The Hollywood director of several Harry Potter films returned to Swindon this week to open a new recording studio and praised the town.
David Yates is a well-known name having directed several iconic films including the final four instalments of the Harry Potter franchise as well as all three Fantastic Beasts movies.
He was returning to the town for the first time in a decade having lived on Ferndale Road, Gorse Hill, from 1988 to 1994.
The filmmaker was back in Swindon to help launch Create Studios’ new studio based in the iconic Carriage Works.
David chatted to the Adver at the studio launch on Thursday about what it was like to come home.
“When I got to Swindon I thought it was really amazing as there is a facility here that supports filmmaking,” he said.
“It feels really interesting to be back and in a new studio building but it also feels strange to be back after ten years as I’ve been so busy with work.”
The director created his first film, If I Was A Girl, while based in Swindon and has never forgotten the impact that it and the town had on his career.
“I made the film in Swindon as the resources were here but also there was a real passion to support people who wanted to support work and that was unique,” said David.
“All the various places I had lived prior, there was nothing like this and inevitably, the script I wrote was inspired by here and its set in Swindon.
“You look around and you get excited by certain architecture, landscapes and faces, which all fuses together and you create your first project.”
Alongside the Harry Potter franchise, David has also directed other blockbusters such as The Legend of Tarzan as well as television shows including State of Play and The Bill.
Across a career full of highlights, the director reminisced on his most pinch-me moments.
“The premiere in Trafalgar Square for the final Potter film was just unbelievable and bringing that whole series to an end was incredibly memorable,” he said.
“I loved making Tarzan too as we flew around Gabon in the President’s helicopter to see the beautiful waterfalls.
“It was probably the most amazing adventure of my life but I was thinking if this goes down no one will find us!”
The 59-year-old also told the Adver about what it was like to work with Captain America star Chris Evans who is starring in David’s upcoming film Pain Hustlers.
“He is lovely, gentle, sweet and keen to please. He is a real athlete who gives you his best,” he said.
“He’s never late, he’s always there and just a really great man actually.”
David was in Swindon to open the new studio at local filming brand Create Studios’ home in the Carriage Works.
Also in attendance was the Arts Council England, South West director Phil Gibby who spoke to the Adver about the project.
“The studio looks absolutely fantastic and Create Studios have been a massive part of the Swindon success story for over 40 years,” he said.
“To finally have a state of the art home to be able to do everything they want to do is no more than they deserve.
“Swindon generates so much talent that go on to achieve so much success so it is nice to have David here for whom it all really began back in the days of Media Arts as Create Studios was formerly known.”
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