Cut! Barber Ian’s film is an internet hit

Barber Ian Bishop: a different kind of cutting

A SHAW barber’s screen writing career is taking off after his first short film became an internet hit with almost 25,000 views.

Ian Bishop’s 16-minute debut offering “The Flying Lesson” charts the destiny of Phoebe Sanderson (Jessica Blake) who takes a flying lesson in a Tiger Moth, the plane her grandfather flew in the Second World War.

Mr Bishop (46), who owns Queen Street Barbers, Shaw, had never worked in films or screen writing before but is already lining up his next project.

“It was trial and error, but we got a team together and filmed it — but not quite to the level we wanted.

“We changed things around and brought in a new director, Phil Hawkins, who is a great up and coming director, and we were really pleased with the result. I have certainly learned a lot about screen writing and film making. We hope we can build on our experience to produce an even higher quality film.”

The short film won praise at a Cannes-affiliated film festival in St Albans as well as the London Independent Film Festival.

“We have received a brilliant reception and nearly 25,000 people have viewed the film online,” he said.

“We weren’t looking to make money out of it, I just love writing and love being involved in making films.

“Hopefully one day this could become my full-time job but for now I’m just happy making films for the enjoyment it brings to me and other people.”

“The Flying Lesson” is on YouTube, or visit www.theflyinglesson.co.uk