DANNY Seymour has just been announced as one of five young filmmakers who’ll make a short film for Sky Arts as part of shortFLIX – Creative England’s short film-making programme.

But it’s not the first time the aspiring auteur, who hails from Wincham, has spent time working in the industry.

While he was still at Wincham Primary School, Danny spent a stint working on one of the UK’s biggest soaps, Hollyoaks.

Gemma Sproston catches up with the former Rudheath High School pupil to find out about his switch to life behind the lens and learn more about his upcoming project.

GS: You were in Hollyoaks when you were young – what was that experience like?

DS: “Yes I was, when I was about eight or nine I think. I played the original Harry, Tony's son in a few episodes. It was a great experience and I was very lucky to get a part.

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"I used to want to be an actor as a kid but somewhere along the line I realised I would much prefer to be behind the camera.”

What led to you getting into film making?

“I'm really creative and I have a lot of ideas for stories. I used to go the cinema a lot as a child and I was probably inspired from that.

"I would also take my dad’s camera as a kid and make silly videos with my friends. It's just slowly gone from there.

"I'm still learning a lot in the process and keep continuing to learn, I think that's a really good thing.”

Can you tell us more about your film? How did you come up with the idea?

“I don't want to say too much yet but it's a satire of the modern world and how we've all become so divided.

"It's called Offended and it's the story of a middle-aged man who embarks on his first ‘date’ for years, in a near-future where people express their reactions in a very surprising way.

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“I always come up with weird ideas for films and just write them down on my phone. I can't remember exactly when, but I know I was inspired a lot by the current culture and general everyday life.

"When I originally got on to the shortFLIX programme it was more of a concept idea than a story and it's just developed through that process.”

What has the process been like so far?

“It's been dead good; I've learned so much and the rest of the final five on the shortFLIX programme are fantastic people with great ideas.

"I’ve learned the importance of developing a script to make it better. The process is still going on now as soon I will start pre-production and then eventually film the short, which is very exciting.”

What does it mean to you to be selected?

“It's a massive opportunity, I'm buzzing. I've never done anything on a professional scale like this before and have felt it's very hard to get into the film industry, as I didn't go to university and have worked various jobs while trying to build up a portfolio.

“I currently work part time and focus on the film stuff whenever I'm off. I felt at times I was getting nowhere but this has given me a chance to get a foot in the door and finally film a professional level short film with funding behind it.

"Everything I have done before this was just stuff I have filmed with my friends."

Who inspires and influences your work?

“I like a lot of really weird films so some of my biggest influences are directors such as Harmony Korine, Yorgos Lanthimos and Gaspar Noé. They make really artistic films and I love that.

"Also, Shane Meadows is a big influence on me. I get inspired by all kinds of films though or just general everyday life."

What advice do you have for aspiring actors and filmmakers?

“I still feel like an aspiring film maker! Once I start shooting the short, I'm sure I'll feel like a proper filmmaker.

“I think both are tricky businesses to crack but the most important advice is to just start filming or writing stuff.

“If you're an actor, do local work to gain experience. Even just filming stuff with your mates or learning to edit, I think it's all very important. Your work will probably be awful at first, but it slowly gets better each time and you can build up a portfolio.

“Another bit of advice would be to look out for schemes like this one which give you the opportunity to meet people who want to do similar things. Just take any opportunity you get – or make your own.”

What's next for you?

“I'm fully focused on this until it's completed, which will be a little while off. However, I have so many ideas for different projects, I would love to do more short films but would also love to do music videos as well, they would be a lot of fun. A feature film is the big dream.”

• You can read more about Danny’s first taste of the industry when he starred in Hollyoaks back in 2007