Hoax Calling: A Collaborative Project

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The cast, crew, fire, police and prison service professionals involved in the project



Today saw the launch of the Hoax Call project, a highly successful collaborative project which brought together our Foundation Degree TV Production Students, local magistrates, the emergency and the prison services.

Senior Magistrate, Len Howarth

The project was originally the brainchild of local Senior Magistrate Len Howarth who approached the School with an idea that he wished in some way to realise on-screen. The basic premise was to develop learning materials which could be taken out into local schools to highlight the dangers of involvement in the current habit of making hoax telephone calls to the emergency services. Given Len's senior position on the local bench, he was uniquely placed to call in co-operation from a number of local high-profile agencies: including the Police, the Fire Service, the Prison Service and the local courts. This has raised the level of the project substantially and enabled many of the traditionally problematic areas associated with drama production to become much more easily realisable.

The piece follows a central character, Jake, played by Ash Henshal, as he engages in his favourite pastime, making hoax telephone calls. The film follows the identification and gathering of evidence, his arrest and eventual sentencing by magistrates to a custodial sentence. Key ‘professional’ roles were played by established professionals and real-life Magistrates, Police Officers and Fire Operatives played themselves.

Laura Saidler Fire & Rescue Community Co-coordinator, Kelly Jones GMP Community PC and lead actor Ash Henshall

The project brought a number of emergency services together as well as some of our A’ Level Law students and performing arts students.

The launch event was attended by:

The Chief superintendent Chris Sykes
George Almond High Sheriff of Greater Manchester. 
Peter O'Reilly  Assistant Chief Fire Officer
Bill Myers  Stockport Borough Commander (Fire Service)
Jax Effiong Community Safety Manager (Fire Service)
John Wren Geoamey
Hanna Lane Acting Governor Manchester Prison
Paul Leahy Head of Residence Manchester Prison
Paul Brieley Magistrate Deputy Chairman (Stockport)
Nick Buckley ASB Charity
Maureen Mather Witness Services
Dave Dunstford Actor
Dave Fairhurst Actor
Kelly Jones GMP Community PC
Lou Brennan GMP
Mathew Beaden GMP
Ash Clarke GMP
Laura Sadler GMFS Community Officer