Making films 'part of Bradford's beating heart' (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Making films 'part of Bradford's beating heart'

8:13am Monday 11th January 2010 in Features By Jim Greenhalf

The purpose of a City of Film strategy is not to talk about the importance of film in Bradford, but for the importance of film to get people talking and doing.

There is a difference, as anybody who talks to Peg Alexander long enough will soon discover. The director of Bradford City of Film, the company set up to promote the status awarded to the city by UNESCO last June, is more interested in lights, action, movement – not nattering and bombast.

She says: “We see City of Film as a way of doing things rather than as an organisation. We want to make film part of the psyche, so the brand we develop will be important in that.”

So when can the City of Film citizens expect to see something tangible about this world-first accolade?

“We’re planning to do a big public City of Film launch from March 18-22, to coincide with the opening of the Bradford International Film Festival. We will soon be able to announce what’s going on.

“There will be activities in the city centre and other parts of the district,” she added. Expect fanfares, banners, promotions, publicity. Imagine the Twentieth Century Fox spotlights sweeping across the skyline of Bradford…Well, maybe not quite that; but Peg Alexander does seem to be up for bold, imaginative ideas to make film an integral part of Bradford’s beating heart.

“When we make a success of this, it’s going to mean opportunities for people, so hopefully City of Film will be better for Bradford and for individuals.

“Over the next 15 months we have to get all the people who deliver current film activities involved in the four themes of the City of Film strategy, and see how things can be improved.

“By having a structure based on people doing things, we are going to get that movement where people do things for themselves. It’s about encouraging people in Bradford to make films.

“We have camera equipment they can borrow. We have training courses. If anybody is putting on a film in a community centre, we can promote that. It will all snowball, I think. It is a long-term plan for Bradford.”

Arguably, over the past 40 years, Bradford has been blighted by a combination of short-termism, control-freakery and pie-in-the-sky idealism. A pity because there is plenty of raw goodwill energy that could make a difference if unleashed, encouraged and kept free of politically-correct constraints.

Hopefully, Peg Alexander and the City of Film board, chaired by movie producer Steve Abbott, will be able to use their independence from both the National Media Museum and Bradford Council – two of the City of Film company’s partners – to create a freewheeling momentum.

Just as people tend to think of Los Angeles being part of movie-making Hollywood, the aim is to encourage people far and wide to associate movie-making with Bradford.

When Steve Abbott said Bradford could be the Hollywood of West Yorkshire, he wasn’t joking.

The ten-year plan

Bradford City of Film strategy has four themes. The plan is to develop each of them during the next ten years.

Enjoying film:

* Screen films in more venues throughout the Bradford Metropolitan District.

* Boost numbers at Bradford’s four film festivals.

* Encourage more people to watch films in cinemas, clubs and other venues.

Learning about film and through film:

* Offer more formal training in the variety of techniques associated with film-making.

* Encourage more young people to learn film-making skills.

* Use film-making for training purposes.

* Provide more opportunities for people to know more about films and film-making.

Making film:

* Promote Bradford locally, nationally and internationally with two slogans: Think Bradford, Think Film; and, Think Film, Think Bradford.

* Encourage film-makers to come here to make movies, shorts and TV films.

* Support aspiring local film makers and showcase their work.

* Publicise and promote Bradford’s City of Film intentions to the film industry.

Visiting Bradford because of film:

* Ensure that major physical and capital developments have a film-related element, such as street furniture with a cinematic theme.

* Develop new business and visitor attractions by using film as a theme.

* Attract more people to the National Media Museum.

* Market and promote Bradford as a place to enjoy film-related activities.

* Giving top priority in the city centre to promoting Bradford’s City of Film status.