17-year-old film student Reece Baker has been invited by a New York film producer to premiere his short film in the States next month. Frank Reale, who runs Peers influence Peers Partnership, commissioned Reece to make a short film about teenagers and drugs, providing finance for the production. This came out of Reale seeing a 30-second commercial Reece made on teenage suicide.17-year-old film student Reece Baker has been invited by a New York film producer to premiere his short film in the States next month. Frank Reale, who runs Peers influence Peers Partnership, commissioned Reece to make a short film about teenagers and drugs, providing finance for the production. This came out of Reale seeing a 30-second commercial Reece made on teenage suicide."So I wrote a script about a young mans life going downwards after using P." says Baker, "I filmed it in Tauranga with local drama students from college, Tauranga Police and community actors."

The resulting short film tells the story of a young teenager who gets led into a world of drugs. Peer pressured into a pathway of addiction, his life is led astray from a prospering future, onto a fatal track.

The PIPP Trust is paying all Reece's costs to attend the event on May 1. It will be premiered with other films made by young film makers relating to drug abuse. They are then being broadcast on cable TV.

Reece's interest in filmmaking has been around a long time.

"I've been making movies ever since I can remember. I'm 17 now - I left school at the end of 6th form desperate to go to South Seas [Film and TV School]"

South Seas Film and TV School, on Auckland's North Shore, accepted Reece into the full time Film and TV Production course for 2007. The school, which has produced over 600 graduates, has a good track record of producing quality students who are working in all aspects of the industry.

Adam Fresco, Film and TV Course Director is thrilled for Reece. "It's a wonderful opportunity for him". He has asked Reece take a camera and film the experience for the students to watch back in New Zealand. "We are looking forward to hearing about it when he gets back".

6/3/07

Image: A still from Reece Baker's short film.