younger ones but it was also a brilliant way to see the script come to life. I had already cast Zoe Davies as my leading lady but I wasn't sure about my leading man. Peter suggested his actor Paul Clash, who was attending the class, and the moment we worked together I knew Paul was perfect for the role."

"We shot the film in Newport and I was so pleased when it was selected for the Cannes Film Festival. So of course I had to go."

"Peter Ferris was already going as he had business meetings set up and I couldn't believe it when when he said he would fly out Paul in order to promote the movie. I don't now any other agents in Wales who would do that"

" The Film was received really well at the festival and the trip was an incredible experience and learning curve and will definately be the first of many."

"One of the highlights was sitting in a cafe with one of Peter's mentors Michael Pakleppa, who produced many of Peter Greenawy's films and who taught Peter Ferris everything about Cannes in 2002 when Peter worked for Michael on the feature film project "The Last Unicorn" which has now grown to a trilogy costing $300 million. What was so inspiring was that Tom Bevan, who works at Ferris Entertainment, was also sitting with us. Peter had recommended Tom to Michael, who immediately brought him into the storyboard artists team for "The Last Unicorn" in 2001 when Tom was stll attending Newport University as I have been.

It was like having film knowledge passed down through the generations from the "Dalai Lama of Cannes" as Peter calls Michael, who has attended the Cannes Film Festival for the last 38 years."

"I was really knocked out with Gareth" said Peter Ferris "I thought "Happy Fridays" was a really interesting film and his direction really inspired Paul's performance. I was also impressed with Gareths knowledge and enthusiasm, not to mention his professionalism in meetings in Cannes.

"So much so that we are really happy to announce that not only will we be representing him as an agent but we are proud to be producing his next feature film which he pitched to myself and my co director Fionna Johnson on the flight back from Cannes. Fionna was so enthused by Gareths story that she was torn in two between that conversation and talking with George Baker who she worked with previously on the inspector Wexford series and who was beside us on the plane."

"We don't believe in waiting so Gareth will begin developing his new feature film with our actors in our classes from this Saturday."

For full information on classes or the acting agency please visit www.ferrisentertainment.com or call 07801 493 133

To arrange an interview with either Peter Ferris, Gareth Griffiths or Paul Clash please contact me either via e mail peter.ferris@ferrisentertainment.com or directly on 07801 493 133

© Ferris Entertainment 2008