Just before the end of term, staff and students were intrigued to see some new features in the grounds.  A trailer park started to take shape opposite the Meadow and a huge marquee appeared in the main car park.  The announcement that auditions would be held in the Gilt Hall for anyone wishing to be an extra in a new film being shot at Cobham Hall sent girls (and staff!) scurrying to make sure they made a good impression on the casting director!

Working Title Films have now finished several weeks of filming at Cobham Hall.  The production is WILD CHILD, starring Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson and Aidan Quinn.  WILD CHILD tells the comic story of a rebellious American teenager who, after numerous warnings by her father, is sent to a strict all-girls boarding school in the U.K. in an attempt to straighten out her behaviour.

Nick Frost, Alex Pettyfer, Selina Cadell, Daisy Donovan and Jason Watkins also star.  Alongside Roberts playing her fellow classmates are Georgia King, Kimberley Nixon, Juno Temple, Linzey Cocker, Sophie Wu, Ruby Thomas and Eleanor Turner-Moss.

Girls from Cobham and from other local schools have looked extremely smart in their new ‘uniforms’ and, despite the inevitable waiting around which is an inescapable part of film-making, have thoroughly enjoyed themselves – working with the film crew and professional actors, and sampling the film set catering.

The Hall was filled with the paraphernalia of filming – lights, cameras, props – and many of the rooms and corridors were transformed by the team of carpenters and decorators.  New colour schemes and furniture made some rooms unrecognisable!

The experience also seems to have been a success for Working Title Films.  Producer, DIANA PHILLIPS commented: "Cobham Hall, in its stateliness and powerful historical grounding, gave us the perfect location in which to portray a very English boarding school - it is an amazing contrast with our Malibu locations in every way.  I felt we couldn't have asked for a more cooperative staff and administration and I know the film will look the part because of our time here."

DANIEL WHITTY, the location manager said: "Having scouted the country looking for boarding schools for several months, the production team found it difficult to ignore the attractiveness and charm of Cobham Hall. More importantly, this magnificent example of English Heritage seemed to fit our story perfectly.

We soon realised that Cobham Hall works wonderfully well as a filming location and the staff make it a real pleasure to work here."

About Working Title Films

Working Title Films (www.workingtitlefilms.co.uk) has been co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992.  Between them, they have produced 85 feature films, which have amassed more than $3.5 billion worldwide.  The company’s commercial and critical hits include The Interpreter; About a Boy; Notting Hill; Elizabeth; Fargo; Dead Man Walking; Bean; High Fidelity; Johnny English; Billy Elliot; Four Weddings and a Funeral; Bridget Jones’s Diary; Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Love Actually; Shaun of the Dead; Pride & Prejudice; Nanny McPhee; United 93; Mr Bean's Holiday and Hot Fuzz; and the company has stepped into theatre production with the hugely popular Billy Elliot The Musical.  Forthcoming releases include Joe Wright’s Atonement; Shekhar Kapur’s The Golden Age; and Adam Brooks'  Definitely, Maybe.

About Universal Pictures

 Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).  Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks.  NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

WILD CHILD will be distributed by Universal Pictures in North America and in all other territories by Universal Pictures International.