It would appear the partial production of Avengers: Infinity War in Edinburgh has got Scottish politicians all excited about film and screen industries in Scotland. The rise in support is substantial and the moves for new programs and institutions is somewhat unprecedented. I’ve already talked about the two Edinburgh studios under development, so what about the rest of the sector, especially the independent filmmakers? What is being done to increase and improve support to the film sector in Scotland.
Perhaps the first thing to mention is the new campus of the National Film and Television School now open in Glasgow. Although the NFTS in Glasgow is currently only running a limited number of short courses this is still a welcome addition. What’s more is that the Scottish Government have also made funding available to help with fees on these short courses. There’s no indication as of yet whether NFTS will be extending operations to offer their full MA and Diploma courses in Scotland too but this could be an interesting move adding another creative skillset academy to the nation.
The Screen Academy Scotland that is something of a cooperative venture between Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Napier University has had some alterations with Napier taking the lead in fiction and Edinburgh focusing on documentary. Edinburgh’s offer is in collaboration with the Scottish Documentary Institute, an organisation that offers helpful advice and similar support, utilising much of their expertise. Napier has some great support for screenwriters but the rest of the film production offering is a little less certain. However this new development of area focus could lead to good things and I’m interested to see what will happen here. Of course, also in Edinburgh, the Pentland Studio is meant to hold a film academy although whether this is a new school or a new home for SAS isn’t clear. Then of course there’s to Guardhouse studio being built on Herriot-Watt’s research park and possibly developing an academy with that University.
If this weren’t educational opportunities enough the University of the West of Scotland is also offering a general filmmaking MA with students time being split between the Ayr Campus and Film City, the working production facilities in Glasgow. This particular course is quite promising for the links with industry and its highly practical focus. Plus it’s already here and not a upcoming or possible offering. The fees for UWS are also extremely attractive in comparison to just about any other film school. SAS likely have better equipment available but I’m not sure they have the direct, in course, links with industry.
As far as professional and production support is concerned there are some interesting moves here too. First there’s the Film City Futures’ new Focus program that offers professional consultancy, growth planning and mentoring to production companies in their early stages. This is a two year program of support that could be a real boon to independent producers. I’ve often complained that funding and support is often aimed at directors and writers with producers being overshadowed or forgotten. This is, in my opinion, backwards as the producers find the scripts and directors, get the finance together and basically get the film made. In other words if you help the producers you help everyone. As such this Focus program seems like a step in the right direction and funded by Creative Scotland.
As far as funding for the screen sector from Creative Scotland is concerned that has been doubled. There is now some £20 million to go towards development, production, post and market of Scottish productions. This is made a little more interesting as Goldfinch Entertainment, one of the fastest growing private film financiers in the UK, has now opened offices in Edinburgh. Creative Scotland is also behind a new Screen Unit that will drive development of the screen industry in Scotland.
Scottish Film Talent Network altered the application process for their entry short film scheme to ease participation of new producers who may not already have a project. In this case producers will be given the chance to hear pitches or be introduced to director/ writer teams or writer directors that have an accepted project. This is something I obviously support considering what I said earlier. Unfortunately I missed the application this time around. I’m fascinated to see what will come of all this shift in focus and additional resources.
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