A Sudbury 24-year-old who jacked in her comfortable office job and promotion to pursue her dream career in filmmaking landed work on the latest Ridley Scott blockbuster just two months after making the big decision.
Grace Diggins had been working in Kelvedon when she had an interview for a promotion in May.
On being asked by her employer what her ambitions were, Grace realised the promotion wasn’t what she wanted, and instead took the plunge to follow her dream.
“I had always wanted to work in film for as long as I could remember but I never had the courage to do it because I knew that this industry is so unreliable in terms of jobs,” the Portsmouth University history graduate said.
“I knew if I didn’t try it now I would regret it forever.”
Remarkably, having left work on the Friday, she found herself on a film set the following Monday, and by fostering contacts with Film Suffolk and Screen Suffolk – two organisations which help bring productions to Suffolk and get Suffolk filmmakers work – Grace has found herself working in a host of roles including location marshal, runner, script supervisor, production manager and first assistant director.
Impressive work with Film Suffolk led to them putting her name forward when Screen Suffolk came looking for production crew for Ridley Scott’s latest film All the Money in the World, which was shooting at Elveden Hall in July. Grace was given the job of location marshal.
“I had such an amazing time,” she said.
“Everything on the Ridley Scott film is 10 times bigger – I have never seen that amount of people in my life but everyone operated so efficiently.
“It’s one of the most physically demanding jobs but I worked my hardest, and from there my manager has recommended me for another feature film – Overlord.”
Grace has given herself a year to try and make it as a career, but the signs are already promising. She hopes to one day begin her own production company but in the meantime is preparing for a short film in October.
She added: “How many people get to say in their first six months they got to work on a Ridley Scott movie?
“You meet the most fascinating people, you do the most creative and wonderful things – hearing ‘that’s a wrap’ is the most amazing feeling.”
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