Kilnwick actor hopes for big screen debut

A young professional actor from Kilnwick has landed the lead role in a major film – but may see his hopes dashed if cash can’t be raised to meet production costs.

Former Driffield School pupil Michael Prince, 21, graduated from the world-famous Italia Conti drama school in London in June – and has now landed the lead role in the film On Sword Beach which tells the story of four young soldiers coming of age during World War Two.

Film-lovers across the world are currently being invited to stump up the cash for the film via the on-line crowdfunding website known as Kickstarter,

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And in return they can receive merchandise including signed posters, DVDs, original props, premier tickets and even have the chance to star in the film as an extra. But if £60,000 can’t be raised by December 6 the project will be off and any cash donated will be returned.

Michael, who developed his talent for acting at Driffield School, is currently touring the country as Banquo in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Macbeth.

In between working as an usher and barman at London’s Old Vic theatre (where his boss is Kevin Spacey) he has also appeared in a Sainsbury’s advert and had a walk-on part in the BBC drama Waterloo Road.

“But this is the first big role to get his teeth into,” says dad Ian Prince.

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He said: “Michael is such a committed lad who lives and breaths everything he does whether it’s martial arts, rugby or acting. It’s very exciting to see what these young people are doing. Once they start getting support, the interest from other production companies will kick in.”

The film is the true story of four friends who pursue a murderer on the run in the weeks leading up to D-Day.

A trailer of the film can be viewed on You Tube by searching “On Sword Beach.” Part of it was filmed on Filey beach, which doubles of Normandy to depict the D-Day Landings.

Ian, who is a former Driffield police officer, added: “It’s amazing what they’s achieved in the trailer. It looks as if there are around 50 people running up the beach, but there were only three of them. It looks like saving Private Ryan. It’s incredible what they’ve done with off-the-shelf technology.”

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When he was 18, Michael was one of only 24 candidates out of around 3,000 to gain a place at the Italia Conti school.

He can’t use his real name on his equity card because there is already a professional actor called Michael Prince. Instead he uses the surname Kinsey, which is an old English name for prince.

The amount needed to produce the film is a fraction of the cost of certain Hollywood blockbusters, however advances in visual technology mean that, with the right skills, stunning results can nowadays be achieved on low budgets. It’s hoped actor Sean Bean will star in the film as its narrator.

“The talent is here, the material is here and I think we can make something really special, “ says producer Florian Dassler.

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The film is a being made by the Yorkshire Motion Picture Production Company, and has a production team who have worked together on other feature films, television programmes, short films and commercials.

Writer Oliver Murray says in the YouTube trailer: “Whilst we already have some money to get this film rolling, it’s far from enough to cover the costs of production...I’m here to ask you to join us by becoming part of the production of On Sword Beach.”

Earlier this week, a total of £2,867 had been raised from 31 backers. For more information, and if you would like to donate, visit www.onswordbeach.com.

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