A CAMERAWOMAN is swapping life behind the lens for a starring role as she takes part in a new campaign.

Lauren Byrne, from Darlington, is one of seven film industry workers featured in a campaign movie designed to encourage new and diverse recruits to the film and TV industry.

The film will be played in cinemas UK-wide as of this week while also running online and on social media.

The Find Your Future in Film and TV initiative is run by ScreenSkills, supported by the BFI as part of its Future Film Skills strategy.

Its aim is to highlight the range of jobs behind the camera and encourage a greater diversity of those entering the industry.

Ms Byrne said she was determined to work in film from the age of 14 when she watched the movie Jaws.

However she thought her opportunities would be limited because she was living in the North-East.

After studying film production at university, she worked for a camera rental company doing servicing and repairs before applying for a traineeship which saw her placed on the sets of Dumbo, Gwen, and The One and Only Ivan.

The 24-year-old is currently working abroad in Tuscany, Italy, filming for Made in Italy starring Liam Neeson.

She said: “There was a time when I would sit and Google ‘How to work in film.’ I thought that living in the North East would restrict my opportunities.

“I’ve been on a lot of jobs where I’m the only female in the camera department. I’m ok with that. But I would like to see more women in the camera department.”

The campaign will launch this week to engage people who know little about the screen industry and introduce them to what transferrable sills can be gained from it.

Ms Bryne added: "I'm depended on for a successful shoot and need to work under high pressure and keep calm at all times. I enjoy the problem-solving aspect, as well as being challenged physically.”

ScreenSkills Chief Executive, Seetha Kumar, said: “Most people don’t seem to know about the range of jobs available in the world of film and television.

"Whatever your personality or range of skills, there is likely to be a job behind the camera that might suit you and a career that could be rewarding. We hope to encourage people to investigate the opportunities.

“The screen sector is an exciting one. UK screen is a growth industry so there is work available – but we can’t recruit people to jobs they don’t know exist.”

More information can be found at screenskills.com