A Bermudian actor, writer and director has been drumming up support for his new short film.

Through a crowdfunding campaign, 20-year-old Rory Wilson has raised £1,095 to get Keep Me, Run into the production stage.

“Keep Me, Run follows a family of three who endure a wanton struggle to stay unified,” Mr Wilson said.

“The themes of selflessness, coping and responsibility were quite apposite to my inner conflicts and things I was dealing with and, as any artist does, I decided to explore my demons.”

Mr Wilson, of Paget, told The Royal Gazette that he had been sitting on the script and idea for some time.

“I made a decision that I was going to make a short film of a professional standard, which naturally incurs costs,” he said.

“I had a strong script, and felt the only way to do justice to the script was to take it seriously, raise a budget, and compromise as little as possible. We are on the cusp of production and are just arranging shoot dates.”

He started the three-month crowdfunding campaign on the Indiegogo website to help raise funds.

“Crowdfunding enabled me to get a strong pitch and campaign page out to the public, to create a buzz and gather support for small donations,” he said.

“The budget will be used to cover production and post-production costs; equipment hire, film crew, locations and general production expenses such as props and food.

“The most fundamental cost will be the initial production days and actually shooting the film, where you cannot compromise; the camera sees all.”

One of four recipients of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s scholarships in 2013, Mr Wilson spent a year at the London School of Dramatic Art after graduating from Warwick Academy. Previously an avid football player, he was introduced to acting by his drama teacher and had his first acting experience in Year 9.

“It was an intense and hugely demanding but equally rewarding year,” Mr Wilson said of his time in London. “I graduated with a strong confidence in my training.

“I got straight into working on short films, creating a portfolio of work, networking and building industry contacts.”

Four of the films Mr Wilson has since been affiliated with have been accepted into film festivals.

His roles have ranged from playing a skinhead to a naval officer in a period drama and most recently, he played Sherlock Holmes in the stage play The Game’s Afoot.

Mr Wilson will be playing the older brother in Keep Me, Run, while Ruby Williams, who is his niece, will be playing his sister.

“The team I will be working with are people I have met and worked with along my journey, doing various short films and independent films, so it’s a great feeling to be able to pull all the great people I have met and work on something of my own.”

While the crowdfunding campaign has now ended, Mr Wilson said he has applied to the Bermuda Arts Council to propose his idea and discuss a grant.

“I will have to see how far the money we have raised will take us before I begin to pay out of pocket and we scale down some of our ideas to reduce costs,” he said.

“I’m raring to get starting on shooting this film, a few more favours may be asked though of my crew to push through to the end.”

For more information or to support the project contact Rory Wilson at rorybenw@gmail.com