BBC Outside Broadcasts supports Manchester Passion

22 March: Following in the footsteps of the awarding winning Flashmob:The Opera, BBC Outside Broadcasts is capturing Manchester Passion on Good Friday (14 April 2006) for BBC THREE. The live event will offer a contemporary re-telling of the last few hours of Jesus’ life using popular music from the cream of Manchester bands from Joy Division to The Smiths and Oasis.

Flashmob: The Opera and Brand New Flashmob Opera, which won an award last week, involved BBC Outside Broadcasts recording live multi-camera operas at Paddington station during rush hour and at the busy Meadowhall shopping centre. Working with performers, musicians and public crowds across the city for Manchester Passion will be equally as challenging for the production team.

A procession though the city centre will culminate in Albert Square, where members of the public will be encouraged to join in the singing of classic pop anthems, including the M People hit ‘Search for a Hero Inside Yourself’. Sound will be complex, as the singers will be competing with the noise of traffic and crowds.

Steve Chapman, BBC Outside Broadcasts’ Lead Engineer Manager, is coordinating a crew of around 45 people, including Camera Supervisors, Sounds Supervisors, Vision Engineers, Communciations Engineers and Riggers to support BBC Classical Music. Steve has worked on the previous FlashMob Operas and is currently in Melbourne delivering coverage of the Commonwealth Games.

Steve says: “Manchester Passion is another wonderful and ambitious idea created by a daring and brave production team. Our crew is becoming very experienced in live multi-camera operations in difficult broadcast environments and we hope to do the production justice!”

Plans are still being finalised, but nine radio cameras are expected to be split between the main production area in Albert Square and other sites, plus six cabled cameras, including two Jimmy Jibs. There will also be further cameras situated along the procession route.

BBC Outside Broadcasts’ large multi-format production truck - Unit 12, will be situated at the in front of the Town Hall in Albert Square, where two stages will be built, one for the orchestra and one for the presenters. A smaller production unit, BBC Outside Broadcasts’ Unit 25 truck, will also be used to cover the action in the secondary area.

About Manchester Passion

Manchester Passion will be broadcast live on BBC THREE at 9.00pm on Good Friday (14 April). Members of the public who would like to participate are invited to Albert Square in Manchester from 8.00pm onwards. Further information can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice

About BBC Outside Broadcasts

BBC Outside Broadcasts, a division of BBC Resources, is the leading outside broadcast facilities provider in Europe, offering a complete range of solutions from scanners and VT units to design of bespoke OB production units.

Combining creativity and flair with technical expertise, project management and customer service skills, BBC Outside Broadcasts caters for both small and large scale events across all genres. Key clients include BBC Sport and independents such as North One, TWI and MTV.

Further information can be found at: www.bbcresources.com/ob

For further information, please contact:
Georgie Hollett, PR and Communications Manager, BBC Resources
Tel: +44 (0)20 8576 2250
Mobile : +44 (0) 783484 5612
Email : georgie.hollett@bbc.co.uk