BUDDING film-makers got some help from veteran Scottish actor and Game of Thrones star James Cosmo as they made a horror film in Greenock.

The movie – Dying Light – was produced and filmed by unemployed youngsters from Inverclyde.

The actor, who has starred in Hollywood hits Braveheart and Highlander agreed to voice a character in the psychological thriller after being contacted by the film- making team.

The project, which aims to give unemployed young people a taste of what it is like to work in the film industry also has the support and technical expertise of Bafta award-winning film director David Newbigging.

David, of Inverkip, said: "James Cosmo agreeing to appear in our film is amazing.

"He's a great supporter of Scottish films. The young people who made Dying Light are all massive fans of Game of Thrones and couldn't believe that he is involved."

Clydebank-born James has a string of TV and film credits to his name amassed during more than 40 years on screen.

He said: "It was great to see youngsters in Greenock encouraged and mentored in the making of this movie.

"It's a very exciting time for young filmmakers and I wish them all success."

Dying Light stars Kelly Wenham who is set to appear in Hollywood film Dracula: The Dark Prince, and up-and-coming actor Owen Whitelaw.

The £50,000 film was funded by the Big Lottery and co-ordinated by Greenock social enterprise RIG Arts.

David said: "The young people involved in filming and producing Dying Light loved it. Seeing the film up on the big screen at the premiere is going to be fantastic for them.

"The project involved a three-month film school, then shooting the movie and post-production sound and visual editing. It was crewed by professionals with the young people shadowing and working with them to learn the trade.

"All the young people involved were unemployed or disengaged in some way – a few had backgrounds in film or production.

"They were trained to build a set which took around two months to create at a warehouse in Greenock."

The aim now is to make the film a commercial success and the project sustainable."

It has already paid dividends for Chris Osborne, 23, from Port Glasgow, who worked recording sounds and as a boom operator on set.

Chris has now landed a full-time job as a sound designer with RIG. He said: "I started this project two months after graduating in music technology. Breaking into the industry is hard, so it was great to build on my experience and work with professionals."

Karen Orr, of RIG Arts, said: "Making this film encapsulates what we are about – involving the community and providing training while producing a really professional movie."

l Dying Light will be screened at Greenock's Waterfront Cinema at 8pm on Wednesday. For tickets, call 01475 732 201.

ewan.fergus@eveningtimes.co.uk