Colin developed an interest in films from an early age, no doubt inheriting it from his father's love for movies. Colin reached his teenage years at the time of the video nasty explosion in the early 1980s and ended up working part-time in a Video City rental shop - his love affair with film had begun.

A job at Mersey Television beckoned in 1985, where Colin worked on Brookside at the height of its popularity.   Tea-maker, assistant camera operator and editing assistant were among his varied duties. However, he was dismayed to be stymied by an inner clique who promised much, but delivered little.   By 1990, Colin was ready to call it a day, when it was suggested that career progression might be easier for him on Grange Hill.   Still in his early twenties and with no ties, Colin relocated to London for eighteen months, only to find himself in a similar situation.   In 1992, Colin parted company with Mersey Television, grateful for all he had learned, but disappointed he had not been given the chance to put it into practice.

Back in the world of mundane employment (albeit supplemented by an interesting sideline in movie scoring), Colin decided that his spare time could be spent making films, as well as watching them.   An early spec VHS camera bought for him at not insignificant expense by his father was dusted off and Colin began writing and directing his own short films, under the banner of Shivilenco Pictures.   Shivilenco is an anagram of Colin's name, but, don't worry, that is about as arty as he gets.   Several years later, he learned that Shivilenco is actually a Russian word meaning 'preposterous' - you make up your own jokes.

In 2001, Colin discovered that a new colleague, Paul Taylor, was a jobbing actor.   The pair shared a passion for film and Colin spotted an oppportunity for a Shivilenco resurgence.   With new digital filming and editing equipment, a willing actor and some new and old associates, Shivilenco was promptly reborn.   Colin returned to the traditional Shivilenco short, eager to learn whether this new set up could take the company further than it had gone during the 1990s. The rest as they say is history.

COLIN HIVES