Young actor Keeva brings home the Samaritans’ message
On Friday, November 22, the last in five new films for York Samaritans will go live. They have been created by Inspired Youth to promote the message that the Samaritans are here for us all around the clock. One of the young actors involved, 13-year-old Keeva Curran, told us more.
What’s the Samaritans campaign about?
The Samaritans are a registered charity that do an amazing job at helping people out. You can call, text, email and visit them if you simply need somebody to be there. The film is a way to get it more out there, so that the people who really need this help will be able to get it.
Why did you want to get involved?
I wanted to be involved in this because I wanted to help. At first I wasn’t really sure what it was all about, but i just agreed anyway. Since then I’ve realised that its such a good cause and I can reach out to people to get the help that could potentially save their life.
What role did you play in the film?
In the film I played a girl of a similar age to me that had been through a lot, especially for her age. She’d been from place to place a lot, and she couldn’t really trust anybody. She was really hurt and venerable. It was a really good experience and I loved taking part.
Was it difficult playing a sad teenager?
It was a bit hard to play that part, but being able to relate to that sort of frustration and feeling low made it easier. I had to get myself in the right mindset and concentrate and focus in on how she’d be feeling. I felt like it was really important to get the emotions and aspects of it right, and do the part justice.
You performed at York’s No Wrong Doors conference – what was that like?
It was a monologue that lasted a couple of minutes, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. I was so nervous before the performance. Looking out at hundreds of people has got to be the the scariest thing ever.
I was shaking so much, and I was worried that it would go wrong. But once I got on it was all fine, and afterwards I go such a buzz and I was so proud of myself for actually delivering the whole monologue in front of so many people.
How did people react at the film’s Reel Cinema launch?
The event was really cool, I honestly never would have thought I’d be sitting in a cinema watching a film that I was in. The fact that it was for such a good thing was jut a bonus. I think that the people there enjoyed it, the friends as family of all the cast loved it and my headmaster even came and he said it was great!
What do you hope the film will achieve?
I just want the film to encourage more people to get in touch or get involved with the Samaritans. I really hope that it helps a lot of people, and makes people more aware of who the Samaritans are and what they do.
Would you like to be an actor?
I already wanted to get in to acting before the film, I just wasn’t sure if I could. The Samaritans campaign and the previous short film I was in, Freerunner, have made me a lot more confident about acting.
After I finish school, I’m considering going to a drama sixth form or college to develop my acting further and to get the qualifications I’d need.
- To see all the Samaritans films go to the Inspired Youth YouTube channel
- To contact the York Samaritans, phone 01904 655888 or go to the website
- To learn more about Inspired Youth go to their website