FROM NEXT WEEK, several of Barbados’ National Heroes will be Back From the Past, thanks to a video series conceptualised by the social media team of the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).
Produced by acting senior information officer, Kathyann Husbands, and web content manager (Ag.), Esther Jones, the five-part series was also directed by Jones and filmed by BGIS staff members Mikul Elcock, Jamal Hall and Jamal Weekes.
According to Jones, the series was created to give the public a glimpse into the time periods in which the selected National Heroes lived. She continued: “We wanted to bring a fresh approach to how these distinguished persons are remembered and celebrated. We focused on the early Heroes, namely the Right Excellent Bussa, Sarah Ann Gill, Charles Duncan O’Neal, Samuel Jackman Prescod and Clement Payne, who will all be plucked from history and brought into the present day to be interviewed by veteran journalist, Tony Cave.”
Jones disclosed that the two to three-minute video “interviews” would be posted on the BGIS’ YouTube channel, thebgis, from next week, and would also be linked to the organisation’s Facebook and Instagram pages. They are also expected to be aired on CBC TV8, leading up to National Heroes Day on April 28.
Dubbing the project a “mostly in-house” production, the acting web content manager revealed that apart from utilising the scriptwriting skills of BGIS staffers Aisha Reid, Mikul Elcock, Jamal Hall, Sharifa Medford and Jamal Weekes, the Right Excellent Bussa and Right Excellent Sarah Ann Gill were portrayed by Hall and assistant information officer, Shayla Murrell, respectively.
Above, wardrobe master Glenn Brathwaite makes last minute adjustments to the wardrobe of actor Angelo Lascelles, who portrays “The Rt. Excellent Clement Payne”.
“We were also lucky to secure the talents of actors Angelo Lascelles, John Morodore and Du-Wayne Hinds, who portrayed the Right Excellent Clement Payne, Charles Duncan O’Neal and Samuel Jackman Prescod, respectively,” she added.
Jones also took the opportunity to thank the members of the social media team and the Back from the Past cast for their contribution to the project.
Above, makeup artist Helene Headley transforms actor Du-Wayne Hinds into The Rt. Excellent Samuel Jackman Prescod.
“I also want to recognise the general manager and staff of the Barbados National Trust, at whose headquarters we filmed the production over two days. I also want to acknowledge the contribution of Glenn Brathwaite, our wardrobe master and the kind costume donation by the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and makeup artist Helene Headley. Everyone worked tirelessly to transform the actors to look as authentic as possible. Overall, I think the public will be impressed by the high production value of the series,” she said. (BGIS)
