海角直播

The Close-Ups are on their way to the University

The Archies in 1969, Gorillaz in 2001 and now in 2003, the Close-Ups! The North-East鈥檚 very first animated pop group will make their big-screen debut at the University of 海角直播 at 6pm on Wednesday 20 August in OL1, Europa Building, Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough.

Inspiration for the Close-Ups came from Tees valley musician Carl Green, lead singer of the recently reformed Carl Green and the Scene. Carl, 43, from Eaglescliffe, created the four-piece animated band, each with individual names and characters, who will deliver their debut song 鈥業鈥檓 On My Way鈥� in a three minute video. In addition, Carl wrote the song, devised the video storyline, and played guitar, along with local session musicians. Carl said: 鈥淚鈥檝e thought about developing an animated group for some time, my initial memories were of The Archies, a completely animated group from the USA, who had a massive number one with 鈥楽ugar Sugar鈥� in 1969. And Damon Albarn from Blur showed with his animated group The Gorrilaz there鈥檚 an appetite from modern audiences for this kind of creation. Musically, my influences in the Close-Ups range from 60s psychedelia to Blondie right through to The Strokes. Visually I wanted something that would look like the 70鈥檚 tv cartoon Wacky Races and Alice in Wonderland, and I鈥檓 absolutely thrilled with the end result.鈥�

To develop the animated venture, Carl contacted Siobhan Fenton, Senior Lecturer in Animation in the University of 海角直播鈥檚 School of Computing & Mathematics, who has co-produced the video with Carl. Siobhan then got in touch Manchester-based designer and animator Jez Hall, who went on to direct the video.

The four members of the group are:

* Abby Kirkella-singer and bass * Rake-guitar * Zack Mackenzie-keyboards * Newton Aycliffe-Drums

There will be an opportunity to photograph Carl Green, Siobhan Fenton and Jez Hall with life sized cardboard-cut-outs of The Close-Ups at 5pm on Wednesday 20 August in OL1, Europa Building, Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough.

Siobhan Fenton said: 鈥淭he Close-Ups are a quirky pop group, with a style that鈥檚 both modern and retro. They鈥檝e all got distinctive characters that will appeal to a teenage audience, for example Abby the singer is someone the girls would like to be and the boys will fancy! We want the group to have a life beyond their first video, and later give them real speaking voices to combine with their music. There could be a series of videos for the group, on display in venues throughout the region, such as pubs and clubs.鈥�

The audience for The Close-Ups cinematic debut will include students from the University鈥檚 various Masters degrees in animation. The Close-Ups are owned and managed by Stockton based Northern Round Square Productions, a new music and media production company set up by Carl to oversee the cartoon group鈥檚 career.

---