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Cambridgeshire volunteer filmmakers bringing fantasy world to life in ‘Ren: The Girl with the Mark’




A Cambridgeshire-based group of volunteer filmmakers are bringing a world of magical spirits, candlelit taverns and desperate sword-fights to the screen in their independent YouTube series, Ren: The Girl with the Mark.

On 6 November, the team will head to Bilbao Seriesland in northern Spain, a festival of digital content where Ren is nominated for six awards including Best Short Series and Best Art and Design.

Ren. Picture: Emma Barrott
Ren. Picture: Emma Barrott

The series follows a young woman who goes on the run after a powerful ancient spirit bonds with her, branding her face with the titular mark.

The role is played by Oriana Charles, nominated at Seriesland for Best Performance.

She said: “I feel so privileged to have had the chance to work on a series driven by people's passion and love for creating.

“I am truly grateful for this nomination and for every second spent on the Ren set."

Ren. Picture: Emma Barrott
Ren. Picture: Emma Barrott
Ren. Picture: Ian Longthorne
Ren. Picture: Ian Longthorne

Ren was co-created by Cambridge filmmaker Kate Madison - nominated for Bilbao’s Artemisa Woman Creators Award - and is now led by local cinematographer Neil Oseman, who is nominated for Best Showrunner and Best Photography.

The series has been a labour of love for hundreds of volunteers over several years. Working with a crowdfunded budget, the group have been releasing their ‘Tolkien-esque’ mini-epic on YouTube since 2016. The first episode has almost 10 million views.

Ivan Moy from Norfolk, who plays Gaoler Ichor in the show, said: “What Ren has done for me is huge personally. I turned up on Ren thinking I would be in the background but got promoted to bigger things.”

Now a supporting artist with several film credits, Moy is just one of many cast and crew who have gained new skills or broken into the industry thanks to Ren.

Ren. Picture: Emma Barrott
Ren. Picture: Emma Barrott
Showrunner and director of photography Neil Oseman. Picture: Jonnie Howard
Showrunner and director of photography Neil Oseman. Picture: Jonnie Howard

Sijo Joy, 26, had just completed his MA in television at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) when he joined the series last spring.

He said: “The guidance I received from Neil, focus puller Hermes Contreras and others on the team helped launch my career in the industry as a camera assistant.

“Since then I’ve been able to work on numerous other productions, thanks to the skills and experience I gained on Ren.”

Initially produced in a disused factory in Caxton - where the team built a village square in the car park - Ren now films at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives.

The farm’s grain store, medieval barn and fields have been transformed into such settings as an underground market, a bleak battlefield, a razed town and a shadowy tavern.

Helen Fullerton, who plays the landlady of that tavern, was cast in the series after a difficult year that saw the loss of her mother.

“I wanted a chance to do what I do and do it to the highest degree, and just have fun,” she said. “I loved being a part of something so good. Let’s say Ren helped put me back on my feet emotionally and mentally.”

Richard Dobson (foreground left) and supporting artists on set at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Ioana Ciobanu
Richard Dobson (foreground left) and supporting artists on set at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Ioana Ciobanu
One of the highly-detailed sets made by volunteers at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Michael Hudson
One of the highly-detailed sets made by volunteers at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Michael Hudson

Neil Oseman added: “Whenever we’re filming there are chances for locals to get involved either in front of or behind the camera.

“You can visit our website and keep an eye on our socials for upcoming opportunities.”

Volunteers assemble on their partly-constructed set at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Neil Oseman
Volunteers assemble on their partly-constructed set at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Neil Oseman
Alexander Hackett as Hunter on set at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Ioana Ciobanu
Alexander Hackett as Hunter on set at Burleigh Hill Farm in St Ives. Picture: Ioana Ciobanu

For more information, visit renthegirlwiththemark.com and follow it on Instagram at instagram.com/renthegirlwiththemark.



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