Spotlight
Jean Bourne
What was your background before you got into the industry?
When I left school, in London, I worked as a shorthand typist in a big London bank.
How did you get into the industry?
A friend of mine, who had previously worked at the bank and left, rang me to say she was now working at ATV, a television station which was just opening, and there were loads of jobs going. I applied and got the job as secretary to Mary Selway (who later became a film producer and a casting director). After a year with her, I applied to become a production assistant and stayed with the company for 10 years doing drama series and music shows. And that really started my career. A bit like script supervisors in movies but of course it was live and video television then. This was all tv by the way.
I got married and we moved to Ireland. A continuity lady rang me out of the blue...she had worked with me in London and asked would I like to train, in Ireland, to do film work. I did 3 days training on a Guinness commercial and that was it!! I did many commercials for 5 years. My big break was Educating Rita (1983) and I never looked back after that.
What directors did you enjoy working with the most?
There are a couple of directors that will always stay in my mind. Jim Sheridan, who I had the pleasure of working with on his Irish trilogy: My Left Foot (1989), The Field (1990) and In The Name of the Father (1993). Jim brought Hollywood to Ireland in the late 80s. Such iconic movies.....Oscar winners and nominations.
And Martin Campbell, a decade later, with Legend of Zorro (2005) and Casino Royale (2006).....I will never forget all those fight sequences!!!
What advice would you pass on?
If you get the chance to train as a script supervisor...take it with both hands. You never know where or what opportunities lie ahead. Look where it took me!!
Jean Bourne,
May, 2020.
_
Check out Jean's IMDb page here.