{made in glasgow} blog

A number of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) 55 public bodies are set to be merged, abolished or streamlined as part of the Government’s drive to cut costs and increase transparency, accountability and efficiency, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

Mr Hunt has proposed a number of changes, including abolishing the UK Film Council and establishing a direct and less bureaucratic relationship with the British Film Institute.

The BBC website gives further details include industry reactions.

course structure: full-time
dates: September – September
location: 2A Merchiston Avenue Production Centre
application deadlines: Rolling deadline for Sept entry

Are you an ambitious, talented, film graduate film-maker keen to take your studies further in your chosen specialist area? Screen Academy Scotland is looking for students with a BA (Hons) film or a related discipline, or equivalent experience. You should have some practical film-making under your belt already, and will be looking to bring your experience up to the standard expected for entry in the professional industry.

Students apply to the course as specialists in one of the following disciplines: Directing, cinematography, editing, and sound. Coursework consists of a large number of practical exercises and projects that allow students to deepen their own technical, creative and professional film making skills. The year’s work culminates in a major project module in which students will work, in their chosen discipline, on one or more short fiction films.

For more details, visit the Screen Academy website

The future for Scotland’s creative industries - including film and television - has become clearer today, with the unveiling of key personnel to help lead the newly-created Creative Scotland, formed following the merging of public bodies, the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen.

To support newly-appointed chief executive, Andrew Dixon, is a senior team who this morning has been identified as Vena Dhupa, Iain Munro and Caroline Parkinson.

The trio have been appointed directors of creative development, tasked - says Creative Scotland - “with leading [our] engagement with the cultural sector and [who] will take responsibility for Creative Scotland’s investment and partnership in the arts, film and creative industries”.

Other internal management team appointments are Morag Arnot, director of communications and external affairs; Alyson Hagan, director of finance and operations; and Karen Lannigan, head of human resources.

Ken Hay, chief executive of Scottish Screen, will work with Creative Scotland through to the end of September, to complete key handover of work on Scottish Screen responsibilities and the creative industries.

Says Dixon: “The combined team brings new expertise in international work and creative industries and a huge strength in continuity from the previous bodies. Iain Munro has led the successful Arts Lottery programme for Scotland, Caroline Parkinson brings a wealth of expertise in understanding the development needs of the cultural sector and Venu Dhupa is an internationally-renowned player with a major track record in managing and developing cultural organisations and artists.”

Lenny Crooks, former head of the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund, is moving across the pond to set up a consultancy service. Crooks, who also used to run the Glasgow Film Fund, says he wants to act as a bridge between both sides of the Atlantic. Features that the NCF backed during Crooks’ tenure included Cannes Special Jury Prize winner Fish Tank and Bright Star. The NCF wound up at the end of March, replaced by a consolidated £15 million Film Fund.

Source: www.deadline.com

Tuesday 27 April – Tuesday 18 May (6.30-9.00pm)
Course Level: 2/3 (Intermediate/Film knowledge required)

Examining four unique artists, this course examines how experimental filmmakers subvert conventional notions of sound through film practice. Featuring work by Guy Sherwin, Andrew Kötting and Semiconductor.

Led by Aimee Mollaghan (University of Glasgow). The course costs £40/£34

Please note that due to the material occasionally shown or discussed in screenings and seminars, all participants must be over 18 years old. To book a place on any course at GFT, please call box office on 0141 332 6535. For more information or questions, please contact Nicola Muir, Learning Assistant at learn@gft.org.uk

Initialize Films will be running a workshop on the ‘Insider’s Guide to Making an Award-Winning Low-Budget Feature Film’, led by BAFTA Scotland winning producer Claire Mundell (Crying With Laughter).

The day will cover all the essential elements of developing, producing and distributing a low-budget feature film, including sourcing public funds, pre-sales, negotiating deals, managing the production process, working with distributors and talent contracts.

Date: 17 April 2010
Registration Deadline: 5 April 2010
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: Glasgow
Cost: £60 + VAT

Initialize Films will also be running several workshops on film finance in May 2010.

To reserve a place please go to:
W: www.initialize-films.co.uk

Acclaimed Scottish actor David Tennant (Doctor Who) has been confirmed to play the lead role in Single Father, an emotionally powerful yet funny four-part drama for BBC One about a man struggling to raise his four children after the death of his wife, made by Red Production Company through BBC Scotland.

Written by Mick Ford (Ashes To Ashes, William And Mary), and set in Glasgow, the series tells the story of Dave, played by Tennant, a photographer facing the seemingly impossible job of bringing up his four kids alone.

Things get even more complicated when he begins to fall in love with Sarah – his wife’s best friend.

Is Dave betraying Rita by falling in love again so soon or will he be walking away from true love if he ignores his feelings? With his children at the centre of his world, Dave worries what will happen when they discover he’s found love again.

David Tennant says: “I feel very lucky to have been sent this script. When I read what Mick Ford had written I was desperate to be part of this project. And to be working with Red Production Company again makes me very happy indeed.”

Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC One, added: “I am delighted that David’s next starring role on British television will be on BBC One.”

Made by Red Production Company (The Mark Of Cain, Casanova, Queer As Folk), filming on Single Father starts in Glasgow in March 2010 with further casting to be confirmed soon.

The producer is Peter Gallagher (Stone Of Destiny, The Flying Scotsman, My Name Is Joe) and executive producers are Nicola Shindler for Red Production Company and Anne Mensah for BBC Scotland.

Nicola Shindler, Executive Producer, Red Production Company, says: “I am extremely excited to be working with David again and especially on this project.

“He brings the emotional connection, warmth and humour that Single Father needs.”

Anne Mensah, Head of Drama Scotland and Head of Independent Drama, says: “I loved Mick Ford’s scripts the first time I read them, it’s the most beautiful yet funny tale of grief, loss and new love you could hope to encounter.

“David Tennant is an amazing actor and perfect for the role.”

Moniton Pictures presents the UK Premiere of Masses Entertainment’s multi award-winning low-budget feature film ’12 In A Box’ at Glasgow Film Theatre (Cinema 1), 5:30pm on 23rd March 2010. Tickets are £4 each and available from GMAC, 5th Floor, 103 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HD.
The UK comedy feature has won worldwide acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Winner of three prestigious international awards, the film has been picked up by distributors in the United States, Australia and Europe. With its recent cinema release in the States, the Hollywood Reporter described it as having “ … enough plot twists and turns to keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat until the film’s final moments”; while the Los Angeles Times gave it four stars and thought it “ … a nicely calibrated romp peppered with more than a few genuinely funny moments. It’s jolly good fun”.
The film itself is a classic British comedy set in a remote country mansion: At a school reunion, a dozen people are offered the chance to collect a million pounds each as long as they all remain on the estate, cut-off from the outside world, for 96 hours. As events begin to conspire against them, can they stay united, or will they turn on each other and lose the cash?

Following the screening both Bruce and John will be hosting a detailed Q&A with the audience. Afterwards there will be a networking event held at Walkabout, 128 Renfield Street G2 3AL. The networking event will start at 8pm with tickets for the screening, also valid for entry to the networking event - a great opportunity to mingle and have a chat/drink with Bruce & John as well as fellow members of the Scottish film community.
Event Organiser Andy Cassels from Moniton Pictures says “the main aim of the event is for independent British film-makers to see what can be achieved in British film with such a low-budget. This film shows just what can be achieved if you have a strong, engaging script and good production value. Hopefully the audience can gain a good insight into how this was accomplished during the Q&A as well as tapping into the experience which both Bruce & John have gained with how to promote and sell their film. Above all, I just hope everyone has a great time and enjoys the film and learns something from the event.”

For more information on the film (including trailer) please visit the film’s official website www.twelveinabox.com

Further information on the event is available on the Moniton Pictures official website www.monitonpictures.com

A seminar on the MEDIA Programme will be taking place in Glasgow at the end of February. A comprehensive overview of MEDIA Programme funding schemes will be given, and participants will be introduced to a variety of MEDIA-supported training and networking opportunities. The session is suitable for audiovisual industry practitioners.

Details of the event are as follows:
24 February 2010 from 2pm to 4pm
Scottish Screen
249 West George Street, Glasgow G2 4QE

For further information, please visit the MEDIA website at www.mediadeskuk.eu.
Please register by contacting Emma Valentine on 0141 302 1776 or scotland@mediadeskuk.eu

Vision Pictures is an internationally focused moving pictures development organisation supporting filmmakers globally. They provide labs, workshops and special events for producers, screenwriters and directors. Vision also provides consultancy and coaching services for both individuals and companies, supporting the development of fiction, documentary and cross media projects. Many Vision programs are available as online versions.

Vision Pictures - February and March - Edinburgh Training

Vision Pictures will be running the following courses in Edinburgh in February and March

Vision Budgeting and Scheduling (Edinburgh) – 2 Days - £235*

Sat 13th Feb 2010 and Sun 14th Feb 2010 10:30-16:30

Demystifying how to effectively budget and schedule a feature film

For more information see below and on the website: http://visionpictures.org/vision-workshops/producing/budgeting-and-scheduling-edinburgh-13-02-10/

Vision Pitching and Packaging (Edinburgh) – 1 Day - £117.50*

Fri 12th March 2010 10:30-16:30

How to master the art of packaging and pitching your projects effectively!

For more information see below and on the website: http://visionpictures.org/vision-workshops/producing/pitching-and-packaging-edinburgh-12-03-10/

Vision Film Finance (Edinburgh) – 2 Days - £235*

Sat 13th March 2010 and Sun 14th March 2010 | 10:30 – 16:30
How to finance your feature film.