February 2003
People

Staff to star on big screen

University staff will become stars of the big screen after taking part in a local history artwork project.

A hundred Bradfordians braved rain and icy winds to become players in an unusual piece of film that will be beamed to visitors in the city centre.

The 'extras' being filmed in front of the giant screen in Glydegate

The installation, called Extra, will be unveiled by Bradford Council on Sunday, February 16, and will be shown for three years from a giant screen in Glydegate.

Graduate School Course Secretary Joyce Connor, one member of staff who took part in the event, said: "The idea of having my picture on a wall in the Glydegate Square, to make history, appealed to me. I didn't even realise we were getting paid until later! The night was freezing, cold, wet, and windy, but despite all this, I enjoyed myself. There was a feeling of community spirit and a sense of belonging during the whole night."

The artists behind the Lottery-funded project - three years in the planning - wanted a broad spectrum of local people to take part in the filming.

The crowd included Council leader Margaret Eaton, Countdown presenter Richard Whiteley, newsreader Christa Ackroyd, Bulls superstar Robbie Paul and Lenny Berry, the popular mascot at Bradford City FC. But everyone agreed that the real stars of the filming were the 100 local people who turned up on the worst night imaginable and did their act in great spirit.

As well as staff from the University, other locals included doctors, firemen, police, students and children.

Project manager of the SIMULA project Andy Curtis said: "I can't wait to see the results when they are unveiled. I think it was a fantastic experience for all involved. I made a few new friends and a colleague and I have joked since that it was the best business networking session we'd been to for years! There was such a cross-section of people who had made the effort to turn out in their work uniform. Everything from the African national dress to a football mascot in thin lycra. I just turned up in my usual 'smart but casual' wear, but I didn't feel out of place at all."

The extras all assembled at the Walkabout bar for a briefing, before being split into groups, and told to walk into the square and approach the giant screen when their group was called out. There, they had to gather in semi-circular formation and stare intently at the camera.

Web Officer Claire Gibbons said: "Everyone thought that the night of filming would be hard work, especially as the weather was so bad, but the atmosphere was incredibly friendly and we didn't feel like we were acting at all. It was a great experience and I can't wait to see it unveiled."

Assistant Finance Officer Sylvia Humphreys said: "All sorts of groups and communities were represented there and it was a very good experience seeing how they all mixed and reacted to each other. Very positive, which to me also represents Bradford as a whole."

11 February 2002

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