MEMBER GETS RED CARPET TREATMENT

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: march 2011 :: RMTnews 26 Kings Cross-based clerical worker and RMT member Ann Burkin appeared in RMT News some time ago after landing a starring role in the film Zebra Crossing. To date the film, written and directed by Sam Holland, has picked up seven awards from various European festivals including the Best Independent European Film as well as scooping Best Director and Best Actor from the London Independent Film Awards. The film was premiered at Empire Leicester Square in January and the red carpet was rolled out for Ann. “To be invited to a film premiere that I was actually in was pretty terrifying and exciting at the same time. “I didn’t know what to expect and was just completely overwhelmed as we did receive the red carpet treatment with interest from the press, celebrities and, of course, lots of free bubbly. “To experience people you see on the television coming up to you and praising your work is pretty surreal. “For me I really enjoyed meeting up with all the cast and crew again as they were just a fantastic bunch of people to work alongside,” she said. On a normal weekday Ann works for National Express and she joined the union early on in her career. “It’s nice to know there is back up support and they are a good bunch of people in the union here” she says, adding that she shares an office with RMT branch secretary Ray Knight. Ann landed her role by chance during acting lessons in Islington at a school known for giving students a distinctive natural acting style. As luck would have it, at her first lesson there were people there casting for the film Zebra Crossing. Ann went for an audition and got the part of Donna, a girlfriend of one of the main characters. Set on a south London council estate the film tells the story of four lads lives, which are characterised by petty crime and violent retribution. The film shows that despite their violent lifestyles everyone deserves a chance of redemption. When it came to filming Ann booked the days off work. Then there was the long wait as the film went through a year of editing before it was finally ready for screening. It scooped a Golden Ticket Award at the Socal festival in Los Angeles and won the audience award at the Raindance Film Festival in London. Asked if she would like to pursue acting full-time she says “acting is a dream job, but I love the job I do now. “For the past year I have mainly been involved with theatre work but there are a couple of more film projects which I may be involved with and of course I will wait and see if anything else arises following the release of Zebra Crossing,” she says. Zebra Crossing is now widely available to buy on DVD. RMT MEMBER GETS RED CARPET TREATMENT RMT member Ann Burkin hits the big time in her role in the award-winning film Zebra Crossing