Young film-maker ‘Star’ struck by message from Hollywood

A YOUNG Star Wars fan from Omagh almost shot into the stratosphere when last week his father presented him with a personal video message from one of his favourite cosmic crusaders.

Sam Lyons, 11, looked at his father’s phone with wide-eyed amazement as Chris Bartlett – an actor from one of Sam’s favourite TV shows, the episodic Star Wars spin-off, The Mandalorian – praised the Gibson PS pupil’s short movie saying, ‘Keep up the good work and I look forward to more films from you, Sam’.

The UH spoke with the aspiring science-fiction director and his father, Steven, to find out how this surreal moment came to pass.

“It was Friday morning and we were trying to get out the door when Sam came rushing in and asked me to post a video he had made on Facebook for him,” said Steven.

In an effort to expedite their departure, Steven obliged his son.

“I wasn’t aware that Sam knew how to make stop-motion movies but apparently his teacher showed him one at school, and, well, Sam being Sam, he thought ‘that looks like good craic, I must give it a go’.”

At this point in our conversation the expert, Sam, stepped in in order to elucidate the intricacies of the plot, characters and cinemascape within the mini-movie…. Step aside Dad.

Sam explained, “It’s a scene from the Mandalorian. Boba Fett sneaks up on a clone, gets rid of him, and steals his speederbike. It’s one of my favourite TV shows and I think my favourite character is probably Boba Fett. I would love to direct a film like that when I’m older,” said Sam.

The video was posted online, some time passed, and Steven’s phone beeped.

Steven said, “It was some guy who said that he knew someone who was part of the cast of The Mandalroian, Chris Bartlett, asking if he could send Chris the video.” Steven nonchalantly consented. “I never expected to hear anymore about it but then we got a text message from Chris, and later came the video message.”

If Steven was shocked by the Hollywood head which addressed his son with kind words of encouragement, Sam was mesmerised.

Stevan said, “Sam couldn’t believe it. He started with an idea, 488 photos later he had a movie… and a few hours after that this message came from one of the stars of the show.

“He was over the moon.”