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Film-maker fights back against the flab

A SELF-CONFESSED couch potato turned modern day warrior has been commissioned to film a documentary about his experience – with Hoults Yard Byker taking centre stage.

Local film maker Andy Smith will be the focus of the ‘Is it cos I’m fat’ documentary, which tracks a personal challenge set by weapons-fighting legend Lynn Thompson to live an adventure, rather than watch one, and will be shown as part of Northern Film & Media’s community documentary scheme, Capture.

Self-appointed geek Andy was planning to stay firmly out of the action and behind the camera lens when he first met the life-long practitioner of martial arts, but after agreeing to the challenge, news at creative hub Hoults Yard spread and now he not only has the support of Northern Film & Media, but also of production company Vita Nova films, also at Hoults.

Sunderland University educated Andy, who has a fear of violence after being attacked and bullied in the past, is spending many a waking hour training with kettlebells, weaponry and boxing at Hoults Yard - the location of aptly named training space ‘The Fridge’, where he uses every lunch break and evening to hone his skills.

Hoults Yard managing director Charlie Hoult said: “We want to support this kind of project because it will put the North East on the map as a place of real creativity.

“It’s all part of the buzz at the yard and the reason we’re cementing our reputation as the region’s creative hub. We love a whacky project because it gives us something to discuss in the café.”

Andy, who has added axe-throwing and stick fighting to the training mix, said: “I really didn’t expect my adventure to get so much attention. What started out as a personal challenge to overcome my fears of violence has become a real community focus. The reactions I’ve had from people have been so encouraging. The training’s tough, but I hope the film will be something that resonates with a lot of people.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .