A touch of Hollywood came to the North East at the premiere of a new horror short by an award-winning County Durham filmmaker.
The Devil's Stone, the latest film from Willington's Dean Midas, received its first showing at the Odeon Luxe cinema in Durham last night (Thursday, October 12), ahead of it's release on YouTube today - Friday the 13th.
Among the cast, crew and supporters who attended the premiere was actress Ellie Darcey-Alden - who played Lily Potter in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 and appeared in a Doctor Who Christmas special.
In Mr Midas's film, she plays Maria, a conspiracy theorist researching the legend of The Devil's Stone, a real feature outside the council offices in Crook, County Durham.
It is called The Devil’s Stone because it is said if you run seven times around it, the devil himself will appear and is the central theme of the film.
Miss Darcey-Alden is one of a number of familiar names from the horror genre Mr Midas persuaded to record a cameo in the film.
It also features Roger L Jackson - the voice of Ghostface in the Scream franchise - and Dick Warlock, who portrayed Micheal Myers in Halloween 2.
Mr Midas has made a number of other horror shorts, featuring his characters Rag Dolly and Eve Valentine, but feels this is his best film yet.
He said: "I was a bit nervous before the premiere because The Devil's Stone is a legend in my area so I had to be really careful because the locals wouldn't like it if I didn't do a good job.
"But the feedback so far has been 100 per cent positive. Everyone has said it's my best one yet."
The low-budget horror was filmed in locations across County Durham, including The Witham community arts centre in Barnard Castle, the Park Head Hotel in Bishop Auckland and the Blue Stone Tea Shop in Crook.
Mr Midas said persuading so many big names to appear has been a bonus, especially Miss Darcey-Alden.
"From the first time I spoke to her, she has completely embraced the project," said Mr Midas.
"I told her I didn't want to disrespect myself, but I don't have a Harry Potter or a Doctor Who budget - she said she'd seen I have a passion for this."
Mr Midas said he was grateful to all those who had agreed to contribute, adding: "They realise that everybody needs help and a bit of assistance because it's a big industry and it's a hard industry.
Read more:
- Harry Potter and Doctor Who actress joins cast of new County Durham horror film
- The voice of Ghostface is added to the cast of new County Durham horror film
- Shooting begins on County Durham horror short - due for release on Friday the 13th
"It's good for any upcoming filmmakers as well. I'm no whippersnapper, but for anyone coming, they might think 'wow' and it could help encourage them in the future."
The Devil's Stone introduces the character of Sayer Hicks, played by Wayne Thompson, and Mr Midas says if his latest effort is a success, the mask-wearing Hicks could feature in future films - maybe as part of a new franchise.
- The Devil's Stone is available to view now via Dean Midas Films YouTube.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here