Moray arts company Wildbird are ying out to MIPTV, the worlds audio visual and digital content market at Cannes in April, where TV and digital broadcasters from over 160 countries gather to exchange ideas and content for their future production and broadcast activities.
BBC Screen and Broadcast Industries Development Manager, Amanda Millen who is working in partnership with Highland Enterprise to help establish a Highland-based broadcast industry has sourced ideas from around the HIE area including Moray; and is taking the most exciting of these to Cannes to look for development funding for new productions in a variety of TV and digital broadcast formats.
Wildbird are committed to looking for ways to extend projects beyond their live performance into different forms for a variety of audiences, with maximum access a priority. These could include internet and mobile phone broadcasts as well as more traditional TV formats. With the growth and diversity of digital technology the sky is no longer the limit and Wildbird feel that Moray and Highland arts companies can be at the forefront of contemporary culture and arts practice, in a new world where mere geography is no longer a barrier to success.
Wildbird’s ‘Fall of the Peacock Throne‘, which recently enjoyed a highly successful development weekend culminating in an inspired performance at The Warehouse Theatre in Lossiemouth, has been singled out as a project with real potential for television and digital development. The shocking story of the 1953 CIA Iranian coup and the death of Iranian democracy seems to strike a chord in the contemporary imagination as we are forced to question our Middle Eastern policies on an almost daily basis. This is particularly relevant to Moray’s service personnel and their families as well as those working in the oil industry. Its simply one of the great untold stories of the Twentieth century and needs to be understood and recognised as an event that is still changing history.
All this comes at an exciting time for the company as they launch a number of arts projects from their Moray base. YouthCast and CommunityCast have begun at The Warehouse Theatre, creating innovative contemporary theatre in the community that feeds directly into their professional theatre and digital media productions.
Animal Behaviour, a new live music, dance and club night launched successfully last month also at The Warehouse Theatre will have its second run out on 22nd March with all new music from Dave Martin and DJ Monkey Magic with a specially choreographed dance piece by Roy McQueen featuring Kayleigh Macrae. Inspired by the universe itself ‘Animal Behaviour Powers of Ten’ is the alternative opportunity to enjoy new music and live performance as well as dance your brains out in a great atmosphere.
YouthCast and CommunityCast meet on Monday evenings and are working towards performances in April. Anyone interested should contact The Warehouse Theatre (01343 814004) for details or phone Director Chris Lee on 07963 845917. Tickets for Animal Behaviour Powers of Ten are also available from The Warehouse Theatre Box Ofce.
