Third year student Jessica Cooper helps BBC capture magic of Swansea
I recently had the opportunity to work on the upcoming BBC production Dance Passion Swansea as a locations runner and stills photographer. I came across this opportunity on a Facebook tv runners’ group, applied with my CV and heard back around a week before they were set to film.
Dance passion Swansea is a 58-minute-long documentary showcasing a range of dance filmed right here in Swansea.
A synopsis provided by the BBC states: ‘Dancers of all kinds take over Swansea’s streets, landmarks, parks and beaches to showcase the city, explore what home means and celebrate the life-enhancing joy of dance. Solos, duets and ensembles feature among the dance styles which include ballet, Latin, contemporary, ballroom, breaking, traditional clog and Welsh folk. Locations range from Mumbles Pier and skateboard park to Swansea Bay and the dunes, beaches and bays of the Gower peninsula’ (BBC, 2024)
Working on set with the talented crew from the Northern Town Production company, London and the remarkable cast of Ballet Cymru and CALAN was an incredible and invaluable experience!
I had the privilege of joining the team at several different filming locations around Swansea including the Brangwyn Hall, Mumbles skate park and Swansea Bay, where I took on roles like:
- Helping out on location.
- Operating the clapper board.
- Taking behind the scenes stills.
With Swansea being my hometown, having the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful project was both meaningful and inspiring. I believe that Dance Passion Swansea has beautifully captured the essence of our city. And I am honored to have contributed to its creation.
Dance Passion Swansea aired on BBC 2 Wales and BBC 4 on Sunday the 3rd of November at 8:00pm, and is available to view on the link noted below, along with one of Jessica’s photos
BBC. (2024). Dance Passion Swansea. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0024rqh
‘Some of the photographs captured by Jessica and used for promotion and i-player place holder’
