Support for Scottish screen sector
The first intake of Scottish screen sector companies to a new support scheme has been announced.
Film City Futures, in partnership with Scottish Documentary Institute, has named the companies that will participate in FOCUS, a newly-established screen sector development initiative.
The pilot project aims to provide expert support to screen production companies working in Scotland. Seven have been confirmed, with applications now open for another wave at filmcityfutures.com.
The selected companies are Black Camel Pictures, Bees Nees, Hopscotch Films, La Belle Allee Productions, Matchlight, barry crerar and Seventh Crow. Each will start working with an allocated FOCUS expert to create a business development strategy for their company.
The project is funded by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the participating companies.
Natalie Usher, director of screen at Creative Scotland, said: “These companies represent a broad mix of new and established companies across film and television, all with ambition for growth.
“Creative Scotland continues to be committed to working with partners to generate the conditions necessary to ensure the continued growth of Scotland’s screen sector.”
Alasdair MacCuish, CEO of Bees Nees, said: ‘’2017 feels like a pivotal year for the TV sector in Scotland. The forthcoming establishment of the new BBC Scotland channel, increased commitment in the regions from BBC network and Channel 4, and the continued support BBC ALBA offers to the independent sector, is all incredibly positive.
“The local production community is vibrant and hungry to show what Scotland has to offer. There is still a lot of work to do, but Bees Nees remains ambitious for the industry as a whole and excited by the part we can play in its future success. The opportunity to benefit from the support of FOCUS could not be more timely.’’
FOCUS is also now tendering for consultants with expertise in business management, book scouting, development, distribution, digital, finance, HR, leadership, legal, marketing, production or script consultancy to support the companies in the next stage of the project.
For further information, click here.
Also on The Knowledge
Freedom Scripted options Sebastian Faulks’ Engleby
Sebastian Faulks’ novel Engleby is set to be adapted for television by C4-backed indie Freedom Scripted, starring Noah Jupe.
Shetland wins double recommission
The BBC has ordered two more series of detective drama Shetland with the first (Series 9) filming this month.
Bank of Dave the Sequel begins northern shoot
Filming gets underway today (26 February) on the Netflix sequel to 2023 feature Bank of Dave with shooting taking place largely in Burnley and Leeds.
Filming underway on new series of Strike
Strike, The Ink Black Heart – the sixth instalment of the detective drama - has begun filming.
Feature film Lola and Freddie to shoot in London this summer
A new feature film, Lola and Freddie, will shoot in London locations this summer with Naomie Harris, Joel Fry, Jameela Jamil and Olivia Lee leading the cast.
Construction commences on BBC's West Midlands production hub as new series is greenlit
Ground has been broken on The Tea Factory, a new BBC production hub in the West Midlands that promises to be the BBC’s greenest building, with a new series featuring Billy Billingham to be produced in the region.
