Young aspiring Walsall actress lands first film role
A Walsall youngster is set to star in a short psychological thriller film.
Sophie Bullock, 12, is an actress for both stage and screen and has been in many theatre productions and has now reached her ambition to make it into the film industry.
The Aldridge Secondary School student has recently finished filming as lead child actress for a short film called Toppy where she plays the role of a child with psychological issues who has an imaginary friend.
This short film is going to six film festivals and Sophie attended the first one via Zoom due to the coronavirus restrictions on Sunday.
Sophie has also recently finished filming on set for her first feature film production with a London-based film production company, which is due to be released at the end of this year.
And she is in a music video, called Hideaway, which she is lead singer in with Liam Price, who was on The Voice Kids last year.
Sophie said: "I am really excited to hit the film scene. I have always strived to get to that point and have really enjoyed playing the role of Freya for the short film Toppy and excited that it will be going to lots of film festivals and that I have been put forward for young actress under 16 at a few. I'm really excited to be going back to the Birmingham Film Festival again too.
"Just before isolation I was on set for a feature film production too which I am really looking forward to seeing when it is released. I met some really big and famous actors on set who were absolutely lovely and gave me so much advice and tips for my journey in the film industry.
"I have recent also been part of a duo singing a song, partly co-writing some of the words and acting in the music video too which was amazing.
"I love my theatre shows too. I am so so passionate about acting and singing and have worked hard, and will continue to work hard. It is fun too and I have met so many lovely people on my journey.
"I would like to say thank you to many of the wonderful actors, actresses, film producers and festival companies who have shown me lots of support, offered lots of advice and their time across my Instagram and Twitter profile too. There are many that I find inspirational."
Sophie's mother, Erika Stanton-Bullock, said: "Sophie also successfully auditioned this year for three theatre productions, Titanic the Musical at Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Sister Act junior at the Prince of Wales Theatre and Les Mis for her school production and was in five productions during 2019 including her Christmas production of the Wizard of Oz at Sutton Arts Theatre.
"Sophie is keeping busy practicing her acting and singing skills whilst in isolation and is looking forward to further developing her career in the film industry with a few more up her sleeve ready to start.
"Sophie has been training in acting, singing, dancing at CHB Performing Arts School since she was four years old.
"She also receives first class film and TV training from the director of LCA Academy, Eleanor Ham, who is also an actress, private singing lessons with Gladstone Wilson, attends hip hop/street dancing classes at Phoenix Dance Academy in Aldridge."
Sophie has been chosen for another short film when the coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
