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The name's Johnson, Laura Johnson

Graduate has grand designs for Bond film

WHEN you watch James Bond in his latest adventure, Skyfall, take a minute to notice the props – many of them were created by MMU graduate Laura Johnson.

However the 26 year-old is under oath not to reveal any details ahead of the film’s release on November 9th.

“I can’t say anything about it – I’m absolutely sworn to secrecy,” she said.

From her base at Pinewood Studios, Laura, who graduated from the School of Art in 2009, is part of the huge team who will create everything from Bond’s car to his cufflinks.

Dream job

This won’t be the first time Laura, who specialises in fabrics, has worked on a Hollywood blockbuster – she also worked on Guy Ritchie’s reboot of Sherlock Holmes, as well as numerous adverts and television shows.

After graduating, Laura tried a number of different jobs, including working on a magazine, before sending a letter and portfolio to Pinewood – who invited her in for an interview.

And Laura says she would never have been confident enough to go for the job without the support of her MMU tutors.

She said: "Whilst studying at MMU I always wanted to create props for a living but never imagined I would get the chance. Through very supportive tutors urging me to develop my model work, I was able to create my portfolio which got me my dream job at Pinewood Studios. I am very thankful to MMU for nurturing my talent and giving me good steady advice for the future."

Miniature marvels

In addition to her “day job”, Laura has been commissioned to create an exhibition of tiny cotton bound figures at Lindisfarne Castle, in Northumberland, which opens on September 8th.

The exhibition will explore some of the lesser known history of the castle, with the miniature figures used to help tell the stories.

Laura first created the miniature figures, which take an hour and a half each to create, for her degree show. “It’s nice, because I never thought I’d ever use my miniatures again,” she said.

“It is a bit of a challenge trying to squeeze everything in though – I can make approximately 10 figures a day and I needed nearly 300 for the exhibition!”

Published Friday, 31st August 2012