The mind behind the Matrix

Nov 13 2003 By Jenny Parkin, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

So just how did Brighouse woman Janet Yale end up jetting all over the world with film stars such as Keanu Reeves? She explains her amazing career in special effects to JENNY PARKIN.

Janet says her most enjoyable shoot was a freeway chase for Reloaded, on a one-mile section of road, especially built.

"It was great to watch. The stunt riders were amazing," she says.

Janet has been involved in almost 100 films including Mission: Impossible 2, Armageddon, The Nutty Professor, Mighty Joe Young and Con Air.

But the ones she's enjoyed most have included lower-key Coen brothers films The Hudsucker Proxy and The Big Lebowski, rather than the "special effects monsters".

Now she's working on The Ladykillers, the Coens' remake of the original Ealing comedy with Tom Hanks in the Alec Guinness role.

And that's not all. Janet will be back to work with Keanu again on the film Constantine, and also with Halle Berry in Catwoman.

She says: "I found my way into this business completely by accident.

"I was very lucky. It goes to reinforce what one of my college tutors told me - that there are a lot of jobs out there that school careers advisors know nothing about ..."