Teenager Luca Hogan has taken securing a leading role in his first feature film in his stride, but admits to being star struck when meeting one fellow actor who he described as being like a nice, but cool grandad.
It was while on his first day on set of A Bit of Light that the figure of Ray Winstone emerged from his trailer and with the 14-year-old and the veteran award winner both being West Ham United football fans, a bond was sealed.
“He is awesome,” said Luca, now 17. “He’s like a really nice grandad but really cool.” Luca’s proud mum Alex said the pair had bonded and Winstone had given her son a West Ham snood and still keeps in touch.
Luca, from Great Dunmow, felt a connection from the moment he read about the character of Neil in Rebecca Callard’s film adaptation of her play of the same name.
The story is about alcoholic mum Ella (played by Anna Paquin) and her battle to stay sober after having to temporarily give up custody of her young daughters to her ex-husband.
She is forced to move back with her father (Winstone) and spends much of her time sitting in parks after therapy sessions and it is while contemplating her life in a playground that she meets Neil, a chatty 14-year-old, wise beyond his years.
Luca found a face-to-face casting in April 2021 with director Stephen Moyer (who played a vampire in True Blood), Callard and Phin Glynn “one of the most fun parts”.
He said: “I could instantly tell these people were great. Initially I was a little nervous, but I felt kind of relaxed.” Alex said her son’s maturity had impressed and was a perfect fit for the role.
He had become familiar with the scenes in the film and built an affinity with Neil. “When I initially read the character synopsis it spoke to me a lot,” he added.
Within a couple of weeks of the face-to-face casting Luca found out he had got the part. He then had a few Zoom calls to attend with costume, make-up, and a script read through with all the other cast members in August, and then filming began in mid-September and Luca was shooting for about four weeks on and off.
Alex said Luca received great support from his school at the time (Helena Romanes) as they allowed him to take some authorised absences on the days he was needed for filming, but he also had a tutor on set and would study on location over Zoom to ensure he was doing the required amount of school work, so it didn't have any negative impact on his education.
Although the subject matter for the film is fairly dark the character of Neil brings some light to the proceedings as his friendship with Ella proves to be cathartic for her.
“With Neil I was turning that sombre mood to a happy one,” said Luca. “He brings that happiness to Ella.”
The arts have been a huge part of Luca’s life as he joined a local drama group after taking up singing from the age of six.
He moved on to a PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy) drama group and performed in Rock of Ages at his former school – Helena Romanes in Dunmow – and took the lead role in Sweeney Todd 2024.
He attends a small private group once a month in London at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and did his Trinity Diploma in Musical Theatre at PQA, acting in Troubles A Brewin in the West End. Before that he also played Oliver in Oliver Twist for the Braintree Musical Society.
He is delighted that his choice of sixth form college – Saffron Waldon County High – encourages students to take part in the arts and has a wide range of courses and facilities to support that.
The way Luca has taken to acting is somewhat of a surprise to his family as neither Alex or his dad Ben have been involved with the craft.
But his parents are behind him all the way and mum Alex – who is originally from California in the US – believes her son having dual nationality could provide him with a golden ticket in the world of drama and film in her home country.
It is in the USA where the film has been making waves and it is hoped success there will provide the impetus for release in the UK.
And when it does Luca’s proud parents will look forward to seeing their son on the red carpet at the premiere.