Lord of the Rings Gollum actor's precious tips for teens

Lord of the Rings star uses studio to teach his skills
Digital inspiration: Andy Serkis with Lewis Noble and Hannah Johnstone at the workshop
Alex Lentati
Sian Boyle3 October 2013

He brought Gollum to life with the help of pioneering technology. Now Andy Serkis is opening up his digital studio to vulnerable teenagers in the hope of inspiring imaginative young minds.

Teaming up with children’s charity Barnardo’s, The Lord of the Rings star revealed his vision of an academy to expand young people’s skills.

Serkis, an ambassador for Barnardo’s for three years, said: “We’re trying to provide a platform for people who don’t have access to education or who may be disenfranchised in life, or have been up against it.”

Serkis invited 12 young people aged 15 to 23, who he hopes will apply to the academy, to his studio for a workshop. He showed how he used performance capture technology to bring Gollum’s tortured battle for his “precious”, the Ring, to the big screen. Special cameras and body suits translate the actor’s movements into an animated character.

The Imaginarium, which Serkis opened in Ealing with film producer Jonathan Cavendish in 2011, also run internships.

Serkis said: “It’s not just about what we can do for them — they teach me.”

Lewis Noble, 19, who tried on the performance capture suit for the demonstration, said: “This was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. I enjoyed drama at school but I dropped out. Barnardo’s has helped me loads — compared with where I was a year ago I’ve totally changed my life.”

Hannah Johnstone, 21, also acted in the demonstration and said: “I’ve been with Barnardo’s for a while. I’m considering acting in the future because I know lots of doors can open from it.”

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