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Leeds Met on the big screen
19/07/06
View the video from the launch of the big screen in Millennium Square
Leeds Met is set to become the first university in the UK to help run a permanent city centre big screen, in Millennium Square in Leeds , in partnership with Leeds City Council and the BBC.
It was announced that the university has agreed to become a partner in the public space broadcasting project in Millennium Square and its involvement is likely to guarantee the screen's future until at least 2010. The partnership will give the university a key role in the development of the screen content and technology and allow its students and staff to benefit from involvement in a unique world-class project.
The screen was launched in November last year and is currently run as a partnership between Leeds City Council and the BBC. It is leased from Philips which services the facility and develop the system, and is funded by Yorkshire Forward which has supported this initiative since its inception. The screen is located on the Carriageworks Theatre and its innovative suspension system was created by developers Asda St James.
The university sees the partnership as an opportunity for students to work on placements with the screen team to learn about LED technology and cutting edge content management systems as well as showcasing their work on the screen. It also aims to stage screen-based events in the square and use the screen to develop its relationship with the wider Leeds community.
Barbara Colledge, Deputy Dean for Innovation North, said: "Many of our students and staff are involved in creative technology and Leeds Met’s Faculty of Arts & Society Film, Television and Performing Arts courses are literally based next door to the screen in the Electric Press building. This is a great opportunity to get involved with a world class project and the university will benefit from this 21st Century outlet for students’ creative energies."
Bill Morris, the Director of the BBC Live Events unit which runs the Project, said: "It can only really work effectively through genuine partnership. The involvement of a university will add a whole new dimension to what we are doing. Leeds Met will
bring imagination, technical expertise and a range of new and interesting content to the screen."
A spokesman for Leeds City Council said: “The Screen was always intended to be a facility for the whole community and the involvement of Leeds Met will be part of achieving that aim. Our funding partners Yorkshire Forward are delighted with the addition of another partner to the project.”
