University of Bolton’s ‘fantastic beast’ displays at The Light Cinema

08/04/2022

An incredible replica of the phoenix Fawkes from the Harry Potter movies, produced by a former student from the University of Bolton, has gone on display at a town centre cinema.

Visitors to The Light Bolton will be able to marvel at the detailed prop, just as the latest film in the Potter universe, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, opens for the Easter holidays.

Miriam Selfors

The model of the brightly coloured mythical bird, which lived in the office of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore, was built by Miriam Selfors.

Miriam, from Norway, chose the University of Bolton course with the dream of working with award-winning special effects maestro Nick Dudman, the make-up and creature effects designer on all of the Harry Potter movies.

She studied in the university’s Special Effects Modelmaking for Film and Television degree programme and graduated in 2021.

Miriam managed to fulfil her dream of working with Nick after he spotted her work on social media and got in touch. She is now part of his team, working on major TV and film projects.

The loan of the magnificent model is part of a collaboration between the University and The Light Bolton to display film and TV props created by the talented students on the programme. 

Jim Costello, Programme Lead, said: “We are delighted to be working closely with The Light and pleased to be able to showcase the fantastic work that our students produce year after year.

Fawkes on display in the foyer

“This programme at the University of Bolton is placing students on some of the biggest movie and TV franchises in the world.

“We plan to display more of the students’ work so that the people of Bolton and the rest of the country can see the incredible quality of which they are capable. We also hope that people viewing the work will be encouraged to contact us if they are considering a career in film and TV effects.

Vikki Bentham, business manager at The Light Bolton, in the Market Place shopping centre, said: “We are delighted to have Fawkes on display in our foyer to tie in with the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore on 8 April.

“It really is an impressive piece and shows just what excellent work students at the University of Bolton are producing.

“We are excited to be able to exhibit more props created by the brilliant students at Bolton throughout the year and hope our customers enjoy seeing them as much as we do.” 

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