Local child actor gets his first TV break
Added: (Fri Sep 02 2022)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Rocco Caton, aged 6, from Colchester, has been cast in his first TV appearance in the new Cycle King TV advert currently showing on Sky TV. An important first step for every actor, Rocco showed his natural star qualities as he rose to the challenge alongside four other local child actors Rebecca Havell, Zara Sofoluwe, Sam Morris and Skylar Leba who are all from Colchester.
Claire Morris, Principal of Starz, the performing arts academy who helped choose the actors, was full of praise for the young talented actors. “Rocco is an absolute joy to teach and is a very special part of the Starz family. He is bursting with enthusiasm in all aspects of performing – we’re so impressed by his work on his first casting. Being able to find opportunities for our young actors to work in the industry is essential, we were delighted for all the youngsters who got this opportunity to experience what it is like to make a TV ad and be in front of the camera”.
Rocco’s mum, Kim Caton, was delighted for her son, “He’s been attending Starz for about a year and was excited to be chosen to take part in Cycle King’s TV ad, he couldn’t stop talking about it. On location he was really patient as there is a lot of waiting around, but he loved it. Rocco is definitely looking forward to taking part in more TV ads and is pursuing his dream of being a star.”
Rocco’s dad, Sean Caton, also got in on the act too when the actor who was due to appear with Rocco as his ‘screen dad’ had to drop out at the last minute after testing positive for Covid. So, it became a real family affair with both Rocco and his dad opening the ad on their bikes on a location in Stanway.
Rocco also recorded part of the voiceover, another credit to his name. As a thanks for going more than the extra mile, Rocco was invited to choose a new bike from the Cycle King shop on East Street. He chose the aptly named ‘Ammaco Rocky’ bike in green and black with matching accessories.
Locations used in the ad included Old Heath Recreation Ground, Boda Skatepark, a driveway in Stanway, Chalkney Woods and Cycle King Bury St. Edmunds. The ad is currently showing in selected regions of the UK on Sky TV as well as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. To date there have been over half a million views. The ad was conceived and produced by local marketing agency, redPepper Marketing, with original music composition by Michael Palmer of Born Musicians. This is the first TV production for the agency with David Buckingham who graduated in Film and Media Studies from Colchester Institute in 2018 leading the production team. The agency was the driving force behind the Sky TV campaign from concept to final production completed inhouse.
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Filming locations
Stanway (Colchester), Chalkney Woods (Earls Colne), Old Heath Recreation Ground (Colchester), Boda Skatepark (Colchester), Cycle King Bury (Bury St. Edmunds).
About Starz
Starz was founded in 2006 by principal Claire Morris as an outreach programme to bring, fully funded, performing arts workshops to children who wouldn't usually be able to access them.
Since then, Starz has grown into a thriving academy but the ethos remains the same, that every child should be given their chance to shine. The academy classes for people aged 2 to 18 years meet at The Abbeyfield Centre Colchester on Saturdays from 10am.
Contact Claire on 07736 238999 for more info.
About Cycle King & Hawk Cycles
Established in 1968 and still owned by the original founder, Cycle King and Hawk Cycles is the UK's largest independent bike retailer.
The company has 23 local stores across the Midlands and South of England and operate in e-commerce too. This is their first-time advertising on TV, and the results of this campaign have been evident in increased footfall in store and online purchases.
Contact info@cycleking.co.uk for more info.
About redPepper Marketing
redPepper Marketing is Located in Earls Colne, Essex and was established over 21 years ago. It is a full-service marketing agency.
Contact info@redpeppermarketing.com or 01787 223850 for more info.