Carmen Bollywood
Producing a live Bollywood adaptation of an operatic classic, in the centre one of the UKs most diverse cities.
In February of 2013, we were asked by Bradford Metropolitan District Council to assist in the production of a rather unique live retelling of the Operatic classic, Carmen.
Carmen Bollywood, was a 100% Bollywood spectacular, set in the newly built Bradford City Park and Centenary Square. Our brief, to act as the conduit between local authority and the BBC, utilising our production skills and experience to pull off a seamless live Bollywood spectacular!
A live TV adaptation of a 19th century opera, in Bradford city centre, may seem off-piste. But the skills required to ensure a project like this runs seamlessly, are truly no different to any we would employ within a festival or any other event.
Our role was to act as link between the local authority and BBC partners, so naturally this meant a tremendous level of stakeholder engagement. Daily meetings and constant status updates were part and parcel.
Once on site, with a production team of two, we ensured the seamless build of a live TV setting over a one-week period.
Bringing in local suppliers meant sourcing and managing robust staging, lighting, and towers. While leading on the creation of the production setting, to meet the needs of the BBC as well as Bradford Metropolitan District Council, required a keen eye and all our experience in producing beautiful, clean live event sites.
One of the most challenging aspects of the production was incorporating the live audience. 5000 members of the public were on site, technically being part of the televised show. The challenge here was to ensure the crowds look natural, while being very carefully managed off camera.
Then there was the introduction of a fully grown elephant, which was an entirely different challenge of its own.
Bollywood holds a significant place in the cultural landscape of the city of Bradford and is made even more special with the city’s status as the world’s first UNESCO city of film. So, to bring an event of this calibre to the city, was a fantastic experience for all those involved.
