Go Big with your own mini tragedy

8:11am Thursday 15th May 2008

Bradford is one of a dozen selected UK locations for the simultaneous live screening of the Royal Ballet's production of Romeo and Juliet.

Kenneth MacMillan's interpretation of Shakespeare's drama, one of the most popular works in the company's repertoire, can be seen free of charge on the BBC's Big Screen in Centenary Square, on Sunday, June 1, starting at 3pm.

It will be beamed live from London's Royal Covent Garden theatre, and is part of the Royal Ballet's BP-sponsored summer programme.

The multi-national oil company has supported these big screen relays of opera and ballet performances from Covent Garden since 2000.

This year's screening will be supplemented by a number of short films made by the public.

The Royal Opera House and BP invite the public to create their own versions of Romeo and Juliet in just 40 seconds.

The films can either be based on a short extract, such as the balcony scene, or the whole thing. Film-makers can express themselves in words, music, dance or even animation.

All entries are in with a chance of getting a public viewing around the country - from London to Newcastle-upon-Tyne - on June 1.

Simon Magill, communications manager for the Big Screen event at the Royal Opera House, says: "It's the first time we have asked people to do this. We want them to feel as though we are not just showing a film; we want them to engage in it a bit more."

How many short films are he and his team hoping for?

"As many as we can get, really. Once we have received them all, we can stream them on our YouTube site and then short-list the best ones. These will be shown during the two 20-minute intervals."

How many are likely to be short-listed?

"About ten to 15, but I don't want to put a limit on it. I don't want to put people off sending. We are hoping for plenty."

And if he and his team are satisfied with the standard of the entries, will this event be a part of future big screenings?

"Certainly. That's the idea. It's a chance we are taking."

Ben Eagle, film projects co-ordinator in the film department at the National Media Museum, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for local film-makers to have their film, in any format, screened nationally.

"To be associated with a company like the Royal Opera House can only benefit an aspiring film-maker's career."

HOW TO ENTER

There are a number of ways to submit a short-film entry:

• The best, say the organisers, is a 16:9 full-height anamorphic on DVD.

• The medium choice is shoot it on a camcorder and send on a DVD.

• The fun choice is to film it on a mobile phone, download it and email the result to 40secfilm@roh.org.uk.

• All films must be suitable for family viewing. The deadline for entries is Monday, May 26. Participants must attach name, age and contact details to entries, which should be sent to 40 second films', FAO Simon Magill, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD. All entries will be available for viewing at the Royal Opera House's website at roh.org.uk/bpbigscreens.

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