Loughborough in the Limelight! Staff Produced Movie Hits Hollywood

Hollywood is calling for staff member Keith Large, whose co-written and produced short film Wheel Gone Kid 3 and a Half – Plane Stupid is set to screen at The Skiptown Playhouse Film Festival in Los Angeles in November.

Filmed in part in the state-of-the-art Travel and Tourism training facilities at Loughborough College, with cameo roles from College staff, the movie – the fourth instalment in the Wheel Gone Kid films – has already won several awards at The South Coast Film Festival.

Keith, a Supervisory Technician in the Technology Centre at the College is a founding member of the Klens Film Production company, based in the East Midlands, and has won numerous awards for his writing, producing, and directing.

“The success of the first three Wheel Gone Kid films is what inspired me to carry on with the journey of the story,” Keith shared. “Previous instalments have received national attention, from Channel Five, BBC Radio Leicester, and East Midlands Today.

“For the newest film, we used the commercial airline cabin training facility at Loughborough College, it was perfect for filming our plane scenes.” Keith continued, highlighting the important roles our staff and facilities played in the award-winning comedy.

“The College provided fantastic support, and there’s a couple of familiar faces from across the faculty in the cast. Joanne Wells, the College’s primary first aider has won acting awards at film festivals around the world for her role as Marie the Flight Attendant, she was excellent. Plus Umair Syed, an Electrical Installation lecturer also played an important role as a special passenger on the plane.”

Wheel Gone Kid 3 and a Half has already scooped two awards at the South Coast Film Festival in Hastings last month, combining with the previous instalment, Wheel Gone Kid 3 to win the Best Double Bill Comedy title. Actor Reece Jagpal-Mohan, who has starred in all four movies, also took the award for Best Child Actor.

Reflecting on the success at the South Coast Film Festival, Keith said, “They were both very special awards. It was the first time two Wheel Gone Kid films have been screened together, so to win the Best Double Bill Comedy was amazing.

“Also seeing Reece’s continued success from a six-year-old to a now nine-year-old on his way to Hollywood is a reflection of his natural talent and willingness to learn.”

It’s not just abroad that Keith’s work is appearing, the Scottish HB Film Festival, held in Paisley will also be screening the film, spotlighting independent cinema and creators from across the UK. There’s also more to come for the Wheel Gone Kid series, as Keith adds, “We hope to get some footage abroad to use in the next film, as the story continues. Due to the popularity of the films, the story has become a mini-series!”

The Wheel Gone Kid Three and a Half trailer can be watched on YouTube now.