Star to appear in Tyneside film

A blockbuster film star is swapping Hollywood for a garage on Tyneside.

John Shrapnel, who has starred in big-budget hits like Troy and Gladiator, is taking a huge salary cut to star in a short film being shot in Newcastle.

The seven-minute movie, Sleepzone, is being produced by Pinball Films, based in Eldon Square, Newcastle.

It is a psychological thriller being funded by a Lottery grant of just £7,000 and Mr Shrapnel has agreed to receive basic Equity rates of pay.

He plays, Dr Peter Glass, a Psychology lecturer, in the thriller and is currently in the city filming for two days.

'Bit of a gamble'

He said: "It is just as exciting for me to film in a garage in Newcastle compared to, say, a desert abroad.

"It is a good experience for me and the main thing is to work with good people."

The film's producer, Ashley Horn, of independent company Pinball Films, sent the script to Mr Shrapnel and was delighted when he accepted.

He said: "I already knew him and took a bit of a gamble, but if you don't ask you don't get.

"He accepted because the script for Sleepzone is so good – but I will not give too much away."

Sleepzone is one of eight short, low-budget films to be shot in the North East of England and being backed by screen agency Northern Film & Media and the UK Film Council.