9:30am Friday 24th July 2009
By Bethany Abbit
A CUMBRIAN special effects artist has been working some Hollywood magic on the set of the new Harry Potter film.
Emma Slater, 23, from Arnside, has been rubbing shoulders with the stars during the filming of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.
Ms Slater started as a trainee in the make up effects department of the Warner Brothers production two years ago.
Now, the former Dallam High School student is continuing her work on the final installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Gallows.
Ms Slater has been inspired by her boss - renowned effects man Nick Dudman - who has worked on some of the biggest films ever made, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones as well as Batman, Alien 3, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth and Willow.
“Nick’s an amazing man,” said Ms Slater. “A career like his is one of the things you aspire to. The department is just a massive collaberation of people, it’s a big team effort. All the people who work here are lovely and they’ve all been doing it for about 20 years.”
After studying for a degree in Media and Special Effects Make Up at Bradford College, Ms Slater was encouraged to apply for her dream job by her mum.
“Both my parents have been really encouraging and told me to go for what I want to do,” she said. “I’ve always been creative and interested in how film magic works.
“With special effects make up you can completely change an actors face. I’m inspired by sci-fi films and films like Dark Crystal and Labyrinth really interest me. I grew up watching those films.
“It’s just an amazing thing actually seeing your work in the finished film and it was amazing to see my name on the credits considering how many people worked on it.”
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