A young actress from Frome, Kayleigh Rees, features in this year’s Samsung Galaxy Christmas television advert.
The former Frome Musical Theatre Company member travelled to Switzerland to film the advert after her portfolio was spotted by Samsung.
Kayleigh said, “My agent, Emily Maguire, phoned me to say Samsung had seen my portfolio online and wanted to see me for a callback. I very quickly jumped on a train to London to see them and within two days I was given the lead in the advert!
“We filmed the advert in Switzerland. I was there for five days but we only filmed for two. The first day was in a beautiful house in Zurich and the second was 3,020m up the top of a mountain in Engelberg. I wasn’t allowed to wear gloves for the second day and it was -9 degrees – it was so freezing! It was an amazing experience and for someone to specifically pick you out of so many is an incredible feeling.
“I was very fortunate to work with Henry-Alex Rubin who is a very experienced director. This is my first job that has gone to television and Henry was amazing in helping me settle and feel comfortable on set.
“The thing I was most shocked about was how long it takes to film such small scenes and how perfect everything is, it was incredible. I absolutely loved the experience and would love to carry on and do more things like this.
“I was involved with Frome Musical Theatre when I was younger and strangely my last production with them was Dick Whittington and I’m currently on tour around the Midlands for a month with Dick Whittington as Alice which I’m excited about.
“I am not involved with FMTC any more as I simply don’t have the time. I would love to, but I’m also doing an open degree in politics, philosophy and economics, so time is precious! I did enjoy my time there, I was never a lead and always a dancer, so to be taking on larger roles professionally is definitely a shock to the system.
“In April I’m starring in a feature film which will be released at film festivals next summer, as well as other exciting projects that I cannot reveal as of yet!
“I’ve always wanted to act and dance and it is a very hard industry to get into, so to be having these opportunities is amazing. I’m very grateful to my family for believing in me and helping me get this far.”
Sarah Bolton from FMTC said, “How exciting for Kayleigh. It’s lovely to hear of past members taking part in interesting projects. We wish her every success and look forward to spotting her in the advert.”
You can watch Kayleigh in action at www.tvadmusic.co.uk/tag/samsung/
