Aspiring film makers, Nick Davis and Jake Sollars, both media students at All Saints' Academy in Blaisdon Way, have been given a special 'confidential' filming assignment by Swim The Big Blue's Ben Hooper.
They have been asked by Ben, with whom they worked back in June, to film the collection of his new Arena wetsuit. This potentially life saving suit, designed for Ben to wear during his forthcoming trans-Atlantic 2000 mile endurance swim, has been sent over to Cheltenham for Ben to trial and give his feedback on. Nick and Jake have accepted the challenge to film this top secret mission with film being sent back, unedited to Arena's Headquarters in Tolento, Italy. The wet suit which has taken six months to design uses innovative technology and shark defense features and will have its official launch just before Ben starts his trans-Atlantic swim later this year.
"This is a significant and exciting day for me to finally see the finished wet suit," says Ben. "Sharing the experience with Nick and Jake is exciting as it is provides these two aspiring film makers/producers with a world first on their CV, much as my swim will be a world first. The filming they are doing for me is highly confidential and will not be made public until my sponsor Arena launches the wetsuit later this year. I am however most grateful to All Saints' Academy for giving Nick and Jake time out to film and for the school's continued support. It is great to think that work done by two students from Cheltenham will be seen globally in a few weeks time."
Nick and Jake are currently in the Sixth Form at All Saints' Academy studying Creative Media Production and have already been involved in a number of filming assignments over recent months around Cheltenham. Jake from Moor Park in Cheltenham hopes to be a film director whilst Nick from Rowanfield, hopes to write for TV and film.
Nick Davis, 18 said ‘It has been extremely interesting and exciting to be working with Ben again and to film the next stage of his journey.’
Jake Sollars, 18 said ‘The experience of working with Ben has been brilliant. Being able to capture more footage that will be shown around the world is incredibly exciting and a great opportunity for us as film makers.’
For further information about the Swim The Big Blue expedition please visit www.bensmiles.co.uk.
