Hollywood producer, from Folkestone, who has worked on Star Wars and Game of Thrones, hopes to inspire others

By: Sam Williams swilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 26 November 2019

A man who fulfilled his dream of working in Hollywood hopes his tale of good fortune will inspire others to do the same.

Former Folkestone schoolboy David Coupland has worked on some of the biggest projects around, including Star Wars and Game of Thrones, and with some of the most respected directors in the business, such as Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

David Coupland, from Folkestone, now lives in Los Angeles and works for HBO

His job has seen him travel the world, including working on locations in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, but is now based in Los Angeles as a production executive for HBO.

But this is far from where he started, having been raised by his single mum, a nurse with three children, in Brabner Close, Folkestone, and attending Stella Maris Primary.

At age 11, he moved to Lyminge with his family and joined St Anselms Secondary School in Canterbury, before attending Canterbury College to study media production.

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He then undertook a film production degree at Bournemouth Arts School between 2004 and 2007.

Mr Coupland said: "I grew up in Folkestone where I found the dream of working in Hollywood at a very young age.

David Coupland at Folkestone Rugby club as a child

"A pipe dream of course - in what world was a guy growing up in a council house going to end up in Hollywood?

"However impossible the dream seemed I was going to achieve it or fall flat trying."

It was while living in Bournemouth that Mr Coupland, 34, got his lucky break.

He said: "A film crew were scouting the beach in Bournemouth where I worked as a seafront ranger.

"I saw this as an opportunity and in exchange for letting them use the facilities for free, they gave me a job for the day.

David worked on Never Let Me Go, starring, from left, Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, and Andrew Garfield

"After that I worked with Simon Ashen, the first assistant director, for about a year and a half on commercials.

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"I eventually found my way into movies.

"The first film I worked on was Creation directed by Jon Amiel. From there the ball was really rolling and I worked my way up over the years, first as a production assistant and then a production co-ordinator."

His film credits include Never Let Me Go, Clash of the Titans, Hereafter, Hugo, Skyfall, 47 Ronin, Heart of the Sea, Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens - all listed on his imdb.com page.

Mr Coupland, who still has family living in Kent, then shifted his focus to TV, working on Game of Thrones and Marco Polo.

"Game of Thrones was easily my most enjoyable show I worked on" - David Coupland

"Game of Thrones was easily my most enjoyable show I worked on," he recalls.

"Best run show, best team working to produce it and the most wonderful cast and crew.

"And of course...it’s Game of Thrones!"

Four years ago Mr Coupland moved to LA and joined HBO, where he works on scripted series for the network.

He now hopes to inspire others to reach for their dreams.

He said: "There’s still a long way to go for me for where I want to be, but I’ve come this far and I’d love to be a part of inspiring and helping others in Kent to realise that these dreams can be a reality, as impossible as it seems.

He also worked on Skyfall

"In Los Angeles I help a lot of younger people in the industry with advice, connections and general help as often as I can.

"I’d love to do that a little closer to home."

He offers this advice to those hoping to launch a career in film or TV: "My advice would be to search for and take any opportunities you can when you’re starting out.

"This business is built on relationships, so begin building them as soon as you can.

"Most people in the industry are very aware how hard it is to get in, so they’re often also willing to help connect people where they can and offer advice."