BORN: 4th September 1951 in the Borough of Ealing, West London (UK), when there were steam trains, rationing and a King on the throne.

TRIVIA:

·         born on the same day as the first US coast-to-coast TV broadcast;

·         film director Chris Cunningham wrote Al’s art school reference (2002);

·         father Charlie Stokes worked as a ‘sparks’ at Ealing Film Studios

·         although Al’s 1985 film “Street of Experience” was screened around the world when first released, it was banned for local screenings by Norwich City Council (Norfolk, UK) for being too controversial.

EARLY YEARS:

Schooled at Stanhope Secondary Modern, (1963-1968) Greenford Middlesex (UK). Left school with five low grade O-Levels, long hair and a strong to desire to make it in the film industry.

First stage appearance: The Royal Court Theatre (London) 1967 in Ann Jellicoe’s “The Rising Generation.”

Joined BBC staff in November 1968 as a film assistant and stayed until 1973, going freelance as a press photographer and film editor.

1973, was a press photographer in Syria and Jordan during the Glorious October War (Yom Kippur War, depending which side you were on).

Returned to England and worked as a freelance TV editor until 1975