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’s very first animated pop group will make their big-screen debut at the University of Teesside 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 ‘I’m On My Way’ 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: “I’ve 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 ‘Sugar Sugar’ in 1969. And Damon Albarn from Blur showed with his animated group The Gorrilaz there’s 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’s tv cartoon Wacky Races and Alice in Wonderland, and I’m absolutely thrilled with the end result.”

To develop the animated venture, Carl contacted Siobhan Fenton, Senior Lecturer in Animation in the University of Teesside’s 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: “The Close-Ups are a quirky pop group, with a style that’s both modern and retro. They’ve 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.”

The audience for The Close-Ups cinematic debut will include students from the University’s 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’s career.

---