Young filmmakers gobsmacked at hit

Published Monday, 16 January 2012
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A promotional video for Friends' School in Lisburn has become an internet sensation, but the makers of the Glee-meets-Fame YouTube hit say they are gobsmacked at the response.

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Around 1,000 pupils were involved in the video which was posted onto YouTube on Friday.
The FSL LipDub begins with a young pupil being dropped off at the school gates.

But after a daunting walk into the main building, the school is revealed to be alive with singing and dancing as hundreds of pupils line the corridors and act out many of the subjects and extracurricular activities available at Friends'.

The camera goes outside to the playing fields where the pupils form the school initials, FSL, while continuing to dance.

Former pupil Matt Good teamed up with PE teacher Stephen Robinson to produce the 11 minute long video.

"It was an honour to be brought back into my old school to be able to work with pupils and staff," said Matt, who was behind the camera for the 90 minutes it took to film the LipDub.

"Stephen Robinson was behind me shouting instructions with a megaphone, we had a boombox which was being held playing music and behind that we had a team encouraging pupils to dance and sing more."

With thousands of hits on YouTube, he said he has been "absolutely gobsmacked" by reaction to the film.

"I was a bit taken aback, we thought it would get a maximum of 10,000 hits in the first weekend but we're up to 100,000 now after three days, which is incredible," said Matt.

Mr Robinson said the video was a chance for Friends' to showcase what is available at the school.

"I hope it sends a positive message and I hope it portrays the community within the school and how well staff and pupils get on together.

"I'm not saying it's like that every day but we're hopefully not too far away."

As well as appearing in front of the camera, pupils were heavily involved behind the scenes.

Jessica Teague, who is in Lower Sixth, was in charge of organising the dance moves for the entire video.

"What you see on the rugby pitch at the end, Kathryn Warke and I choreographed, so it was amazing to get 1,000 people dancing in the same direction; and then being in it as well, so it was good to see both sides of production."

While fellow Lower Sixth pupil Jack McMullan was the man behind the camera holding the boombox.

"It was good fun to get everybody excited and keep morale high.

"The final effort is great, it looks really good," he added.

So with Northern Ireland and beyond buzzing with the FSL LipDub, Mr Robinson has a mighty task ahead of him next year to create a promotional video fit to follow this year's hit.

"I've got a few ideas," he told UTV, "but nothing concrete yet."

© UTV News
Comments Comments
9 Comments
fan in ards wrote (518 days ago):
Well done guys, its a great send up.
Thomas in Belfast wrote (519 days ago):
LOL! My mate went to Friends... I have a feeling it may be over-subscribed after people see this video :P well done !!
David Scott in belfast wrote (519 days ago):
Just brilliant ! Isn't great to see something so happy,refreshing & entertaining. Credit to everyone involved in producing this gem. You must be so proud of your efforts..... WELL DONE !
Marian in Belfast wrote (520 days ago):
Well done...Brilliant video makes me laugh every-time :)
jb in Lisburn NI wrote (520 days ago):
Well done Friends' - very uplifting video! The atmosphere oozes from it!
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