Pact urges support for Scottish producers
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Production industry trade association Pact has called for greater support for independent Scottish film and TV producers in a new report.
Pact represents the interests of UK media companies working in film, TV and digital. The new study was commissioned to investigate ways of boosting Scotland’s independent production sector, which is beginning to stagnate.
The report, entitled ‘A new model: building a sustainable independent production sector in Scotland’, focuses on how local commissioning in Scotland can be more effective. Network commissioning in the UK can also be more strategic and commercial by focusing on local producers delivering in key genres, the report found.
“There has been good growth in the Scottish indie sector over recent years but it is slowing and we need to do something now to build on that success,” said John McVay, chief executive of Pact.
“That is why we are making these recommendations to all parts of the industry – commissioners, regulators, government and producers themselves – to help develop a new wave of Scottish production companies and build a sustainable Scottish indie sector.”
Independent producers are also advised to seek partnerships with others in their sector, while the report urges Creative Scotland to develop a specific strategy to support indie production companies.
The Scottish government remains under pressure to develop a purpose-built film studio to stimulate the national industry and help grow the country’s international appeal. An expanded studio site near where TV series Outlander is filmed in Cumbernauld, is thought to be on the shortlist of options.
Plans for a separate, privately-funded studio were announced earlier this year for Straiton outside Edinburgh, but a planning decision has been delayed by local authorities.
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