David Clensy goes along to the auditions at Ashton Gate, which aim to find Bristol's future movie stars

AS he sits on the big boardroom-style chair in the Premier Suite at Ashton Gate, Taylor McGregor's feet hang conspicuously high above the ground; occasionally kicking together nervously.

The nine-year-old gazes up nervously at film director Kirk Jones and casting agent Pippa Hall, who sit opposite him, with their video camera trained on the young would-be star.

Taylor is one of dozens of young Bristolian lads who came to meet the director of movies such as Nanny McPhee and Waking Ned yesterday – all eagerly hoping they might be the next stars of the silver screen.

As we exclusively revealed in yesterday's Evening Post, Kirk is planning to produce a film about two young Bristol boys, growing up in the shadow of Bristol City's planned new stadium as it grows on the city's skyline.

But there was nothing too taxing in store for the auditionees yesterday, as Kirk and Pippa simply chatted to the youngsters to try to gauge their personality, character and accent. For the first few minutes of his audition, Taylor seems understandably nervous, but it's a question from Pippa about his least favourites teachers that finally seems to break the ice.

"I've got one teacher who made us eat olives, and they tasted horrible," the youngster giggles, in a Bristolian accent that seems to get the nod of approval from the film director.

"We're looking for streetwise young lads, with good Bristol accents and plenty of character," the 45-year-old says.

"We want them to have a real edge – probably not the sort of children who would normally consider going to drama classes."

Taylor's mum, Claudia McGregor, seems relieved to see her son return out of the room smiling.

"It doesn't take anything out of him," she laughs.

"He did a Persil advert a couple of years ago, and he wasn't nervous at all about going down to London and performing for the cameras. It just seems to come naturally to him."

Next up is Luke Willcox – a confident, curly-haired 12-year-old who grins cheekily as he heads towards the ominous door, behind which the auditions are taking place.

Ten minutes later, and the Longwell Green lad is back out, and looking just as happy.

"I do a lot of drama at school," he tells me – again demonstrating his suitably characterful Bristol accent. "I goes to the John Cabot Academy, and I've been in a couple of productions.

"Kirk asked me what three things I'd take to a desert island, and I said I'd take my best friend, my phone and my bike.

"It wasn't like an audition, really – it was just like having a chat."

Luke's cheeky charm could be exactly the sort of thing that Kirk is looking for in his stars.

"In terms of a film reference, I can imagine we will be aiming for a naturalistic young performance along the lines of the 1969 film Kes," Kirk says.

"Although we're looking for youngsters aged between nine and 12 years of age, I am aware that the children will age two years during the filming of the project – but that's all part of the challenge.

"They will grow and develop in the film, as the stadium grows and develops behind them.

"We've got our fingers crossed that, in spite of the planning wrangles, the stadium will eventually go ahead.

"If it doesn't, I'm afraid the film won't be able to go ahead either," he admits.

But Dan Goodwin, ten, from Whitchurch, says he's simply excited to get to a film audition.

"It's quite an experience," he says. "My mum's friend sent my mum an email this morning, after she'd read about it in the Post – because she knows I like to get involved in drama stuff, and she thought I'd like to come along.

"It's actually just nice to meet a real life film director."

George Addicot, 11, of Brislington, was also thrilled to get the chance to meet the man behind Nanny McPhee – but found that Kirk was actually just another down-to-earth Bristolian.

"It wasn't scary at all," George says. "We just chatted about Bristol City, because we're both fans of this club.

"He was asking who my favourite players are, and what I thought of the new signings.

"He seemed to know his stuff. He may be a big film director, but he clearly still follows City closely."

● Open auditions for the new movie continue today and tomorrow at Ashton Gate stadium, from 11am to 4pm, with more auditions planned for later in the month.

For further information, visit the website at www.bristolfilmauditions .co.uk.