MAKING MUSIC IN THE OLD NATWEST

Resident video production company Candy Jar Films have been busy filming their latest project and the Old NatWest Bank Building has played its part.

The team are working with local singer/songwriter talent Michael Mosindi on a music video for his latest track, "Just Let It Go".

Filming took place over three days around Cardiff in a variety of the city's hotspots such as Sophia Gardens in the city centre and the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay.

The Grand Hall

The second day of filming was located in our Grand Banking Hall (pictured above) as Michael and a team of talented dancers performed a modern and energetic routine for the video creating an impressive blend of old and new.

Michael on set

Michael and his dancers

Watch out for the video which we will be posting soon!

www.candyjarfilms.co.uk

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS CANCELLED!

It was recently announced that the remake of the 1970s BBC show ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ has been cancelled. The unfortunate news came after a wave of negative critical responses and a low performance in the ratings.

Upon being revived, the first season of the Victorian drama managed to attract an impressive 7.5 million viewers. However, this success was not to continue as the second series closed to a slimmer audience of 4.5 million, 6 million behind ITV rival, ‘Downton Abbey’.

Here at The Old NatWest, we are genuinely saddened by the news. After playing host to the show on many occasions, it is a shame that we will no longer be working together. Both the cast and crew were a joy to work with and we are sorry to see them go.

It’s not all bad news though. This August will see Matt Smith return to charm us in the seventh season of Doctor Who. All of us here are preparing ourselves for what we are certain will be an emotional goodbye from Amy and Rory. After two seasons assisting the Doctor, it has been announced that they will depart from the show halfway through the new season.

Filling the large void that will be left by the quirky couple is former Emmerdale actress, Jenna Louise-Coleman. There is no footage of Jenna in the Whovian world as of yet, only an on-set pictures and a rumoured name of Clara. Despite the lack of information we are still really excited about the return of the Doctor. The series seven premiere will be held at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

THEATRICAL EXPERIMENTS WITH MEDIALAB

Before the Banking Hall could get cold and empty after filming had wrapped on the Olympics inspired film, ‘Dancing Parallel’, the National Theatre Wales Community began work on a new art project. Over the course of this week the building has been playing host to MediaLab, a group within the National Theatre Community.

The focus of MediaLab is to help emerging artists who want to create their own pieces, in their own way, with their own styles. The small selection of creatives currently working here are part of the Fertilisation project. This consists of a group of individuals working together for a week somewhere in Wales to develop initial ideas. It is unsure as to what they will produce at present but we are certain it will be brilliant.

OLYMPIC DANCING IN BUTE STREET

With the Olympic Flame heading to Cardiff Bay the Old NatWest Building has been involved in an Olympics inspired dance film, ‘Dancing Parallel’. The film features 12 young dancers between the ages of 14 and 18 and will be shown in theatres throughout the UK to support the forthcoming Olympics. ‘Dancing Parallel’ is a groundbreaking collaborative effort from Scottish Ballet, English National Ballet and National Dance Company Wales.

Filmmaker, Nic Sandiland, filmed the routine in the disused vault and Banking Hall of the former bank. Student, Theo Llewellyn, 16, said: “The film is a fusion of different dance styles, from street – like myself – to more traditional forms like tap and ballet. We have all collaborated and come up with something we think is quite cool and unique.”

Overseeing the production is National Dance Company Wales Participation Officer, Isabelle Drummond. After filming had wrapped in the Old NatWest Building, Isabelle was thrilled with the results. She said: “We had a really great weekend filming in the bank – it is such an incredible space. I am really looking forward to seeing the end result.”

Although intended to promote the Olympic games, the film is also hoping to encourage young people to explore their cities and environments through dance and the free-running style – parkour.
In addition to bringing their own styles and influences to the piece, the dancers have also helped raise money for the project. Since being chosen for ‘Dancing Parallel’ 19-year-old Hannah Maloney, from Cwmbran, has raised £806 through a variety of methods including a duck race, sponsorships and donations from Dance World. She said: “I was quite shocked to be chosen, but it is a fantastic opportunity.”

By utilising the Old NatWest Building, the team working on ‘Dancing Parallel’ is aiming to send an Olympic message – that polar opposites can come together to create something truly special.

John Munton, concierge at the Old NatWest Building, feels the banking Hall’s Grecian-style pillars reflect the true spirit of the Olympics. He said: “The building has a sense of history. It has been used for many TV shows in recent times such as Upstairs Downstairs, Doctor Who and Being Human. It is gratifying to see the building used to celebrate such a world wide event.”

THE OLD NATWEST BUILDING JOINS FACEBOOK

The Old NatWest Building has launched its very own Facebook page. Please visit http://www.facebook.com/TheOldNatWestBuilding and 'like' our page.

OLD NATWEST BUILDING TV DOCUMENTARY

Candy Jar Films have recently finished production on a documentary about the Old NatWest Building.Featuring interviews with former staff and customers, this documentary takes and in-depth look at the history of Bute Street's most iconic building. The documentary is presented by up-and-coming Welsh actor, Matt Doman.