One Direction showing fans This Is Us

Not content with a string of hit singles, top selling albums and a sell-out arena tour, One Direction are now taking over the silver screen too.

August 29 will see the launch of their fly-on-the-wall style documentary film This Is Us, giving fans unprecedented access behind the scenes of the band. And as they faced the world's media to promote the 93-minute film, One Direction were in high spirits.

There was much whooping and chattering among them as the five band members made their way out to speak to the press, led by Wolverhampton's very own Liam Payne.

It was, Liam later explains, their first job together after a few days off. And by the looks of it, they were happy to be back together.

"We've just come back to work from a few days off," says Liam, who hails from Bushbury.

"Whenever we all get back together the loudest person in the room is always Louis.

"The first thing I heard this morning was 'oi,oi'.

"We do miss each other during time off but we do spend a lot of time with each other during our days off too."

There's good chemistry among them – they good-naturedly mock Niall for his use of the word 'demographic', Louis causes them all to burst into laughter a few times, while Zayn finds himself the butt of a joke about how much he likes to sleep.

It is this chemistry, they say, that they wanted to capture on film for the fans to enjoy.

"We just wanted to show what we're about," explains Harry Styles.

"With social media there's only so much you can get across, or in a 10-minute interview.

"This was a way to get across what we're like with each other and it's for the fans to see. That's the kind of thing they want to see."

The film follows One Direction as they perform on huge stages across the world. It even visits the lads in their home towns and meets their families too.

Liam's mother Karen and dad Geoff both feature in the film, which traces the group's rise from X Factor contestants to a band which sparks 'Beatle-like mania' wherever they go.

Even at the top secret press conference location in London, fans – known as Directioners – have found out their idols are there and are waiting eagerly outside in the hope of catching a glimpse. But for the One Direction boys, it is clear they know the fans have got them to where they are today.

"We think the fans are amazing and the level of dedication they show is second to none," says Liam, his Black Country twang still discernible. He says the film includes a lot of footage of the fans too.

"We wanted to get the fans across a lot," he says.

"Those fans will love seeing themselves on the big screen."

Zayn Malik, affectionately dubbed the 'mysterious one' of the band, adds: "We're lucky in that our fans are universal in their craziness. They're all similar, even though they're from different parts of the world."

The film's director Morgan Spurlock, known for the film Super Size Me, says the 1D fans are a 'phenomenon'.

"The thing I find most incredible is that this happens everywhere they go, it's not just a British or American phenomenon," he said.

When the band performed at Mexico City, around 5,000 die hard fans camped out to see them.

And Spurlock says the film will give them a much more 'intimate' level of access to their idols.

"The level of access and the communication with their families is not like you get with those other films," he says. "Plus this one is about five singers so it's already five-times better.

"It is the relationship between these boys and their families which is the most important thing."

It has been a meteoric rise to fame for the five members of One Direction.

They all auditioned for the X Factor back in 2010 – Liam for the second time – and were left devastated when they missed out on the chance to reach the finals as soloists.

But in stepped a certain Mr Cowell with the idea of matching the five of them together to create a band and they were thrown a lifeline.

But the beauty of One Direction, says Spurlock, is that they have not changed in the past three years. He says: "These guys are so incredibly normal and grounded and that's what comes off in this movie. They're the same guys they were three years ago. That normality is what people like about them."

It is clear they still have a good bond with Simon Cowell, who was their mentor on the ITV.

Irishman Niall Horan sports a cheeky grin as he says: "Me and him are homies. We roll together."

Despite having a background in performing arts as a member of Sedgley-based Pink Productions, Liam says making a film was a bit of a nerve wracking experience.

"We'll see how this one goes and maybe if people like it, we'll make another one – I'm sure we've got time," he says. But none of the boys are looking for a full-time career change from music to acting.

Harry says: "It was kind of weird making a film because in a way it's really strange having the cameras around. But at the same time it didn't make that much difference. It was just like getting on with the day while having someone in your way while you're trying to get out the door."

Zayn adds: "It wasn't really like acting. It was just following us around day to day."

But despite their big break into the world of film, One Direction are keeping their feet firmly on the ground. Louis Tomlinson, the group's resident prankster, says the movie is a great way of capturing the madness of what they are experiencing right now.

"It will be great to sit back, watch it and relive those moments," he says.